Alberta sourced and prepared raw food for dogs, available through online store. We deliver weekly d
16/02/2025
Matt's response when I added new items this week.....
"Ugh, really??!!" 😂😆 It's all good. We are in a season of new right now which means some back end changes that creates more work to ensure smooth transitions.
These new products are all items we have been wanting to add for a while - they are long overdue! The expanded bone section has been a tremendous hit!
What new items are you loving?? What are you still waiting on??
Frozen Quail Eggs from Craft Quality Poultry are now available in the Grand Dog shop: https://bit.ly/2NuoHa6
Eggs are a complete protein source for dogs featuring all of the essential amino acids your dogs require.
Amino acids play an important role in the growth, development, and overall health of your pet.
Here are a number of amino acid functions in the body:
Controls hormones
Supports the metabolism
Supports production of Vitamins
Brain, heart, and eye function
Immune system function
Stimulates stomach acids
Promotes bone growth in puppies
Appetite control
Brain chemicals and mood
Antibodies
Produces serotonin to induce sleep
Tissue repair
Eggs alone aren't a balanced diet overall for your dog, but we recommend supplementing in their diet on a regular basis. When feeding kibble, eggs can be added, boosting the protein value of their food with a natural food source.
Craft Quality Poultry is a family-owned business on a farm outside of Lethbridge, Alberta.
At Craft Quality Poultry, they believe in raising our animals to the highest ethical standards and that there is a need for more farm to table options to be provided. That also applies to the EGGS we eat! This begins with sourcing our quail and chicken eggs from local producers, thereby helping drive our local economy.
SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
• Frozen raw quail eggs can be kept frozen for up to 12 months.
• The outer shell may crack during the freezing process, this is normal. Often the membrane will not break.
• Frozen raw quail eggs can be thawed in your refrigerator in a glass dish. Leaking during the thawing process may occur, this is normal.
• Once thawed, raw quail eggs can be safely stored in your refrigerator for up to 15 days.
When competitors become business partners...the origin story of Four Roots Pet Products!
Four Roots Pet Products was founded by Melissa & Hauke from The Complete K9 and Amanda & Matt from Grand Dog Essentials. Our roots are intertwined long before Four Roots began.
Greg, founder of Grand Dog, would drive to Red Deer to purchase raw dog food from Hauke. Hauke ended up selling his raw pet food business to Greg and Grand Dog began in 2018!
The Complete K9 is Melissa's family business; founded by Don & Colleen in 2010. In 2022, they experienced a devastating fire and lost their facility.
Melissa, Hauke, & the Family Meats team worked to build The Complete K9 back up from the fire.
The Complete K9 and Grand Dog were competitors during this time. We would look to see what the other was up to. Always friendly, but always keeping an eye on each other. Recognizing that each had something really special.
Last year, things changed. Grand Dog reached out to Melissa and Hauke looking for another brand to offer in their online shop.
Through working together, we realized how similar our values were and how we had the same hopes and dreams for the future of the raw pet food industry in Alberta.
Four Roots was founded to build upon the strong manufacturing process and dedication to quality and safety The Complete K9 and Family Meats worked so hard to achieve.
Four Roots is carrying on The Complete K9 legacy as distributor (Family Meats is still the manufacturer) while also manufacturing something new to compliment and elevate the raw pet food industry to new heights. Offering items like National Research Council (NRC) formulated blends & blends specific to different life stages and health considerations
Four Roots was created to be a place that brings you, the end user, into the process. A community hub to bring together people and ideas with a common goal of providing our pets with long and healthy lives.
And here we are today, almost a year from when when we first sat down together. We are so excited to build up this community. Thank you all for being here!
📸 first pic: .bear.adventures
02/02/2025
We've been keeping something from you! And it was SOOO HARD!
Four Roots Pet Products has been our secret project for the last 10 months or so, but the idea of manufacturing our own raw pet food has always been in the back of our minds as a possible next step for Grand Dog.
Especially since most people already think that's what we do! 😂
When the opportunity arose, it was something we knew we had to be part of.
Quality products and trust is what Grand Dog was built upon. This project is a continuation of that commitment to earn and keep your trust by only providing the kinds of products we can stand behind with full integrity.
Announcements like these always come with questions and confusion. Please feel free to reach out to us directly with any questions by commenting below, sending a DM, calling us or sending an email to [email protected] .
I'll follow up in the next little bit with answers to FAQ's and sharing more about what Four Roots Pet Products is all about.
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Thanks to everyone for your continued trust and support. We appreciate you all!
Alberta | Canada | Raw Dog Food | Raw Cat Food | Pet Supplies | Pet Store | Pet Food Manufacturer
01/02/2025
We have some BIG news for you! Our newsletter subscribers already got the news this morning. We will share a post tomorrow for the rest of you!
In the meantime, here is the February schedule! How happy are you all that January is finally over?? 😂😝
31/01/2025
January recap + some real talk ⬇️
I've been in a bit of a social media funk. I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling that.
Part of the reason is just the exhaustion of figuring out how to show up so you will see what I share while also running a business.
But another part of that is not being able to show up on this platform the way that I want to and have done in the past.
Posting has always been a way for me to connect with you and provide a way for you to connect with us and follow along. Taking you behind the scenes and offering transparency.
We have been working on a secret project that we've been keeping under wraps for the last 9 months or so. So posting behind the scenes has been tricky. This weekend that ends!
Tomorrow our newsletter subscribers will see our announcement first! We will post to socials on Sunday for the world to see! If you want to make sure you don't miss it, I recommend subscribing using the link in our bio.
We are really excited to be able to share our news with you and to be able to show up again on social media in a way that feels authentic to us, sharing behind the scenes, sharing what we're working on, and having you join in on the excitement.
Thanks for following along and being here. We appreciate you all!
30/01/2025
Do you offer recreational bones to your dog(s)? Have you been hesitant to because you're unsure of what bones would be best for your pup?
I got you covered! Swipe for tips on how to choose the best bone options and how to offer it safely to your dogs!
For an expanded version of these tips, check out our latest blog post: https://bit.ly/4hAGLbr
ICYMI:We are expanding our dog bone selection!
Now available under the "SHOP NOW" tab on our homepage is a page dedicated to Recreational/Edible bones.
This is where you can find different types of bones either for recreational chewing (i.e: marrow bones, beef knuckle bones) or as an addition to your pups mealtime routine (i.e: chicken feet, duck feet).
There will be more added, so make sure to check in from time to time to see what's been added.
What bones are your dog's favourite?
28/01/2025
We are expanding our dog bone selection!
Now available under the "SHOP NOW" tab on our homepage is a page dedicated to Recreational/Edible bones.
This is where you can find different types of bones either for recreational chewing (i.e: marrow bones, beef knuckle bones) or as an addition to your pups mealtime routine (i.e: chicken feet, duck feet).
The wider selection allows you to pick and choose what is best for your pups! This means we will be discontinuing the DC Mixed Fresh Beef Bones 20 lb Box.
There will be more added, so make sure to check in from time to time to see what's been added.
What are you excited to see added to this collection?
17/01/2025
I always feel a little bit weird....
When you're inquiring on the phone about if we deliver to you and I say, "let me check with my husband on that."? 😂 I feel like a proper business woman would say "Matt" instead of "husband".
But it's the reality here! We are a family owned and operated business.
Launched in 2018 by Greg and Joy; but we were feeding our dogs raw long before then!
The results and benefits were hard to ignore and when the opportunity arose, Greg knew that it was something that needed to be shared with other families in Alberta.
That dedication produced long travel days in the beginning as deliveries were a one man job back then. It was all worth it when Greg got a chance to meet your pets and hear the stories of how raw food transformed their quality of life.
Our shop and operation has grown and expanded to include other offerings and more people (shout out to the best drivers: Len & Ken!), but our goal is always one thing: what do your families need and want? What provides value for you and your pet's life.
That is why we curate very carefully, the products we choose to carry. We know you trust us and we take that trust seriously. We're here to offer you the essentials.
Thank you for being part of our ! Even if you haven't shopped with us before, we are happy you are here and taking in what we have to offer!
We would love to hear from you! What are your doggo or cats name(s)? How did you come across Grand Dog and raw feeding? Where are you from? What is something you would LOVE to see included in our shop?
Photos: Mutt Love Photography
14/01/2025
Select probiotics for dogs and cats are 10% off all month in our shop. This includes some of the wildly popular, but expensive Animal Biome products.
USE THE DISCOUNT CODE: FORLIFE
Discount applies to:
🐶 Four Leaf Rover Protect, Digest, Bifido for Fido, Gut Guard, Yeast Guard, Yeast Guard Plus, Saccharomyces boulardii, Kibble Fixer
😺 Adored Beast Felix's Flora
🐶 Adored Beast Love Bugs, Fido's Flora, Ye**ty Beast Protocol
🐶 😺 Easy Peesy Urinary Protocol - Urinary Tract Support
🐶 Animal Biome S. boulardii + FOS Powder and GMP + FOS
If you're unsure of what is the right fit for your pets, comment below or send me a DM to let me know a little about what you might be looking for and I will be happy to make recommendations!
Orders placed between January 1 - 31, 2025 are eligible for the discount. There is no limit to the amount of times this discount code can be used. Minimum $50 order. Not to be combined with other promotions. Regular shipping terms applied. GST extra.
11/01/2025
That last one hurt my heart when I saw it in a social media group. While intentions may be good, the unfortunate result of these beliefs is limiting what people offer to their pets.
It creates a fear around certain foods that may very well be a good fit for their pets. Or it stops people from trying new things and offering a variety in their dogs diet when it's needed.
Some people are at their wits end trying to find foods that work for their dogs, but feel less than when they have to try something that goes against these commonly held beliefs.
What if adding in chicken brought in relief to both you and your dog? Lightened the load of having to search for novel proteins because someone in the Facebook group said chicken as bad.
As always, feed the dog in front of you. Variety is a good thing.
What's a diet belief you held or heard from someone that you no longer give energy to?
I meant to post this last week, closer to New Years. Better late than never, right? 😊
03/01/2025
As mentioned earlier this week, we have reached out to all our suppliers for pet food to gather statements on how they are approaching the Avian Flu concerns to share with you all. This statement was received from this week.
Check out our earlier post this week with information about the raw pet food in our shop.
There's lots of information swirling around about this - some questionable, some really great. What are your thoughts? Are you changing any of your feeding habits? What resources have you found helpful?
Questions? Comment below or send us a DM! We are always happy to hear from you!
01/01/2025
Happy New Year Everyone!
31/12/2024
This past year was probably one of our most challenging years to date.
It started with our only raw pet food supplier experiencing a fire. That resulted in moving quick and deciding on next steps to ensure you all were taken care of.
The rollercoaster had many twists, turns, ups and downs. There was bad and disappointing hard but there was also good and uplifting hard.
We had stock shortages.
We had price increases.
We had recipe changes.
We had new products.
We had new partnerships.
We expanded our offering outside of Alberta.
We had website changes that didn't work the way we hoped.
We expanded and pivoted in a direction that needed to be done. In order for us to serve you in the best ways possible, we need to make sure we are growing with you on this raw feeding journey.
Our commitment will always be to serve you the best way we can. Through everything that happened this year, that was the number one priority.
Thank you all for joining on the rollercoaster with us. We asked a lot of you this year and many of you showed us patience and loyalty as we worked through everything. We see you. We appreciate you. 🙏🫶🏻
The coming year will be another exciting one. Thank you all for your trust in feeding your furry family members - it's something we never take for granted.
31/12/2024
What is Avian Flu (H5N1)?
According to the Government of Canada website:
"Avian influenza is a contagious viral infection that mainly affects birds but can sometimes infect humans and other mammals. There are many types of avian influenza, which are all caused by various strains of type A influenza virus (e.g., H5N1, H7N3, H9N2). Avian influenza A(H5N1) illness is caused by the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus."
Infections in humans are rare and usually occur when the person has been in contact with an infected animal or contaminated environments such as a poultry farm. It is spread through contact with animal f***s or secretions (saliva).
It is recommended that pets be kept away from dead animals and any unknown f***s.
While there have been cases of avian influenza in the US among dairy cattle, there are no cases reported in dairy cattle and milk products in Canada.
Please scroll through for our response to the growing concern. We are monitoring the situation closely and working with our partners to ensure safety of the products in our shop.
Questions? Drop a comment below or feel free to send me a DM!
30/12/2024
Meet Timber! ⬇️ ⬇️
Timber is a 6.5 year old Pure Bred Keeshond and has been part of the since 2021.
Here a little bit about Timber from their pawrent:
"This is Timber (Beaukees In The Garden). She is a six-and-a-half-year-old pure-bred, CKC Registered Keeshond (pronounced Kayz-hond). Keeshonden are affectionately known as “the Smiling Dutchman” for their happy, expressive smiling faces! Also known as “the Dutch Barge Dog”, they were bred for companionship and would alert sailors of threats, clear the barges of rats and occasionally babysit. She comes from loyal Grand Dog feeders, BeauKees Keeshonden.
Timber is a very intelligent, very manipulative, and mischievous girl. She’s trained Barrett & Shauna well! Like us, she prefers her own company and can be slightly aloof at the doggo park, preferring to cruise the perimeter, run the trails or contemplate the deeper questions of the universe under a tree. She also enjoys our nightly “porch dates” where I snuggle her while leaning on the porch posts as she watches the neighbourhood.
Timber is raw fed and has been since a puppy. She rotates between elk, beef, rabbit, duck, sardines, tripe, salmon, turkey, arctic charr, bison, mackerel, turkey necks, eggs, kangaroo, and other blends. If asked her favorite out of these, she would reply, “YES!”
Timber is very expressive and communicative and uses her eyes, “spectacles” (a hallmark of the breed), voice, chin, and paws to convey what she wants and does not. She usually gets what she wants!"
All of the proceeds of these calendars will be donated to . Parachute for Pets is an advocacy centre in Calgary that provides support for low income families and their pets.
29/12/2024
Meet Po! ⬇️ ⬇️
Po is a 9-month old Cockapoo and has been part of the since 2024.
Here a little bit about Po from their pawrent:
"Po is our funny little guy and is always ready for the camera! He is our certified good boy, professional cardboard ripper, and quality treat taster. If there's food, he'll make sure to test it out for you! Po has been eating raw ever since he was a wee little puppy and has never stopped loving his raw meals."
Po is featured in our Grand Dogs of 2025 calendar which is now available at granddog.ca
All of the proceeds of these calendars will be donated to . Parachute for Pets is an advocacy centre in Calgary that provides support for low income families and their pets.
"We are committed to serving Calgary’s most vulnerable populations, ensuring that the bond between individuals and their pets remains unbroken even during times of hardship." Excerpt from the Parachute for Pets website
po
28/12/2024
Meet Remy! ⬇️ ⬇️ Our first ever cat to be included in
Remy is 1.5 years old and has been part of the since 2024.
Here a little bit about Remy from their pawrent:
"Remy is a year and a half old. I adopted him and his brother Russell after my sister's barn cat had kittens. He lives in Calgary, and is a certified adventure cat.
He's been taking a daily walk on a leash since he was big enough to fit a harness, and (not so) patiently sits by the door when he knows it's that time of day!
Remy and Russell have been eating Grand Dog raw food since they were a few months old, when I started exploring more holistic feline nutrition - their favourite is K9 Ultimate Chicken with Tripe. People often tell me when we're out and about that Remy is the softest cat they've ever felt, and I tell them it's the raw food!
Remy has been by my side as I finished law school and started my career, and coming home to him is the best part of my day. He is a very protective and astute fellow, who clearly has plans to take over the world, or at least the park across the street."
All of the proceeds of these calendars will be donated to . Parachute for Pets is an advocacy centre in Calgary that provides support for low income families and their pets.
"We are committed to serving Calgary’s most vulnerable populations, ensuring that the bond between individuals and their pets remains unbroken even during times of hardship." Excerpt from the Parachute for Pets website
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Videos
Why is it so easy to do it for the dogs??!!! 🤣🤪 Who can relate?
#granddograw #granddograwpack #omega3fordogs #rawpetfoodalberta #rawpetfoodcanada #canadiandogfood #canadadogsofinstagram #yegdogowners #yegpetstore #yegfamily #yegselfcare #edmontondogs #edmontonalberta #dogsofyyc #yycdogs #calgaryfamily #calgarydogsofig #calgarydoglife
The hardest part of the process is catching your dog in the act of 💩 while also having the time take the sample. 😩 Not necessarily the easiest task.
Go over all the pamphlets when you first get your kit. Familiarize yourself with the process and create your dog's profile online right away so when it's time to take the sample you are prepared.
You will need approximately 20 - 30 minutes to take the sample and complete the steps to get it ready for mailing.
NOTE: If you are giving your dog probiotics, stop 24 hours before testing. Once you have taken the sample, you can resume probiotics. it's time to take the sample you are prepared.
The Steps:
Collect: The gut health test kit includes everything you’ll need to collect a small sample of your dog’s stool, including detailed instructions.
Register: Create an account at at the website provided in the package. Complete your dog’s profile.
Send: The kit includes a pre-addressed mailer to send back your sample. I've had no problems shipping via Canada Post. I've also heard that Purolator works as well. (Shipping costs are extra)
Analysis: Using the latest scientific innovations and techniques, AnimalBiome’s scientists identify the types and proportions of the bacteria found in your dog’s sample and prepare your dog’s unique report.
Results: In 2-3 weeks (from when they receive your sample), you will receive an email notification when your test results are ready.
Once your results are complete, they will email them to you. You will then have the opportunity to set up a 15 minute complimentary consultation with a microbiome test expert.
The fact that we can do this is just so cool to me! I tested Philly's gut health recently. She doesn't have symptoms, so in my case it was really to set a baseline and address imbalances if there were any. Stay tuned for later in the week for her results!
Have you used the Animal Biome Gut Health Test? What symptoms were you trying to address and what
When your dog's symptoms persist despite your efforts, it's time to evaluate their gut environment.
While you should always work with your vet, this test is for people who feel like they have tried everything and need more answers.
An imbalanced gut is one that has not enough good bacteria, too much bad bacteria, and/or there is not enough diversity of the good bacteria. Factors like disease, age, diet, stress, and medications—especially antibiotics—can cause an imbalance in your dog’s gut.
Imbalances can be connected to symptoms like:
- bad breath
- chronic ear infections
- digestive issues
- vomiting
- food intolerances
- dull fur and irritated skin
What information do you get wth the Animal Biome Gut Health Test?
✓ Detect harmful bacteria associated with dog health
✓ Pinpoint missing bacteria
✓ Check microbial imbalances
✓ Compare your pet’s gut to a set of healthy cats or dogs
✓ Receive dietary recommendations
✓ Personalize your supplement routine
✓ Enjoy the ease of an at-home and non-invasive test
✓ Complimentary 15-minute consult with microbiome test experts.
One of the cool things about the test as it educates users on the different bacteria found in a dog's gut and the role they play in your dogs health and symptoms.
I tested Philly's gut health recently. She doesn't have symptoms, so in my case it was really to set a baseline and address imbalances if there were any. Stay tuned for later in the week for her results!
Note: the gut health test is not an allergy test. If allergies are suspected, a different test will be needed to confirm what your dog is allergic to.
Have you used the Animal Biome Gut Health Test? What symptoms were you trying to address and what was your experience?
#granddograw #granddograwpack #animalbiome #petguthealth #dogguthealth #pethealth #yeg #yyc #shopyyc #yycliving #calgary #alberta #mycalgary #yyclovesdogs #yycdogs #caninesofcalgary #dogsofyyc #calgarydogs #dogsofcalgary #reddeerliving #
Excuse the awkwardness that is this reel. 😂😂 Our gift to you this month: all raw pet food is on sale when purchasing 2 or more boxes!
Stock up and save from December 1 to 15, 2024:
Purchase 2-4 any size, any combinations of boxes of raw pet food and receive 5% off. USE DISCOUNT CODE: DEC2024
Purchase 5-7 any size, any combinations of boxes of raw pet food and receive 10% off. DISCOUNT CODE: DEC2024-2
Offer valid for 10, 20, and/or 40 lb box orders placed between December 1-15, 2024. Not to be combined with other promotions. Orders to be delivered at the same time, no splitting of deliveries.
Since we are on the topic....did you know that we offer a bulk discount regularly? ⬇️⬇️
For orders of 8 or more 40 lb boxes, receive 15% off automatically at checkout. No discount code required!
Grand Dog will be closed for deliveries December 23 to 27. See the post before this one for all the details about our holiday schedule.
#granddograw #yeg #yyc #yycdogs #yycdogslife #yycliving #reddeeralberta #yegliving #yeglife #reddeerliving #stonyplain #stonyplaindogs #beaumontalberta #airdriedogs #caninesofcalgary #dogsofyyc #caninenutrition #petnutrition #dogfood #feedfresh #sherwoodparkdogs #igyeg #poweredbyraw #canineenrichment #albertabarks #freshfedcats #shopsmallyeg #supportlocalyeg #exploreedmonton
Both of our suppliers do have a way of tracking their batches and are shown on their labels.
This brings up an important point about The Complete K9 products on our website.
The barcode on their boxes track the batches that they make and is an important part of the HACCP process that their facility is certified under.
The CK9 products come from a facility that is HACCP certified. In order for them to comply, they need to track their products. As a certified facility, they perform regular testing and inspections on all of their products and equipment.
HAACP stands for: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. It was developed by NASA and food safety specialists in the 1960's.
The HAACP certification places a priority on food safety, quality, traceability, and accountability.
As for the analysis, you can find those on our website for all applicable products on each product page.
On all product pages we show where the product is made, the ingredient list, and note updates as it's given to us by our suppliers. We work hard to maintain these pages for you so you have the information you need upfront.
It's always been a priority for us from day one to be as transparent as possible about the products we provide. We know how important it is to you to know what you are getting.
But there is always room for improvement! If there are things you would like to see from us on our website or on socials, let us know!
#granddograw #granddograwpack #yeg #yyc #alberta #mycalgary #yyclovesdogs #yycdogs #caninesofcalgary #dogsofyyc #calgarydogs #dogsofcalgary #reddeerliving #rawdogfood #yegdog #yegdogs #yegdelivery #yycdelivery #albertabarks #freshfedcats #shopsmallyeg #supportlocalyeg #exploreedmonton #yegsmallbiz #rawfeddogsofinstagram #cochranedogs #cochranedogsandcats #dogfoodbowl #exploredevonab #yegdogowners
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Raw food - best for your best friend
We sell and distribute Dog’s Choice raw food, made with love and care in central Alberta. We have fed our own purebred German Shepherd this food since she was weaned eight years ago, and she is a happy, healthy pooch with a glorious coat. There are multiple varieties of food available in one or two pound tubes. You can choose from beef, chicken, and meat and veggie mix.
Greg is the Top Dog at Grand Dog Essentials and he loves dogs, especially ours. In fact, some days I think he loves that dog more than me! He will talk about raw dog food to anyone who will listen and has influenced so many of our family and friends to feed raw, we figured we might as well go into the business and make a living at it.
We know there are detractors of the raw food diet for dogs. However, our experience has been very good. We have an extremely healthy dog, free of digestive issues, and free of that awful thing called doggie breath. Watch our feed for future blogs on the raw food diet.
Some people think it will be horribly expensive. Well, if you buy the precious little packages at the store it will be expensive. Our food is reasonably priced and you can feed your medium to large dog for a similar cost to the top grade kibble food. Plus our pooch has gas so seldom that if a fart escapes her, she is so surprised she gets up to investigate.
The food is frozen in tubes similar to the hamburger tubes you find at the grocery store. It is delivered to you frozen and you simply thaw one or two tubes at a time and store the meat in the fridge, portioning out whatever your dog requires for its feeding schedule.