One thing of note is that the MAAC by Albion specifically (since they have it patented), has earned their
own distinct AAFCO definition in the manual.  Proteinates are still a generic nomenclature and can be purchased
from various companies.  If you see the XXXX Amino Acid Chelate, it is definitively the Albion patented chelate.

And once again, I'll have to pitch that back to Mark   Thanks for your patience and the chance to continue
bringing forth what I am so dang proud about.

Evy
President
Kumpi Pet Foods

Alec ~

http://www.albion-an.com/q_and_a.html

For a 'quick' read about the Albion MAAC this link does a good job.

Still waiting myself with Mark.  He is in high demand right now and his time is at a premium.  I have already tapped
him so often for so much, I've told him it's cool to back burner me for a bit.  I've learned so much in the last month
about the science of what he knows, but not enough to answer questions from someone with a degree like you

Therese has banned me from posting any testimonials or feedback, but I can only assure you that after nine years
of incredible feedback, combined with who trusts me 'n why, I don't have to know why it works.  I just know that it does!

I am *famous* for always trying to get people answers to their questions and hope that you understand that time
constraints may hinder things a little bit.

Egads, I love analytical people 

Oooops and forgot the rules here too, Evy, President of Kumpi Pet Foods (keep forgetting to name 'n claim myself!)

Yippy Skippy 

I love your picture of your kitty btw!

And just a little thought - when I feed my Tonga kitty grrrl, I usually use a spoon and 'roll' the food a bit and re-energize the fats and freshen up what I'm serving her just a bit.  Her royal kittiness is currently on her new bed next to my monitor lol. 

Anyways, glad to read your post and by Monday we'll have all of the four pound bags labeled from now on!

I just saw this 

Thank you so very much.  It has been incredibly time consuming to keep up with posting, working and life in general.  My mom is 87 years young and I want to be with her as much as I can.  She knows about the recalls and tragedies and has been so so sweet and keeps telling me, "Stay home and talk to the people on the computer.  We can always talk on the phone."  I adore her.

Sylvia, thanks so much for posting this - it means a lot 

I just wanted to share something that will bring comfort to those who buy products manufactured at Crosswind Petfood.  They have begun a new protocol where we can have our product made and they will store it while samples of the dry product are being analyzed for melamine specifically.  The 'dries' that go into the food are being tested as well, but I think it's pretty cool for them to do this.

It will mean offsetting some of the production protocol, since in the past they run production and then ship after the food has cooled to ambient temperature.  It's a huge commitment on their part to offer to store xxx tons of food until the tests come back and the load can be released 'melamine tested, melamine free' and the neat thing about doing business with a small company like them, is they KNOW what it's like to be a small company!!

They have always exercised extreme caution anyways, but I am really psyched to know they put this into place for their customers (like me) who want to offer the safest products to their customers (like you) and it just is a good thing for the general public to know.  This IS being taken very seriously and dealt with professionally 

Alec ~

Well I will guarantee you that you know one whole bunch more than I do about this stuff!  My background
was in dog behavior - started the company when I noticed how many students were returning with puppies,
minus their previous dog.  Too many dying around the ages of 6 - 9 years of cancer.  Then when my OWN
dog died when he was only five of cancer, I got proactive.  Also, due to my career, so many asked, "What do
I feed my dog?" and I was running out of viable options.  Seemed as soon as a food seemed good, something
would change.

I wasn't intending on beginning a pet food company, but it has grown steadily by word of mouth.  I absolutely
admire my nutritionist for his matter of fact approach to things and how I have learned first hand that nutrition
is it's own science.  Added to that, he enjoys studying the chemistry behind the ingredients and I could listen
to him for hours.  Unfortunately, time often does not allow that and the extreme results I have witnessed
over the years are a testimony to his expertise. 

I *thought* you had to have a background in science to be asking such erudite questions 

For me, this part is fun!!  I always enjoy the opportunity to continue learning the deeper science behind
his choices.  I know that when glucosamine and chondroitin were all the rage, he searched for substantive
scientific data regarding dogs and cats, and came to the conclusion that approaching it through superior
nutrition would be the first avenue.  Then, MSM and any use of glucosamine or chondroitin to be watched
over and dosed by a trusted veterinarian.  He keeps his eye on the horizon for the opportunity to best
what he had accomplished.  All Kumpi products were formulated without a 'price point' in mind and he
thoroughly enjoyed working on them!

He is very analytical and maybe throughout this process we might just hook on on a three way
conversation and you could ask him questions personally as well, and in dialoguing with him, his
knowledge shines through immediately.  When asked specifically for scientific data - well, that just makes
his boat float!!!

Thanks for this chance to let him shine    I'll see what his time frame is like for this week 

Bixlo, you aren't going blind!!

lol

Sorry, the volume that we've done has been so low and sold mostly in local stores,
they have the current product to refer to for exp. date.  The food you received was
made in January of this year.  I am adding printing up labels for those to my 'list
of things to do'.....I'm just feeling all accomplished that in the next 24 - 48 hours
I will be offering a 'secure site' for the cat and dog food both.

Hugs 'n sorry!!

Hello Again From KumpiLand 

Thanks all so much for your patience.  Getting analytical details to answer these questions take a series of events
that takes time.  First, I need the time personally to call my nutritionist and leave a message if necessary;
then he contacts me, we dialogue and then (and then, and then, and then for you "dude" fans lol) he needs
to take the time to find the analytical abstracts on whatever specific issue we are dialoguing about.  Both of
us have full time jobs to tend to and personal lives (whatever is left of them  ) so he will try to work on this
tomorrow.  I know that he mentioned without being able to access the details, it's very difficult to use this
one report about blood urea in cats.  Without knowing specific amounts, it's hard to address the science of it
all. 

Again, he is coming at this from a scientific point of view and his first question was how much YSE was used,
what was the carrier, how many animals were involved in the experiment, what animals were involved in the
experiment, what was the length of time of the study i.e. days, weeks, months, etc.

Suddenly I remember why I love him so much 

His analytical nature kicks in and when I told him the study was from the UK and it was received in May 1995
and wasn't accepted until Jan 1997 he just kinda went hmm.  Also wondering why it wasn't available online
until 2004, and what prompted it.  I love talking with him.  Anyways, he went on to explain that a lot of
research has been done in this century about YSE and he's happy to gather the info, just needs some time.

Also, I have no doubt that YSE plays no roll in giardia!!  Not much does lol, except for meds.  Add to that how
the strains of giardia have mutated so much and there is even asymptomatic giardia that is stress induced.

Alec, do you have a chemistry degree or some kind of science degree that would prompt you to ask specific
questions about studies?  From what I've learned, they need to be read in their entirety and in context.
Some of the 'larger' companies have really skewed 'facts' about things in referring to studies.  When dealing
with these studies, it isn't often as simple as reading the abstracts.

While I am talking with grieving pet parents, running my company (there's two of us and I am training a third! plus I have my own jobs lol) and tending to an 87 year old mom who lives ten minutes from - I AM in touch with the professionals who can answer these questions honestly and not just some pablum.  It takes time to gather the info and I'll post is as soon as I can.  I do know that the 'cook' on meal is no more than 110 degrees on our chicken.  It's fascinating to me to get these insights since I am coming up on understanding the difference in manufacture styles between 'chicken' and 'chicken meal.'  The yucca I still stand behind and whoever posted the study you are referring to - if you can provide a link that would be most helpful.  Neither my nutritionist or I have the time to try and reference things AND answer.

Per the 20/20 special, very few companies engaged in the practice of using euthanized animals, etc. and since then it has become FDA regulation broad spectrum that it is an illegal practice.  My manufacturer already had that model in place, but wanted to answer that too.

I am just getting ready to call all of my retailers today and will deal with things as quickly and in as timely a fashion as possible.

Thanks!

    Lamb Meal & Oatmeal Medley
Nature's Variety Prairie Feline Dry Diet
High in meat protein
Whole grains
Exclusive freeze dried raw meat Bio-Coating
Naturally formulated for rotation feeding
Complete and balanced for all life stages

Healthy, Natural Ingredients
Lamb Meal, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Flaxseed Meal, Montmorillonite Clay, Natural Lamb Flavor, Alfalfa Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Lamb Liver, Potassium Chloride, Sea Salt, DL-Methionine, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Inulin, Flaxseed Oil, Apples, Cranberries, Freeze Dried Lamb, Freeze Dried Lamb Hearts, Freeze Dried Lamb Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Carrots, Ground Lamb Bone, Butternut Squash, Chicken Eggs, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Kelp, Salmon Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Blueberries, Alfalfa Sprouts, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Persimmons, Olive Oil, Duck Eggs, Pheasant Eggs, Quail Eggs, Sage, Clove, Rosemary Extract

Prairie Lamb Meal & Oatmeal Medley is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profile for All Life Stages.

This is the current label on Nature's Variety's website.  I see no Metal Amino Acid Chelates.  Biggie big difference 'tween the proteinates and MAAC's

Yucca schidigera was used by the Native American for blood purification.

Multiple meat sources allows sourcing essential amino acids.

And is whoever posted trying to say that the Nature's Variety Lamb & Oatmeal cat food label is different from what they have on their own website??

One comment on that comparison chart. Not sure about accuracy of comparisons with other foods, but since I am using Timberwolf Serengeti, few things I have noticed.

1. According to chart, TS does not have enzymes. Not correct. It contains both fermentation products of various bacteria (similar to Kumpikat) and papain.

*****"yeast culture" - the papain and fermentation products you are referring to are not as powerful or effective per scientific data from my nutritionist

2. According to chart, TS does not have amino acid chelated minerals. While most of mineral supplements in TS are proteinates, manganese is indeed Manganese Amino Acid Chelate.

**** TS does not have a full spectrum of Metal Amino Acid Chelates - having just one doesn't count when we have 'em all

3. concerning the number of meals, I do think that low ash salmon meal is a better ingredient than menhadden fish meal. Also, I think dired chicken liver should be at least comparable if not better than chicken liver meal.

*****back to the drawing board with my nutritionist - look, honestly, I didn't come here to fight  but please know more about the science of things vs. how you *feel* about a product - I was saddened to see Nature's Logic get hammered about animal plasma - personally I know nothing about it, but I know it is a good company and I would believe the science they offer about it - when a nutritionist is doing their job properly, they are not concerned about what the consumer will *think* or *feel* about a product - they are following the laws of science

This is not to say that Kumpikat is a bad food. However, it is not widely available, and it has lower protein and higher fat content compared to Timberwolf Serengeti. I also do not like discrepancies in the chart. In addition to TS, as someone mentioned California Natural does contain chicken fat. Then, Nature's Variety Lamb and Oatmeal does contain amino acid chelated minerals, and it also contains kelp. I do not think it is really necessary to make other good foods appear worse than they really are in order to promote Kumpi.

*****PLEASE look at the chart more closely and you will find that Nature's Variety Lamb and Oatmeal has a Y in the kelp category already and it does not have the patented Metal Amino Acid Chelates in it. 

The reason for *chelating* i.e. wrapping a mineral with amino acids is to help it enter the intestine more readily.  The more it looks like an amino acid, the more readily it will accept not only the mineral itself, but the amino acid as well (part of the building blocks pet's need) and think of it this way.

The intestine is like a buncha pop bottles and you're wanting to land a mineral inside those openings.  Plain old manganese is like a big rock trying to get in there during the rotation in the tummy - not much of a chance.  A proteinated mineral is like trying to get a rock half that size in - it does have a 400% more chance than the common form of the mineral.  But the proven science, backed by a patent, is that the Metal Amino Acid Chelated form of a mineral is like trying to drop a pebble into that pop bottle - it has a 800% greater chance than the common form and also, twice the chance of a proteinate.

I spend a lotta mo' money to buy the patented stuff so gimme a break k??

By now, if you haven't gotten the idea that not ALL pet food companies are trying to make the absolute best for your pet and aren't watching very carefully how to be good but not necessarily off the charts best, and cutting corners, then I wonder why you're pickin' on me

If you are happy with what you are feeding and happy with the results and are confident, NO ONE, especially me, is trying to make you switch!!

Try starting a pet foodl line that you didn't plan on being so widely accepted that grew by word of mouth and get back to me LOL.  I made da big bucks doing dog behavior.  I am joined by another elite crew in Ben at Itchmo and Therese here at thepetfoodlist.com who are making sacrifices in their personal lives so you have better ways to discern what to buy.  There is ONE mistake on the chart and NONE of the ones you indicated.  The research to provide that information per food takes over forty hours per chart to get it all right.  And if anything, thanks for giving me the opportunity to clarify the difference between the proteinate and Metal Amino Acid Chelate 

If you likey what you feedy, then don't change.  The charts have helped people choose foods other than Kumpi or KumpiKat since the price range difference is something they cannot afford.  It is not offered only to promote the *stellar* aspects of just my food - many people have verified the information and found it to be helpful for them to have a quick read (that they substantiate themselves) in making a choice.  I'm about educating and empowering the consumer to learn about differences and helping them make their own choices.  You aren't in my inbox, seeing the 'thanks' from folks that helped them choose another food   Whatever you buy, making informed decisions and having info gathered for you ahead of time helps.  I know KumpiKat isn't for everyone, per price range, but it helps folks make better decicions on what they do decide to purchase.

I for one am happy to hear about a kitty who is finally feeling limber enough to try and use the litterbox again.  He's just GOT to be feeling better about himself

Except for Chief Gary pointing out the chicken fat error, I'm pretty confident the charts are indicating true data.  And like I told the Chief, I'll be getting on that!!!  Labels chance and I keep up with the changes the best I can.

Dang man, I just wanted to offer an alternative to corporate America.  It's me and one other gal holding down the fort wih every single aspect of running the company.  It's a big job, but every morning I bounce of out bed ready for the challenges, the feeling that I'm making a difference.

People in cat houses shouldn't be throwing cat poopies without knowing the science and chemistry in these various ingredients.  Am I'm not even factoring in *where* they source their kelp, yucca, etc.  I am doing the fair thing by listing that they do.

The comp chart needs a change and when I finish this tomorrow, it will reflect what is on the respective sites of these companies and I'm glad to see Cal. Nat. did go with chicken fat in the cat food - that is awesome ;0

G'nght dear friends, morning start early around here and me 'n the dog and cat need to do our nighttime love puddle in bed ;O

Sweet dreams and warm hugs to FurAngels ;0

Evy (President Kumpi Pet Foods)

I wouldn't think anything bad of Canidae at all.  I think it's one of the better foods out there imho and any problems with the product I'd chalk up to how the food was handled between their factory and the retailer.  You don't know if it was exposed to heat and the food got compromised somehow.  Canidae does broker through 'middle men' and I wouldn't put the blame on the product line itself ever.  I am sure that you can feed Canidae with confidence and that you won't end up doing anything bad to your dog by feeding it

yahoooooooo LOL

my webmaster DID get it on and now I have to do ANOTHER change - egads!!!

yippy skippy

THANKS for posting the comparison for me!!!  I'll get right on the changes Chief lol.

Between answering the phones and emails, doing clerical work and *ahem* answering issues on blogs, I have a hard time keeping up with the changes companys are making.  Thanks for pointing that out 'n I will take a few hours tomorrow and comb through the comp chart.  You really are a doll for pointing that out to me!!

Back to the trenches for me for now......but counting it all joy here

Warm hugs to FurAngels all

Evy (President, Kumpi Pet Foods)

Where was I ?

Sorry, yet again another person who lost a dog.  I am just so filled with the grief of talking with people who have suffered that tragedy.

Btw, Garypen, I do not have a comparison chart on the cat food site, only on the dog food site.  Not all companies utilize the same fat source for their dog and cat foods, although most do.  California Natural does use chicken in their cat food, but they use sunflower oil in their dog foods.  You can check that out and verify that on their website at naturapet.com.

I use the comparison charts not so much for ingredients, but for the purpose of showing meat/grain ratios, to help people get a visual of the amount of grain in their dog food.  I haven't had the time to get any comp charts posted on the cat food site.  The other comp chart shows the number of meats used (any that is a 'liquid meat' ranks 0 - covered that in my other post already) and to show who is using what for supplementation.

You will notice the use of pre/probiotics, kelp, minerals (the MAAC patented one from Albion is pricy but worth it since their patent shows the science behind it's bioavailability to the body), yeast culture (sad nomenclature for a wonderful ingredient that releases digestive enzymes) and yucca schidigera.  I key in on those, since you see many companys using some of those and if a person isn't wanting to spend the money on Kumpi, it's been a valuable tool to help them make a selection.  Also, the issue of chicken fat vs. other fat sources is really important.

If you look at pet food labels, you'll almost always see (mixed tocopherols, citric acid, etc.) listed in with the fat source.  The product used by virtually all companies is Naturox and it is added to the fat before the fat is added to the ingredients.  Chicken fat emulsifies the Naturox most efficiently and covers the bases best to not have pockets of food where it could become rancid, since the preservative Naturox did not reach it. 

As for the cost of the catfood, sorry, but I am pretty ambivalent about that.  I asked my *premiere* nutritionist to formulate the best.  He did.  It is expensive.  I don't care.  The best is worth it for my cat and has been worth it for others as well.  My profit margin isn't that high and trying to supplement a cat can be a hideous venture lol.  I prefer having it all in the food (sprayed on after it's cooked and cooled btw so it hasn't been destroyed by heat) and all the best to ya if the cost is too high for you. 

I'm sure there are things you're spending money on that I would recoil at - it's all relative in the end.  One pound of KumpiKat is worth at least two pounds of most of the foods out there.  Cats on that product eat less and actually finish their bowls.....no little rings of lost crunchies around a KumpiKat bowl.  And if you've never tried it to see the difference it makes, I guess I don't understand your opinion.  I spent the money on the new Ipod when I listened to a friend's and my Creative Zen mp3 sits lonely now.  But then again, I value sound very highly when I'm listening to music.  If cat food costs you even $20 more a month, but you see a healthier happier cat - is it worth it??  Depends on the person. 

I'll be back once I'm done running credit cards

Evy (President, Kumpi Pet Foods)

To All 

One thing first - it takes more than an ingredient label to make a good food.  It takes a premiere nutritionist who knows not only the science of nutrition (please note it is a science) it also takes one who knows the chemistry of each of the ingredients.  I've got that base covered.

You all have been duped hideously by this industry in more ways then you know.  I doubt their intentions.  You have also been duped by the *online pseudo experts* who have twisted information and have just gone on a bashing mission.  I trust their intentions but also have seen more garbage posted about the *facts* of ingredients and have spent the better part of nine years trying to help educate people.

When you see the word "chicken" it is 65 - 70% moisture and will sink to the bottom of the ingredient panel when the food goes to cook.  It has been an ingenious way for the industry to give people a false sense of how much 'meat' actually is in a food, since they call it 'fresh' but it's smoke and mirrors.  MEAL is the dry form of it's respective ingredient offered in a dry form.

Chicken meal is chicken minus the moisture.

Lamb meal is lamb minus the moisture.

Corn meal is corn minus the moisture.

Turkey meal is turkey minus the moisture.

There is no hocus pocus when it comes to understanding the term 'meal' and I dealt with this in length over on Itchmo's site the other day as well.

Davis is right about the 'meat and bone meal'......it gives me the opportunity to use whatever meat source (usually pork or beef, their chemistry is very similar) that is optimal when the food is up for production.  On April 3rd I was going to have 60 tons of product made, but the meat ordered came in at unacceptable levels for rancidity (it's called pv values) and was rejected.  There was no other source acceptable at the time and I had to wait ten days until my food could get run.  If you take the time to read my statement on my website, you will see that the food is certified to have no roadkill, euthanized animals, etc.  It is sad that I even need to post that, since there is no meat source out there anyway like that. 

More to come.  Have to answer a sad phone call.

Sigh.

I'll be back.