Formulas for Life™ for Dogs FAQ

Our pet parents have all kinds of questions about Lucy Pet Formulas for Life™ for Dogs. We've broken them down under the following headings:

Dog Health and Formulas for Life™

Formulas for Life™ vs. Other Dry Food, Raw and Home Made

Formulas for Life™ Ingredients

Your Dog's Stool

Quality Assurance and Manufacturing

Dog Health and Formulas for Life

• What makes Lucy Pet Formulas for Life™ different?
  Lucy Pet is proud to work with Dr. George C. Fahey, one of the world’s leading experts in animal nutrition. Our Formulas for Life™ diets are based on Dr. Fahey’s 40+ years experience. His extensive body of published nutrition research has established him as a bona fide expert in the pet industry worldwide. He heads our team of nutritionists to ensure our diets are precisely balanced and formulated. The beauty of Lucy Pet is the science behind our diets, so each kibble has the extensive experience of our team of nutrition experts. We go above and beyond to source quality ingredients such as French and USA-grown duck meat, US grown quinoa, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, wild Alaskan salmon, and more. Our diets focus on Gut Health by creating a healthy digestive system to feed the entire body system. It is so special we developed our P.B.F Prebiotic Balanced Fiber™ blend with unique ingredients such as quinoa, pumpkin, and chickpeas. 

• What is a healthy immune system?
  A healthy immune system means that the immune system is able to respond appropriately when faced with different challenges. Every day your pet’s immune system is challenged by viruses, bacteria, environmental toxins and other pathogens. In addition stress and poor nutrition can also affect immune health.
• Why don’t you have a Puppy Formula?
  All Lucy Pet Formulas for Life™ diets are formulated to be complete and balanced for all life stages of puppies to adults and senior pets. Our formulas are nutrient-dense, with high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber, as well as the essential vitamins, minerals, supplements and antioxidants necessary for growth and development.
• Why don’t you have a Senior Formula?
  All Lucy Pet Formulas for Life™ diets are formulated to be complete and balanced for all life stages, including senior pets. Our formulas are nutritious with high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber, as well as the essential vitamins, minerals, supplements and antioxidants necessary for growth and development. One very important factor in senior pets is to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is the leading health issue in senior pets, so we recommend following our feeding guidelines based on the age and weight of your pet. Equally important with senior pets is to ensure regular exercise to keep them fit and healthy.
• Is your food recommended by Veterinarians?
  Yes. Our foods are recommended by Dr. Karen “Doc” Halligan is the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Lucy Pet Foundation and is a renowned veterinarian, author, and celebrity spokesperson. She has developed a distinguished veterinary medical career while establishing herself as a national authority on animal health. She is a sought-after pet health expert and featured spokesperson in the media. As a practicing veterinarian, she understands the importance of feeding high-quality nutrition in the overall health of an animal.
  
  We recommend consulting your veterinarian for specific health questions for your pet.
• Is this a good food for Pets with medical conditions?
  Lucy Pet formulas are not designed to address any specific medical condition. We advise that you consult your veterinarian regarding any specific health issues.
• Does Lucy Pet offer any products for pets with food sensitivities?
  Yes. Our Limited Ingredient Diet Duck & Potato and Chicken, Brown Rice & Pumpkin Formulas are an excellent choice for dogs with food sensitivities.
• How can I determine if my dog is overweight or obese?
  Generally for most pets you should be able to see a defined tucked abdomen and distinct waistline. You should be able to feel the ribs if you gently rub your hand over the ribcage. Obesity is the #1 health issue for dogs, and most pet parents are in denial about their pet’s weight. Consult your veterinarian to check your pet’s weight. A diet of restricted calories, measured feeding, and regular exercise will usually make a big difference in keeping your pet at a healthy weight. If your pet is overweight, be sure to cut back on the treats, those add calories too!

Formulas for Life™ vs. Other Dry Food, Raw and Home Made

• Why does the kibble color vary slightly?
  Lucy Pet Foods™ does not use any artificial colors or dyes, and we never bleach ingredients. We prefer to use ingredients as nature provides from the farm or ranch. Normal factors in nature such as soil, weather, climate and season can affect the color of vegetables and proteins. Just as you might notice in the produce department at your local grocery store, vegetables sometimes vary in nature.
• How is your kibble different from other brands of kibble?
  To answer your question directly, our food is designed to provide very high quality ingredients that will be utilized in digestion, and will also deliver our blend of prebiotic fibers to the large intestine. Our kibble is designed to provide gut health benefit, while most other kibbles nutrients break down and digest in the stomach or small intestine, and offer little benefit to the gut.
  
  Experts now say that 70% of the immune system is based in the gut, so our prebiotic fiber blend will help boost immunity and overall health.
• I’ve heard some people say not to feed dry kibble, or that its better to make my own pet food.
  ​​Lucy Pet Formulas for Life™ are complete and balanced with the correct and guaranteed levels of essential vitamins & minerals pets require.
  Our formulas use only the highest quality ingredients. Most of our ingredients are procured from human food suppliers. We never use rejected or poor quality ingredients.
  Consumers are busy,
  home cooking is time-consuming and significantly more expensive that a quality kibble diet.
  Incorrect preparation and improper cooking may deplete certain nutrient requirements, and result in a deficient diet, which could be harmful to the pet. These imbalances may be visible until it is too late.
• How does this product compare to a raw diet?
  There is really no comparison when it comes to raw vs. kibble dog food. The health and safety concerns of a raw food diet, coupled with its inconvenience and high cost, make it an impractical option for most dog or cat owners. Kibble offers an array of benefits without compromising nutrition, price, convenience, or pet safety. To read more see our blog post on Raw Vs. Kibble.

Formulas for Life Ingredients

• Are your Formulas Natural? 
  Lucy Pet Formulas for Life ™ are made with natural ingredients, plus vitamins and minerals to ensure proper absorption. We do not add any Artificial Preservatives, Flavors, Colors.
• Does Lucy Pet pet food contain any meat by-products?
  No. Lucy Pet Formulas for Life™ does not include any meat by-products.
• Why are your dog formula protein levels in the 23-25% range when some brands are as high as 40% protein or higher?
  At Lucy Pet, we formulate not based on trends of fads, but what is best for the animal. Our team of nutritionists and experts has over 200 years of combined experience in animal nutrition. Using science and fact as a guide, we set protein levels, along with levels of fat, carbohydrates, and fiber at optimal levels for peak performance. We do not distort one nutrient just for marketing purposes to “win” a sale. Despite what some brands of pet food offer, dogs and cats bodies will not absorb or utilize protein beyond a specific level. It is also our nutritional philosophy that excessive protein levels can unnecessarily tax some vital organs. There are no long-term scientific studies on the effects of feeding extreme protein levels, and as such we do not recommend that consumers select a pet food based on that single criteria.
• Why do your Salmon, Pumpkin & Quinoa formulas contain Chicken Meal?
  We developed the Lucy Pet Formulas for Life™ Salmon, Pumpkin, and Quinoa Grain-Free Formula to include high-quality chicken meal to meet required protein levels and to ensure the formula does not exceed the newly AAFCO established maximum levels for vitamin D.
  The Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) substantially lowered (by 60%) the maximum levels of vitamin D for dogs & cats in pet food.
  AAFCO ruling allows existing pet foods to reformulate and comply by 1/1/2018
  Fish is naturally high in vitamin D, so existing fish-only formulas will need to reformulate to lower the percentage of fish and add another source of protein (either poultry, meat or plant protein source).
  Symptoms of excessive vitamin D include vomiting, weakness, muscle atrophy, calcification of soft tissue, dry, brittle hair, lethargy and more.
  Lucy Pet is proactively compliant with new AAFCO regulations and added high-quality chicken meal to its Salmon based formulas to achieve proper protein levels.
• What is the difference between chicken meal and chicken by-product meal?
  We use a low ash, chicken meal, a high quality protein source that contains muscle meat. By AAFCO definition and law, it cannot contain heads, feet or intestines. Our chicken meal is high quality and does not contain any “4-D” ingredients (dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals) or any other waste products. We do NOT use Chicken by-product meal, which contains various parts of the chicken, including heads, feet, intestines.
• Does your Duck or Chicken Meal contain antibiotics or growth-hormones?
  No. Since we buy our duck and chicken meal only from a specific supplier, we can trace every ingredient lot back to the farm to be certain that are free of antibiotics and artificial growth hormones.
• Does your Salmon or Salmon Meal contain Ethoxyquin?
  We do not add any ethoxyquin to any of our ingredients and do not purchase any ingredients that have it added. We carefully source our salmon and salmon meal from the cold waters of Alaska and preserve it naturally with mixed tocopherols and citric acid.
• Do you test your Salmon for metals such as Mercury?
  Yes. We source our salmon from Alaska and test for metals. Additionally, all of our finished diets are tested for heavy metals post production.
• Do you use any BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin or Propylene Glycol?
  No, we do not.
• Do you use any artificial preservatives?
  No, artificial preservatives, flavors, colors or sugars are added.
• Where do you get your meat and fish from? Is it factory farming?
  Lucy Pet cares about your pet and the source of proteins used in our diets for your pet. As such, we are committed to only use the highest quality, safe ingredients from trusted suppliers with Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 2 Certification, a recognized standard by the Global Food Safety Initiative. These suppliers are fully vetted and government inspected for their practices starting from ranch or farms. Our supplier controls the entire supply chain, we can vouch for the quality of all our products. From farm to manufacturing, full health & traceability documentation. We do not source any ingredients from China. Our Duck is from France, USA, and Canada, Salmon is Wild Alaskan Salmon, and our Chicken is from the USA.
• I have read about calcium and phosphorus levels, are yours correct?
  Yes, we follow AAFCO guidelines for our formulas. High levels of Calcium and Phosphorus can interfere with absorption of some trace minerals and cause deficiencies over time. Lucy Pet has carefully formulated our diets to ensure our levels meet the correct specifications of AAFCO.
• Why don’t you use wheat, corn or soy in your products?
  While these ingredients are not “bad”, over the years, some pets have been exposed to those ingredients and have developed food sensitivities to wheat, corn and soy. Therefore, we do not include these in any of our diets.
• Aren’t carbohydrates useless ingredients to a dog or cat?
  Carbohydrates can vary in quality and nutrient contribution, depending on the formula. They can play an important role in dog and cat nutrition, such as providing energy, protein, and fiber. The quality of carbohydrates that we use are highly digestible.
  
  The protein levels in our diets vary by formula. It is important to understand that these contribute protein and also essential amino acids, prebiotic fibers, and are complex carbohydrates and resistant starches which ferment in the large intestine as part of our P.B.F. blend. Specific, real animal or fish protein contribution to total protein ranges by formula from 58%-61%
  
  Regarding carbohydrates, The 2017 AAFCO Official Publication for pet food states that nitrogen-free extract and carbohydrate guarantees are not necessary and meaningful to consumers because they are misleading, and discourages these guarantees.
  
  In addition, there is currently no standard for what constitutes “low carbohydrate” ingredients or products for pet food or “reduced carbohydrate” products; these statements can be considered false or misleading. AAFCO has now ruled that any claims of low glycemic foods should not be made any longer.
• I’ve read articles online saying that carbohydrates are bad for pets because they cause obesity and diabetes. What are the facts on carbs?
  Carbohydrates are the PREFERRED source of energy for dogs and cats and are well utilized by both species. There is no scientific or nutritional reason to reduce their concentration in dog and cat foods.The cooking process of extruding and retorting pet food cooks the starch ingredients, making them nearly completely available to the animal, similar to other ingredients.
  
  There are many examples of carbohydrates (such as peas, lentils, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, tapioca, potato, and others) that are very healthful ingredients. These all have an excellent carbohydrate, fiber, and protein composition, and are excellent carbohydrate sources in quality pet foods.
  
  It is critical for pet parents to understand that obesity is NOT caused by carbohydrates. Obesity is caused by poor feeding practices of dog and cat pet parents who do not follow the feeding directions of the food manufacturer.
  
  Health conditions such as inflammation, diabetes, and metabolic issues are caused by many factors, some of dietary origin and some not of dietary origin. To blame carbohydrate ingestion on these conditions is scientifically unsound. Both carbohydrates and proteins (such as animal proteins) have the same caloric value (4 kcal/g). Management of total caloric intake by the dog and cat parent would go a long way in solving the obesity problem currently experienced by pet animals.
• Is your formula low glycemic?
  Regarding low glycemic claims, AAFCO recently ruled that there is no standard for what constitutes “low glycemic” ingredients or products for pet food. Such claims could also be false and misleading because the claims imply an effect on the structure/ function of the body that has not been substantiated in dogs and cats, and they are implied drug claims (treat or prevent diabetes). AAFCO has now ruled that any claims of low glycemic foods should not be made any longer.
• What is miscanthus grass and why do you use it in your formulas?
  Miscanthus grass is a non-GMO, perennial warm-season plant grown and harvested in the USA. It is one component of our exclusive P.B.F Prebiotic Balanced Fiber blend because it is an excellent source of fiber not commonly used in pet foods. Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive tract, and we utilize miscanthus grass to compliment our variety of fibers to achieve prebiotics in the gut. Grass also contains some nutrients for pets. You may have observed your dog or cat eating grass when they are outdoors or when it is available, in part because they simply enjoy it. Some will instinctually eat grass as a natural remedy to help soothe their stomach or aid in digestion.

Your Dog's Stool

• Will the fiber in this diet cause more stool than other diets?

  Some pets will have a moderate increase in stool. Our formula adds quality fibers for specific dietary health benefits. The stool volume initially varies by a pet, due to the overall condition of the gut, including factors like stress, the current health of the animal, etc. When changing your pet’s diet, you may observe a slightly larger stool volume for the initial transition period. This is normal and your pet will adapt after a short period. If you see a significant change in stool volume during the transition period, it is best to take a slower approach to changing your pet’s food, to allow their digestive system more time to adjust to the new diet by slowing the transition amounts of old food to new food.

• What is considered a normal stool for my pet?

  Generally speaking, a healthy canine stool is moist and firm, sometimes segmented, and has a mild odor.
  Normal stools should be shaped like a log, that is, cylindrical and should be easy to pick up. The four “c” of stool are:
  Color: Under normal circumstances, the stool is a chocolate-brown color.
  Consistency: The ideal stool is a 3 or 4: a firm, moist segmented piece, caterpillar-shaped
  Coating: Poop should not have a coating or a film over it. If you’re picking up your pet’s stool off the grass, there shouldn’t be any sort of trail left behind.
  Content: The inside of a stool shouldn’t look any different from the rest of it.
  When transitioning to our higher fiber diet, some noticeable changes in stool volume may occur. This reflects a more healthy digestive tract.

• Is it normal for my pet to have softer stools or diarrhea when I first switch to this food?

  The key to switching foods is to do it gradually. In some instances, a pet can experience soft stools during the first week when you switch and transition to any new food.
  
  Most pets transition easily to Lucy Pet Formulas for Life, learn how to transition here.
  If your pet’s stool continues to be loose, it may be necessary to transition more gradually to the new diet. Be sure to temporarily eliminate any treats or wet food for the first few days, and follow feeding guidelines closely.
  Due to our nutrient density, Lucy Pet diets may require different feeding quantities (usually less) than the food you were previously feeding.

Quality Assurance and Manufacturing

• Where are your foods made?
  All Lucy Pet Formulas for Life™ dry dog and cat foods are manufactured in the United States at trusted facilities, right here in Southern California. We source ingredients globally from trusted suppliers, but absolutely no ingredients are from China. We believe that every pet deserves the very best, including nutrition with natural ingredients from trusted, responsible suppliers, and manufactured in American facilities to provide jobs for Americans. Manufacturing plants are HACCP certified and, exceed FDA, AAFCO, CGMP, and USDA industry-wide standards.
  Our Kettle Creations™ stews canned formulas are made in Thailand and are inspected regularly by the USFDA agency to ensure the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards.
• How do I know your foods are safe?
  Lucy Pet Formulas for Life ™ are made with truth in labeling, honesty in formulations and attention to detail. Our Quality Assurance Program gives you peace of mind that what you feed your cat or dog is safe and the highest quality. The health and safety of your pet are our top priority. We check every production run of our products for 9 known contaminants before distribution so that you can be assured they meet our strict Quality Assurance Standards. Our manufacturing plants are HACCP certified and exceed FDA, AAFCO, GCMP and USDA industry-wide standards. Our partner plant staff are also certified with Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQI) to comply with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. Visit our Quality Assurance page to learn more.