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How Healthy Dog Treats Become Certified Organic | Ginger's Treats Giveaway

3/6/2014

22 Comments

 
This post and organic dog treat giveaway are sponsored by Ginger's Treats. Cascadian Nomads was compensated for this post but we only share information that we feel is relevant to our readers and all opinions are always our own.
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Typist: Bethany
For over fifteen years, I have done my best to always eat organically grown food. I have also tried to feed my pets organic but that is not as easy as it sounds. When I met Katie Metz, owner and creator of Ginger's Treats, I learned a lot about why it is so difficult (and, honestly, expensive) to feed my pets organic. Katie believes the same thing I do: "I don't like to eat stuff that's not organic myself, I'm not going to feed it to my pets... Plus it's better for the environment too. It's just a better thing all the way around." And so Katie went through the ridiculously long, difficult and expensive process of getting Ginger's Treats certified USDA organic.
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Is that a backpack full of organic treats?
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We get to eat all these treats, right?
The process of getting certified organic usually takes four months but Katie applied in July of 2013 and was only officially certified last week. According to Katie, the government shut down and a staffing shortage prolonged her certification process. Getting the organic stamp of approval on pet food is a two fold process. Katie worked with the pet food department of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, who works with AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards and regulations, to make sure that Ginger's Treats are healthy for dogs and labeled accurately. All of Ginger's Treats had to be independently tested three times to determine each flavors average nutritional values. This way, Katie could properly label the guaranteed analysis on the bag. Statements of "natural" on pet food bags mean nothing yet statements of "organic" can only be legally used if proven in tests. However, Katie told me "Organic doesn't mean it's good for dogs it just means that the product that's in there is healthier. You could have organic chocolate in your dog treat recipe but obviously that shouldn't be part of a dogs diet." So in not only are Ginger's Treats organic, but they include organic ingredients, approved by AAFCO, that studies show are safe and healthy for dogs.
However "the pet food department [of the Washington State Department of Agriculture] doesn't care where you cook, doesn't look into kitchens, " Katie explains, "but the organics department [also through the Washington State Department of Agriculture] is the one that comes out to your studio, that says, 'yes she's doing the right thing.' They watch me actually cook. They look at all my receipts to make sure everything is what I say it is... They can actually drop in whenever they want." The certification fee is $500 and they also take 3% of the profits from Ginger's Treats every year. But, Katie says it is worth it: "that quality meant everything." Through testing for USDA organic approval, which cost an additional $100 per flavor, Katie proved that very treat is  
non-irradiated, contains no sewage sludge and no aluminum. She had to prove that all of Ginger's Treats ingredients distributors and manufactures are also certified USDA organic. "You also have to have, with the organics department, a product log that logs every ingredient that went into every bag, the lot numbers from those ingredients, where the bags went, and that way if you have to recall it, you can recall it," Katie added "The pet food department has no recall system. The organics department does."

Basically Katie makes treats that she is proud to feed to her own dog, Ginger. "The other thing that I have done that I am very proud of is that I use coconut oil... I do all ingredients that can possibly come from the United States," but Katie's first priority is to source organic ingredients. And it is indeed a very complicated process to do just that. The next step for Ginger's Treats may be to offer protein based treats that are certified humane. In the end, Katie's goal for Ginger's Treats is the "hope that one person changes how they feed their dog... one dog eats healthier." I know that she has already helped at least three! Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley couldn't be happier.
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Even healthy, organic treats are only part of a balanced canine diet. Remember to count treats given to your dog as part of their daily caloric intake and adjust their meals accordingly! Overweight dogs can suffer serious health problems.
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Possibly the world's luckiest dog- Ginger!
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Two lucky readers will win these organic treats!
No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Two winners will be randomly selected by PromoSimple. Winners will be notified by e-mail on March 21st, 2014 and congratulated on Ginger's Treats and Cascadian Nomads social media. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. By entering, participants agree to PromoSimple's Privacy Policy. Prizes are shipped by Ginger's Treats. Cascadian Nomads are not responsible for fulfillment of this prize.
22 Comments
Tenacious Little Terrier link
3/5/2014 06:29:06 pm

I try to give Mr. N healthy and organic treats when possible. He's so small every bite counts. I didn't know they charged a percentage annually!

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Bethany
3/6/2014 03:59:44 am

I learned a lot from Katie about all the time and money put into becoming certified organic. I already thought the extra cost was worth it but now I KNOW it is.

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Moly The Wally link
3/5/2014 08:46:46 pm

Anybody can claim something is organic here but to be certified organic is a long drawn out process over here too. It is not fair for all of those who go through such a long procedure to have to compete with products pretending to be organic. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly

Reply
Bethany
3/6/2014 04:02:01 am

So true, Molly. It is illegal to falsely claim organic here but apparently no one ever checks/gets caught. Sad. Humans and canines and everybody deserve truth in labeling and healthy food!

Reply
Reilly & Denny link
3/5/2014 09:47:26 pm

We agree with Molly - there was a report on the news the other day about how manufactures use 'words' like organic, natural, etc and it isn't fair to those that go through the process of certifying that they are so

Reply
Bethany
3/6/2014 04:04:35 am

We always check food labels for reputable certification stamps! Ginger's Treats has the "USDA Organic" or "Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic" certifications on the front of the bag.

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Taryn link
3/5/2014 10:22:34 pm

Even if I don't win the giveaway, I am going to order some! All that effort deserves to be rewarded!

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Bethany
3/6/2014 04:08:16 am

Thanks, Taryn, we agree! I am proud to help Katie get the word out about Ginger's Treats and I hope her company is very successful.

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Roxy the traveling dog
3/5/2014 10:43:20 pm

These would be great. Who wants to eat crap!?

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Bethany
3/6/2014 04:06:34 am

I was shocked that Katie had to prove Ginger's Treats weren't irradiated and didn't contain aluminum or sludge- shouldn't that be true of ALL food?!? I don't think I can ever eat anything that is non-organic again...

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ruckus the eskie link
3/6/2014 01:54:33 am

Nice, i like how the organic is spelled out clearly

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Bethany
3/6/2014 04:08:57 am

Thanks, Ruckus, it wasn't easy!

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Ann Staub link
3/6/2014 03:17:24 am

Sounds like a pretty complicated process... but glad there are people out there who are willing to go through it in order to provide quality products. The treats sound awesome!

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Bethany
3/6/2014 04:11:45 am

Both the pet food and the USDA certifications are the types of processes where one has to be super organized, thorough and determined. And that is just the sort of dog lover that I want making my dog treats!

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Jan k link
3/6/2014 05:00:36 am

Wow, I can't tell you how much I admire Katie for all her hard work and dedication, to do what she believes in. I really want to try her treats, so if we don't win, we will definitely be ordering some. I try to eat organic for myself and for the pets as much as possible, and I also grow my own veggies and grow organically only.

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Rebekah link
3/6/2014 05:16:27 am

I am all about eating healthy/natural, and feeding my dogs that way. This is why they eat a PMR diet. I try to buy organic as often as possible, and sometimes purchase "non certified" organic from local folks.

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Katie Metz link
3/7/2014 01:40:39 am

Thank you all for your kind comments regarding the dedication it took to certify Ginger's Treats organic! It is because of people like all of you that help keep me motivated and want to do the right things for dogs and their people! My sweet Ginger means the world to me and I hope this journey her and I are on continues to be this rewarding for years to come!
Thank you, Bethany, for allowing us to sponsor such a great local blog. We feel honored to know you and your sweet kiddos!

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Christine & Riley link
3/11/2014 10:24:41 am

these sound like great treats!!! It's so awesome how she goes the extra step to have these treats certified!!

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keith kaplan
3/15/2014 09:14:31 pm

am susre my dog will love them

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Jaime
3/16/2014 12:25:00 am

I love feeding my girl Kaiser the very BEST. My girl looks a lot like Ginger ;)
I followed Cascadian Nomads on facebook and Pinterest but for some reason when I click enter nothing happens :(

Reply
Bethany
3/18/2014 01:48:26 pm

Thank you for entering the giveaway, Jamie. I sent you an e-mail but I did check the entry list and your Facebook page likes and pin-it entry bonuses were counted. Best of luck to you!

Reply
Paul Albarado link
3/19/2014 06:44:11 am

I would like to try it

Reply

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