Not all dog treats are created equal.

Did you know here in Australia the pet food industry is largely unregulated? This means it’s totally up to the company on what protocols they have in place, how they manufacture or formulate their food and what quality control is performed, if any at all. And whilst the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) exists for pet food manufacturing, it’s not enforced and there’s no legal obligation to join. 

Over the years, industry reports have exposed poor manufacturing practices by dog food processors here in Australia and around the world that continue to harm and injure dogs. What stands out in these reports time and time again is poor quality protein sources and inadequate food safe practices.

In Australia, the source of your pet food and treats can come from three different distinctions:-

1. Knackery – A pet meat processing facility that slaughters horses, donkeys, and camels and other animals not intended for human consumption. They mostly process diseased, dead and euthanized animals which pose a very real risk to dog health.
2. Pet food grade abattoirs – much lower standard of food processing than human-grade abattoirs. 
3. Human grade abattoirs – highest sourcing and safety standards. This is where meat at the supermarket is processed. When we say we are human grade, this is standard we are referring to.

Information like this is important because the more we know, the better informed we are. At Canine and Countryside we've sourced the best Australian local, pasture raised and wild caught protein sources for your dog, with the exception of our wild caught Green Lipped Mussels coming from our friends over in New Zealand. We choose proteins that are pasture raised rather than factory farmed because we know that pasture raised animals have a higher standard of living and end of life practices as well as a greater overall nutritional profile.

We maintain an informed relationship with our suppliers so you don't have to. All of our suppliers are HACCP accredited and members of PFIAA. Our dog treat range is 100% natural, human grade, industry certified, preservative and additive free and manufactured right here in Queensland.