FAQ

Yarrah would like to answer any questions you may have about our pet food. We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions with a detailed answer. Should your question not be covered, please do not hesitate to contact us.

More and more producers want you to believe their products are organic. The only way to be absolutely sure that a product is organic, is to look for a hallmark on the packaging. In the Netherlands this is the EKO hallmark. Whenever this hallmark is allocated to a product, the organic origin of that product is guaranteed. Skal is the only independent international inspection organisation for the organic production in the Netherlands that can grant permission to use the EKO hallmark. In order to gain permission to use the EKO hallmark all organic producers, farmers as well as processors, are constantly supervised and checked upon by control authorities from Skal. Because of these extensive measures of control and supervision, the quality and organic origin of all EKO products is absolutely guaranteed. Skal is part of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Preservation and Fishing.

 

What are the benefits for my dog and cat?
The increase of allergies in dogs and cats, could possibly be caused by residues of herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones as well as the (frequent) use of chemical colourings, aromatic substances, flavourings and preservatives in regular pet food. Chemicals, herbicides and pesticides among them, are thoroughly tested for toxicity, but the effect of possible residues in combination with residues of other chemicals is often neglected. Conducting research into these combined effects is almost impossible, because more and more chemicals are used for which the long term effect on man and animals is not yet known. Results from investigations by the Consumentenbond (Dutch consumer union) and Stichting Natuur en Milieu (nature and environment organisation) show that the sum of residues from different chemicals, the so called ‘combitox’, has a negative influence on the development of childrens’ brains and brain functions. *Source: Platform Biologica, Smaakmakend, summer 2001

Neither chemical herbicides and pesticides nor chemical additives are used in organic farming and producing, so organic products don’t contain residues of these substances and are therefore free of the combitox effect. The advice of the consumer union in the Netherlands is to be on the safe side regarding the combitox and buy organic products for children. And if organic products are good and healthy for children, why not buy them for dogs and cats?

 

How can the Yarrah products stay fresh without adding any preservatives?
Chemical preservatives are used in a lot of products in order to guarantee the long life of the food. Especially components that contain fat can perish quickly through oxidation. During this process certain substances can be released, such as aldehydes and ketons, that are responsible for serious illness. It is therefore important to prevent the oxidation process from happening by using anti-oxidants. Only sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. In some cases chemical anti-oxidants such as BHA, BHT and Ethoxiquine are used in generous quantities for conserving fat, because these anti-oxidants are relatively cheap. Numerous researches have shown however, that excessive use of these chemical anti-oxidants is possibly dangerous for the health of humans and animals. Yarrah exclusively uses tocoferol (vitamine E) in preserving dry food. Canned food is sterilized during the processing and packed airtight. Further preservation measures are not necessary in this case.

 

How is the acceptation of the Yarrah products?
Yarrah products are not only under constant supervision regarding composition and quality, but also the acceptation by cat or dog is guarded carefully. Regular observations show that Yarrah products can be fed to almost all dogs and cats, regardless of breed or age. Dogs and cats enjoy Yarrah prod-ucts and this without the addition of chemical colouring, aromatic substances and flavourings. The high acceptation of the Yarrah products is mostly due to the frequent use of chicken as main source of high quality protein. Acceptation is further increased by the high quality of the other ingredients of the food. Dogs and cats can be hypersensitive towards chemical colourings, aromatic substances and flavourings. Yarrah proves these components are not necessary in producing a palatable pet food.

 

Why is chicken one of the main ingredients of the Yarrah products?
Chicken is a source of high quality proteins and is well digested by almost all dogs and cats, whereas beef and pork can sometimes cause problems. Chicken is also a very tasty product for both cats and dogs.

 

Why are grains used as an ingredient in dog- and catfood?
Dogs and cats cannot live on meat alone, but also need vegetable nutrients. However, dogs and cats have a short digestive tract. It is therefore difficult for dogs and cats to digest proteins from plants because these vegetable ingredients have a longer digestion time than meat. Therefore the vegetable ingredients are pre-treated: they are ground, mixed with meat, heated, formed and extruded (meaning filled with air) in order to make them lighter and therefore easier to digest. Grain is of utmost importance as originator of carbohydrates, supplier of energy and of the fibres that are essential for an optimal digestion.

 

Yarrah dog food is sold in a great variety. All these types of dog food, except for the snacks, are complete. The energetic value of the products differs, however, to better suit the needs of specific groups of dogs. Listed below are the different types of Yarrah dog food and the groups of dogs for which they are best suited.

Organic Dog Food Chicken
• Grown dogs of medium and big breeds, till the age of approx. 6-8 years old, with normal exercise.
• Young dogs, as of approx. 6 months, of very big breeds.
• Dogs of small breeds, who have (too) little exercise.
• Pregnant and nourishing female dogs of very big breeds.

Organic Dog food Dinner
• Dogs that do not like or refuse to eat dry food.
• As variation to normal dry food.

Organic Dog food for Puppies and Small Breeds • Pups of all breeds till approx. 12 months (pups of big to very big breeds to approx. 6 - 8 months).
• Pregnant and nourishing female dogs of small, medium and big breeds.
• All small breeds till the age of approx. 8 years, providing they have enough exercise.
• Dogs recovering from heavy exertions, illness or an operation.

Dog Food Vegetarian
• Dogs with sensitive digestive tracts
• Dogs that are allergic to meat in their food
• Dogs with a lower energy intake, such as obese or older dogs
• Dogs that have coat- and skin problems

Dog Dinner and Dog Chunks with Chicken (canned food) • Dogs with serious digestive problems.
• As a variation to normal dry food.
• To mix with dry food or dinner.
• Pups that have to be weaned, to get used to solid food.

Various snacks (Dogbiscuits Vegetarian, Vegie Ears and Chewing Bones) Healthy snack or reward for dogs; not meant as a complete meal

For further feeding instructions and recommendations, please check out the packaging of the different products. All Yarrah Dog Food products are interchangeable without difficulty, but due to the difference in energetic value different products will suit different groups of dogs best. Due to the composition of the Yarrah assortment and the fact that all products have the same basic ingredients, it is possible to feed a dog on Yarrah products through all stages of his life.

 

Is Yarrah cat food complete?
All cat food-products of Yarrah are indeed complete. Due to the fact that a cat does not need a lot of variety it is possible to feed a cat the same dry food practically all its life. Cats like to eat small amounts of food during the day. Therefore cats really appreciate having food at their disposal all day. The preparation method of Yarrah Cat Food ensures that the dry food will stay fresh and crispy during the day. Due to the high energetic value of our product, your cat will not eat more than 80 grams per day. Yarrah canned cat food is also a complete meal, which means that all necessary ingredients are present in the correct values. Because of the higher percentage of moisture in canned food, the nutritional value is considerably lower than that of dry food. Therefore a cat, normally eating 80 gram of dry food, will need ca. 400 gram of canned food, in order to get the same energetic value. Once the can has been opened, canned food is more perishable than dry food. We therefore advise against leaving canned food out all day.

 

Why is there a vegetarian dog food available?
Dogs are not strictly carnivorous, but are closer to omnivores in their feeding habits. Because some dogs can even have allergic reactions to meat, Yarrah developed a complete vegetarian dog food. Soy is the main source of proteins and fat in Yarrah Dog Food Vegetarian. Many dogs with skin- and coat problems or alimentary problems have been observed to benefit from Yarrah Dog Food Vegetarian, because it reduced the problems and sometimes even cured them! Because Yarrah Dog Food Vegetarian contains less protein and fat it is also a good alternative for dogs with a low energy intake, such as overweight or older dogs. Vegetarian dog food is less suitable for very young dogs. Yarrah also has varied assortment of vegetarian snack products for dogs.

 

Why are cats not allowed vegetarian food?
Cats are strictly carnivorous. Unlike dogs, cats rely on eating meat for getting acces to certain essen-tial substances they cannot produce on their own and which are solely found in animal products. An example of such a substance is taurine, an amino acid that is essential for producing gall bile and acids in the body. Another essential substance is arachidonic acid. This fatty acid is plays an essential role in the synthesis of cell membranes, prostaglandins and for controlling epidermal loss of water. Recently a way of adding taurine and arachidonic acid to food was developed and both these substances have become available in a synthetic form. Yarrah is currently investigating the possibilities for producing a vegetarian cat food in the near future.

 

What method is best for replacing current dog food with Yarrah Dog Food?
In order to let your dog accept a new food, it is generally best to let the dog get accustomed to the new food gradually.
• Make sure your replace equal types of food: replace dry food with dry food, dinner with dinner etc.
• Start the first day by giving your dog 90% of his current food and 10% Yarrah
• Start the next day by feeding 80% of the current food and 20% Yarrah
• Within two weeks you have effortlessly replaced the current food with Yarrah Dog Food
• It is possible the the dog's motions will be a little scour, but this will soon end.

Do not be alarmed if the dog starts eating less, this is probably due to the higher nutritional value of Yarrah, compared to the food used before. Your dog gets all he needs! Dogs with problems in the digestive tract caused by their present food should, from one day on another, be given Yarrah Dog Food. The digestive problems will continue for some days until a fortnight. After this period you will notice that the problems slowly disappear and finally stop completely. In case the problems continue a change to a specific food, f.e. Yarrah Vegetarian, might be needed. Please note that changing your dog’s food to Yarrah in order to prevent digestive problems will not help if you keep "spoiling" your dog with leftovers, sweets, etc.

 

What method is best for replacing my current cat food with Yarrah Cat Food?
In order to replace the current food of your cat with Yarrah Cat Food, you can follow the method as described for changing a dog`s food. However, cats can be wilful concerning feeding habits and might therefore refuse to accept any new food offered to them. In some cases "famishing" helps, but please don’t take this method too far. When cats don’t eat for several days, their feeding stimulus is repressed and they stop eating altogether, even if offered their regular food. To prevent cats from starving themselves, it will sometimes be necessary to get the cat started again by using a forced feeding method or a drip. Mixing dry food with Yarrah pate (canned) might be the solution to persuade your cat to accept Yarrah Cat Food. You might also try different products and tastes when your cat refuses the first food offered. Due to their stubbornness some cats do not like the taste of chicken, but might prefer the taste of fish.

 

Can a cat with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease eat Yarrah cat food?
A cat suffering from urinary tract disease should always be treated by a veterinarian. A veterinarian can cure cat suffering from feline lower urinary tract disease by means of medication or surgery. In the first months after treatment, the veterinarian will often advise a special diet food in which the values of pH and magnesium are carefully balanced. Once a cat is cured and again displays normal eating and drinking habits as well as going regularly to its box to do normal piddling, one could return to feed the cat a normal cat food. In most cases it is not advisable to return to feeding your cat his old food, because this food obviously did not fulfil his needs. Due to the low amount of magnesium in Yarrah Organic Cat Food, it can be used as a substitute food for cats that are recovering from urinary tract disease. Urinary tract disease can be caused and influenced by a wide variety of factors and because Yarrah Cat Food is no diet food, prevention of urinary tract disease by feeding Yarrah Cat Food can`t be guaranteed. Also keep in mind that cats, once having had troubles with their urinary tracts, will remain sensitive for problems with their urinary tracts for the rest of their lives. It is important that your cat drinks a sufficient amount of water in order to activate his kidneys and bladder. Make sure your cat always has fresh water at his disposal.

 

How often should I feed my dog?
The recommended feeding schedule of a dog depends on the age and size of the dog and the intake of food per meal. Until they are approximately six months of age, pups have to be fed three to four times a day (young pups preferably four times a day, older pups three times a day). Give the pup as much as it wants to eat at each meal, even if this is more than indicated by the feeding table. Naturally, you must see to it that your pup does not become too fat. Over a period of six months, you can gradually reduce the number of meals to two or three per day. You can increase the number of meals again if you observe your dog having problems eating the amount of food offered in one meal. Mature dogs should be fed two meals per day. At least one, but preferably both of these meals should consist of dry food. It is recommended to give one-third of the daily required amount of food in the morning and the rest at night. Additional feeding is not necessary, although an occasional canned meal will be much appreciated by your dog. If you decide to feed your dog a canned product, it is best to use Yarrah canned products in addition to Yarrah dry food. Yarrah canned products consist of the same raw materials as the Yarrah dry foods, preventing problems you might have when feeding a different type of canned products.

 

Calcium and phosphorus are two related nutrients that require a careful balance in petfood. A correct calcium/phosphorus rate is essential for a development and maintenance of the skeleton. An improper calcium/phosphorus rate or a disturbance in the balance between these two nutrients can result in skeletal problems. Meat is the main source of phosphorus. If you add meat to a complete pet food, the amount of phosphorus is increased whereas the amount of calcium is not, resulting in an improper calcium/phosphorus ratio. If you want to add something to the dry food, you can use one of our complete canned products, because these products also have a carefully balanced calcium/phosphorus rate.

 

Why does the Yarrah canned Food contain Seaweed and Spirulina?
Seaweed (nori, sealatuw, wakame and dulse) is beneficial to the development of a thick, protecting coat with a beautiful natural gloss.
Spirulina is an alga containing more than 60 active matters, amongst which 11 important vitamins and 12 indispensable minerals, 8 essential and 9 other amino acids. Spirulina's advantages are:
 Heightens the vitality;
 Gives a beautiful coat;
 Raises the resistance again illnesses;
 Quicker recovery after efforts.

Can I feed my cat Dog Food?
It is not a good idea to feed your cat dog food. A cat needs taurine and arachidonic, which she gets from her food. A dog does not get these products from food, he makes them himself. Cat food is compiled with the right ingredients, so the cat gets everything she needs. Dog Food does not necessarily contain these ingredients.

 

Can I Feed my dog Cat Food?
It is possible for a dog to eat Cat Food, but to feed your dog Cat Food for a long time is not a good idea. Cat Food is made for the needs of cats. A Dog does not miss out on anything he needs, but the amount of specific ingredients (like taurine) might not be ideal for a dog

 

Why does most the Yarrah Dog Food have wheat and corn as main ingredient instead of rice?
Rice is used for dogs that have a wheat or corn allergy. There is just a small percentage of dogs that have this allergy. Rice is more expensive than yeast and corn, so using it as a main ingredient would make our products more expensive. Another reason not to feed dogs with rice is that not eating yeast and corn may cause a allergy on the long term. Just like Asian people can not stand milk is because they did not drink milk as they were children. After years there body is not used to processing the lactose in the milk, so they develop an allergy. However, Yarrah has developed our Sensitive a product with rice as the main ingredient especially for the group of dogs with an allergy.

 

What is the meaning of animal derivatives?
In our products only livers, harts, and chicken stomachs are used. In the Cat Pâté and Dog Dinners also liver, hart and kidney is of beef is used. Liver, hart and kidneys are good for a lot of minerals. Despite that most dogs and cats like liver a lot. Stomachs are added because they contain a lot of protein and little fat.