Dr. Joanna Cook, a practicing veterinarian and founder of four animal hospitals on Oahu, Hawaii, is launching Vet’s Favorite, a line of freeze-dried dog food toppers.
Cook said the brand was inspired by the question she hears most often from pet owners: “What should I feed my dog?” After 13 years in practice, she wanted to create a product she could recommend to clients.
“I couldn’t possibly keep up with every brand on the shelf, and I wanted to be able to point to one product with my full stamp of approval,” said Cook, founder of Vet’s Favorite. “Unless I created it myself, I couldn’t say that.”
The brand’s first products are freeze-dried beef and salmon toppers paired with a vegetable and fruit blend. A vegetable-forward topper will follow.
According to the company, the toppers are intended to supplement a dog’s everyday meals with protein, vegetables, fruit and functional ingredients rather than replace the primary diet. Cook formulated the recipes with less than 20% protein, a decision influenced in part by her experience treating patients with health conditions that require monitoring of protein intake.
The toppers include turmeric and ginger and use algae-derived DHA and EPA as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. The company said each blend contains vegetables, fruits and roots selected for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Vet’s Favorite is expected to launch nationwide Nov. 20.
