Our Ingredients
The ingredients in Back to Basics Raw Pet Food have been carefully chosen to provide a good balance of nutrients for optimal health. We believe in a diet of whole, natural, raw foods with a few choice added supplements. Our diets are carefully balanced to include all of the necessary components of a healthy raw food diet. Our meats are hormone and steroid free, human grade (with the exception of green tripe) and are always the highest quality.
At Back to Basics we pride ourselves on being one of the few raw pet food companies that nutritionally test our products to ensure optimal nutrition for all ages of cats and dogs. All of our meals have an ideal protein to fat ratio as well as an ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio and an ideal calcium content for both growing puppies and adults.
Not all raw foods are created equal. Many cheap poultry based grinds contain ground carcass (this term genarally refers to what is left after all of the highly nutritious meat and organs are removed from the product leaving bone and skin) feeding mostly animal carcasses does not provide the right nutrition in the right amount. Ground carcasses are far too high in fat content and bone content which provide very little in the way of protein, vitamins and minerals. Many cheap ground beef products are very high in organ content, (organ content should make up approximately 10% of the overall diet) high organ content can cause hypervitaminosis and can greatly irritate the GI tract. These products can also be very high in fat content, dogs do need fat but too much fat can cause problems at the cellular level and fats do not contain the vitmains and minerals dog need. One of the biggest concerns of feeding red meat based diets is the level of calcium, dogs need more calcium than any other mineral and it is essential for bone formation, blood coagulation, muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission. Back to Basics does have a product that does not contain a calcium source, the Raw Meaty Bone Balancer is intended to be fed in conjunction with meaty bones such as chicken backs and turkey necks. If you are feeding a raw food diet your dog must have a source of bones in their diet to provide a source of calcium.
Back to Basics is passionate about enhancing the well being of pets and our formulas are made using ingredients that will improve your pet's health and well being. You can trust Back to Basics to have your pet's best interest at heart, we have done the research and believe our products to be one of the best on the market.
Below you will find a list of ingredients that Back to Basics uses in our products. Great food starts with great ingredients.
BEEF
The beef in Back to Basics products is hormone and steroid free, provincially inspected, human grade. You can rest assured that we have chosen the highest quality of lean, nutrient packed, humanely raised animals for our products. Beef packed full of essential nutrients essential for your best friend, it is high in iron, zinc, vitamin B2, B6, B12, and D.
CHICKEN
An excellent source of highly digestible protein, high in amino acids and essential fatty acids. Our chicken is human grade, cage free and grain fed. Only the highest quality! Also contains high levels of selenium, niacin and vitamin B6. A staple for many raw diets because it is affordable and easily digested in whole form due to softer bones, which provide essential calcium and chewing exercise. Our chicken meal contains WHOLE ground chicken providing a great balance of meat, bones and organs. The chicken backs we carry are the leanest and meatiest backs we have found and are great for keeping teeth clean. Chicken backs are a great way to balance out a diet that includes red meat and organs.
TURKEY
The Turkey in Back to Basics products is grain fed and cage free. Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein high in iron, zinc, potassium and B vitmanis. Turkey necks are also a great source of essential calcium and make the best toothbrush!
BISON
Bison is leaner than beef and is high in beta carotene. Also high in iron, zinc, and selenium. Bison are naturally raised with no hormones or antibiotics. Bison is always free of hormones and is a great choice to add some variety to your pet's diet. Bison is considered one of nature's most perfect proteins.
PORK
Pork is an excellent source of lean protein and is considered a "cooling" protein, making it an excellent choice for dogs with excess inflammation. Pork is also an excellent choice for dogs that have allergies to other red meats.
EGGS
Described as nature’s perfect protein. Rich in choline, which is known to reduce inflammation. Also high in selenium, iodine, vitamin B2, B5, B12, D. Eggs protect against loss of eyesight, cataracts and macular degeneration. The shell of the egg also provides a good source of natural calcium.
ORGANS
Organs are an essential part of any raw food diet and should make up around 10% of the overall diet. Heart is high in thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and taurine. Liver is very high in vitamin A, D, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, B6, B12, and pantothenic acid. Kidney is a mineral-rich organ that is high in protein.
GREEN TRIPE
Considered a Canine Superfood! This is the stomach of ungulates (hooved animals). The word “green” refers to the fact that the tripe is pure and unbleached. Rich in digestive enzymes, gastric juices, taurine, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. Green tripe also contains lactic acid bacteria, also known as lactobacillus acidophilus which is a good intestinal bacteria and the main ingredient in probiotics.
ROMAINE LETTUCE
A great source of vitamins A & K, folate, vitamin C, manganese chromium, folic acid and potassium.
CARROTS
By far the richest source of beta carotene which helps protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also helps promote good vision. Carrots are also an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C, dietary fibre, and potassium.
CELERY
Helpful in regulating fluid balance, stimulates urine production, and helps rid the body of excess fluid. Celery also contains compounds called coumarin that can prevent free radicals from damaging cells. High in vitamin C, dietary fibre, folate, potassium, molybdenum, manganese, and vitamin B6.
APPLES
High in antioxidants and flavonoids, apples are considered to be one of the “super foods.” Good source vitamin C and fibre.
ORGANIC KELP
Is rich in iodine, which is good for glands and organs especially the thyroid and liver. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-rheumatic, and antibiotic properties. Contains vitamin A, B1, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, and E. It is also a source of zinc biotin, bromine, calcium, choline, copper, inositol, iodine, potassium, selenium, sodium, sulphur, and trace elements.
