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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which of your formulas would you recommend for my pet?
Q. I have an animal with some health issues, which formula do you recommend?
Q. I am presently feeding a protein/fat level of about 24/14 with claims of 60% animal meals by weight. This is higher than Timberwolf Organics which is 50% animal meals. Isn't my present formula better for my dogs because it is higher in protein and fat?
Q. Where are your formulas made?
Q. What steps are you taking to ensure that your meat sources and pet foods remain safe from Mad Cow or BSE?
Q. What quality precautions do you take to safeguard your foods from contamination?
Q. I have heard on the internet that a diet should contain higher levels of the omega 3 essential fatty acids than the levels of the omega 6 essential fatty acids. Is this true?
Q. Can omega 3s in the diet help my dog stop itching and scratching?
Q. I have heard on the Internet that high protein foods can cause hip dysplasia. Is this true?
Q. Why does Timberwolf Organics use whole grains instead of flours?
Q. May we mix raw or cooked meat in with your kibble?
Q. I want to add some fresh meat to my pets diet, do I need to mix it in with the kibble?
Q. Can I feed my pet table scraps?
Q. Do I need to supplement any of the formulas with either of the fish oils?
Q. Why is your food extruded and not baked?
Q. Do you add taurine to your dog foods?
Q. Why do you use chicken fat in some of your formulas? Aren't some people allergic to chicken? Why not use canola oil?
Q. What are the different kcals of each of your formulas?
Q. A lot of people are now feeding chicken's backs and necks. What is your position on this practice?
Q. Do you recommend feeding bones to my dog?
Q. Why is your food so expensive?
Q. Do you have add ethoxyquin to your foods?
Q. Do you have menadione (Vitamin K) in your foods?
Q. My vet is recommending a food that they sell in their practice, what should I do?
Q. I have a new puppy, do you have a food just for puppies?
Q. How big is the kibble?
Q. I just started feeding my pet Timberwolf Organics and now he has diarrhea or loose stools, what did I do wrong?
Q. My dog will not eat your food can I return the bag?
Q. How long will my pets food stay fresh for?
Q. Is your food 'human grade'?
Q. Is Timberwolf Organics, Inc. owned by Diamond Pet Foods, Inc.?
Q. I have successfully placed an order. When can I expect delivery?
Q. I have placed my order but I have not received an order confirmation email yet, when will I get it?
Q. I placed an order, received an order confirmation email but still have not received my order, What should I do?
Q. The formula I want is not listed on your website, when will it be back in stock?
Q. I don't feel comfortable ordering online with my credit card and I there is no retailer close by. Can I place my order over the phone?
Q. How can I find my closest retailer?
Q. I am a local retailer, why do you sell online?
Q. There is no retailer in my area, what should I do?
Q. I want to cancel my order, what is the procedure?
Q. My order has not yet arrived, how long should I wait and what is the correct procedure?
Q. I placed an order and it has been shipped but I no longer want the product, what can I do?
Q. Can you ship to an APO address or to Alaska/Hawaii ?
Q. I don't live in the USA, can you still ship an order to me?
Q. My order has arrived damaged with holes, tears cuts etc. What is the proceedure?
Q. Do you have coupons?
Q. Do you offer free samples?
Q. Which of your formulas would you recommend for my pet?
A. We do not formulate for breed, size or disease specifics.
We recommend that each of our formulas are rotated every 2-3 months to allow your pets system to absorb the nutritional benefits of all the different ingredients. All of our formulas are different enough in composition to provide a varied diet, provide high levels of nutrition and are formulated for all life stages. Feeding the same food for long and extended periods may allow for some animals to develop allergies to some foods.
For specific preferences please read each of the formulas descriptions which should help you decide which formula best suites your pets needs.
Our Black Forest Canid Formula has the lowest protein and our Wild and Natural has the highest.
Q. I have an animal with some health issues, which formula do you recommend?
A. Please consult your veterinarian directly for a diagnosis and on how best to address any health concerns. Our formulas are not designed to cure any illness, disease or ailment. For specific preferences please read each of our formulas descriptions listed on our 'pet foods' page to determine which of our formulas best suits your pets needs or which ingredients you may want your pet to avoid.
Q. I am presently feeding a protein/fat level of about 24/14 with claims of 60% animal meals by weight. This is higher than Timberwolf Organics which is 50% animal meals. Isn't my present formula better for my dogs because it is higher in protein and fat?
A. This is impossible for a number of reasons.
1. When we first began formulating our own pet foods we started by including 54% animal meals by weight, however the decreased volume of starch caused the kibble to crumble and fall apart. Through trial and error we slowly lowered the meat meals levels to 47% at which point the kibble maintained its form, this was also found to increase the digestibility. Therefore a formula with 60% animal meals could not maintain its kibble form.
2. A formula that might contain 60% animal meals would dictate the calcium levels be above the maximum AAFCO limit of 2.5%. Animal meals are 3-8% calcium, therefore 60% would dictate a minimum of 1.8% (highly unlikely at 60% animal meals) in addition to calcium levels that are also added to the mineral mix and naturally occurring in other ingredients.
Timberwolf Organics formulas contains only very low ash high protein animal meals and we do not add any calcium to our mineral mix yet still average 1.5-2.0% calcium depending upon the formula. All of our animal meals are 69-71% protein and due to our exacting criteria of using only the highest quality are very expensive. Even if this company is using mediocre animal meals at an average of 60% protein (the lower the protein, the higher the ash in animal meals), the overall protein level would be at least 36% (60% animal meals x 40lbs = 24lbs, x 60% protein of meal = 14.4lbs of protein/40lb = 36% protein) plus a 1 - 3% from the other ingredients = 38% protein. Our Serengeti Felid formula and Wild and Natural Canine formula contain these levels of proteins and it is very difficult (and expensive) to achieve whilst keeping the ash levels down.
We would hazard a guess that at some point a customer asked this company what the level of animal meals used were as a percent of weight. The company officials asked their nutritionist what the percentage of animal protein was. The nutritionist most likely replied that the percentage of protein from animal sources (a common term in the industry) was 60% and the officials misunderstood and then made the claim that the level of animal meals in their formula was indeed 60%. In comparison, most of our formulas have over 91% of the protein animal sourced.
Q. Where are your formulas made?
A. Due to contractual obligations this information is proprietary in nature. However we are very proud to reveal that our mill specializes in the composition of very high end, holistic, specialty, all natural animal diets with the focus on optimum pet nutrition and therefore meets with our highest standards for exceptional quality production. It permits only top quality ingredients from USDA inspected suppliers to enter its doors. It maintains the highest standards of sanitation and and adheres to all standard operating procedures set out by governmental agencies and demanded by its customers. Our formulas are processed 'just in time' so that the ingredients found in your pets diet are as fresh as possible. All processes are constantly monitored to ensure that your purchase is of the highest quality.
All meats reach the facility freshly frozen to prevent contamination, grains arrive whole, purchased from local growers and are ground immediately before use. Vegetables are received fresh, weekly from USDA suppliers and are stored in a cooler specifically designed for their storage and human edible berries are received whole and unprocessed, which are processed immediately before use to retain their full nutrient value.
Full care is taken to certify this facility as clean, safe and secure in all its product methods.
Q. What steps are you taking to ensure that your meat sources and pet foods remain safe from Mad Cow or BSE?
A. In January of 2002 our facility discontinued the use of any beef, beef by products and beef fats in all formulations produced at the plant. The meat proteins involved in our formulas are acquired from species specific processing plants. These species are:
1. Chicken. 2. Turkey. 3. Lamb from New Zealand 4. Various Fish. 5. Pork. 6. Chicken Fats. 7. Fish Oils.
Our facility is USDA inspected and is one of the very few that is APHIS (Agricultural Plant Health Inspection Service) certified or the newer tougher Category III level certified. APHIS assists manufacturing plants meet all certification requirements for export for example, to the EC which is extremely difficult to export to due to their stringent requirements of certification of all ingredients.
Therefore, there is no possibility of any beef tissue or beef fats included in, by design or by contamination, of any products manufactured by our pet food plant.
Q. What quality precautions do you take to safeguard your foods from contamination?
A. Before any product enters our facility, before any truck is unloaded, inspection is made and random samples are taken. These samples are then taken to the facilities laboratory for screening, testing and analysis. The range of tests will also include proximate, aflatoxins, vomitoxins, peroxide values, microbial, temperature amongst others.
Our facility also has regular inspections by the USDA and APHIS. The plant is a member of the Pet Food Institute and as such is continuously updated on all regulation changes and is notified immediately of any outbreaks which would affect production so that any precautions or stoppages could be made.
All poultry based meals and frozen poultry are supplied and received only only from facilities process poultry and no other meats. These facilities are USDA/APHIS approved facilities. The poultry included in our formulas are all hormone and steroid free and contain human grade chicken fed on real feed with no waste included.
Fish oils are received only from suppliers that are USDA/APHIS/NMFS approved. Our fish oils are naturally preserved by the supplier.
Our facility have built a close relationship with all their suppliers conducting long term research and development to be at the top of their profession and the industry. Between them they have years of experience with which they are able to bring to the table the finest in companion animal food production.
Q. I have heard on the internet that a diet should contain higher levels of the omega 3 essential fatty acids than the levels of the omega 6 essential fatty acids. Is this true?
A. No. Nothing could be farther from the truth! The optimum ratio should be 3 - 5:1 (3 - 5 parts to 1 part) OMEGA 6 TO OMEGA 3 essential fatty acids (the lower figure is better) and up to 7 - 8:1 is acceptable. If the ratio is too low or if the level of omega 3 is greater than the levels of omega 6, then over time there will become an apparent deficiency of omega 6 no matter how much omega 6 is supplied in the diet. Symptoms include dry, brittle coat, flaky skin, dermatitis etc. Some insist that because they have read that "wild animals have more omega 3s" that the omega 3s should be at a higher level than the omega 6s. What they are misunderstanding however, is that wild animals have higher levels of omega 3s than domesticated animals, not that wild animals have higher levels of omega 3s than omega 6s. For example, wild caribou have as a percentage of total fat 16% omega 6 essential fatty acids (versus 2% for domestic cattle) and 5% omega 3 essential fatty acids (versus .7% for domestic cattle). Most land animals have higher levels of omega 6s than omega 3s (mare's milk is an exception with 38% omega 3s as a percentage of total fat). Deep water fishes (mackerel, sardines, salmon, tuna, anchovies etc.) have oils that are high in omega 3s.
All of our foods have a ratio of about 4.5 - 5:1 omega 6 to omega 3* compared to the average of 10 - 20:1. To bring the omega 3s up to a more optimum 3:1 ratio, we recommend adding the our pure wild salmon oil on your pet's food.
Timberwolf Organics has developed a proprietary natural preservative made with a blend of herbal extracts that allows us to increase (omega 3s go rancid very quickly and must be used cautiously in pet food formulas) the level of omega 3s in our formulas. Timberwolf Organics Black Forest formula has the highest ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 that we know of (1:2) and 9% omega 3s as a percentage of total fat.
Q. Can omega 3s in the diet help my dog stop itching and scratching?
A. A lot has been made recently of omega 3 fatty acids or alpha linolenic acid in the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses or atopic dermatitis and the appropriate balance of omega 3s with omega 6 fatty acids. However not much is known of the underlying mechanisms by the average lay person or indeed the industry as a whole. What actually happens is that when a cellular injury occurs the cell membranes release their fatty acids and are then metabolized into substances known as eicosanoids which are compounds such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes etc ("eico" is Greek for twenty indicating that they are a metabolite of twenty carbon atom fatty acids such as arachidonic acid and eicosapentanoic acid).
First, Omega - 6 fatty acids (linoleic acid) are metabolized into gamma - linolenic acid by the enzyme delta - 6 - desaturase, then into di - homo gamma - linolenic acid by the enzyme elongase, then finally into arachidonic acid by the enzyme delta 5 - desaturase.
Omega - 3 fatty acids (alpha linolenic acid) are also first metabolized into stearidonic acid by the enzyme delta - 6 desaturase, then into eicosatetraenoic acid by the enzyme elongase, and finally into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) by the enzyme delta - 5 - desaturase.
Eicosanoids produced from arachidonic acid such as leukotriene B4 are more inflammatory than eicosanoids produced from eicosapentanoic acid such as leukotriene B5.
EPA and arachidonic acid compete for the same enzymes however and when the level of EPA is increased the production of the more inflammatory B4 eicosanoids is decreased and the production of less inflammatory B5 eicosanoids is increased.
However, some dogs and most cats have a deficiency of delta - 6 - desaturase enzyme activity in their skin which is why the addition of supplements high in omega 3s do not necessarily help. For cats and some dogs the addition of supplements with EPA are indicated. This is why we use wild salmon oil in our Wild Salmon Oil™ Supplement.
It supplies DHA and EPA directly without the need for conversion as well as other important factors.
Q. I have heard on the Internet that high protein foods can cause hip dysplasia. Is this true?
A. High protein foods do not cause hip and growth problems.
The most likely cause for hip dysplasia is a random gene expressing the trait or bad breeding practices. Where that misconception came from was an American study performed in the sixties that claimed a relationship between high caloric intake and hip dysplasia. A subsequent Swedish study in the seventies found that the American study was flawed. Three more studies since then have found no link between caloric intake and dysplasia, one of which went so far as caesarian births (premature puppies) and a 50% restriction diet and still found no reduction in percent of mature dogs with hip dysplasia.
It can probably safe to say that there are not any wolves that say "Okay Junior, you better watch your protein intake so that you don't develop hip dysplasia!". If there is a dietary cause to growth problems it is most likely pet foods that do not supply enough of the building blocks and nutrients required by a growing animal. A breeder of Irish Wolfhounds and a long time customer of our formulas, says Timberwolf Organics is the ONLY food he has ever fed where he had NO incidents of Pano.
There are only 3 sources of calories, protein, fat and carbohydrates. If you limit protein and fat then more carbohydrates supply calories instead. However, carbohydrates only supply energy (calories - growth) but no nutrients. The reason most dog food companies push low protein foods is because they are very much cheaper to make. Foods labeled and market as senior or lite formulas are the cheapest to manufacture, and yet command a higher price and a higher profit margin attributed to their reputation in the consumer's mind.
AAFCO guidelines for a puppy/nursing food dictate a minimum of 22% protein. This comes from research performed by the National Research Council and involved the use of Beagles and purified amino acids. If the minimum required for puppies and nursing mothers is 22% it should be prudent to use a somewhat higher percentage, just in case? If a dog does not receive enough protein in it's diet, or if fat levels are high in relation to the level of protein, then the canines system will go into a negative nitrogen balance in a short time; the higher the fat content of a food, the higher the level of protein is required. Another account to be taken into consideration is that most protein sources are not as digestible as purified amino acids and there are a lot of breeds which have higher protein requirements than beagles. Dogs that are stressed (which includes most dogs) or debilitated, have higher protein requirements also.
Incidentally, and noteworthy, there is no AAFCO or NRC maximum level for the percentage of protein for canines. If feeding dogs high protein foods then one would think that there would be a maximum allowed level. One of the the first things your dog does after eating is to drink water and because water is heavier than dog food, it may consume an equal amount of water by weight thereby diluting the protein/fat percentages of the dog food.
Q. Why does Timberwolf Organics use whole grains instead of flours?
A. If the whole grain is used, which includes the germ, bran, middling and endosperm, it is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, phtyonutrients, fiber and oils, not just carbohydrates. That may be why centuries ago wheat was known as the "staff of life".
The misfortune is when companies use refined flours (white flour, white rice, corn meal etc.), they are almost completely devoid of nutrients or essential fatty acids (FYI, there is no such thing as whole wheat flour. Refined flour with bran added can be labeled as whole wheat. By law grains must be milled and refined into flour before shipping or storage; or left whole. Once the grain is ground the oils are exposed to oxygen and will go rancid.
Timberwolf Organics uses only whole grains and seeds ground immediately before going into the extruder). The primary reason most pet food companies use flours is because they are highly digestible. The higher the starch the higher the gelatinization and consequently the higher the digestibility. Most pet foods are grain based and the digestibility of the carbohydrates affects the digestibility of the entire product. However, diets high in refined carbohydrates are seen by the dog's system as sugar. A recent study revealed that within two hours of ingesting a diet high in refined carbohydrates the blood glucose was 50% higher than the basis level. Within four hours it was 50% below the basis level. These wild swings in blood glucose can overtax the pancreas and may possibly lead to hypoglycemia, diabetes or pancreatitis etc. Grains comprise only 25% of total weight in our formulas because of the high levels of meat proteins and fats. We feel it safe to say that there are not many wolves roaming in corn or wheat fields.
Some other 'natural foods' use whole grains too and spend a lot to advertise that fact. The drawback is that these formulas are comprised of a high percentage of grains, just as most commercial foods have a high percentage of flours. Whole grains however contain a high level of fiber and other components that are hard to digest, thereby causing large stool volume, dogs that have a hard time maintaining weight, mediocre coat growth and other problems. We still feel that by using whole grains which are freshly ground as soon as possible before extrusion in our formulas we are providing salubrious benefits to your pet, however because they comprise a small percentage of the total formula, you avoid the above mentioned problems into the bargain.
Q. May we mix raw or cooked meat in with your kibble?
A. All of our formulas are nutritionally complete and balanced. We have added the option of feeding your own fresh meat protein sources to supplement any of our formulas which will allow your pet further enzymatic activity and compliment their natural and innate proclivity for high protein and raw diets.
If adding fresh meat to your pets food we recommend a mix of 10 - 20% raw or cooked meats and organs. Our Black Forest Canine Formula was designed to be mixed with meat and may be the most compatible to mixing. However, all of our formulas are relatively high in vitamins and minerals.
Care should be taken when adding meat to some kibble. When adding meat you are increasing phosphorous levels and most dog foods are only 1.1 - 1.3% calcium and their phosphorous levels are very close to that. It is possible you may add enough phosphorous accidentally to alter your calcium/phosphorous ratios. If adding fresh meats to your pets diet, deduct between 10% -20% of Timberwolf Organics dry food formula and substitute with between 10% -20% fresh meats of your choice or other fresh proteins such as eggs.
Q. I want to add some fresh meat to my pets diet, do I need to mix it in with the kibble?
A. This is not necessary, you should preferably feed the fresh meat separately. Your pet may eat the fresh meat first but should soon go back and eat the dry food a little later when they realizes the fresh meats are finished. Some pets may take a little time to get used to this but eventually get the idea. No kibble food even Timberwolf Organics can quite compete to the flavor of fresh foods or table scraps.
Q. Can I feed my pet table scraps?
A. Most nutritionists and vets will tell you no. If you decide to feed your pet table scraps please limit it to no more than 10% of their daily food intake.
Q. Do I need to supplement any of the formulas with either of the fish oils?
A. You do not need to add anything to any of our formulas as they are all nutritionally balanced and complete however these are wonderful supplements for the purpose of providing EPA and DHA which are the most important Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Scientific studies indicate that DHA is the building block of the brain, nerves and eyes and so has a positive impact on mental and visual functions and may even aid in the fight and lower the incidence of cancer. Research suggests that EPA benefits the heart and circulatory system and has natural anti-inflammatory properties for easing joint pain.
Q. Why is your food extruded and not baked?
A. When we first decided to create our foods we aspired to make a baked kibble, as we too, had heard the marketing phrase "Slow oven baked at low temperatures to retain more nutrients". What we found however, was that a baked food is cooked at 425 degrees F for 45 minutes to convert the starches into dextrins. The low temperature extrusion process we use uses steam and pressure to gelatinize the starches quickly at about 200 - 225 degrees F for 15 minutes or less. We decided that extrusion was the way to go to retain more nutrients.
Q. Do you add taurine to your dog foods?
A. Yes we add .15% 98% pure taurine to all of our formulas. Due to the higher levels of meat protein in all of our formulas they contain levels of taurine higher than .15%. for an example, Timberwolf Organics Southwest Chicken & Herbs formula contains .385% taurine.
Q. Why do you use chicken fat in some of your formulas? Aren't some people allergic to chicken? Why not use canola oil?
A. What some people or some animals ,for that matter, are really allergic to when they are allergic to anything, are really the proteins - proteins called antigens. Oils do not contain antigens or proteins. So if someone is allergic to chicken or corn for example, this is not a concern, they will not be allergic to the chicken fat, corn oil, or any other oil.
Canola oil is amongst the least nutritionally valuable oils. Due to its bitter taste it is highly refined and therefore has lost most of it's vitamin and nutrient content. It is actually rape seed oil and was once banned by the US government due to concerns that it could damage heart tissue. However, after intense lobbying by the Canadian government and farmers it was again allowed into the US. Rape seed oil at the time sounded politically incorrect and the name CAN(ada)O(i)LA was coined.
Q. What are the different kcals of each of your formulas?
A. The kcalories of each of our formulas are listed on their respective description pages. Please click on any of our formulas for a full description and breakdown of ingredients and nutritional levels.
Q. A lot of people are now feeding chicken's backs and necks. What is your position on this practice?
A. We do not recommend the feeding of chicken or turkey necks or backs unless possibly if included in the proper ratio as a part of the "whole animal". If you feed only the necks and backs then over time you will induce an alkaline urine, especially if mixed with a grain based kibble and could perhaps cause an improper calcium/phosphorous ratio. This is probably contrary to what you have heard and read but I have seen this several times. Please note, grains are alkaline and meat and organs are acid and dogs need a diet that has a slightly acidic pH.
Should you wish to feed raw or BARF, we would recommend you feed as nature intended; the whole chicken with thighs, legs, breasts, backs, necks, hearts, livers, gizzards, lungs, giblets etc (Mother wolf says to baby wolf; remember what I told you Junior! "Leave all of the nutritious organs and flesh and eat only the backs and necks"), along with pulverized vegetable and kibble or alone if temporary. If you are relying on your kibble to provide the vitamins/minerals, try not to go over 10 - 20% as that may dilute your kibble's nutritional value. Otherwise, use a spreadsheet to enter the ingredients you are using and their nutritional profile so that your pets are receiving the correct quota of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids etc. Alternatively you might try a commercially prepared supplement that will provide the nutrients that your dog needs. Your canine and feline companions rely totally on you to provide a completely nutritious diet. Do not make the mistake of thinking that because you cook for yourself and your family that this is optimum.
Q. Do you recommend feeding bones to my dog?
A. We must urge extreme caution whenever feeding bones. If you must feed bones, please do so only under supervision and only uncooked bones and no hard bones as this will cause wearing of the canids. Preferably you should only give bones to dogs that were provided with bones as puppies so that they have learned to chew them properly. Examine fecal matter after a meal that includes bones and observe if any sharp bones or fragments were passed. If so, we would advise against feeding bones.
When feeding raw meat and organs scrutinize for parasites (tape worm cysts) and take precautions against bacterial contamination. Canids/Felids may be able to cope with bacterial contamination better than humans, but caution is urged.
Q. Why is your food so expensive?
A. When comparing the price of Timberwolf Organics foods with other performance based foods or even performance foods made with less expensive ingredients such as corn or wheat etc., you will find that Timberwolf Organics foods are actually priced very competitively with them.
Consider the best possible pet food you can think of then take their most expensive performance or puppy based formula. Add to that, the fact that Timberwolf Organics includes high levels (almost 50% by weight of dry food) of the most expensive, highest quality classified low ash high protein animal meals, unrefined walnut and salmon oils, gourmet restaurant quality herbs, kelp, dried fruits, antioxidants, and oxygen barrier expensive packaging.
We do not use minimal levels of these ingredients just to make our label look attractive, but in high levels that you can actually smell when you open the bag and in results you may observe in your pets condition in just a few weeks.
If we were to follow industry average margins, we would have to price our foods at $ 70.00 - $80.00 per 33lb bag retail. However, by keeping our overheads low with no advertising spending, coupons or gimmicks and utilizing 'just in time' inventory control, we are able to offer an extremely expensive to manufacture pet food at a very competitive price. If one really thinks about it, our foods are actually a bargain.
We in fact we incur the costs on most of our outbound packaging, shipping and handling. We encourage our shoppers to look at our "Where to buy" page. We also offer very liberal kennel discounts and business opportunities to those so inclined and who wish to purchase in volume. Please visit our "new dealer sign up" page.
Q. Do you have add ethoxyquin to your foods?
A. No we do not add ethoxyquin, BHA or BHT to any of our formulas. We do add Vitamin E and/or Rosemary which are both natural preservatives. Our dry food formulas are all packaged in oxygen barrier packaging to preserve the integrity of our foods and prevent oxidation.
Q. Do you have menadione (Vitamin K) in your foods?
A. No we do not add Vitamin K to any of our formulas. Instead we prefer to use foods foods that are naturally high in vitamin K1 such as alfalfa, kelp, oats, egg yolks and liver.
Q. My vet is recommending a food that they sell in their practice, what should I do?
A. If your vet is recommending a specific food to address your pets specific ailment, please discuss this with your vet and read the labeling to discern what that food includes or does not include that will make the difference to your pets health. There may be ingredients or levels that will benefit your pet or there may be ingredients or levels that do not best suits your pets needs. Conduct your own research on what nutritional qualities and levels work best for your pet then compare the vet recommended formula to other available foods on the market.
Q. I have a new puppy, do you have a food just for puppies?
A. All of our formulas are formulated using American Animal Feed Control Officials guidelines for 'All Life Stages' and the U.S Governments National Research Council's 'Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats'. Our nutritional and feeding philosophies are based on the higher proteins and fats with lower carbohydrate levels found in the diets of undomesticated wild animals. Our feeding instructions are 'guidelines' only and as guardians of your pets please observe your pets activity levels and metabolisms and adjust the quantities fed to your animals based upon their individual activity, metabolisms, environmental conditions and weights. Puppies and kittens may need up to 3 times the amount of food for their body weights than older or senior animals due to their very active state in which they burn calories at a much higher rate as do working and very active pets.
Q. How big is the kibble?
A. We have three sizes of kibble, most are about 1/2 of the size of a dime and our Wild and Natural is about 1/2 the size of that and our Serengeti is a little smaller still.
Q. I just started feeding my pet Timberwolf Organics and now he has diarrhea or loose stools, what did I do wrong?
A. Timberwolf Organics formulas are a little different from other foods in that some are made with exotic meats and/or higher amounts of proteins and oils. Most of our formulas also include liberal quantities of herbs, fruit, nuts and or seeds that your pet may never have encountered in past formulas. Your pet may not be used to dining on higher qualities of food that contains either unusual protein sources and/or unique additional ingredients. Please ensure when introducing your pet to Timberwolf Organics that you take it slowly by adding small amounts of the new formula to your old formula and increasing the amounts and deducting your old formula over a period of about 7 days.
Q. My dog will not eat your food can I return the bag?
A. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate this request. Please consider ordering a 'sample pack' before ordering a larger bag of any of our formulas to help you decide which of our formulas may or may not meet with your pets taste preferences.
Our formulas are made with the only the best ingredients and all ingredients are natural. We do not formulate for taste, smell, consistency, color or other factors unrelated to healthy nutrition therefore these factors may vary.
Q. How long will my pets food stay fresh for?
A. Our foods are produced fresh every 1-2 weeks. Our formulas, due to appropriate levels of the natural preservatives vitamin E and rosemary along with our specialty oxygen barrier packaging can have a shelf life of 18 months if sealed and kept in optimum temperature and storage conditions. We highly recommend that once opened you store the contents in the original bag in a cool place and keep the bag as tightly closed as possible to maintain the integrity of the texture, flavor and aroma. You also have the option if you wish, to place the bag and it contents in an airtight container. Once opened it is suggested that the contents be consumed within 2-3 weeks for the freshest flavor and palatability to be enjoyed.
Q. Is your food 'human grade'?
A. No animals raised for food are specifically destined for pet food production therefore all of these animals are 'human grade'. All meats by design are human grade because they are from an FDA inspected plants, that is, until they leave the processing plant destined to become meats and meals for pet foods and 'not intended for human consumption' they are therefore no longer 'human grade'. No pet food formula that states a 'meal' as an ingredient is 'human grade'.
Q. Is Timberwolf Organics, Inc. owned by Diamond Pet Foods, Inc.?
A. No. Timberwolf Organics is a private and independently owned company.
Diamond Pet Foods did at one time manufacture our formulas, however, we have since moved our production to another facility owned and operated by another company that specializes in premium natural pet food formulations, (we cannot give this information out, as it is proprietary). We are certain that Diamond Pet Foods, Inc. is a fine company, but to answer the above question, we have no business affiliation with them.
ORDERS AND SHIPPING
Q. I have successfully placed an order. When can I expect delivery?
A. Orders are normally shipped within 24-48 business hours after you receive your order confirmation. Orders take on average a week to a week and a half to receive depending on where in the country you are. Our warehouse is on the east coast.
Q. I have placed my order but I have not received an order confirmation email yet, when will I get it?
A. Order confirmation emails are normally sent within 1 business day of placing your order. Please call us if you do not receive a order confirmation email within 3 business day of placing your order.
Q. I placed an order, received an order confirmation email but still have not received my order, What should I do?
A. Please call us immediately so we can put a trace on your order.
Q. The formula I want is not listed on your website, when will it be back in stock?
A. Due to our philosophy of rotation of formulas it may happen that one or another formula is very popular in one month or another. Our foods are produced fresh every 2-3 weeks which means that we do not keep large stocks in inventory. This allows for your order to reach you in the freshest physical condition as possible.
Q. I don't feel comfortable ordering online with my credit card and I there is no retailer close by. Can I place my order over the phone?
A. Our website is a secure website and all credit card numbers are encrypted and cannot be read. We can take phone orders, a $5.00 surcharge will apply due to additional costs incurred from this type of transaction, however this may cause delays in processing your order and the process is carried out in exactly the same way as if you had done it yourself via our website.
Q. How can I find my closest retailer?
A. Please click on our 'Where To Buy' tab, enter your zip code and a lit of dealers will appear.
Q. I am a local retailer, why do you sell online?
A. We offer our products online to help cover the areas that do not have any way of purchasing our products since they do not have any stores in their area. Well over 95% of our online sales go to areas that do not have a store that carries our products. We highly recommend that any customer check to see if there is a store in their area that carries our food and to visit and purchase from them. Many times when you first bring the food on for a new store there is already a built in customer base.
Q. There is no retailer in my area, what should I do?
A. For customers who do not have a retail outlet within their local traveling area you can order directly of our website with free shipping on orders over $15.00. Your order will be shipped in 24-48 business hours via UPS. You will receive an order confirmation email and once your order has been shipped you will also receive a UPS scheduled delivery Quantum View Notify from UPS with a tracking number which will allow you to track your order and arrange your schedule to be available for its arrival and to take receipt of your order.
Q. I want to cancel my order, what is the procedure?
A. Please contact us as soon as possible after placing your order. If your order has already been processed but not shipped and if notified in a timely manner we can usually cancel your order and refund your credit card. Paypal account cancellations will be reimbursed by a company check. If the order has been shipped you will incur the shipping fees for both the outbound and inbound shipping charges.
Q. My order has not yet arrived, how long should I wait and what is the correct procedure?
A. If you have not received your order within 7 business days after receiving your confirmation, please check your emails for your UPS tracking number. Log on to UPS.com, enter the tracking number to view its progress and estimated time of delivery. please contact UPS if the information reports your order as having been delivered at 1 800 PICKUPS and provide them with the tracking number. If there is still a problem please contact us directly.
Q. I placed an order and it has been shipped but I no longer want the product, what can I do?
A. You may return the product providing it is in good resalable condition. A 15% restocking fee will apply. Please refer to our legal notice at the bottom of this page for more details. Authorization should be obtained by contacting CustomerSupport@Timberwolforganics.com. Any shipping charges must be paid by you and once we have received the product and it has been inspected for resalable condition your refund can be issued.
Q. Can you ship to an APO address or to Alaska/Hawaii ?
A. We do not ship outside of the contiguous 48 states at this time. We can not ship APO addresses at this time as well.
Q. I don't live in the USA, can you still ship an order to me?
A. Unfortunately we do not ship orders internationally due to costs of shipping, certain import forms that have to be presented at borders and custom duties that have to be paid.
Q. My order has arrived damaged with holes, tears cuts etc. What is the proceedure?
A. Any orders received should be inspected at the time of delivery and reported to the UPS driver before they leave. Their written verification of damages should be obtained. You should then contact us immediately by phone. We will then issue a call tag to UPS and have your order picked up. If you have a digital camera please take pictures of the damages and email them to CustomerSupport@Timberwolforganics.com. Please retain the original shipping box for returns and/or UPS inspection of shipping materials.
Once we have received the damaged products back into our warehouse we will immediately ship you out a replacement.
Q. Do you have coupons?
A. Yes. If your order is over $100.00 you can use our coupon code 'SAVE10NOW' and you will receive 10% off at the time of placing your order.
Q. Do you offer free samples?
A. Yes we offer free samples of our formulas. Our sample pack consists of 8 samples, one packet of each of our formulas including our feline formula and is available for new customers only. While the samples are free of charge a $12.00 shipping and handling charge will apply. Unfortunately no substitutions can be made. Limited to 2 sample packs per customer. If your sample order is placed with a larger that qualifies for free shipping then no shipping and handling charge will apply.
If you have further questions that you think our customers would benefit from our adding to this page, please email your questions for inclusion to CustomerSupport@Timberwolforganics.com. for consideration.
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