Cheap pet food ingredients, such as protein fillers, or even premium ingredients can be highly allergic to pets with sensitive systems. For this reason California Natural dog and cat food refuses to use them in their production. In fact, they have the shortest ingredient list of any dry pet food and combine just one protein, one fat and one carbohydrate source to create a hypoallergenic pet food.

Nutritional Solutions - Pure and Simple
California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice Adult Dry Dog Food is carefully made with whole ingredients and contains no by-products or artificial preservatives.
100% lamb meal is used as the single meat source in California Natural to provide a pure & simple food.
Wholesome white and brown rice and sunflower oil provide efficient sources of energy to support exercise and endurance.
Although Taurine, an amino acid, is already present in lamb meal, it has been supplemented to benefit certain breeds.
California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice has the most Pure & Simple recipe of any food on the market, and provides high quality, complete and balanced nutrition for your special dog!
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) procedures substantiate that California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice Adult Dry Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance.
California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice Adult Dry Dog Food is available in 5 lbs. or 20 lbs. bags.

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Lamb meal is the dry rendered (cooked down) product from lamb tissues, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices. Lamb meal is simply lamb meat with the moisture removed, making it suitable for use in dry food. Before you buy a product containing lamb meal, ask the manufacturer about the origin of the lamb meal they use. Natura uses only high-quality lamb meat, not the lamb by-products found in some other pet foods.

Brown Rice

Rice, unless listed as brown rice, is the de-hulled rice kernel, without the bran -- known as white rice. Rice, in its whole form, is a high quality source of carbohydrates, protein and fiber. This is in contrast to fractionated grain ingredients used by some manufacturers such as rice polishings, rice bran, or brewers rice which have been leeched of much of their nutrient value. Natura uses whole rice, which is the most easily digested grain and the least likely to cause allergic reactions. It is an antidiarrheal and helps lower cholesterol. Natura also uses brown rice, which is the same plant with the bran intact.

Sunflower oil is obtained by extracting oil from sunflower seeds. Sunflower oil has a high concentration of linoleic acid (73%), which is important for good skin and coat health. Natura uses sunflower oil that has been cold-pressed and protected from exposure to heat and light. This very high quality, very palatable fat is used in California Natural and Innova formulations.

Taurine is the 11th essential amino acid required by cats. Insufficient levels of taurine can lead to blindness and cardiac problems in cats. Meat is naturally high in taurine, so Natura foods contain high levels of this important nutrient. Natural taurine is also added to our cat foods to ensure cats get enough of this essential amino acid.
Cats vs Dogs: While dogs can synthesize taurine in their systems, cats cannot and must have additional amounts added to their diet for proper health. Recent university research has suggested, however, that like cats, some breeds of dogs may benefit from Taurine in the diet. While California Natural has always contained ample Taurine from natural sources such as lamb meal, they have decided to supplement Taurine to ensure that all puppies receive full nutritional benefit from their products.

Potassium Chloride A chemical compound, KCl, a colorless or white, cubic, crystalline compound that closely resembles common salt (sodium chloride). It is soluble in water, alcohol, and alkalies. Potassium plays various roles in metabolism and body functions. It assists in the regulation of the acid-base balance and water balance in the blood and the body tissue. It assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism.

Choline chloride is a member of the B-complex group of water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B-4). It is used as an animal feed additive, especially for poultry and swine, to increase growth, reduce mortality rate, increase feed efficiency, increase egg production, and improve meat quality. It is not a substitute for any other feed supplement and has no direct substitutes itself.

Calcium Carbonate is a mineral that is true to its name by containing a minimum of 38% calcium. The calcium in bone provides structural integrity to the skeleton and also contributes to the maintenance of proper blood calcium levels through ongoing resorption and deposition. Circulating calcium has essential roles in nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, blood coagulation, the activation of certain enzyme systems, the maintenance of normal cell-membrane permeability and transport, and cardiac function.

Vitamins/Minerals Vitamins are organic compounds that function as parts of enzyme systems essential for the transmission of energy and the regulation of metabolisms of the body. Minerals are inorganic substances essential for a host of vital processes within the body.
AAFCO regulates minimum standard quantities of vitamins and minerals in levels that pets need to survive. All pet food manufacturers supplement their products with vitamins and minerals. Beyond meeting these minimum requirements, all Natura products contain a complete vitamin and mineral supplement program that helps pets to thrive, not just survive. The minerals Natura uses are chelated, providing three to ten times greater assimilation than common minerals. Natuara’s Innova products also contain beneficial probiotic supplements, which are not required by the AAFCO minimums.
Included in Natura’s foods are some of the following: Ascorbic Acid, Beta Carotene, Biotin, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Carbonate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Dicalcium Pantothenate, dl-Methionine, Folic Acid, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Niacin, Potassium Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin C Supplement (Sodium Ascorbate), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement (Alpha Tocopherol), Zinc Proteinate Natura adds these important vitamins and minerals, in proper balance to its foods to ensure that your pet gets all the necessary nutrients for life and good health every day.

 Rosemary is an evergreen shrub of Rosemarinus Officinalis.

Rosemary, along with its cancer prevention properties, is a highly effective preservative.

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Guaranteed Analysis describes the nutrient content required by AAFCO labeling standards to be identified on every product package. Since these are guarantees, pet food manufacturers work to formulate diets that meet or exceed the minimum requirements.

Click here to compare California Natural Dry Food for dogs with other competitive products. Then select the California Natural specific name of the Dry Dog Food and select the competitive product you want to compare it to from the right hand drop down window.

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Click here for the Automated Feeding Calculator on Natura's website, select “California Natural” as Brand, then the specific name of the Dry Dog Food and follow the instructions in regards to entering your dog's age and weight. This great tool provided by Natura not just will tell you the amounts you should feed your very specific cat daily, but also with a conversion into Kcal/day fed, and product details such as Metabolizable Energy, Density and Calorie Content of California Natural Dry Dog Food. Please note that feeding instructions also are printed on the back of each Bag of California Natural Dog Dry Food.

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Pet Food Safety and Quality Control - What you need to know to make good, healthy choices:

With so many pet foods on the market, companion animal families are looking for answers: How can I choose a food that is not only formulated for the best health

of my pets, but manufactured with the strictest standards for safety, reliability, and consistency? In a recent issue of The Whole Dog Journal, it states: “we admire manufacturers that have . . . attained non-compulsory manufacturing certifications.”

Here are current manufacturing certifications achieved by Natura:

1 American Institute of Bakers (AIB) superior rating certification: “. . . high AIB ratings confirm a manufacturer's commitment to excellence,” WDJ Feb 06

2 USDA Organic production certification: A National Organic Program certifier has approved the facility and its procedures through rigorous inspection and auditing (Natura's baking facility is certified by OneCert)

3 USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) registration: APHIS registry certifies that Natura purchases all of their meats from USDA registered suppliers who follow all USDA regulations for safe meat handling

4 ISO Quality Management System 9001:2000 compliant: An internationally recognized and highly respected system of quality management Pet Food Safety and Quality Control

Natura Pet Products are certified by the most respected food safety and quality control agencies in the United States.

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Cheap pet food ingredients, such as protein fillers, or even premium ingredients can be highly allergic to pets with sensitive systems. That is why California Natural dog and cat food refuses to use them in our production. In fact, California Natural has the shortest ingredient list of any dry pet food and combine just one protein, one fat and one carbohydrate source to create a hypoallergenic pet food.

Why are Natura Pet Products different? No pet food company in the world makes natural pet foods like Natura. They use only ingredients you would eat yourself: quality meats, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and complete vitamin and mineral supplements. For us humans, a diet of natural, wholesome food is essential to living a long healthy life. Natura believes this fundamental principle is true for your pet, too. All of their human grade dog and cat foods are carefully cooked and tested to ensure consistent nutrient quality and enjoyable texture and taste. All of the ingredients used in their pet foods are tested to make sure they are hormone, antibiotic and pesticide-free. And they never add artificial ingredients, chemical additives, by-products or fillers of any kind.

Natura Pet Products was founded in 1989 by John and Ann Rademakers and Peter Atkins in Santa Clara, California. Dissatisfied with the unhealthy ingredients in the pet foods on the market, they consulted with veterinary nutrition experts to determine the best sources for pet food ingredients. Working with caring pet professionals - veterinarians, breeders and nutritionists - Natura asked one key question: "How do you make the healthiest pet food in the world?"

What they learned won't surprise you. Dogs and cats are healthiest when they eat the whole, natural foods we would eat ourselves: USDA-inspected chicken, turkey and lamb, whole grain rice and barley, fresh fruits and vegetables, and Grade A dairy products. Based on information from this research, Natura's Nutritional Philosophy was developed:

I. Use only dog and cat food ingredients which I would feel comfortable eating myself

The bottom line: If I wouldn't eat it, why would I want to feed it to my pet? It is important to understand that the pet food industry is the primary outlet for human by-products. There are ingredients which are allowed to be used in pet foods that are, at best, scary.

II. Use whole pet food ingredients that are nutrient rich and unaltered. Mother Nature made the grain in its whole state. As such, it includes nutritious protein, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Other pet food companies use fractionated grains, which do not include this balance of natural nutrition.

III. Use Highly Controlled Cooking Methods to Preserve Natural Levels of Nutrients. Quality control and process management are critical in making a nutritious pet food. All Natura foods undergo over 121 different quality control checks (!!!) before being shipped.

IV. Use No Artificial Preservatives, Colors or Additives. Natura will not add anything to the food unless it is nutritious and healthy for your cat or dog.

V. Formulate using pet food ingredients that provide the optimum nutritional profile for skin and coat. Getting a good skin and coat is no big secret. It's just very expensive to do. You have to use more meat, higher quality sources of fats and oils, and high levels of vitamins and other nutrients. Natura has a large investment in quality - they've made the commitment. Other dog food and cat food companies try to take shortcuts by using vegetable protein fillers and cheaper sources of fats.

VI. Continue extensive testing and monitoring to assure optimal health and longevity of your pet. Natura Pet Products will stay on the leading edge of pet health care. As new information is developed, Natura will adjust formulas to ensure that their diets stay the healthiest in the world!

A difference you and your pet can appreciate. We all know how much dogs and cats like to eat human food. Because the taste of Natura pet foods comes from high-quality ingredients, they don't have to add artificial flavors or colors. All their foods are free from chemical additives of any kind, including preservatives such as Ethoxyquin and BHA/BHT, which are frequently found in pet foods but are banned from human use in many countries.

By eliminating the cheap filler ingredients and low-grade proteins that are so common in commercial pet foods, Natura creates foods that are more dense, richer in nutrients without added bulk. This means your pet gets more nutrition from less food, with calories and fats in each formula balanced to fit the needs of your specific dog or cat.

Choosing a Pet Food

Your pet's health is just as important as your own. A pet's diet, the biggest health variable controlled by its owner, is crucial to its well-being. That's why selecting a tasty and healthy pet food is the most loving choice you can make for your pet. It's not always an easy choice to make. With so many different pet food products to choose from, it has become increasingly difficult to determine which pet foods are actually "healthy" for your pet.

By committing to their Nutritional Philosophy, Natura believes that they have created the healthiest dog and cat foods in the world. With a variety of flavors and formulas available, Natura is sure that you can find one that suits your pet's individual needs.

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