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STAM
treats were created because through research we found that even ‘organic’, ‘gourmet’ and ‘all
natural’ treats contained less than optimal ingredients. Most of us have been told not to give our dogs real chocolate
or bones that splinter easily, but canine nutrition can be complicated.
Many dogs develop allergies and food intolerances
to common foods such as wheat, corn, soy, dairy, eggs, yeast, and whey. Symptoms include itchy paws, rashes, dry skin, excess
gas, vomiting, and diarrhea. There are a myriad of documentation on the subject, much of it conflicting. What we do know is
that dogs eat very little carbohydrates in their natural state; there are no videos of dogs hunting loaves of bread in the
wild. Many commercial dog foods contain about 40 percent carbohydrates in the form of starches and grains. The problem is
that dogs have trouble digesting grains. Built like carnivores, they lack the necessary digestive enzymes in their
mouths. This means grains aren’t able to pre-digest, so they take a long time to break down in the stomach, if at all.
We also know that dairy can cause gut irritation because many dogs lack lactase – the enzyme that digests milk sugar.
What is the difference between grain-free and gluten-free?
Gluten is a special protein
found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It’s also an important ingredient in mainstream commercial breads. Some
grains are naturally free of gluten, like quinoa, millet, and amaranth. That means a product labeled ‘gluten-free’
may be made from grains. A product labeled ‘grain-free’ will be both gluten-free and grain-free. Are STAM treats hypoallergenic? This is a marketing buzz-word companies use to detract
you from reading the label. Dogs, cats, people, etc. can be allergic to everything under the sun, including ingredients in
hypoallergenic products. Are STAM treats
organic? The truth is, we do use some organic ingredients, but we don’t specify them on our labels.
We have read all of the chemical data on our inputs and made choices based on that data. Additionally, Laura worked as a crop
statistician with the USDA prior to manufacturing dog treats. We started using organic raw honey after the latest research
about Honeybee colony collapse disorder and the unusually high amount of some chemicals growers need to use to combat the
disease. If it’s imperative you purchase only organic products,
make sure the label reads ‘Certified Organic’ and has an official seal from the USDA, Tilth, etc. Otherwise, you
are not getting what you are paying for. Do STAM treats clean dogs teeth? Sorry to say the best way to cleans dogs teeth is to brush them, which is an impossibility in our home. You can look
for non anesthesia dental cleaning services or have their teeth cleaned if they will be under anesthesia for any reason. What
won't clean your dogs teeth are treats. Do any of your treats contain meat? No, STAM does not use meat because many of our customers need to keep close track of their dogs protein sources.
Feeding too much of any one type of meat can lead to an intolerance of that protein source, so we try not to add to the protein
confusion. Do you use locally sourced products? I don't think manufactures intend to be dishonest, but they must not understand the concept.
We buy our chickpea flour from our local flour mill. That does not mean our chickpea flour is locally sourced. That just means
we purchased the flour locally. Our state grows very little chickpeas. The chickpeas in our flour most likely came from North
Dakota, Michigan, Nebraska, Idaho, and California. Our blueberries, however, are locally sourced. We only purchase blueberries
grown in the Pacific Northwest because we can. Oregon is a major player in the production of cultivated blueberries.
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Here is what you WILL NOT find in STAM treats:
Grains of any kind (including wheat, corn, rye, oats, spelt, quinoa, or
barley), meat, dairy, eggs, yeast, soy, whey, or artificial preservatives
Here is what you WILL find
in STAM treats: Activated Charcoal ~ Helps to settle dogs stomachs and decrease excess gas. Given in small amounts for digestive
maintenance and used in large amounts to counteract poisoning. Alfalfa Leaf ~ In the legume family and one of the oldest cultivated plants. Alfalfa leaf is
used to ease upset stomachs and joint pain. All-natural Peanut Butter ~ All the great flavor of traditional peanut butter, but without the extra sugar and hydrogenated vegetable
oil.
Blackstrap
Molasses ~ The third boiling of sugar cane makes blackstrap molasses. The majority of sucrose has been crystallized
and removed, and unlike refined sugars, contains significant amounts of vitamins and minerals. One tablespoon provides up
to 20% DV of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
Blueberries
~ Great source of antioxidants and just the right amount of natural sweetness. Carrots ~ Excellent source of antioxidant compounds and the richest source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes.
Chia Seed ~ The chia plant is an herb from the mint family. Chia
seed is the highest known plant source of Omega 3 fatty acids (10% more than flax seed). Chickpea Flour ~ High in easily digestible protein and grain-free. A significant source of calcium
and foliate, and a good source of dietary fiber. Cloves
~ An all-natural parasite killer, which makes cloves a natural de-wormer. Cranberry Powder ~ Contains bacteria-blocking compounds that are helpful in preventing urinary
tract infections. Also contain Phytochemicals that reduce oxidative damage to cells. Herb Broth ~ Made-from-scratch with rosemary, thyme, parsley and filtered water. Honey (Raw) ~ Aids in digestion, functions as an antioxidant, and is used to help treat canine allergies.
Pumpkin ~ Low in saturated fat and high in fiber. A very good
source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Riboflavin, Potassium, Copper and Manganese. Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Dried Sardines ~ Uniquely high in two kinds of Omega 3 fatty acids:
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahex aenoic acid (DHA). Spirulina ~ A blue-green algae and one of earth's oldest living plants. Nature's richest whole-food source of vitamins,
proteins and antioxidants. Our packaging is heat sealed with a
ZipLoc closure to maintain freshness. |
