No one knows more about pet food, except maybe pets. As the Pet Foodies, we’ve read up on every ingredient, studied every label, and yes, even tasted things from time to time. And we do it all to help you find the best diet for your dog or cat’s unique needs.
Look for us in your local stores, and check
out some of our profiles below.
EVEN WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN STORE.
We love talking to customers in person, but we know some questions can’t wait. That’s why we make sure you always have the info you need at your fingertips.
Now it’s time to give your pet the best diet possible.
SHOP NOW*Estimated hours based on employee self-reported time. Training includes product reviews, video tutorials, ingredient studies, manufacturer demonstrations, pet industry expos, test kitchens, conferences, research and more.
PET FOODIE BERTA
Years in the pet industry:
4.5 years
Proud pet parent to:
2 cats (Argo & Ruthless) plus a gecko named Roxie.
Favorite superfood:
Goat milk. Great for gut health, natural probiotics, excellent nutrient boost and can aid with hydration. It can even help wean kittens and puppies and help overweight pets stay fuller. One of my cats loves it frozen into cubes.
Favorite treats:
Wild Meadow Farms. Only three ingredients, all-natural. Great for dogs and cats. Minis are perfect for training. Bites are great for senior dogs who like jerky but need something softer.
Biggest success story:
A customer’s cat was having litterbox issues. Partly it was the stress of a new cat in the household, so I recommended the Feliway pheromone diffuser. It’s made a big difference for my own cats and keeps them much calmer. She came back later to say it really helped.
Pet food Berta would eat in a zombie apocalypse:
The Honest Kitchen Grain-in Turkey for the main course, with some Grandma Lucy Crunchy Blueberry Treats for dessert.
PET FOODIE ERIC
Years in the pet industry:
9 years
Proud pet parent to:
6 birds (Copernicus, Ringo, Blythe, Burt, Yoshi, Delila), 2 cats (Lestat and Lilith), and yes, even a python (Oscar).
Biggest cat diet pet peeve:
Most cats are consistently dehydrated. Canned food and raw for moisture are my go-to recommendations.
His kitty UTI prevention plan:
UTI supplements to regulate urinary function. Silica-based cat litter for a much cleaner environment that limits bacteria growth — especially important for senior cats who often get UTI’s from their litterbox.
The ideal cat food bowl:
Only proteins they could catch in nature, like small animals and fowl. Rabbit is a good choice. I’d pair it with a fish broth or fish oil for omega 3 fatty acids for a more balanced diet.
Favorite treat:
Bixbi Rawwble freeze-dried Food is 97-98% meat — highly motivating. Plus, it’s freeze-dried so it has a really strong, appealing aroma.
Product he wish he’d invented:
Stella & Chewy’s Magical Dinner Dust is a genius idea.
Biggest success story:
I was training a coworker who had a friend with a diabetic cat. My coworker gave the friend’s cat new food to try and thanks to the new diet, the cat eventually no longer needed its insulin medication.
PET FOODIE AMBER
Years in the pet industry:
3 years
Proud pet parent to:
Kuma (cattle dog ), Arwyn (Meyers Parrot), and Cosmo (Russian tortoise).
Pet food myth she often busts:
That dogs and cats can be vegans. Dogs are omnivores and cats are obligate carnivores, but both need animal protein to thrive.
Favorite supplements:
Probiotics and fish oils are wonders. Pet parents are pleasantly surprised how much they change overall health. I give them to my dog every day. You can tell a lot about your dog’s health by their poop and my dog has great poop.
Her raw food philosophy:
Any raw is better than none. I recommend a raw food topper, or goat milk/kefir milk for a raw hydrator.
Why she cares so much about dental health:
Bad dental health can take years off a pet’s life, and it’s so easy to improve it. Try a dental chew or sprinkle Plaque Off on their food.
How she builds a food bowl:
Red meat for protein. Less likely to cause an allergic reaction than chicken. Stella & Chewy’s bone broth for a hydrator. You don’t have to thaw it out like frozen bone broth.
Pet food she’d eat in a zombie apocalypse:
Grandma Lucy’s blueberry dog treats. They’re so good I don’t actually need a zombie apocalypse to consider eating them.
PET FOODIE ROBERT
Years in the pet industry:
7 years
Proud pet parent to:
A 20-year old (20!!!!!) Siamese mix cat.
The best food if your pet’s new to natural diets:
Zignature, because it has limited ingredients, single protein and no potato or chicken. It helps in the transition.
Why he’s a raw fanatic:
Healthier skin and coat, better dental health, fewer vet visits, smaller poops and a healthier gut? Heck yeah! Add even a little and you’ll immediately see benefits. A little is better than none.
Favorite supplement:
Probiotics by far. They help your pet absorb all the nutrition from the great food you’re feeding. A healthy gut means a healthy pet. Not to mention fewer farts!
Favorite protein:
Lamb provides the perfect amount of dietary fats and it’s great for allergy-prone dogs. It pairs great with turkey broth.
Biggest success story:
A Frenchie with giardia whose vet had given up. Tried RX diet, tried antibiotics. I recommended a probiotic to clean the gut up and make a healthy bowel, along with Rawz Lamb and Liver. A week later, the customer came in to tell me I changed her dog’s life.
Pet food he’d eat in a zombie apocalypse:
Without a doubt, I’m going for that Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken. I mean, have you tasted it?
PET FOODIE AMELIA
Years in the pet industry:
6 years. In addition to being a Foodie, I’ve worked as a trainer too.
Proud pet parent to:
4 dogs (2 boxers, Australian cattle dog, a teacup Yorkie), plus a black cat.
Why she’s a raw fanatic:
My boxers had painful allergy issues. I was told they needed a lifetime of harsh medication, but instead I switched them to a raw diet. The benefits went far past ending the allergies. Vibrant energy, clean teeth, proper digestion, smooth and scentless coats. I’m also terribly allergic to cats, but by feeding mine a partial raw diet, I can cuddle her without symptoms.
Favorite protein:
Lamb is easily digestible and rarely causes allergic reaction. Also, rotating proteins is important to avoid deficiencies.
Supplements that keep her 9 year old Yorkie young:
Miniature breeds are predisposed to dental and joint issues. Early on, I gave my Yorkie supplements for both (and brushed her teeth regularly). People often guess she’s much younger.
Favorite protein:
Lamb provides the perfect amount of dietary fats and it’s great for allergy-prone dogs. It pairs great with turkey broth.
Secret for fighting doggie flatulence:
Probiotics. My once gassy boxers no longer plague the house with stink!
The treats she used as a trainer:
Freeze-died treats melt in the mouth, so the session isn’t disrupted by crunching. They’re also extremely tasty, easy to break up and healthy.
Pet food she’d eat in a zombie apocalypse:
ZiwiPeak. But the Preppy Puppy cookies look and smell mighty fine too.
PET FOODIE KIM
Years in the pet industry:
1.5 years
Proud pet parent to:
3 tabby cats (Smee, Rabbit, FDR) and a long-haired cat named Coconut.
The diet that changed her pets’ lives:
Rotating canned, raw, and freeze-dried with a high-protein kibble, plus salmon oil and digestive supplements. It helped my cats lose weight, have more energy, plus improved their skin and coat.
Favorite supplement:
Digestive enzymes to fully break down their food and extract all the vitamins and minerals, especially for kibble (pets lack the enzyme for those starches).
Second favorite supplement:
Omega-3. Kibble is high in omega-6 and, if not balanced with omega-3, can lead to skin and joint inflammation. Also supports vision and brain function.
Best diet:
Raw. It’s easiest for them to digest and can prevent allergies.
Biggest success story:
A customer’s kitten had ongoing diarrhea and gas. I recommended digestive enzymes and weeks later all the problems had disappeared.
Pet food she’d eat in a zombie apocalypse:
The Honest Kitchen freeze-dried. Human-grade and as close as you can get to home-cooked but also shelf-stable. Mix it with water or bone broth and it’s ready!
PET FOODIE MICHAEL
Years in the pet industry:
8.5 years
Proud pet parent to:
A white pug named Stanley.
Go-to food recommendation:
Primal freeze-dried and Stella & Chewy's freeze-dried. They’re each amazing as a full diet or as a topper to build a bowl.
Why he’s a raw food fanatic:
I transitioned Stanley from kibble to a full raw diet 3 years ago. As the proportion of raw increased, the healthier he became. No more tear stains. Better breath. More energy. I’m a 1000% yes on raw feeding.
Favorite pet superfood:
Pumpkin. Easy temporary fix to digestive issues, rich in antioxidants and Vitamins A and C. Pet's usually love it!
Snack no dog can resist:
ZiwiPeak food as treats. Universal crowd pleaser!
Biggest success story:
One customer’s cat just wouldn’t eat, not even the diets their vet suggested. I recommended Primal raw frozen cat food. It worked so well, the customer made me a cake shaped like her cat.
Pet food he’d eat in a zombie apocalypse:
The Honest Kitchen. It looks a lot like human food. One customer actually ate it with her dog while hiking the Appalachian Trail!
PET FOODIE ASHLEY
Years in the pet industry:
10 years
Proud pet parent to:
3 cats— Paisley, Delphine, and Smudge.
The dog who inspired her nutrition journey:
I rescued a senior Lhasa Apso, Zoe, with a year to live. After slowly introducing supplements, superfoods and a raw diet, she became a completely different dog and lived 5 more years.
Why she’s a raw food fanatic:
I’ve seen what it can do. Healthier coat, less shedding, smaller (less smelly) poops, better dental health, healthier weight, and overall improved wellness.
How she builds a food bowl around hot weather:
Cooling proteins, like rabbit and duck, don’t require a lot of energy to break down. This prevents overheating at the skin level for dogs with hot spots. Add Primal pork broth for extra moisture.
Favorite superfood:
Primal Super Green Smoothie Edible Elixir is good for the immune system, gut health, and supports the kidneys and liver.
Favorite supplement:
Herbsmith Microflora for gut and digestive health. A high amount of cultures makes it more effective.
Pet food she’d eat in a zombie apocalypse:
Preppy Puppy Bakery treats. The peanut butter squares are my favorite.
PET FOODIE BRAD
Years in the pet industry:
21 years. I was introduced to natural pet food in 1998, and immediately saw the difference in my pets. It’s been my passion ever since.
Proud pet parent to:
3 dogs (Bella, Bailey, and Bodhi), 2 cats (Stella and Saki) and 10 turtles living in the pond.
Why he's a raw fanatic:
Because it’s only frozen (rather than processed), raw food retains the highest level of nutrient availability so our pets get what they need and deserve.
How he builds a food bowl:
I always strive to get some kind of raw into a pet’s diet, whether as a base or a topper. Rotation between different proteins is very important. I also recommend rotating different kinds of broth to add more nutrients and flavor.
Favorite Supplement:
Probiotics and digestive enzymes are my #1 choice because every pet can benefit from them. They help with digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune support.
Favorite treat:
Freeze-dried meat treats. They’re enticing, great for training, and work well in treat dispensing toys.
How he used diet to help a dog with cancer:
Tank was on death’s door, having trouble eating and moving around. I immediately had his owner switch to raw food and work in supplements for mobility and immunity support, plus CBD for pain and inflammation. With these changes, Tank was more like his old self and even felt good again. Proper diet and nutrition can’t cure cancer, but they can definitely slow it down and help your pet’s body function.