FAQ

Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods is a revolutionary company with an uncommon approach that bucks the pet food industry practices of prioritizing profit over the health of your pets. Because our products are so different, you may have a lot of questions. We're here to clear up any misconceptions you may have about pet food, the health of your beloved animals, and our company. Please click on any of the questions below to reveal the answers to our most frequently received queries. Should you have additional concerns not addressed by our FAQ, you can always contact us at (631) 546-6587.

General Pet Food Questions:

Cornucopia Pet Foods Are For Dogs & Cats? Everything I've read says that dogs and cats need a different diet. Can you explain?

Cats are obligate carnivores, dogs are omnivorous carnivores. Cats in the wild eat meat, not vegetables and grains. Dogs in the wild subsist on a majority meat diet, but can supplement their intake with vegetables and grains when necessary. At Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods, we have designed our cat foods and dog foods to mimic the eating habits of the wild.

Are any of the ingredients in Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods made from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)?

No! Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods are GMO Free. This ensures that no genetically modified seeds, processing ingredients, fertilizers or anything using recombinant DNA methods make it into Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods. As a matter of fact, Dr. Broderick is a major opponent of the GMO food industry. He recently led the NYC March on Monsanto and using his influence as a doctor and community leader to raise awareness of the hazards associated with GMO products. Join the cause, make your voice heard, and demand action from your government for labeling laws, oversight and regulation of the GMO industry.

What are Chelated Minerals and why does Cornucopia use them in them in their pet food?

Minerals are inorganic compounds from the earth that are absorbed by plants. Animals (and humans) get minerals from the plants they eat, or by eating other animals that eat plants. Minerals are essential nutrients that the body needs to function and grow. Alone, minerals can be difficult for some dogs and cats to digest, and therefore pass through the digestive tract to be eliminated in the stool.

Chelation is a process by where minerals are chemically combined or bonded with amino acids (protein). Chelating makes these minerals easier for the body to absorb during normal digestion. In fact, chelated trace minerals possess an increased bioavailability (absorption rate) of between 5 and 15 percent.

Chelated Minerals also cost at least five times more than non-chelated minerals. But Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods knows that more mineral absorption means that your pet will receive more health benefits from each meal. That is why we include Chelated Minerals in Cornucopia products, and that's what makes Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods different than any other product on the market today.

Why Does Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods Use Wild Fish Instead of Farmed Fish?

We do not source our fish from Aquaculture Farms. There are a number of reasons for this:

  • Fish Farms Pollute The Marine Environment - Their presence alters oxygen levels in the vicinity of the farm creating lifeless zones. Fish farms also discharge large volumes of animal waste and pollutants effecting the whole ecosystem for miles around.
  • Fish Farms Pose A Risk To Wild Species and Aquatic Ecosystems - Wild fish congregate in large numbers by fish farms to consume uneaten and partially digested food flowing out of the farms. This alters normal feeding behaviors and exposes wild fish to diseases and parasites. This process also exposes wild fish to genetically modified food ingredients.
  • Fish Farms Can Not Control Inputs and Outputs - Currents flow in and out of the fish pens carrying non-organic ingredients that pollute the fish stocks.
  • Migratory Fish Need To Swim Long Distances - Farming them creates stress and a very unhealthy fish. Additionally, fish like salmon are anadromous, which means they must naturally migrate between fresh and salt water during their lifespan. This is not possible in farmed fish environments.
  • Fish Farms At Sea Can Not Prevent Escape - Escaped farmed fish can harm wild fish and spread parasites and pathogens

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has proposed recommendations to certify farmed fish as organic, but we at Cornucopia think this is a very bad idea. It is just not possible to farm fish to a proper organic standard the way that we can for land based animals. If these recommendations are passed, it will weaken the overall organic standard for all foods and create new loopholes for land based organic farming.

We know it seems ridiculous that they don't have ocean fish as certified organic. The circulating oceans of the world with their currents and tides are probably the only place left on the planet that is organic but the certifying agencies have decided to make them not organic. Why? It is believed that the reason was to give fish farmers an edge by making fish farming organic because it was thought that the fish farmers could control what goes into their fish ponds. This turned out to be a major mistake because you cannot raise fish in a fish farm without antibiotics. The reason for this is that the fish are so crowded together, they are stressed and are unable to make it to market weight because they become sick and die from the stressed situations from fish farming. The use of antibiotics is against the rules of organic certification. Next, only God knows how many genetically modified ingredients go into fish food. GMOs are also against organic certification. Next, the run-off of chemical fertilizer and sewage sludge waste products and other various chemicals produce more contamination into the fish pond and pools. These contaminants are also prohibited in the production of an organic fish. Therefore, we firmly believe that production of an organic fish is highly unlikely to impossible. Also, last year it had been highly publicized that fish raised in fish farms are being genetically modified. This adds to the severe lack of possibility of producing an organic fish. That leaves us with the logical summation that the only organic fish is a wild-caught fish. So now that "they" have taken away the "organic" from fish farming, they not only lost their edge but the deep ocean fishing fleets have not been given the edge that they deserve, therefore no fish can be certified organic.

It should be clear by now, if you look at my answer to the above question it is obvious why I choose wild-caught fish because it is the closest thing to organic that you will get. Eighty percent of the world is covered with water. The water circulates by currents and tides throughout the world. Contaminants are concentrated on the land. Run-off from the land pollutes fish farms. "The solution to pollution is dilution.” It is unknown how many square miles every fish in the sea has to itself but we do know that in a fish farm situation there is less room per fish than a chicken in a cage that is forced to lay eggs. Now folks, you can see where I’m coming from. I have spent my life trying to find the truth, and the closest thing to truth about pet food is that it is either organic and wild, or it is not. Nothing else comes close if it is not organic and wild.

How often, and how much Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods should I feed my dog or cat?

The how often part is easy. Dr. Broderick recommends that you feed your dog twice a day as close to twelve hours apart as possible. Cats should be fed up to eight times a day. The total digestive system of a cat is smaller than a dog’s, therefore cats should be fed more frequently. Kittens, Puppies and Nursing Mothers should also be fed up to eight times a day.

How much to feed your pet depends on their weight and demeanor. Please visit our page "Dr. Broderick's Feeding Paradigm" for complete information about the proper amount of food for your pet.

How are Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods preserved?

Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods are naturally preserved with Vitamin C and E. We do not use chemicals like BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin to artificially preserve your pet's food. In addition, Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods does not over-manufacture our products and let them sit idle in a warehouse. The canning of food is an ancient process locking the foods in a sealed, airtight vacuum, which guarantees preservation for extended periods of time. We produce enough food to ensure a constant supply for our customers with a calculated margin for growth. The Cornucopia product being delivered to your home is fresh, and maintains its nutritional value.

What is "poultry by-product meal"? It is listed as the first ingredient in the pet food I'm currently using and I don't see it in the Cornucopia's ingredient list.

Poultry By-Product Meal is made from the throw-away parts of the chicken - beaks, feet and intestines. Poultry By-Products can also be sourced from meat that is not fit for human consumption - diseased birds, deformed birds, birds with cancer and other diseases, that are thrown away by poultry producers. Often these by-products are marked with de-naturing agents - chemicals like ash, dyes, solvents and bleach - to ensure that they do not get mixed with human-grade foods. This stew is then drained to remove its liquid content then dried again and ground up to produce the dry “meal”.

Think that's gross? You don't know the half of it... First, these by-products are ground up and mixed together. Then, they are "rendered" in an attempt to boil off disease and chemical residues. The fat rises, separates and floats up to the top of the cauldron, because it is lighter than water. The fat, now having a greater value, is then removed from the stew, which sinks to the bottom of the tank. This stew is then sent through extruders to remove all of the liquid content and is again ground up to produce a dry meal.

Almost every commercial producer of pet food follows this revolting process to pad profits by using throw-aways and pretending that this is healthy protein. Your pets deserve better. That's why Cornucopia only uses Organic Chicken, Wild Caught Fish, and GMO Free ingredients in our pet food.

I've been using another brand of food that highlights their use of fruit as a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Why doesn't Cornucopia use fruit in their formula?

Fruits are indeed high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but they are also high in simple sugars like fructose and sucrose. These simple sugars combine with meat protein in the stomach to produce excess gas, making it harder for your pet to digest. In essence, the fruit sugars cause a process of fermentation in the stomach, which can cause your animal to suffer from inflammation of the bowels, vomiting and diarrhea. Consistent feeding of fruit to your pet can lead to chronic illness and disease. That's why Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods do NOT contain any fruits, refined sugars or aspartame. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods come from much healthier, natural sources and are perfectly balanced to provide a complete nutritional profile for your pets. The fact that Cornucopia does not have fruit is just another reason why it is America’s #1 scientific choice of food for cats.

What is Taurine, and why is it important for my cats?

Taurine is an amino acid that is found in meat protein. There are a total of 22 amino acids which are the basic building blocks of protein. Animals produce many of them in their liver. Taurine is considered essential for cats because their bodies do not naturally produce it, but need it to not only survive, but to thrive.

That's the definition of an essential amino acid - it must be obtained in the diet. Cats in the wild ingest taurine in their regular diet of small birds and mammals. This is one reason why cats are called obligate carnivores, they need the Taurine from meat to survive. Taurine is a dietary requirement for good eyesight, heart function, digestion and reproduction.

You say you use no Natural Flavors. Aren't Natural Flavors a good thing?

Natural Flavors are just another cover-up scam for aspartame, MSG, sugar and the like, which are toxic and addicting to our animals but extremely good for flavoring the garbage put out by the pet food cartel. These substances are listed and approved as "natural" because they are found in nature but that doesn't mean that they are healthy. They may make your product delicious and taste wonderful BUT, THEY ARE ENTICING, ADDICTIVE, TOXIC AND BAD FOR YOUR PET, AS THEY ARE FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

It goes back to Madison Avenue: "If Mikey doesn't like it, flavor it!" When Mikey likes it, sell it...no matter how toxic it is. The fact that Mikey may now be even more overweight, have diabetes, cancer or some other dreaded disease doesn't matter. It just lines more pockets.

Therefore, Cornucopia Organic Pet Foods has no need for additional "Natural Flavorings"! We use only the highest quality, organic, GMO-free, human-grade fish and meat proteins that your pet will love because our organic food for pets is inherently flavorful as nature intended.

Why is my cat/dog losing its hair?

Hair loss is one of the first signs of illness. Hair loss could be from scratching, itching, fleas, ticks, etc., 95% of the hair loss cases are from poor nutrition. Our food for pets has a great chance to remedy those nutritional deficiencies that could be causing the hair loss.

Why is my pet lethargic?

Lethargy can be from a host of reasons. The pet can be sick, the pet can be tired, or the pet could be sick and tired from not having enough "octane" in the "fuel" that you give your pet. It could be a couch potato pet that does not get enough exercise and is locked in the house constantly with stale air. It could be overweight from eating fattening, carbohydrate-laden food. Take the pet to a veterinarian for a complete examination and have it looked at.

What are those lumps on my dog from?

The best way to answer this question is to see your veterinarian. Your dog's doctor can examine the dog and feel the lump and ascertain whether it is a sebaceous cyst, a lipoma (a benign fatty tumor) or a hard or firm type of mass that could be more serious. Once you get the diagnosis or the opinion and a prognosis, then call us at (631) 546-6587 for another opinion and we'll give you guidance as to what to do for your next step.

Why can't my pet sleep at night?

This question depends on what the dog is doing while it's up and what it’s eating that keeps it up. As for the cat, the cat is a nocturnal animal who naturally would feed and hunt 24/7 depending on the habits of the individual animal. If the dog and cat are locked up all day and there is not enough activity, their activity may be relegated to nighttime hours.