Score Wags with Natural Dog Treats

Buddy Biscuits.

Photo: Cloud Star

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While we keep track of where our food comes from and how it's made, we want to make sure that all family members are included — including the furry ones. Pet owners want to know that all their loved ones are eating foods that are good for them as well as the environment.

Enter Cloud Star, a California-based pet products company that has been committed to green since its beginnings in 1999. It started with Samantha, a shelter pup rescued by Cloud Star cofounders Jennifer Melton and Brennan Johnson, who were then 24-year-old newlyweds. Samantha, like many rescued animals, suffered from severe food allergies, and back then hypoallergenic foods weren't easy to find. So Melton started researching ingredients that would be good for Samantha, and started making her own dog treats. When she started to receive an overwhelming amount of orders from pet parents after a dog treat sale, Cloud Star was born.

Today, the company creates a wide array of pet products, including dog treats, grooming products, and an apparel and accessory line with the slogan "Wag More Bark Less." All ingredients are simple, natural and domestically grown. "We wanted to create products that could be used as everyday dog treats and still have a good price point," says Melton.

Cloud Star is constantly rolling out new products, from special gift baskets for the holidays to new flavors of their popular Buddy Biscuits. Many of the formulas are developed through customer requests. "Pet owners are concerned about grains in their dog's diet because grains can trigger and irritate certain disorders like diabetes," says Melton, "so we started making grain-free snacks."

For the pooch that's watching its own belly pooch, the low-fat Yogurt, Apple and Banana Trail Hound treats will make their mouth water. It's said that dogs' digestive systems do not process carbohydrates well, so the Chicken and Potato Provenance treats are both grain and wheat-free and address carb concerns. The Sweet Potato Farmstand Slices are low fat, grain and wheat-free. Can veggies make a nice snack? All paws point to yes.

All ingredients for Cloud Star products are sourced and grown in the continental USA. "Being a true green company has always been valued and is party of our company's culture ever since we started," says Melton. All of the packaging is made from recycled materials and has an Earthy-but-attractive look. Seventy percent of the office and warehouse waste is recycled and skylights positioned throughout workspaces cut back on electricity use.

In addition to looking out for canine appetites everywhere, Cloud Star has also committed to donating 10% of their net profits to a variety of non-profit organizations that benefit animals, women, children and the environment. "It's just amazing how far the donated money will go in some countries," Melton says. "As our business grows, we're able to donate more money."

For more information on Cloud Star and to place an order for their products, visit cloudstar.com.

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