FAQS

Q. I’m looking for a top-quality food for my pet. What ingredients should I look for on the label?

A. A healthy food for your dog or cat offers your pet true nutrition. At Hound & Gatos we believe true nutrition begins with a balanced diet similar to what they would eat in nature: a meaty diet without grains. The first ingredient on all of our labels is real animal protein such as beef, chicken or salmon. No by-products, fillers or artificial preservatives are ever added. We also steer clear of ingredients that could cause adverse reactions in your pet such as peas, chickpeas, lentils or white potatoes.

Q. Why is a high animal protein diet healthy for my pet?

A. At Hound & Gatos, we believe our four-legged friends thrive on diets that reflect what their ancestors ate in the wild. You’ve never seen dogs and cats grazing in a pasture!

Q. Are Hound & Gatos recipes truly grain free?

A. Yes– with the exception of two kibble varieties that are made with ancient grains. At Hound & Gatos, we believe that dogs and cats were meant to thrive on a high-meat, low-carbohydrate diet. The majority of our recipes are prepared without grains of any kind, which makes them great for pets with food allergies or digestive sensitivities. Our complete and balanced foods contain only a few key ingredients. And we never use high-glycemic ingredients that aren’t good for pets, like white potatoes or excessive starchy grains.

Q. Why do you use natural agar-agar as a thickening agent?

A. Because there is evidence that other thickeners commonly found in pet foods may not be as healthy for your pet. Carrageenan has been linked to gastrointestinal inflammation and digestive issues. Guar gum has some healthy benefits, but it’s derived from a bean. Beans are difficult for cats to digest. Xanthan gum is derived from corn, wheat, dairy or soy. These nutrients can trigger allergies in sensitive pets.

Q. Where are your canned products made and sourced?

A. Every Hound & Gatos wet recipe is carefully prepared in a state-of-the-art facility, right here in the USA. The majority of meat, fish and poultry we use is USA sourced. Our lamb is imported from New Zealand and our duck comes from reliable suppliers in France.

Q. Where are your dry products made and sourced?

A. Our dry recipes are produced in a super premium facility located in the Upper Midwest. Our cage free chicken comes from Minnesota, our cage free turkey comes from South Dakota, and our wild salmon is harvested in Alaska. Our grass fed lamb is imported from Australia.

Q. How do you ensure the safety of your products?

A. All Hound & Gatos products are produced in state-of-the-art facilities. They follow FDA and USDA regulations, to ensure quality, cleanliness and safety every step of the way. Virtually everything is monitored during the preparation process, from incoming ingredients to finished cans. Because we’re committed to providing recipes that you can feel good about feeding your pet.

Q. Are your cans BPA free?

A. Yes.

Q. I’ve heard rumors linking grain free diets with canine heart disease. Is it safe to feed Hound & Gatos products to my dog?

A. There are many studies being conducted focusing specifically on canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any specific conclusions. What we do know is that based on published research to date, DCM may be connected to consumption of common legumes such as peas, lentils and chickpeas in the diet. Our recipes don’t contain any of these ingredients. Instead, we use higher percentages of real meat and also utilize whole eggs in our dry recipes for added protein. Additionally, Hound & Gatos dry canine diets contain supplemental taurine to address the potential link between taurine deficiency and DCM.

Q. Who are the makers of Hound & Gatos pet food?

A. Gott Pet Products is owned and operated by the Gottsacker family in St. Francis, Wisconsin. Our company, which is also responsible for Charlee Bear® natural dog treats, has been providing healthy ways to reward millions of pets since 1992.

Q. What is your company doing to help protect the environment and promote sustainability?

A. We’re constantly working to eliminate waste at every supply chain step, all the way from family farms and pastures where our ingredients are sourced to your local pet store shelf. We use the minimum amount of plastic film necessary to protect our natural kibble recipes, and encourage all our customers to recycle their empty wet food cans.

Q. Why do you offer an Original Paleolithic Diet?

A. When Hound & Gatos was originally introduced, the recipes were inspired by what dogs and cats would have consumed before their human parents started raising dairy animals and cultivating grains. That’s why you’ll find an Original Paleolithic Diet containing a 98% beef, pork and lamb blend in both our canned dog and cat line.

Q. Why do you use natural agar-agar as a thickening agent in your wet food?

A. Because there is evidence that other thickeners commonly found in pet foods may not be as healthy for your pet. Carrageenan has been linked to gastrointestinal inflammation and digestive issues. Guar gum has some healthy benefits, but it’s derived from a bean. Beans are difficult for dogs to digest. Xanthan gum is derived from corn, wheat, dairy or soy. These nutrients can trigger allergies in sensitive pets.

Q. How long can I store the unused portion of your canned food after opening?

A. Once the canned food is in a pet’s dish, it can stay out at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes and then it should be put back in the refrigerator or discarded, depending upon the temperature in the room. Overall, the exact same rules that would apply for human canned food apply here.

Q. What makes Hound & Gatos dry grain free recipes different from the rest?

A. They’re the first high animal protein pet foods without peas, lentils, chickpeas or white potatoes. These recipes also don’t contain highly processed, rendered meat, poultry or fish meals, or grains of any kind.

Q. Why should I consider switching my dog to a pea, lentil and chickpea free food?

A. Because there is some evidence that a legume-loaded diet may lead to low taurine levels, which could weaken a dog’s heart. That’s why, as an extra precaution, we’ve added taurine to all our dry recipes for dogs and cats.

Q. My pet is allergic to wheat, corn and rice. Is it okay to feed her ancient grains?

A. Yes, because it’s unlikely that your pet has been sensitized to these less common grains. Always speak to your veterinarian on any changes to your pet’s diet and once you do try a new food, switch them gradually over 7-10 days.

Q. Is Hound & Gatos dry food good for senior dogs? What about puppies?

A. Our kibble recipes are carefully formulated to meet the nutritional needs of canines throughout their life, all the way from puppy to senior. Please check the feeding guidelines to determine the proper amount to provide.

Q. Why do you use tapioca in your dry food?

A. We use natural tapioca to hold our kibble together, instead of carrageenan, added animal fat, rice or white potatoes. Tapioca is a natural root vegetable that is high in dietary fiber and starch. It is safely consumed by over 500 million people around the world every day.

Q. Why do you offer an Original Paleolithic Diet recipe?

A. When we originally introduced Hound & Gatos, our recipes were inspired by what dogs and cats would have consumed before their human parents started raising dairy animals and cultivating grains. That’s why you’ll find an Original Paleolithic Diet containing a 98% beef, pork and lamb blend in both our canned dog and cat line.

Q. Why are Hound & Gatos recipes especially good for cats?

A. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they have to eat meat to survive. Unlike their canine counterparts, their bodies simply aren’t equipped to digest plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits or grains. So you and your cat will be happy to know that every Hound & Gatos recipe contains 98% meat, poultry, fish and/or liver. The other 2% is a complete and balanced vitamin-mineral blend along with Taurine, which is essential for feline health. Also, many cats don’t use the water bowl as often as they should, so a wet diet is a good way to keep them hydrated.

Q. Why is agar-agar on the ingredient list?

A. Because there is evidence that other thickeners commonly found in pet foods may not be as healthy for your pet. Carrageenan has been linked to gastrointestinal inflammation and digestive issues. Guar gum has some healthy benefits, but it’s derived from a bean. Beans are difficult for cats to digest. Xanthan gum is derived from corn, wheat, dairy or soy. These nutrients can trigger allergies in sensitive pets.

Q. How long can I store the unused portion of your canned food after opening?

A. Once the canned food is in a pet’s dish, it can stay out at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes and then it should be put back in the refrigerator or discarded, depending upon the temperature in the room. Overall, the exact same rules that would apply for human canned food apply here.