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How do I handle and serve your raw diets?
You should always practice good hygiene just like when you prepare meals for yourself or your family. Always clean and disinfect working surfaces and utensils. Your pet's food bowl should be washed after they finish each meal. Make sure to wash your hands before and after preparing your pet's meals.
How do I handle a raw bone?
Just like any raw food, you should use good hygiene when handling our raw bones. Always wash your hands before and after handling. You may feed the bones frozen or thawed (via refrigeration or cold water). While rare, bones may splinter, so we always recommend supervising your pet while they enjoy the bone.
What is the shelf life for your products?
Instinct and Prairie kibble diets – 1 year (unopened)
Instinct, Prairie, and Homestyle cans – 2 years (unopened)
Raw Frozen Diets – 1 year (kept frozen, unopened)
Freeze Dried Raw – 1 year (unopened)
How are your foods preserved?
Nature's Variety uses only natural preservatives for our wholesome foods. Our kibble diets are preserved naturally using an antioxidant - a mixture of tocopherols (vitamin E) and citric acid. For our canned diets, the manufacturing (or retort) process sterilizes the food and removes all air, thus there is no need for additional preservatives. Our Raw Frozen Diets and Bones are frozen, a proven preservation method that prevents spoilage.
Does your Salmon Meal contain Ethoxyquin?
No, our Salmon Meal is naturally preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid. At Nature’s Variety, we source ONLY naturally preserved ingredients for our holistic kibble products. We do not add ethoxyquin to our products, nor do we purchase ethoxyquin-preserved ingredients. To read our official statement on our Ethoxyquin-free fish,
please click here.
How do I store your kibble and canned diets?
We recommend storing our kibble diets in a cool, dry location. Our canned foods should also be stored in a cool place, protected from extreme heat or cold. Once a can has been opened, refrigerate the unused portion until it can be fed (up to a day or so).
Why do I occasionally notice a slight change in the color of your diets?
Nature's Variety does not include any artificial colors or dyes in our wholesome foods. As a result, the color of our food is totally dependent upon the color of our healthy ingredients, and may vary from time to time. Absolutely consistent and uniform color does not come from nature.
Why do I occasionally notice a difference in the moisture content of your Instinct and Prairie cans?
Our Instinct and Prairie canned diets are predominantly meat and are all natural (with added vitamins and minerals). As a result, our canned diets will directly reflect the amount of natural moisture that is in a variety of meat or poultry. For example, lamb is a drier meat – so our lamb formulas often have less noticeable moisture than our rabbit formulas (as rabbit meat has higher levels of natural moisture). Please be assured that the natural moisture present in our canned diets will never exceed the percentage that is guaranteed on the label.
Is your packaging recyclable?
Please check with your local recycling providers to determine which items they are currently accepting. Our aluminum and steel cans are generally recyclable in most communities. Nature's Variety is committed to reducing waste and we are continually working on providing “greener” and more recyclable packaging.
How long can my pet enjoy a slow roasted treat?
Your pet may enjoy the slow roasted treat for as long as they are interested in it! Always wash your hands before and after handling our slow roasted treats. While rare, bones may splinter, so we recommend supervising your pet while they enjoy the bone.
How long should I keep a defrosted raw medallion/patty/chub thawed in the refrigerator?
Once your pet's portion has been thawed, we recommend serving it within 24 hours.
