Oak Ridge Feed

02/13/2025

Brushy brushy or I shavey shavey

02/09/2025

BHA is a controversial preservative found in many dog foods. But it's been linked to cancer & reproductive disorders... so is it really safe...? 🤔

US government regulations allow BHA in dog food, considering it safe in low doses. But BHA has been found to produce malignant tumors in lab animals & the State of California includes it on its “Chemicals Known… to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity” report.

So too, the EU considers BHA a ‘hormone disruptor‘… because studies have shown it can damage the s***m quality of male rats and the s*x organs of females. Indeed, BHA is banned from use in certain EU food products for this reason 👀

And dogs may be at greater risk. This is because, unlike humans, who vary their diets with each meal, dogs are typically fed the same food continuously. Day after day. For a lifetime.

It’s that cumulative exposure to a risky chemical (like BHA) that can magnify its effect on your dog's body.

So why take the risk? 🤷‍♀️

Dog food companies include BHA in recipes because it extends the shelf life of a dog food longer than natural preservatives. It does a great job of stopping fat going rancid. Which can make the food more profitable for the pet food company.

But does it make the food more dangerous for our dogs?

By contrast, many pet foods are preserved with super-safe natural preservatives like…

✔️ Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
✔️ Mixed tocopherols (vitamin E)

Look. Here’s the point. Considering all the dangerous health issues linked to BHA, it seems logical to avoid dog foods that contain it. After all there are many quality dog foods that don't contain this controversial ingredient.

As our expert pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, says "I prefer to avoid BHA. It does a great job as an antioxidant - it certainly works to delay foods becoming rancid. But, since there are other options now, such as antioxidants which are based on vitamin E, I don't see any need to use artificial antioxidants for which studies have shown there is the potential for negative health effects."

Our best advice is to check your dog food labels. Look for the “fat” ingredient, followed by the words “preserved with BHA. And avoid where possible.

02/07/2025

Why waste your money on cheap birdseed full of fillers like milo and corn? Give the birds the foods they want, like Bugs Nuts & Fruit from Mr. Bird! No waste, less mess!

02/04/2025

The Bluebirds are already choosing their nesting sites. Help keep them happy by offering Songbird Essentials dried mealworms! Now available by the tub, in bulk, or by the pound.

Mealworm feeders are also in stock!

02/01/2025

Black oil sunflower, Special Songbird, and mealworms, oh my! Which brings the most birds to YOUR yard?

01/29/2025

"FEED THE BIRDS, THEY'RE HUNGRY!"

You've tried the rest, now try the best! Wild Bird Feast, Flaming Hot Feast, and Bugs Nuts & Fruit cylinders and seed from Mr. Bird are in stock!

01/15/2025

Sign up for your $5 coupon now! Got a new puppy? When you buy Fromm Gold Puppy or Large Breed Puppy, receive a FREE "Welcome to the Family" reusable tote bag and goodies!

Premium dog and cat food

12/25/2024

While we all know that dogs are often afraid/unsure/nervous around things that are novel — thus my consistent emphasis on proper socialization/exposure — there’s also an enormous reluctance/denial that many have embracing the hard, cold, unforgiving reality of genetics.

And I get it. If a pup or dog is dealt an unlucky and unfavorable hand genetically, it’s certainly not the dog’s fault, and it certainly feels unfair. But as sad and unfair as this genetic deal may be, it doesn’t dissolve into the ether simply because we don’t like it.

Are there things to be done, both with training and proper socialization, which can improve a pup/dog’s ability to better navigate their world? Absolutely. But is that “ceiling” of progress determined by the pup/dog’s genetics? 100%. Even if you don’t like hearing it.

Here’s the thing that very few want to honestly face: genetically robust/resilient dogs will also encounter novel things they are afraid/unsure/nervous about, but these dogs will quickly overcome these challenges. They will encounter, assess, and very quickly move on. Dogs who are less genetically robust/resilient will struggle with the same novel encounters to a far greater degree, and their ability to completely resolve their concerns and no longer be impacted by them will be determined far more by how they’re wired than by the work done with them.

Yep, all the socialization work in the world won’t make a highly unstable dog highly stable, or a moderately unstable dog perfectly stable. Whether we like it or not, the genetics trump the work.

Once again, does this mean the less lucky dogs have no room to grow, or can’t make huge strides? Of course not. But to ignore the realities that genetics play is to be extremely foolish, and delusional — and serves neither dog nor owner.

12/25/2024

Can we really blame our dogs for the confusion when their entire world is enveloped by mixed massages?

Why mixed? Because we knowingly or unknowingly teach them that they and us precisely the same. And then we become upset when they respond to what we’ve taught them by challenging us, pushing us, disregarding us, stressing us, overwhelming us, and sometimes even injuring us.

I’m sorry, but if you’re going to teach your dog that you and they are the same — meaning the social structure, aka the differences between human and canine aren’t clearly articulated — you can’t be upset when they run with what you’ve taught them.

This isn’t a student issue, it’s a teacher issue.

PS, I know many bristle at the fact that I point out that there should be a clear distinction between dog and human — with the human in charge and above in status, and and the dog subordinate and below in status. Feel free to bristle away. But when you’re struggling with your dog, refer back to this post and attempt to digest it with an open mind. The answers to why you’re struggling are likely here when you’re ready to find them.

PPS, here’s the kicker — you can disagree with this all you like, and even discount it as invalid “old school” nonsense — just remember that makes one of you. 😉

12/20/2024

Folks we just got alerted to another small situation needing a little Holiday Magic. Meet Gisella. She is 15 years old and her owner just passed away. At a time where this sweet senior should be snuggled in for a warm winter's nap, she finds herself in a cold shelter quarantine holding cage.

She is safe as far as timing goes as she luckily finds herself at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, but we all know that shelters are no places for seniors. If you know a senior looking for a loving new friend, or have a quiet home and a big heart, we urge you to apply directly with the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter for this sweet old girl. She is still in quarantine and may not be able to be home for the holidays, but we would love to see someone lined up to take her home the moment she is available. Call the shelter directly at 865-425-3423 Tuesday through Saturday Noon til 5pm for more info. When the automated phone voice picks up press zero to get transferred to the front desk. Please help us spread the work and share this message.

12/13/2024

Making spirts bright

12/05/2024

Treat your pup or kitty this holiday season! No coupon required!

Making spirts bright

11/28/2024

As a family-owned and operated company, we are beyond proud to support Small Business Saturday on November 30. Independent pet stores are critical to the communities and our mission at NutriSource. The next time you replenish your pets food or treats, consider supporting your neighborhood pet store. 💜 Every purchase truly makes a difference.

If you’re looking for a local pet store near you, click here: https://nutrisourcepetfoods.com/where-to-buy

11/25/2024

Click on Fromm's "Get Offer" link, sign up, and print out your coupon to save! Good through December 6th!

(Coupon MUST be printed out to be redeemed.)

06/06/2024

CLOSED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THIS AFTERNOON, THURSDAY JUNE 6TH!

We will close just before 3:00 p.m. today and reopen around 4:00 p.m.

We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

01/15/2024

We are open, but please don't get out if you don't absolutely have to. Lana is staying at the shop, so she'll still be there when the roads have improved in a day or two!