DEHYDRATION

Dehydration is one of the oldest methods of preserving food. Dehydrated dog and cat food is generally processed at low heat for a long time to draw out or evaporate any moisture out of the food. Each of the dehydrated food companies that we carry use different methods and temperatures to achieve this. I outline this below. In my research there definitely seems to be more variation and uniqueness in the processes used to dehydrate than to freeze- dry pet foods.

Foods dehydrated at higher temperatures are not considered completely raw, but very lightly cooked as the moisture is removed. Cooking denatures many of these nutrients including delicate enzymes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, affecting the nutrition of the product.

Dehydrated dog food is usually harder than freeze-dried food and takes longer to rehydrate.

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We frequently get asked why we do not create our own, “in store” or “private label” brand of dry or raw pet food. Private labeling is becoming more commonplace in pet food stores/chains. Private labeling is the process by which a pet food store or chain contracts a pet food or accessories manufacturer to formulate and manufacture an exclusive line of products – food, treats, toys, etc. for that store or chain. These brands are sold exclusively in that store or chain of stores.

Tail Blazers has made the decision to never private label for the following reasons:

Since 2000 we have developed close and important relationships with our suppliers and manufacturers. Those that have the same goals and stringent requirements that we do, which is creating and maintaining superior health for your pets! These relationships are extremely important to us. We have grown together in what was a VERY new concept in those early years, in creating a “health food store for pets.”

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The old saying; ‘let a sleeping dog lie’ typically refers to muzzling a bad conversation, but in the literal sense, there are many reasons why we should let a sleeping dog lie.

Different Ways of Sleeping

Dogs sleep in a far different matter from humans, which explains in part why dogs need more sleep than a human. A human follows a binary sleep pattern.

• REM sleep. The REM sleep pattern yields the deepest sleep, allowing for the greatest rejuvenation of the body. A human will enter into REM sleep easier than a dog, and humans spend about 25% of their sleeping time in REM sleep. A dog only spends about 10% of its sleeping time in REM, which means the dog needs more hours of sleep for full rejuvenation of the body.
• Active patterns. A human spends much of his/her awake time in an active pattern, either in physical or mental stimulation. A dog meanwhile may only spend about 20% of its day truly active. Another 30% of the day may be spent in a waking pattern, but the dog is inactive.

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