Taste
Tests - How to
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| Place 3-5
different foods to test on the floor, labeled, and then let your
dog in. Video if you can. |
Post-its are
quick and easy to use, and stick to the floor. |
Dog eye view |
Try different
configurations, leave space between choices. |
A 3 x 5 card,
taped to the floor, can work well. |
Remember,
cats can taste test, too. |
You only need
a few kibble for taste tests. |
Taste Tests are sort of
like a sports contest. You start out competing with other individuals,
and over time and multiple "tests" you come up and a highest
rated individual (or product) in that group. The "winners"
from multiple groups, then compete, for the highest rated individual
(or product) of that comparison. And on until you get best individual
or product at that time.
Here's how
to do it:
1. Decide where you are
going to do your taste tests, then put the dog in a different room,
while you prepare the tests.
2. Pick 2-5 different foods, and put a small amount on
a labeled card, on the floor. Kibble can be placed on a 3x5 card or
a sticky note, soft or moist foods would need to be in a dish that is
set on the floor next to the label (see below for The Honest Kitchen
taste tests). Include the food you are currently feeding, too, to get
a comparison and opinion from your dog.
3. Be sure to leave some space between each sample.
4. Video it if you can, placing yourself so you can see the dog and
label of the food. (Digital cameras take good video clips these days.)
Or take photos, if possible, to help you remember what your dog did.
5. Take notes, as objectively as you can, as to your dog's behavior.
There are no right or wrong answers.
6. Remove your dog when he is done with the presented food, repeat the
test with the same samples, but mix up the order. Then let your dog
in again, and see what happens.
7. Repeat the process another two or three times, mixing up the order
or placement each time, to get a good reading on your dog's opinion
of those foods. Keep taking notes and videos or photos.
8. If you have more samples, you can keep going with more and more tests.
After you have several "group" winners (preferred foods),
put the winners together as a group, and test them together, to get
the preferred food of that group.
Keep in mind that your
taste test is about your dog's opinion of the food(s) at that moment
in time. Due to the changing nature of individual needs, you may get
different outcomes from doing the tests at another time. If you are
getting information from your dog that his dietary needs are changing
(does not seem to want his food so enthusiastically, won't eat it, etc.),
you might consider doing another series of taste tests, to find out
how he has changed in his preferences.
Have fun with the tests,
learn lots, repeat when you want more information. Happy testing! :-)
The
Honest Kitchen taste test videos-quality
and convenience. Dehydrated, whole food...just add water, hydrate and
serve!
Click inside the images below
to view our series of Honest Kitchen Dog taste test videos.
 
Great nutrition is essential
for all parts of your pets life. For dogs like Odie (pictured above,
before and after) with certain health conditions a special homemade
diet with supplements is best.
Dog and Cat foods
| Brand |
Name |
Varieties |
Description |
Also carry |
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The Honest
Kitchen |
Embark
Force
Thrive
Verve
Thrive
Preference
Prowl
|
Dehydrated
whole raw food. Just add warm water, wait 10 minutes, and serve.
Comes in 10#, 4# and 4 oz. travel packets. Samples available. |
Treats and
supplements |
 |
Solid Gold |
Hundenflocken
Wolf King
Wolf Cub
Holistique Blendz
MMillenium
Barking at the Moon
Katznflocken
Hunchenflocken
Barking at the Moon
Seameal
SG Canned (Lamb, Chicken, Turkey)
|
Solid Gold
Hund-n-Flocken Dog Food Flakes are completely natural, highly digestible
and low in fat. Protein sources include Amaranth, the "grain
of the future", Menhaden fish meal and lamb meal. Barley, chosen
for its non-allergenic properties, contains soluble fiber which
reduces the absorption of fats and contains fat-soluble oxidants
related to Vitamin E. Yucca has a 2,000 year history of use for
bone and joint problems and has natural color control for both the
body and manure. Beta Carotene, Blueberries, Garlic, Millet, and
unsaturated vegetable fats are also found in this preservative free
nearly perfect pet food! Samples available. |
Also SG treats
and supplements |
 |
Chicken
Soup for the Dog (or Cat) Lover's Soul |
In
Puppy, Adult, Light, and Senior Dog and Cat. Also canned food varieties
available. |
(Human
grade ingredients, excellent recipes.) Samples available. |
Treats |

|
Old Mother
Hubbard Wellness Dog and Cat |
(Lamb, chicken,
whitefish, senior, puppy, weight mgmt.) and cat food, kibble and
canned
(Chicken, Lamb, Duck, Senior, Turkey, Vennison, Fish and Sweet Potato)
|
Wellness represents a
new generation of uniquely formulated, all-natural pet food which
rivals human food in quality, nutrition and the cooking process.
The primary protein source in the Wellness line is human grade
deboned chicken, human grade Atlantic whitefish or hormone-free
lamb, depending on the formula. In addition, these top-of-the-line
dog and cat foods contain fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy
grains, and vitamins and minerals. Another major differentiator
is that unlike most commercial dog food manufacturers that rapidly
extrude their food, Old Mother Hubbard slowly oven bakes its Wellness
Super5Mix dog foods and treats to preserve and enrich the nutrients,
and to enhance the aroma.
As rates of feline and
canine allergies, cancers and diseases continue to rise, the link
between pet nutrition and health is being examined more closely
than ever. Healthy thoughtful ingredients in Wellness, like fresh
fruits and vegetables, provide essential antioxidants that protect
and strengthen your pet's immune system for a healthy, long life.
Samples available.
Wellness does not contain
any rendered animal fats, meat by-products, wheat, corn or white
rice and also does not contain any artificial colors, flavors
or preservatives of any kind.
|
Wellness Treats
Wellness Supplements (vitamins, joint, skin & coat, and more) |
 |
Old Mother Hubbard Wellness
95%
|
Salmon,
Beef, Turkey, Venison, Chicken, for dogs |
Packed
with all-natural, super premium deboned salmon, our new Wellness
95% Can formulas are a delicious compliment to dry kibble. As a
mixer or a topper, theyre simply delicious. There are NO meat
by-products, wheat, corn, soy, or artificial preservatives, colors
or flavors.Try all five formulas today!
|
|
 |
Old
Mother Hubbard Wellness Core Dog and Cat food |
Turkey,
chicken base, GRAIN FREE, regular and reduced calorie |
A
new product from Old Mother Hubbard Wellness, this is high in protein
and fat, due to not having grains. Great recipe. Consider trying
this if you think your dog has a grain allergy. Samples available. |
|
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Organix |
Dog and Cat,
kibble and canned |
Organic kibble
and canned food. Samples available. |
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Merrick |
Dog and cat,
kibble and can |
All human
grade ingredients, in delicious recipies |
|
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Sensible Choice |
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