Feeding Your Dog

Flint River Ranch uses oven-baking to change hard to digest starches into east to digest dextrins, which are readily absorbed into your dog's system.  The secret to good nutrition is not how many nutrients are present in a dog's food, but rather, how available they are and how efficiently they can be utilized when digested.  The good value is baked-in, not sprayed on.

Because Flint River Ranch foods are high density, you feed 20% - 25% less than other foods.  Each serving delivers maximum nutrition without fillers, so you'll also notice a lower stool volume and less clean-up.

When you buy dog food, you're looking for nutrition.  Studies have shown that dogs were required to eat 3 to 4 times as much of an economy brand than a premium food to provide proper nutrition.  Flint River Ranch dog food is cheaper to feed than other food costing less. There are 80 cups in a 20 lb. bag at a cost of 25 cents per cup.  Daily feeding of 2 to 2.5 cups is 50 to 63 cents.  Compare to a daily cost of 70 to 90 cents in feeding 3.5 to 5 cups of a food costing 18 to 20 cents per cup.  You will be able to see the difference in your dog's healthy skin, coat and energy level.  Healthy nutrition can also mean less medical bills.  We believe your dog deserves the best possible food and health.

If you are changing to Flint River Ranch food from another brand, please remember that food changes can upset a pet's digestive system.  You should make the change gradually over 5-7 days by mixing the FRR food with the brand previously used.  Start with a mixture of 10% - 15% FRR food, then increase the percentage of FRR food by 10% - 15% each day until the transition is complete.  Without the gradual transition from the other brand to richer FRR food, pets may get upset stomachs and diarrhea.  Don't try to speed the process by mixing a bag of each food together for a 50/50 mix and starting your pet on that.  You and your pet may both be dissatisfied with the results.

Feed your dog once or twice a day. Have plenty of fresh water available. Food requirements vary depending on climate, breed of dog and exercise activity. Feed an amount that will maintain your dog's weight. For suggested daily feeding amounts, select a specific dog food on the left side of this page.

OVERWEIGHT PETS.  Humans and pets both have to push away from the table. We find many pet owners that have switched to Flint River Ranch products still feeding the amount of food they formally fed. With concentrated Flint River Ranch super premium foods, it is best to feed at least 25% less. Pets, like humans, require a little adjustment over a period of time to the stomach and reduce their food intake. During this period of reducing the amount fed to a dog, add lightly cooked vegetables of all types - carrots, rice, broccoli, potatoes, celery, green beans and pasta. This is great for your dog's health.

Keep in mind, when you feed a diet that is low in protein and fat, sometimes the pet will eat more than they should in order to satisfy their taste buds.   Improper feeding is the greatest cause of a pet being overweight (along with those extra treats from the dinner table), not the protein content or quality of the food.

SOFT STOOL.  Premium food is very rich and has little in the way of useless fillers - during a change to a premium food, some pets may have a softer stool. A premium food will start cleaning the pet's digestive tract rather than just passing though the system. In time you will have a firmer, much smaller stool for easy clean-up.

COMPARE - WITH THE "BLOAT" TEST:  In one bowl place 1/4 cup Flint River oven-baked dog food.  In a second bowl place an equal amount of any other dog food.   Add warm water to cover and shake.  Keep the food covered by adding water as needed.  At the end of the day you will find that the Flint River Ranch food has broken down and has not expanded.  Depending upon the brand of the second food, it may have expanded in bulk 2 to 3 times the original size.  Many professionals believe food that expands can cause a serious bloat problem in your dog's stomach.

Feeding Guide

Feed your dog once a day.  Have plenty of fresh water available.  Food requirements vary depending on climate, breed of dog and exercise activity.  Following are suggested amounts.  Feed an amount that will maintain your dog's weight.

It is better to introduce Super Premium foods by mixing with your dog's usual food and increasing the amount of Flint River Ranch over several days.  It will take time for your dog to adjust to the Super Premium quality.  A sudden change in any food source may be a shock to your dog's digestive system.  You may notice loose stools.  If so, reduce the amount being fed until your dog adjusts.

Feeding Your Cat

If you are changing to Flint River Ranch food from another brand, please remember that food changes can upset a pet's digestive system.  You should make the change gradually over 5-7 days by mixing the FRR food with the brand previously used.  Start with a mixture of 10% - 15% FRR food, then increase the percentage of FRR food by 10% - 15% each day until the transition is complete.  Without the gradual transition from the other brand to richer FRR food, pets may get upset stomachs and diarrhea.  Don't try to speed the process by mixing a bag of each food together for a 50/50 mix and starting your pet on that.  You and your pet may both be dissatisfied with the results.

Young kittens may be started on Flint River Ranch by mixing with a little warm water. Feed food dry as soon as the kitten's teeth are strong enough to chew hard foods (8 to 10 weeks). Feed kittens about 3 times a day -after six months, twice a day.

Adult cats (1 year) can be fed once or twice a day. This depends upon what keeps your cat happy. Your cat should be looking for food when the next meal is due. Teach them to eat at meal times. The amount your cat eats in 15-20 minutes is about the amount they should be fed at the meal. Adjust the food as you notice an increase or decrease in the animal's weight.

CAT TREATS: While they provide important vitamins and chelated minerals, the Cat and Kitten Treats are not formulated to be a complete and balanced meal.