Nature's Variety Instinct: Raw Boost Bites!

Our friends at Mr. Chewy, our favorite online pet retailer, asked us to try out one of their new products: Nature's Variety, Freeze-Dried Raw Treats. They kindly sent us two different flavors to taste test: The venison formula and the chicken formula. Because we'd only heard about the Nature's Variety brand in passing, we spent some time reading up on the company, and we're pleased with what we've learned: They're a small, independent pet food company in Lincoln, Nebraska, that according to their website, "was developed by families who have been practicing sustainable agriculture for more than 140 years." What that means is that both the animals they raise and any crops they produce are nurtured in ways that naturally maintain the environmental balance by  limited or no use of insecticides, antibiotics or hormones and the rotation of crops rather than using massive amounts of fertilizers. And this translates into better quality food, in taste and nutritional value, and incorporates humane treatment of the animals and land.

Why did Parental Unit go into all of this detail for dog treats? Because we are passionate about feeding ourselves and our pets the highest quality foods available, and we think the Nature's Variety brand is outstanding, and these treats in particular are super.

Here are a few reasons why...

They're made from fresh, raw ingredients that are freeze-dried to preserve optimal nutritional value- take a gander at this stellar, protein rich ingredient list for the Venison-based Boost Bites: Venison, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, Pumpkin seeds, Apples, Carrots, Ground Lamb Bone, Butternut Squash, Ground Flaxseeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Dried Kelp, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Salmon Oil, Olive Oil, Blueberries, Alfalfa Sprouts, Persimmons, Inulin, Rosemary, Sage, Clove.

And...we've come to believe that incorporating at least some raw food into your pets' diet is the smart thing to do (we'll spare you the details on our reasoning for now). And these chubby round discs (that resemble shortbread cookies) can be be given to both dogs and cats and used as either a treat or a "topper" for other food. Although we haven't yet tried these treats as a reward for training, we bet they'd be excellent-they break easily into smaller pieces and have a nice (but not overwhelming or unpleasant to humans) meaty scent. I can assure you that their smell drives me, not to distraction, but to focus. As you can see below...

By the way, even though the ingredients are raw, there is no need for refrigeration thanks to the freeze drying process, although it is a good idea to store them separately (you can use the re-sealable pouch they come in) and to wash your hands after handling.

             Does she know that I'll do anything for this biscuit?

So tell me already what I have to do to get my mouth around this thing!

            That's me "licking my chops' post-treat inhalation!

                       And searching for any last crumbs...

Note: We're currently giving our cat, Bella, liquid antibiotics by mouth-no easy task as you cat owners know! So Parental Unit has been giving Ms. Bella small pieces of the chicken Boost Bites as a reward-she loves them, but is otherwise quite persnickety!

We give Nature's Variety Raw Boost Bites an enthusiastic four paws and two thumbs up! Actually, we're so enamored, we might even be switching pet food brands in the near future... Check out these treats and other Nature's Variety products  at Mr. Chewy's - we think you'll be happy you did!

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