FAQs

Heartland Harvest dry pet food remains freshest when stored in a cool, dry location. The food can be stored in the bag, but make sure to protect it from pests that may be attracted to the food (or hungry pets that may take an extra meal). Many customers choose to dump the food into a bin or container. This is certainly a reasonable way to store the food, but make sure to follow these simple steps:

1. Finish all of the food from one bag before adding another bag into the bin. If you have a small amount left, you can transfer it to a plastic bag so that you can proceed to step #2.

2. Wash the bin with hot, soapy water and dry thoroughly before adding a new bag of food.

3. Cut out the production code and “best before” information from the bag and tape it to the top of the bin so that if you have any questions or concerns, you can provide this information to the customer support department.

4. Store the bin in a cool, dry location. Extreme heat can cause the food to spoil and excessive moisture can lead to mold growth in the bin. We do not recommend pet food come in direct contact with metal storage bins. This can shorten the shelf life of the product, as metal can lead to fat rancidity.

There are feeding guides on every package and on our website and can be found under the Feeding Guidelines on each product page. It is important to remember that the amounts listed on the package are expressed in the number of 8-ounce measuring cups (a standard kitchen measuring cup) to be fed per day. So, for example, if the chart says to feed 2 cups per day, and you feed your dog twice daily, each meal should be 1 cup.

However, each pet is different. They have different metabolic rates and different activity levels. Some pets will need more food because of higher activity levels and some will need less food because of their less active lifestyle.

It is best for your pet’s health to be kept in lean body condition. Feed the amount of food that keeps your dog lean and fit, and remember it might not be the amount that is listed on the package. Consult your veterinarian when making any diet changes.

Your pet should have free access to fresh water at all times. Most pets will consume the amount of water they need based on their level of activity and the environmental conditions. If you feel that your pet is drinking an excessive amount of water, contact your veterinarian right away as this can be a sign of a medical problem.

It is not required to add supplements into your pet’s diet. All Heartland Harvest pet foods are complete and balanced to provide your pet with the nutrition they need.

We recommend portion-controlled feeding in a set number of meals per day using the recommended amounts on the back of your bag. These recommendations can also be found on each product page under the Feeding Guidelines tab. Portion-controlled feeding allows you to monitor how much and how well your pet is eating. However, we understand in some cases, “free-choice feeding” is preferred because of busy schedules or the pet has the ability to pace themselves.

This is really a matter of personal preference, but also depends on your pet’s age and lifestyle. For instance, if you have a very young puppy, less than 4 months old, you may want to consider feeding 3 to 4 meals per day, when they are 4-6 months of age, change the number of meals to 2-3 per day, and after 6 months of age, feed 2 meals per day.

For specific feeding recommendations for the age and lifestyle of your pet, please consult your veterinarian.

When transitioning your pet to a new food, we recommend a gradual introduction of the new formula over a seven day period. For pets with sensitivities, extend the transition period to 10 to 14 days. Start by adding a small amount of your pet’s new food to his or her current food. Gradually, increase the new food amount and decrease the current food amount at each feeding until you are feeding only the new food.

The guaranteed analysis lists the amount of each nutrient guaranteed in the formula. Once you understand how to read it, you will be much better equipped to compare different varieties of pet food. By AAFCO regulations, the guaranteed analysis is only required to list four nutrients:

Crude Protein
Crude Fat
Crude Fiber
Moisture

However, Heartland Harvest adds additional guarantees not only to provide you with more information about the food, but also as a mark of quality. Added guarantees mean that Heartland Harvest works very hard to manufacture a precise formulation each and every time and you can be reassured that bag to bag, the product will likely be more consistent than a product that only guarantees the four required nutrients.

True allergies are actually rare. There are dogs that have skin or digestive sensitivities, which can cause gastric upsets, loose stools or skin irritations. For these dogs, if they are on one type of protein source like poultry, it is best to try a new protein like lamb meal and rice. If the sensitivities continue, a visit to the vet may be in order to determine the cause. If it is a true allergy, the pet will need to be on a special type of diet prescribed the vet.

One of the big misconceptions about feeding overweight dogs, is just to feed him less. What you really want to do is reduce the calorie intake and not the vitamins or minerals and some of the other essential nutrients. So when you have a dog that’s overweight, the first thing you want to do is switch them to lower calorie product that reduces calorie intake but leaves the other nutrients at a high level.