Flint River Ranch, Super Premium All-Natural Formula, is slowly TWICEOVEN-BAKED under carefully controlled conditions and proper temperatures. Thisunique baking process changes the hard to digest molecules of "raw" starchesinto easy to digest dextrines. This process acts as a "pre-digest" of the kibblefood, resulting in less strain on the dog's digestive system and produces agreater degree of food absorption. A dog's intestinal tract is short; itfunctions in the most efficient manner when the food is concentrated and can bequickly digested. The important vitamins, minerals and food ingredients are theneasily assimilated into the dog's digestive system.

EXTRUSION vs QUALITY OVEN-BAKING:
Most companies prepare their food by steamingit as quickly as possible, usually less than 3 minutes, then extruding it underextreme pressure through a metal die (A steam extrusion process). This processexpands the food with air creating a uniform shape. This method does not producethe highly digestible food that your dogs' system requires. This extruded food(cooked in a very short time) is usually almost "raw" and requires the additionof what many nutritionists feel are harmful chemical preservatives (Ethoxyquin,BHA, and BHT) to maintain a reasonable product shelf-life. These chemicalproducts may be associated with dry skin, allergic reactions, dental disease,poor health and degenerative organ dysfunction.

OVEN-BAKING PROCESS:
In the oven-baking process, a small 2 inch size biscuit isbaked, moving slowly through the oven then broken into smaller, irregular kibbleranging in size from tiny morsels to about 1/2 inch.

DIGESTIBILITY / PALATABILITY:
Flint River Ranch dog food scores in the high 90'sfor digestibility and palatability -while most extruded food is in the low tomid 80's on a scale of 100.

SMALL / FINE MORSELS:
The smaller morsels are very important as they digest veryquickly in the dog's system helping create immediate nutritional value for yourpet. Dogs don't eat food - they "wolf' it down - small pieces digest easier inthe dog's system. This is what makes the food so great! The larger, crunchykibble naturally cleans teeth, exercises the gums and freshens breath.

WHY 23% PROTEIN?
It is not the amount of protein in a dog food that isimportant, it is the type of protein and how easily it can be digested. Theprotein is the right amount for all stages of life. In some cases of workingdogs or dogs under high stress, the addition of meat protein can be considered.

BAKING TEMPERATURES:
Any cook can mix ingredients - the secret is in the totalcooking process. This is one of the reasons our food is not easily duplicated byother manufacturers.

COLOR OF THE FOOD:
An oven-baked food will have various shades of colors - fromthe soft light inside to the heavy brown crunchy outside crust. Oven-baked foodis food in its' natural state. No oils or liver digest is sprayed on the food toencourage a dog to eat. Like all natural things in our environment, as well asthe baking process - color of the food will vary from time to time. CONCENTRATEDTO FEED LESS Since the food is concentrated, there is more value with less foodconsumed. Feeding oven-baked foods require 20-25% less food than steam-extrudedfoods. Pet owners will find fewer odors and stool clean up. Feeding Flint RiverRanch quality products, you will be able to see the difference in your pet'shealth, skin, coat, energy level and quality life-style.

OVERWEIGHT DOGS:
We find many pet owners still feed the amount of oven-bakedfood they normally would feed with other brands - about 3-4 cups for a 55 lb.dog. With concentrated premium foods, it is best to feed about 25% less. Dogsmay require a little adjustment over a period of time to shrink their stomachand reduce their food intake. Lightly cooked vegetables of all types can helpwhile the dog's system adjusts. Improper feeding is the greatest cause of a dogbeing overweight, not the quality of the food.