Montana Dog Food Co. takes kibble up a notch.
We could argue back and forth until we are blue in the face about what Bozeman is and what it isn’t—cow-town or college town; working-class or upper crust; humble or holier-than-thou; accepting or exclusionary; Montana or not... the list goes on. However, one thing everyone can agree on is that Bozeman is a dog town, and for good reason. All told, there aren’t many better places for dog owners—or dogs—to live than the Bozone.
As much as we love our pups, they do have one fatal flaw: they don’t live long enough. Like humans, many of the issues canines encounter in their advanced ages are a direct result of improper diet and exercise; and you can’t outwork a bad diet. Simply put, kibble sucks. It's often comprised solely of fillers, synthetic vitamins, and food scraps deemed unfit for human consumption. Worse yet, the high-pressure, high-heat extrusion process used by “Big Kibble” in the manufacturing process kills up to 96% of the nutritional value—all in the name of "food safety" and efficiency.
Despite this, kibble remains the primary food source for canines nationwide. Imagine subsisting for your entire life on hard, brown pellets manufactured in industrial ovens, chock-full of cheap grains and fortified with a laundry list of low-grade vitamins and minerals. Sure, you’d survive, but you wouldn’t feel great.
Our pups deserve more.
Thankfully, better food ain’t hard to find. In fact, one of the best fuels for our four-legged companions is based right in our back yard here in the Gallatin Valley. That’s right, our very own Montana Dog Food Co. (MDFC) is changing the game with healthy, nutritious, flavor-packed food for dogs. Better yet, it’s made in the USA with 100% American ingredients and supplemented with both pre- and pro-biotics for easy digestion and optimal nutrient absorption.
To make the best fodder on the market, MDFC has forgone the standard manufacturing process. Rather than the aforementioned high-heat, high-pressure methods utilized by large corporations, MDFC freeze-dries their ingredients, maximizing nutritional value and flavor profile. Even picky eaters will scarf down their Adventure Fuel like a gluttonous Labrador. This process retains the whole-food benefits of the ingredients, eliminating the need for additional synthetic vitamins and fillers.
“As native Montanans, we grew up respecting and living an active outdoor lifestyle," explains Josh Allen, owner and co-founder of MDFC. "Today, we continue to realize the importance of that lifestyle for our family and our dogs. We based Montana Dog Food on those healthy family values and we are excited for more and more Montana dogs to experience our food and treats.”
For years before starting MDFC, Josh and his wife, Holly, worked in the pet industry, opening and selling several pet-related businesses in southwest Montana and beyond. Over the years, the Allens realized that even the best dog foods were deficient in some way or another. They wished there were a better option not just for themselves, but also for their customers. Rather than just hoping for something superior to come along, the Allens went out and made it themselves: protein-packed fuel for adventurous pups. “This is the quality of food we wished we would have had to sell to our customers when we owned Dee-O-Gee,” says Holly.
Aside from the obvious benefits to health and longevity, the freeze-drying process also makes the food exceptionally lightweight—so light that the largest bag of Adventure Fuel is only 16 ounces. While that may not seem like a lot of grub, your pup won’t need nearly as much as if it were eating strictly kibble. If you’re already investing in quality kibble, consider using Adventure Fuel as a meal topper to supplement your dog's diet.
As the name suggests, Adventure Fuel is the premier fare for an active dog before a big outing. However, where MDFC’s food really stands out is in the backcountry. In layman’s terms, it’s backpacking food for dogs. No longer must we choose between lightweight packs and canine companions. The weight-to-nutrition ratio allows you to keep Bridger by our side, along with more than enough food for a weekend in the mountains. Plus, you’ll know that your pooch will be getting everything he needs to keep charging day after day.
Another benefit of Adventure Fuel: your money goes to Montanans who care about our community. Since the beginning, MDFC has been a proud supporter of Warriors & Quiet Waters, donating 1% of their annual sales to support the organization. On top of that, MDFC sponsors military service dogs for veterans in the program, providing free Adventure Fuel to 12 lucky pups each month.
All said, MDFC is a cut above: local, generous, and deeply concerned with the health and wellbeing of dogs everywhere. Give it a try and see for yourself why MDFC is the clear choice for active folks with active pups. For more information, or to purchase Adventure Fuel, head to montanadogfoodco.com. Read what Outside Bozeman had to say about Adventure Fuel in our review here.
