I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the treats we put in our dogs’ bowls and the choices we make for them.
When we started TRAILDOG & CO., I knew I wanted it to be about more than just selling pet products. I wanted to create a place where I could share the things I genuinely believe are good for our dogs—and the things I feel good about giving to my own.
So I thought it might be nice to start sharing a little more of the why behind what we make and what we carry.
Every week, I’m going to share a little something from our Farm-to-Treat Journal. Sometimes it might be about something we make ourselves. Sometimes it might be about a product we believe in. Sometimes it might simply be about an ingredient and why I think it deserves a little more attention.
Because I care about this stuff.
I care about where our food comes from. I care about what's in the treats we give our dogs. I care about supporting local farms and small businesses when we can. And I care about making treats that aren't just something our dogs love the taste of, but something I can feel good about giving them.
That's really where the idea of farm-to-treat came from.
And I thought there was no better place to begin than with our liver jerky.
We source our liver locally, bring it back to our little TRAILDOG kitchen, carefully cut it by hand and make it in small batches. We dehydrate it to remove the moisture while helping preserve the naturally occurring nutrients and concentrate all that rich, meaty flavor. There is nothing complicated about it.
The only ingredient is liver.
We make both beef liver and pork liver, and if you've ever watched a dog discover our liver jerky for the first time, you know exactly why we keep making it. They absolutely love it. And the cats seem to think it's pretty wonderful, too.
But what really makes me love liver isn't just that dogs go crazy for it.
Liver is incredibly nutrient-dense. It naturally provides vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, copper, protein and other important nutrients. It's one of those foods that reminds me that sometimes the best things really are the simplest.
Of course, because liver is so nutrient-dense, it's something to enjoy as a treat and in appropriate amounts—not something that needs to replace a complete and balanced diet.
And maybe that's my favorite part of making this.
We're taking something simple, something local, something that might otherwise be overlooked, and turning it into a treat that dogs and cats genuinely love.
And we're able to keep it reasonably priced, both in our Damascus store and online, because I don't think good food should have to be a luxury.
So that's where our Farm-to-Treat Journal begins.
I'll be sharing a little something every week about the food, treats and products we care about—and the reasons behind why we choose them.
Because at the end of the day, these aren't just products on a shelf. They are treats and superfood for our furry best friends! And I think that matters.
🐾
TRAILDOG & CO.
Good food for good dogs.
