Customer Appreciation SALE

*July 8-12, 2024

*all products

*all customers, conditions apply

Dear Valued Customers,

As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and trust in Norman's Natural. Your loyalty and feedback have been the cornerstone of our growth and success.

Holiday Schedule Announcement

In observance of the holiday season and to allow our team to spend time with their families, please note our upcoming schedule:

Holiday Closure: We will be closed from December 22th at noon through December 26th.
Reopening: We will reopen on December 27th to continue serving you.
New Year's Day: Our offices will be closed on January 1st.
Back to Business: We will resume regular operations on January 2nd at 8:30 AM.

From all of us at Norman's Natural We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a New Year filled with peace, happiness, and prosperity. Here's to a fantastic 2024!

Thank you so much - your food is the best!!

pic of my dog included :)

We love to hear that Norman's Naturals is making a difference! Thank you Kelly for the review!

Hi,

Thank you so very much for your amazing dog food!  My dog Barkley has allergies which we don’t even know what they were.  We tried food after food after food and he needed medication.

He is now in perfect health thanks to your amazing food.  If we could hug we would!

I really just wanted to let you know that you have made a world of difference and I hope your food is available forever!!

Love from the Marshalls,

Kelly, Barkley and Ellie 

Barkley - mr. handsome

Ellie also loves your food!

If you would like to be featured on our blog send us an email sharing your experience and feel free to include a picture of your pup :) 

How Barley Helps Your Dog’s Digestive Health

How does your dog like to spend her energy? Does she love running with you through the forest? Heading to a café with you and soaking up the sun? Is she everybody’s best friend at the dog park?

Norman’s Naturals is the perfect choice for her because whatever she’s up to, she needs energy that lasts all day long.
 

Barley is a whole grain that supports your dog’s digestive health. It is a great source of fibre, carbohydrates, and B vitamins. It also provides your dog with a source of iron and selenium.

Barley is also a source of methionine and cysteine. These amino acids are important for your dog’s heart health.

Your special girl deserves the best dog food. With a balance of natural ingredients, Norman’s Naturals will deliver on nutrition and it tastes great too!

~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes

Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario. 

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Whole Oats: Part of a Balanced Diet

Oats are a whole-grain that provide lasting energy to your dog, so she has lots of energy to chew her toys, romp through the snow, and wrestle with her friends.

There are many wonderful benefits of feeding oats to your dog.

FIBRE: Oats provide your dog with fibre, which is essential for gut health.

METHIONINE AND CYSTEINE:  Oats are high in methionine and cysteine. These amino acids are important for your dog’s heart health.

CARBOHYDRATES: Oats are an excellent source of carbohydrates and provide your dog with the energy to hike, swim, and play with her friends.

PROTEIN: Oats are also a great source of protein.
 

B VITAMINS: Oats are rich in B vitamins.
 

LINOLEIC ACID: Oats are full of linoleic acid. This is a type of omega-6 fatty acid that helps keep skin strong and healthy.

After reading this, you may be craving a bowl of healthy oatmeal for yourself. It’s great to know that this nutritious food has health benefits for you and your best friend too!

~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes

Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario. 

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Whole Peas: The Health Benefits

Peas are a dependable source of plant protein and also contain vitamin K, manganese, fibre, and carbohydrates.

In well-balanced diets, pulses (that’s lentils, beans, peas, and chickpeas) are not harmful to dogs.

A couple of years ago, pulses got blamed for causing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The media pointed the finger at pulses, while animal nutritionists shook their heads. The media was misinformed.

Here are 10 facts to help you understand that peas are not the enemy:

1. Breeds with the highest prevalence of DCM include Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, English Cocker Spaniels, and Portuguese Water Dogs.
2. Your dog requires the amino acid, taurine, in their diet to maintain a healthy heart.
3. Your dog can convert methionine and cysteine into taurine in their body.
4. Your dog’s physiological need for taurine varies with their breed, age, and sex.
5. Obesity and diabetes have been related to lower levels of taurine in dogs, so it’s very important to keep your dog at a healthy weight.
6. Your dog’s food should be fortified with taurine and/or its precursors (methionine and cysteine.)
7. Researchers have found a link between low blood taurine concentration and DCM in breeds such as Scottish Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Portuguese Water Dogs, English Setters, and Alaskan Malamutes. Providing these dogs with taurine improved their cardiac function.
8. Animal nutritionists combine multiple ingredients to ensure that your dog receives a healthy and balanced diet.
9. Pulses have been used in pet food for two decades to provide quality protein and fibre sources.
10. Peas are a great source of fibre that can help control body weight.

Norman’s Naturals includes real chicken, barley, oats, and rice, so your dog gets the methionine, cysteine, and taurine she needs. We also include DL-methionine.

Your dog deserves quality nutrition. Our delicious Chicken and Rice blend is balanced, tasty, and sure to provide your dog with lasting energy.

~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes

Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario. 

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BROWN RICE: Why Natural Whole Grains are Good for Dogs

Brown rice is a natural whole grain. It provides your dog with essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It is also a great source of fibre.

There are so many benefits to including brown rice as your dog’s source of fibre. By slowing down transit time, fibre helps to keep your dog feeling full for longer.

A diet high in fibre is also a great nutritional strategy for controlling your dog’s body weight. By keeping your dog a healthy body weight, you’re preventing her from getting diseases like diabetes. You’re also making sure that her joints stay healthy, so she can enjoy pain-free walks with you and her dog friends too.

Having a high-quality fibre source is very important to your dog’s gut health.

Have you heard of prebiotics?

Prebiotics are foods that are typically high in fibre that acts as food for the microflora in your gut.

Fibre can act as a prebiotic and increase the number of health-promoting microbiota in the gut, including lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

There are other benefits to including brown rice in Norman’s Naturals as well.

Did you know that brown rice is a source of methionine and cysteine (amino acids important to your dog’s heart health?)

There’s another important reason for including healthy fibre in your dog’s diet. That’s right: high-quality fibre can reduce the incidence of diarrhea.

Whether your dog loves dashing through the snow, playing with friends at doggy daycare, or leaping through hoops at agility class, Norman’s Naturals will give them the energy they need to make every day their best day.

~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes

Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario. 

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CHICKEN MEAL: A High-Quality Protein for Your Dog

• 100% Chicken
• Trustworthy and consistent source of protein
• Not a by-product

Dogs need high-quality proteins to provide them with energy to run and play.

Chicken meal is an extremely rich protein. It is made of muscle meat.

Unlike chicken byproduct, chicken meal is made of 100% chicken meat. It is a trustworthy and consistent source of protein.

Chicken is also a source of methionine, cysteine, and taurine (amino acids important to your dog’s heart health.)

Did you know that dogs can convert the amino acids methionine and cysteine into taurine in their body?

It’s very important that your dog gets enough taurine in its diet because low levels of taurine in the blood can lead to heart issues like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM.) 

Cases of DCM related to low levels of taurine in the blood have been reported in many different breeds, including Scottish Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Portuguese Water Dogs, English Setters, and Alaskan Malamutes. Providing these dogs with taurine improved their cardiac function.

Question: Which breeds are genetically predisposed to DCM?

Answer: Breeds with the highest prevalence of DCM include Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, English Cocker Spaniels, and Portuguese Water Dogs.

By carefully selecting high-quality food for your best friend, you will reduce the risk of your dog developing DCM.

Question: What about flavour?

Answer: Our Chicken and Brown Rice blend tips the scale on flavour. Just ask Moose!

Moose is a Doberman Pinscher, who was an extremely picky eater. He turned his nose up at every kibble until he found Norman’s Naturals. Three years later, it’s still the only food he’ll eat! He needs energy for the long hikes he loves to take with his owner.

What’s your dog’s favourite activity? Leave a comment below!

~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes

Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario. 

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Is your dog overweight because your last trainer told you to feed her hotdogs? You fed her as strangers approached, as dogs walked by, and every time you saw a squirrel. You fed her every time she sat, every time she lay down, and every time she barked out the window. Sometimes when you fed her, you thought, “Am I reinforcing her for barking out the window, though?”

Your gut instinct was right. Your dog learned that when she barks out the window, the next thing she should do is run to you and get a nice piece of hotdog. What an awesome game! 

Your veterinarian says that if your dog doesn’t lose weight, she’ll need knee surgery. She’s also at risk of getting diabetes.
 

How are you going to get your dog to listen to you without the hotdogs?  
 

One of my newer clients called me for help with her rescue dog. She’d been training with food, but quickly realized that when her dog is outside and fixated on another dog (or person) she could “wave a steak in front of his face and he wouldn’t notice.”  
 

Sound familiar?  

Here are some training tips to help you reach your goal of a friendly family dog who is nice to strangers, doesn’t pull on the leash, and is a healthy weight too:  
 

1. WHAT DOES YOUR DOG LOVE? — Your dog loves YOU! She will likely work for your praise. You should use your voice to praise your dog. Be aware that dogs who are very high drive and excited already don’t need your “Good sit!” to have as much enthusiasm as if your child just got into the university of their choice. All dogs are snowflakes. Figure out whether a calmer tone helps your dog know she’s done a good job, or if you need a little more enthusiasm (because your dog is a little bit shy and requires more encouragement.)  

2. TOUCH — Along with your voice, some dogs are very happy to work for being petted. We’ve all seen a police dog getting thumped on the rump for a job well done. That doesn’t mean YOUR pet dog enjoys that much enthusiasm and force. Some dogs like that and some dogs don’t. Your dog may be a little shy and likes a gentle chest rub. Bottom line, know YOUR dog.

3. TOYS — Your dog loves tug o’ war. Use this to your advantage. Your tug toy is now your dog’s reward. Ask them to heel, lay down, or sit and reward them with a bit of tug. Before using this method, teach your dog a reliable “drop it” command. 

PRO TIP: Dogs love to work for food and will often work for their food ration. Instead of using unhealthy, fattening hotdogs use their daily ration of Norman’s Naturals for training rewards.  
 

We hope you have lots of fun learning about what motivates YOUR dog. Drop a comment below and let us know what your dog loves to work for.  

~Alyssa Foulkes, MSc, Dog Behaviourist  
 

Alyssa loves helping dog lovers build better relationships with their dogs. Beyond Dog Training offers in-home, in-car, and online training in Guelph, ON and the surrounding area. 

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Putting Quality First

Our animal nutritionist selects quality ingredients to ensure your dog lives a long and healthy life. By combining a variety of different nutrients, she ensures that our kibble is both balanced and tasty.

By carefully selecting a variety of meat, grains, legumes, and even amino acids, our nutritionist makes sure that your dog gets the necessary nutrients he requires.

Here are our top five ingredients: 

CHICKEN MEAL

Chicken meal is an extremely rich protein. It is made of muscle meat. Chicken is a great source of methionine and taurine (amino acids important to your dog’s heart health).

BROWN RICE

Brown rice is a natural whole grain. It provides your dog with essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It is also a great source of fibre.  

WHOLE PEAS

Peas are a dependable source of plant protein and also contain vitamin K, manganese, fibre, and carbohydrates.  

WHOLE OATS

Oats are high in methionine and cysteine. These amino acids are important for your dog’s heart health. Oats are a whole grain and provide lasting energy to your dog.  

BARLEY

We use this whole grain to support your dog’s digestive health. It is an excellent source of fibre, carbohydrates, and B vitamins.

~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes

Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario. 

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