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Who owns Caru Pet Food Company?

Caru Pet Food Company is a family-owned business operated by two Canadians who originally founded Karu’s Canine Cuisine in 2010. Adrian and Pamela Pettyan are medical professionals who care about the happiness and well-being of every pet.

Why did you name your company Caru?

We coined that name for our company because we wanted to help all pets. The Welsh word for "to love" is “Caru”.

How should I go about introducing my pet to Caru Balanced Omega Blend stews?

If you’re currently feeding your dog or cat a wet or semi-moist food, we suggest mixing 25% of the new food with 75% of the current food for the first 2 days, then mixing 50% new food with 50% current food for the next 2 days, then mixing 75% new food with 25% current food for the next 2 days. By day 7, you can feed your dog or cat 100% new food. Try slowing down the process if your pet experiences any kind of digestive upset during this time.

If you’re currently feeding your dog a typical dry food, reduce the dry by 2/3 cup for every 1 pack of Caru. Used as a topper, Caru Balanced Omega Blend stews make a great supplement that has a positive effect on the immune system for overall health and vitality and to reduce the health risks associated with chronic low grade body inflammation.

What is marine microalgae oil?

Marine microalgae oil is a natural, plant-like source of two of the most important Omega-3 fatty acids - eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are essential for a lifetime of vitality and health. Microalgae are a type of sea vegetable that is sustainable and provides the same benefits as fish oil without the need to catch fish or impart a fishy taste to food. Caru uses marine microalgae oil that is cultured instead of harvested from the sea, so it is free of potential pollutants. Moreover, since this oil is made from plant-like organisms, it allows us to craft single-animal protein recipes that are beneficial for pets prone to allergies or digestive sensitivities. Microalgae are a type of sea vegetable that is sustainable and provides the same benefits of fish oil without the need to catch fish or impart a fishy taste to food.

I’m already feeding Caru stews to my pet. Will the marine microalgae oil change how they taste?

Absolutely not. This ingredient is flavorless. It doesn’t have a fishy or seaweedy taste.

How soon will I start seeing improvements in my pet’s behavior or condition?

The rate at which you first notice the effects of feeding our Balanced Omega Blend diets depend on a few key factors.

Whether you are feeding the stews as a main meal (which is recommended) or if they are being used as a topper. It will generally take longer if these diets are used as a supplemental topper rather than as a main meal.
The nature of the health issue and the severity of the condition. Improvements in coat and skin health, for example, may be noticeable within a shorter timespan than seeing improvements with joint issues. But generally speaking, you should start seeing positive results within four to eight weeks. For extremely severe conditions, we recommend that you seek immediate veterinary advice.
Other factors, such as stress and the overall health of your pet, can also diminish the desired effects.
That said, consistency is key. It is important to recognize that it takes time establish the desired balance of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids, so you’ll get better results if you feed Caru Balanced Omega Blend diets to your pet every day. Skipping around between feeding Caru and a different diet won’t cause any real problems, but inconsistent feeding will impact how well these diets support your pet’s health and vitality.

Why do many commercial dog foods contain high ratios of Omega-6 to Omega-3?

There are several reasons why there may be an overabundance of Omega-6 fatty acids in your pet’s diet. Here are just a few.

The livestock providing the animal protein in canine and feline diets is primarily raised on grain, which is naturally high in Omega-6 and generally low in Omega-3.
Highly processed pet food strips away the essential fatty acids in the kibbling process due to intense heat, pressure and short cook times.
High protein diets, especially those that contain red meat, are high in Omega-6, which also contributes to the imbalance.
Inferior ingredients used in pet grade food are also responsible for high levels of Omega-6, so manufacturers add vitamins and minerals in an attempt to rebalance the food.

Why aren’t your Classics Bone Broths also formulated with Balanced Omega Blend?

Lab tests revealed that the levels of Omega-6 fatty acids in our Classics Beef and Chicken Bone Broth were undetectable. So these delicious products didn’t require “Omega balancing.” They only needed to be infused with Omega-3 fatty acids to provide the same functional benefits as Caru stews with Balanced Omega Blend.

Are there any grain free products in the Caru line?

Actually, every stew and treat we offer is both grain free and gluten free! We also promise that our products don’t contain any corn, wheat or soy.

Do Caru products contain artificial flavors, preservatives or colors?

No. Our entire line of stews and treats is made with only natural ingredients (fortified with vitamins and minerals).

Do Caru stews contain meat or poultry by-products?

No. Caru stews do not contain animal by-products of any kind.

Where can I find additional nutritional information about your stews and broths?

To review the essential nutrients in our Classics and Daily Dish stew and broth lines, click here.

Where are your products produced?

In the United States, with the exception of Daily Dish Smoothies which are prepared in Thailand from human grade ingredients in a state-of-the-art plant. We create and develop our own recipes in collaboration with an animal nutritionist and veterinary nutritionist. We are proud to say that all of our stews, baked treats and broths are manufactured in facilities that are USDA approved and inspected.

Are your stews and broths truly “human grade”?

Yes! Our stews and broths are made with 100% human grade ingredients, and they are processed and handled in accordance with FDA regulations for human food. Just remember, these products are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs and cats, not people!

How about your treats?

While our Soft ‘n Tasty baked treats for dogs and cats cannot be labeled human grade, they’re carefully prepared with 100% premium ingredients in small batches without grains, gluten or GMO ingredients and are naturally preserved. Turning our attention to liquid treats, our all-natural Classics Bone Broths and Daily Dish Broths (Beef Bone Broth, Chicken Bone Broth & Pumpkin Broth) are made with 100% human grade ingredients and are prepared in a human food plant. Like all Caru stews and baked treats, they’re made in the United States.

How long do your stews stay fresh?

Unopened, Caru Stews have a shelf life of two years from the date of production. Once opened, these convenient, resealable cartons can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Always check the Best by Date on the top of the pack to determine if the food is still suitable to feed your pet.

Where can I purchase Caru products?

Our products are available at a number of neighborhood pet stores and online pet specialty retailers. For a complete list of our American and Canadian retail partners, click here.

Where do you get your ingredients? Are any sourced from China?

All of our stew, broth and baked treat ingredients are obtained from the United States, except for a handful of vitamins and minerals which come from Europe and/or Japan and Tapioca Starch from Thailand and/or India. All meat proteins are government inspected before being used in any Caru recipe. Daily Dish Smoothies are crafted in Thailand from non-China sources. For your further assurance, all of our food suppliers must conform to Caru’s stringent manufacturing standards for quality and safety.

Do I need to add supplemental vitamins or minerals to your stews?

Caru canine formulas are complete and balanced for maintenance, while our feline formulas are complete and balanced for all life stages as is indicated on our packaging. No additional supplementation is necessary or recommended as it can compromise the health of your pet.

My older dog occasionally refuses to eat. What can I do to stimulate his appetite?

Aroma is the foremost factor that attracts dogs to food. As pets get older, their sense of smell declines, which may explain the loss of appetite. Also, continuous panting in very hot weather reduces a dog’s sense of smell, so try to feed your dog in cooler surroundings. Here are some more appetite-amplifying tricks you can try:

Always try to serve the meal at the same time of day.
Gently warm the food in the microwave or add a little warm water.
A little light exercise before meals could help.

But please be sure to contact your veterinarian if your pet steers clear of his bowl for a considerable time.

What’s the difference between Caru Classics Bone Broths and Daily Dish Bone Broths?

To prepare our Classics Bone Broths, we start by slowly simmering natural chicken or beef bones for 18-24 hours. Then organic vegetables are added to make a savory stock. For Caru Daily Dish Chicken and Beef Bone Broths, we blend premium bone broth powder with carrots, apples, celery and other natural ingredients and simmer them for 2-4 hours to create a naturally hearty broth. Daily Dish Pumpkin Broth is prepared with real pumpkin, apples, arrowroot and kale. All of our broths are crafted with only natural, human grade ingredients.

How do you guarantee quality in the manufacturing of your pet foods?

We address this in a number of ways.

Caru products are manufactured with the utmost care at plants that are certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food & Drug Administration, which means they must meet stringent standards for quality, cleanliness and food safety. In addition, we set exceptionally high standards for ourselves and all of our suppliers and partners.
Our exclusive recipes are made naturally with carefully selected ingredients. They are prepared in small “artisan” batches.
All our products are made with a limited number of natural, wholesome ingredients. Our stews are simply fortified with vitamins and minerals. That’s why they look, smell and taste like homemade food!
These are the most carefully prepared recipes you can serve your pet. As pet owners ourselves, we are committed to the health and safety of your pets and will continue to work actively to ensure the quality and safety of all our products.

I’ve noticed that when I open a pack of stew that some of the packs have a little more gravy than others. Why is this?

Caru stews are carefully prepared in small batches. Because of this, they don’t turn out identically from one batch to the next. It’s just like when you make a homemade stew from scratch – no two batches are exactly alike!

How is your dog food cooked? Is it baked or extruded?

Caru stews are neither baked nor extruded. Our goal is to produce the healthiest, most carefully prepared recipes you can feed your pet. With that in mind, we use carefully selected, high-quality ingredients with real meats and poultry plus vegetables and fruit. The use of better raw ingredients means that Caru stews can be minimally processed, so fewer nutrients are cooked out. We also utilize proprietary cooking and packaging processes that are unique to North America. The end result is a nutrient-rich, readily digestible stew for pets with flavor and aroma that’s unsurpassed.

How do Caru stews compare to the other leading brands of dog or cat food?

At Caru, we’re focused on feeding pets the things they need, and cutting out the things that are bad for them or that people are trying to get rid of in their own diets, which is why:

In all our Classics stews, the first ingredient is meat or poultry. In our beef stews, for example, beef is listed first, which means that there is more beef than any other ingredient.
Our stews are made with a limited number of natural, wholesome ingredients, plus vitamins and minerals. They don’t contain any animal by-products, meals, gums or fillers. Caru Classics pork stew for dogs, for example, contains pork, pork broth, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, potatoes, green beans, peas and tapioca starch with added vitamins and minerals.
Every Caru product contains real vegetables and/or fruit that are rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, natural vitamins, minerals and fibers – everything necessary to promote health and wellness.
Caru products don’t contain any grain, wheat, gluten, corn or soy – grains that some dogs can’t tolerate in their diet. Nor do they contain any artificial preservatives, flavors or colors. And all recipes are made with NO GMO ingredients.
All of our real meats, poultry and fish (beef, pork, chicken, turkey, salmon, pollock and cod) are sourced from highly reputable North American suppliers.
All our stews are carefully prepared in small batches.
Our Classics Stews for dogs are the first ready-to-eat diets made with 100% human grade ingredients that are prepared and handled in accordance with regulations for human food. The same is true of our Daily Dish recipes for dogs and Classics Stews for cats.
Every Caru stew you can serve your pet is infused with our low grade body inflammation-taming Balanced Omega Blend.