Appetitt - Enriched by Norwegian nature!

Appetitt is developed and manufactured in Norway, and the range has a high proportion of unique Norwegian, circular ingredients. All varieties have a high proportion of hydrolysed protein sources from marine and animal sources (salmon and/or chicken).

The feed contains functional ingredients from natural sources, including natural glucosamine and chondroitin from salmon and chicken, as well as high-quality omega-3 from Antarctic krill from sustainable fishing.

Quality controls to ensure good raw materials and the quality of the final product

All raw materials come from approved suppliers. All the raw materials we use in our feed are GMO-free and proof that the raw material is free of salmonella is required before the raw material can enter our production facility. For each lot of product produced, a reference sample is kept if analyzes are needed at a later time (additional analyses). Ready-made dog food and cat food are routinely analyzed for nutritional content, hygienic quality and physical properties. The production and quality system are approved by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority also audits the production facility.

Research

We have extensive in-house research where we conduct tests of raw materials and finished feed. We focus on taste and digestibility, health and stool quality, coat and skin quality.

The origin of the raw materials

The vast majority of animal-based raw materials are of Norwegian origin. Examples of this are raw materials from chicken and fish. The fat sources we use are chicken fat, which is also a Norwegian raw material.

Correct dog food and high feed and water intake are, together with training, the factors that determine the dog’s ability to perform to the maximum during activity. Active dogs, such as hunting dogs, can have an energy requirement of from 3 to 8 times the normal maintenance requirement and it is almost impossible to meet this high energy requirement without giving the dog a high-energy feed, and there is often a need for additional supplements in the form of energy-rich wet food, fat,  rumen, freeze-dried tripe e.g.. If dog’s energy needs are not met, the result will be reduced performance and reduced holding.

The energy in a dog food comes from the three main nutrients protein, fat and carbohydrates. Fat provides twice as much energy as protein and carbohydrates, and increased fat content is the easiest and most effective way to increase the energy content of a dog food. A dry pet food that will work well during training and hunting should have a fat content of at least 22 – 25% and over 30% during long-term hunting, competitions and races. This provides extra energy when fat burning goes into high gear during long training trips. Carbohydrates are a good source of energy and through short or more intensive training trips, the supply of glucose from the starch will contribute to increased performance. Proteins can also contribute as a source of energy, but are primarily building materials in the body and necessary to form cells and tissues. In an adult dog, the need for proteins is relatively low.

Transition from regular dog food to high-energy food

Preparations for increased activity should start well in advance. Here we are talking about training muscle mass and making the body’s ability to convert nutrients and energy more efficient. Through systematic and correct training methods, as well as good feeding for preferably 2-3 months before the hunting or racing season, you achieve that the dog is in top form when it really matters. The transition from normal dog food to a high-energy food should take place in connection with the start of the training period. In this way, the increased energy demand can be more easily met right from the start. 

Nice to know when when exercising with your dog

The most important thing is that the dog gets enough water along the way. Dehydration will reduce performance. 

Increased exercise requires adaptations to ensure that the dog gets enough nutrition. To increase feed intake, used of soaked tripe mixed with the dry feed can make the ration more palatable..

Within Appetitt dog food range, you will find two varieties of dog food that are specially adapted to active working dogs, Appetitt ENERGY and Appetitt EXTREME

Puppies grows fast! The puppy’s stomach is small, and the digestive tract is not fully developed in the first months of life. Therefore, feed for puppies should be concentrated and easily digestible to compensate for the low volume of food the puppy can eat.

Adaptation to dry food

In the period up to weaning, the puppy’s nutritional needs will be covered by the mother’s milk. It is important that the bitch has enough milk and this is especially true with large litters. The puppies must have “easy” and free access to clean water in addition to mother’s milk. From the puppies, are approx. 3-4 weeks old, you can start carefully by giving food adapted to puppies. Normally, the puppies will seek the bitch food bowl and start eating there. For the puppies, it is therefore an advantage that the bitch gets the same dog food as the puppies. But mother’s milk will still be the most important thing for a couple of weeks to come.

After weaning 

The growth period lasts until the puppy is 10 – 24 months old, depending on the breed. Small breeds can reach adult weight already at 8 – 10 months of age, while large breeds can be growing up to 24 months of age. The highest daily growth is usually seen at 3 – 5 months of age, and some breeds can then grow by up to 400 grams per day.

Dog food for large breeds

If there is too much protein and energy in the dog food, the growth rate can go to fast and at the same time might the puppy become overweight. Being overweight is a not beneficial for skeleton and bones and might increase the risk of bone and joint disorders. Appetitt Puppy Large Breed has a moderate protein content and perfectly adapted to large breed puppies. 

Differences in growth of breeds

Dogs are normally referred to as small, medium and large size breed. This corresponds respectively to adult weight up to 10 kg, between 10 and 25 kg and above 25 kg. In addition to different growth rates, it is also a fact that small breeds have faster metabolic processes than large breeds. Therefore, small breeds need more energy and nutrients per kg body weight than large breeds.

How much dog food should the puppy have

Ideal amounts of feed are individual, and we recommend to use the feeding guidelines printed on the packaging or to be found in the product data sheets as a start and regularly check the puppy’s body condition score. Always remember free access to fresh drinking water.

As a pet parent, you are constantly faced with a number of products to choose from when buying food for your pet. And it may not be so easy to maneuver in the “jungle” of quality levels, breed adaptations, size adaptations and adaptations to different sensitivities your pet may have.

The nutritional content should be adapted to the pet’s activity level. A dog or a cat that are ageing, does not have the same needs as an active dog or cat. Taking life stage and lifestyle into account is important when choosing a food for your cat or dog.

The feed bag – a checklist

On the feed bag there is a declaration of the feed’s nutritional content, describing which raw materials and additives the feed consists of, and with feeding guidelines. 

The following information must be declared (on the bag):

• Name and product description
• Raw materials – ingredient list
• Analysed content (information on nutritional content)
• Information about nutritional additives
• Best before and batch number
• Name of the manufacturer 
• Contact detail to those that are responsible for the food
• Weight of the bag
• Instructions for use and additional information describe which type of  animal it is intended for, breed, age and/or activity level.

There is a lot of focus on which raw materials the feed consists of. In general, one can say that dog food should contain nutrients from animal and marine sources, such as chicken or fish. The reason for this is that there is a nutritional intake of proteins and fats from animal and marine raw materials.

Some general feeding advice

• Choose a pet food with nutritional content that is based on the  size, life stages and activity level of the animal.
• Dry food can be given dry, or soaked in lukewarm water.
• Adapt the daily ration in relation to the activity level or appetite.
• In the case of recommended feed rations on the bag, it is important to remember that the amount of feed can vary by +/- 20% depending on activity level.
• Feel free to divide the daily ration into several rations per day.
• The animal must always have free access to fresh drinking water.
• Store dry food slightly cool, close the bag and remove as much air as possible and/ or us a feed container with a lid to preserves the feed’s good taste.
• Remember hygiene! Wash the feed bowl between each meal.
• Good quality treats and snacks should only be given as rewards, and in limited quantities.
• Changing the type of feed should be done gradually with the mixing of new feed over several days.