Yes, we do. Our Vice President of Nutrition and Procurement is one of 12 nutritionists currently holding a Professional Animal Scientist certification in Companion Animal from the American Registry of Professional Animal Sciences (ARPAS). We also work with third-party nutritionists to validate our work, consult with us on research, and engage in open discussions about how to make sure our products continue to meet our high standards. We are highly rooted in science and continue to use the most proven, trusted ingredients available.

Read the label. High quality ingredients are essential for a healthy food. The first ingredient should always be a meat or fish protein, preferably a named meat meal (Chicken Meal, Beef Meal etc). Whole meats, whole grains, and natural preservatives are key components of the healthiest pet food. Pay attention to the protein ratio. A pet food with 20-30% protein is ideal. The bag should also be dated for freshness. Every bag of Nature's Select pet food has a "best buy" date stamped onto the back of the bag. It is recommended that the bag is used before that date; however, the food is perfectly safe to feed to your pets after that date, it just loses some potency after that date. It's important to remember that a "best buy" date is not the same as an "expiration date".

All Nature's Select formulas are free from corn, wheat, soy, gluten, and any other processed grain by-products. We have NEVER been challenged on nutrition! At Nature's Select, we have kept our formulas current with the latest nutritional advancements to maintain a high level of nutrition. All Nature's Select formulas are formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional levels established by AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

Always read the label. Avoid inexpensive, less nutritional ingredients and fillers. Corn, wheat, soy, and animal by-products are fillers that lack the nutrition your pets need.

Meat by-products consist of organs and parts not desired for consumption. They can include bones, blood, intestines, lungs, heads, feet, and feathers. We think it’s important to use specific ingredients such as chicken meal or brown rice. That way, you always know exactly what you are getting. When brands use ingredients such as poultry by-products, the ingredients can change from bag to bag. You may get chicken in one bag and turkey in the next.

Changing ingredients suddenly can cause digestive upset. Most fillers can be linked to excessive waste, poor nutritional absorption, and skin problems like excessive scratching and hair loss.

Also make sure there are no chemical preservatives such as BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), or ethoxyquin. These preservatives are potentially cancer-causing agents. The long-term buildups of these chemicals in your pet’s body have not been thoroughly studied and may ultimately be harmful.

When switching your pet to Nature’s Select food or from one Nature’s Select formula to another, we always recommend a gradual transition. Normal bacteria in the intestine help your pet digest food. A sudden change in diet can result in changes to the number and type of bacteria and their ability to digest food, which can lead to intestinal upset. Therefore, a gradual transition helps your pet’s digestive system adjust to a new food without causing loose stool or an upset tummy.

We recommend a transition over a period of 7-10 days. Start with a mixture of 25% new food and 75% old food for 2-3 days. Then switch to a 50/50 blend for another 2-3 days. If the transition is going well, move to 75% new food and 25% old food for another 2-3 days until you are 100% on the new food.

If at any time your dog starts to vomit, has loose stool, or appears constipated, slow the rate at which you are switching food.

In general, puppies need to have more scheduled feeding times per day than an adult dog. This is because a puppy’s body is in growth mode, and needs a constant supply of nutrients in order to be healthy. Most puppies will benefit from a diet that has their daily food portion divided into three feedings per day. New puppies, in general, do not eat a lot during their first few days in a new home. This is normal. Once they settle in they will start to eat again.

Store your pet food in a cool, dry place. Any dry kibble pet food product is guaranteed fresh for up to a year or 12 months if properly stored away from heat and moisture. We recommend putting your pet food in a sealed container for best results.

We have always been direct to consumer since we started this business back in 1994. You will not find our products in big box retailers or big pet store chains. Why? Because our pet food is not made with harsh chemical preservatives, additives, or fillers, and in turn is not meant to sit on a shelf for months and months or in a warehouse for long periods of time. Our goal is to get our pet food from our manufacturer in Texas - where it is made fresh bi-monthly - to our Nature's Select Distributors within 4 weeks or less, to make sure that by the time it gets to your door and in your pet's food bowl it is as fresh as possible! Some of our NS Distributors have started to partner with local, small mom & pop pet stores, pet groomers, doggie daycares, and pet hotels. You can find a complete list of where our pet food is sold by visiting our Shop Local Page.