Surprisingly, some social groups are claiming that pork is not good for dogs, without providing any justification.

 

This is a hoax wich, although not widespread, has caused some confusion among some of our followers and customers.

 

Pork, like other vertebrates meats, is the most suitable meat for dogs, as dogs and pigs are very close in phylogeny (development and evolution).

 

In our recipes, Serrano ham (from Spanish pigs) is the basic ingredient due to the large number of benefits and properties it possesses. In adittion, the Serrano Ham we use at Mediterranean Natural in particular, almost the protein (which has very high biological value), provides excellent quality fat (with an almost 100% Digestibility Coefficient) and a composition rich in oleic acid (omega 9, monounsaturated) and low in saturated fatty acids, which makes it highly recommended for preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Our snacks and food are products made from raw materials as they are found in nature, properly preserved and treated. Therefore, they have not undergone hydrolysis processes or other treatments other than those related to those used during the manufacturing processes of these foods.

The meat, fish and rice (in products that contain it) in our recipes are cooked to help the animal digest them.

Thus, the protein sources we use in the elaboration of our products are of excellent quality and have a Digestibility Coefficient close to 100%, so they do not require prior hydrolysis processes. In addition, prior hydrolysis would potentially decrease the bioavailability of some especially some bioactive compounds, such as vitamins.

Proteins, or partially hydrolysed feeds, are only of interest for animals with problems in the secretion of hydrochloric acid or pepsin in the stomach. In other animals they are of no interest and can even be a problem because the feed passes very quickly into the intestine, without having completed other digestion processes in the stomach, so that its utilisation and utilisation is compromised, as these cannot be completed in the small intestine. Therefore, food must remain for a long period of time in the stomach to undergo the appropriate mechanical, chemical and enzymatic transformations. Disturbing these changes means disruption of the absorption process and would only be justified in the case of functionally impaired or diseased spaces.

Sodium is necessary for the dog, as for other animals, in the right quantities.

 

While it is true that for both dogs and cats the amounts of sodium their bodies need are not high, it is important to make a rough estimate of their daily sodium intake.

 

Although Serrano ham is a food obtained from the salting and air-drying of the pig’s front and hind legs, it is a salting and air-drying of the front and hind legs of the pig, once received at our facilities, part of its sodium content is diluted by our controlled production process.

 

In the case of Serrano Ham Bones, we offer the parts that are less exposed to salting during drying and have therefore absorbed less sodium. In addition, the drying and sterilisation process in our factory also contributes to its reduction.

 

In the case of our semi-moist snacks, the amount of serrano ham included in the recipe is adjusted and balanced with the rest of the ingredients so that the final product does not contain high amounts of sodium.

 

As in humans, it is a matter of not exceeding a daily amount of sodium intake to avoid overworking the heart, which in humans can be associated with heart disease with or without hypertension, but in dogs and cats essential hypertension is very rare and has not been scientifically associated with increased dietary sodium intake.

 

At the moment, all studies suggest that, even when sodium intake levels are exceeded, dogs and cats quickly adapt to these levels by modifying urinary sodium excretion. Thus, these studies affirm that these levels are not harmful for healthy animals with free access to fresh water.

 

In any case, it is always important to have a healthy and balanced diet that meets the needs of our animals and at Mediterranean Natural we work to offer this to all our customers. Choosing the right food for our dogs and cats and making sure they stay physically and mentally active is the best thing we can do for their health and well-being.

Collagen is a structural protein found in most vertebrate body tissues.

In the dog, it is found in the skin, hair, joints, cartilage, nails, ligaments, tendons, blood tissue, adipose tissue, theeth and various organs.

Its main function is the formation of fibres (firmness and elasticity) in the connective tissue, enabling the body to hold together its structure.

With age, the amount of collagen in a dog´s body (as in other vertebrates) naturally and gradually decreases, leading to a deterioration in general health and causing discomfort and problems of elasticity and flexibility in the skin or problems of mobility and pain in muscles and joints, among others.

By supplying collagen in the dog´s diet, we will therefore slow down the natural ageing process,, helping to improve his general health and well-being.

These are the specific benefits of collagen for the dog:

1.- It repairs the tissues and helps to give them flexibility and elasticity.

2.- In degenerative processes, it improves the general state of the joints, facilitating greater mobility.

3.- Prevents muscular injuries and helps in the resistance of ligaments, something very important both in large dogs and in those that practise sport or are very active.

4.- Helps to regenerate fractures and injuries.

5.- Reduces muscle and joint pain and lameness, and is especially beneficial in cases of hernias or arthrosis.

6.- Improves strength and resistance in nails and teeth.

7.- Helps to keep the skin and hair healthy and protects them from external threats.

8.- Improves vision.

9.- Improves and protects the gastrointestinal transit, helping to heal gastric lesions.

10.- Helps to maintain the health of the cardiovascular system (reduces cholesterol and blood pressure and has an anticoagulant effect).

In carnivorous animals, such as the dog (which is carnivorous from a morpho-anatomical and physiological point of view, although it is also capable of digesting and assimilating nutrients such as carbohydrates, present in cereals, legumes or fruit), the digestibility of animal protein is high. Therefore, a dog digests collagen without the need for hydrolysis.

Thus, there is a100% natural product of Spanish origin that provides dogs with the collagen they need in their diet, helping to improve their health and wellbeing: Mediterranean Natural’s Serrano Ham Bones.

Our Serrano Ham Bones are an exceptional snack with a high protein concentration that helps to prevent the different disorders that a dog can suffer throughout its development.

They are also an ideal source of collagen:

1.- They contain high amounts of this structural protein: 31.11% of collagen in our Serrano ham trotter and half mega meaty ham bone,, 13.53% in our Serrano ham bone or 8.89% in our Serrano ham knuckle (Analysis carried out by Laboratorios Munuera in September 2020).

2.- The collagen that our Serrano Ham Bones provide is digestible by the dog, whose body absorbs and assimilates it.

All the information about our Serrano Ham Bones is available on our website.

Gluten is a protein and is found in the seed of cereals such as wheat, barley, rye, spelt, triticale (a hybird of wheat and rye) and some varieties of oats, as well as their hybrids and derivatives.

 

In addition to gluten, the grains of these cereals also contain starch, germ or bran.

 

Gluten is widely used in food because it gives elasticity in flour doughs and consistency in the final product. However, its nutritional value is low.

 

After ingestion of gluten, protein fragments are generated in some organisms that activate the immune system by identifying them as toxic, triggering an adverse reaction. These organisms are referred to as gluten intolerant.

 

Although dogs can eat cereals with gluten, at Mediterranean Natural we have decided to remove them from our formulations due to their low nutritional value and opt for rice as the only grain in our products as it is not qualified as a source of allergens in the official list published by the European authorities (cereals with gluten are) and, in addition, its starch can be very beneficial for the dog (as we will specify later).

Transgenics are organisms modified by genetic engineering, by introducing one or more genes from other species into them. They are referred to as GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).

 

Although the possibilities are wide-ranging, bacterial genes are currently being used mainly to incorporate into certain crops in order to improve their yields and achieve greater economic profitability, greater health benefits when consumed and better preservation of the environment in their cultivation. However, recent studies have not been able to demonstrate any of these, so the cultivation of GM crops such as soya, maize, rapeseed and cotton (the most widespread) is generating a lot of controversy.

 

For all of the above reasons and due to the great ignorance that still exists about the consequences that the cultivation of GMOs can have on health or the environment, at Mediterranean Natural we have decided not to include them in our formulations. Thus, all our products are GMO-free.

Trans fatty acids are produced when vegetable oils are hydrogenated and 95% of them are of artificial or industrial origin. They are harmful to health because they negatively affect the cardiovascular system.

 

Once trans fat is ingested, it is absorbed by the digestive tract and passes into the blood. In cell membranes, they replace phospholipids, causing a loss of flexibility and fluidity and making it impossible for molecules such as cholesterol to adhere to the cell and, consequently, remain free, increasing their levels in the blood (it also causes an increase in triglycerides).

 

Increased blood cholesterol is directly related to the risk of cardiovascular disease and very negative consequences for the health of the body. For this reason, we avoid trans fats in our products.

It is very important to differentiate between allergy and intolerance in the first place, because although allergy in dogs is often referred to as allergy, it is rare and is usually a food intolerance.

 

Food allergies are immediate and exacerbated immune responses (type I hypersensitivity) in which the body responds to certain components of the diet. The body identifies that a harmful agent is present and launches an immune response against it by producing antibodies. Symptoms of a food allergy usually occur within 2 hours after ingestion.

 

Food intolerance or sensitivity is a chronic condition that accumulates over time. It often does not involve an immune response and is caused by type II and III hypersensitivity. It is manifested by antibodies in saliva and/or faeces and occurs between 2 hours and three days after ingestion of the food.

 

The most common symptoms of food intolerance or sensitivity are shown in the skin (itching, redness, hair loss, dandruff...) or in the digestive system (intermittent or constant diarrhoea, irritable bowel, gas...).

 

With regard to foods causing food allergies or intolerances we can find a lot of different information but the only one published by official means is the official list of food allergens of the European Union (EU Regulation No 1169/2011. Official Journal of the European Union No 304/2011. Page 43) and on the basis of this list we classify our snacks and food for dogs and cats as hypoallergenic or not.

 

This official list includes as food allergens cereals containing gluten, peanuts, lupins, celery, crustaceans, nuts, sesame seeds, eggs, milk, molluscs, mustard, fish, soya and sulphites/sulphur dioxide.

 

Although fish products are sometimes considered hypoallergenic if there is only one protein source in their formulation (without taking into account the most important thing: the quality of this protein). At Mediterranean Natural, in accordance with EU Regulation 1169/2011, which includes fish in its official list of food allergens, we do not consider as hypoallergenic those of our products that include this raw material in their formulation, despite the fact that the fish we use in our snacks and food is top quality, provides protein of high biological value and is a source of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (which help to preserve the integrity of the intestinal mucosa). We also do not classify as hypoallergenic those of our products that contain milk or crustaceans, as these are also included in the official list of food allergens of the European Union.

 

Chicken meat, however, is not on the official list of food allegerns and here it is also important that we refer to the quality of the raw material.

 

Many foods on the market made with chicken produce allergic reactions not so much because of the meat itself, but because of the high content of by-products such as feathers in their formulations, which can produce an intolerance response in the body more easily.

 

At Mediterranean Natural we care about the quality of our raw materials. So much so, that we have received testimonials from families of dogs with a supposed intolerance to chicken meat who, nevertheless, can enjoy our snacks.

 

In any case, in animals suffering from food intolerances and allergies, it is always advisable to go to the vet to consult him about the composition of the snacks and food we want to offer our dog, as no one better than him knows his history and his state of health and can guide us on the most appropriate diet.

Animals need to ingest fats (lipids). They are not harmful to them.

 

Lipids have numerous and very important functions in the body: they store energy, contribute to insulation and protection (e.g. against heat loss or physical injury to vital organs), metabolic and structural function, transport of substances or provide flavour and texture to food.

 

Both the source and the levels of fat we supply in our food and snack recipes are appropriate for the dog, and they may even take more.

 

In general, when referring to cases of animals that put on weight easily, the fat intake from the feed (which is adequate in quantity and quality in Mediterranean Natural) is not usually the problem. The problem is the excess of caloric intake and sedentary lifestyle.

 

To prevent our animals from putting on weight, we must adapt the amount of food to their level of activity. It is just as important to choose a good food as it is for our dog to exercise regularly.

Mediterranean Natural’s snacks and food contain only natural colourants provided by the raw material itself.

 

We do not use artificial colourants in our recipes, which is why all our products have a similar colour: the colour of the meat and fish once cooked together with the rest of the ingredients.

 

There are other snacks and food for dogs and cats on the market that at first glance are distinguished by strong reddish, yellowish, greenish colours. This is usually because these brands use artificial colourants to give the product a different appearance depending on its taste. These artificial colourants do not add value to the animal’s diet and we always recommend avoiding them.

Our semi-moist snacks are of a similar colour because they do not contain artificial colourants agents, but only the natural colour of the raw material itself when cooked. That is why they all have a brownish colour range.

Their smell is similar because the aroma of oregano and rosemary predominates when they are made, while the meat and fish contribute less smell in the final recipe and the rice and other ingredients do not contribute any smell at all.

Some brands of snacks and foods have stronger and more distinct smells than our products because they are coated and/or sprayed with flavours and aromas before being packaged, in an attempt to entice the animal to eat them.

Our snacks and feed are highly palatable and attractive to the animal without the need for artificial flavours or natural aromas. This palatability is provided by the quality of our raw materials and our non-invasive manufacturing process, which protects and preserves all the nutrients and properties of each ingredient.

Many of our customers tell us that when they buy our products and open the packaging, they notice a pleasant “herbal” smell that they cannot identify.

 

This is because we include oregano and rosemary oil in our formulations. As well as offering that pleasant, characteristic smell, they are excellent natural antioxidants that inhibit the growth of intestinal parasites, stimulate bile and prevent bacterial infections.

This means that our snacks are easily digested and enjoyed even by animals with more sensitive stomachs.

 

Thanks to numerous studies, the careful selection of raw materials and the evolution of our recipes, we have managed to offer products that dogs and cats digest in a very high proportion, incorporating all the benefits and nutritional properties into their bodies.

 

To give an example: observe your animal defecating when it is being fed with our products. You will see that its faeces are adequate in size, quantity and consistency, which means that its organism is taking advantage of a very high percentage of the nutrients in the food and that it has been properly digested.

Palatability refers to the fact that it’s pleasant to the palate, which the animal enjoys during the ingestion of the food or snack it is swallowing.

When we talk about high palatability, we mean that our products are highly attractive to dogs and cats, as they offer an irresistible smell and give pleasure to the animal when ingested. Our products are highly palatable because they are specially formulated to make the animal happy, covering all its nutritional needs, without using artificial flavourings or flavours and based exclusively on a careful selection of raw materials and an efficient but non-invasive production process.

Many dog and cat foods and snacks advertise their high protein content, but say nothing about the quality of that protein.

 

When it comes to protein intake, both quantity and quality are important, which is why at Mediterranean Natural we specify that the proteins in our snacks and food are of high biological value and easily absorbed.

 

A very high percentage of the proteins provided by our products are of animal origin (due to the high meat and fish content of our formulations). These proteins are considered to be of “high biological value” due to their quality, quantity and rich content in essential amino acids needed by the dog and cat’s organism.

 

The main value of proteins is as a structural source for the body (although they are also a source of energy). Hence the importance of their quality and essential amino acid content.

 

Furthermore, these essential amino acids are the structure in which proteins can be absorbed by the digestive system. In our snacks and feed we find proteins that are easily assimilated and used by the animal’s organism, the second great benefit of the protein content of our products.

In Mediterranean Natural food and snack formulations we only include one cereal (grain): rice. Additionally, we offer grain-free snacks. Mediterranean Natural exclusively uses rice as a cereal in its compositions.

We use rice because its starch is easily digested and absorbed by dogs and it is not classified as a source of allegerns by the EU (we do not use cereals containing gluten, which are classified as an allergenic source).

In relation to the debate on carbohydrate consumption, dogs, like other animals, can manufacture glucose from amino acids (gluconeogenesis), so they can maintain glycaemia, which is essential for life, with low carbohydrate intakes. But this process is enzymatically and metabolically costly, as it requires amino acid deamination in the liver to make glucose (removal of an amino group from a molecule), and the ammonia, transformed into urea which is still toxic, if nothing else, must be removed by the kidney. The process involves extra work for the liver and kidney and therefore damage to both systems. Providing the animal with the right proportion of starch in the diet will prevent or delay the deterioration and ageing of these organs.

Thus, the starch in rice is not only not harmful to the dog, but also beneficial for certain metabolic processes.

The key is to, provide the animal with the right amount of carbohydrates. There is a balance of components in our formulations that makes them particulary beneficial for the dog, with meat and fish being the main ingredient and rice a secondary ingredient.

In addition, we cook the rice in our production process so that its starch can be used by the animal’s body.

Ashes are minerals and are necessary in the dog´s diet.

 

When assessing the ash content of a food or snack it is important to appreciate the range of minerals ir provides, as the ash percentage includes the sum of all of them.

 

In the specific case of our products, these are at levels that are appropriate to what the dog´s metabolism needs and tolerates.

 

We have strengthened the calcium and phosphorus ratio in order to compensate for the lack of exercise that many dogs suffer from today and to strengthen their skeleton. In addition, these two macro-elements are involved in a wide range of metabolic reactions.

 

Our products also provide magenesium (essential for the normal functtioning of bone and nervous tissues), copper (necessary for the absorption and transport or iron and the formation of haemoglobin), zinc (very important in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins; also in the proper functioning of the immune system).

Mother´s milk is the best food for the newborn puppy and will form its sustenance by providing everything it needs for its growth and development.

 

However, when the puppy starts to eat solid food, the fact that it contains milk in its composition is also very beneficial for the dog.

 

If we look for an example in the human species, we find that many people are alive today because in their infancy, not having mother´s milk or a wet nurse, they were fed cow´s or goat´s milk (suitably diluted).

 

The milk of any female mammal is an excellent food because of its high nutritional value and therefore good for another mammal, especially if its composition is similar to that of its own species. Thus, the more similar they are in composition, the better.

 

In our food and snacks for puppies we include powdered milk with the appropiate characteristics, properties and dosage for the optimal use of the dog.

Cats, in their grooming ritual, run their tongues over their bodies, dragging dead hair into their mounths and from there into the digestive tract.

When hair accumulates in the cat’s body, it may be expelled through vomit or faeces, along with waste from digestion of food and gastric fluids. Hairballs can sometimes form and cause discomfort, including constipation or obstruction.

To avoid digestive problems, we have formulated our chicken and salmon & tuna Serrano Snacks for cats to include ingredients that help the correct gastrointestinal transit and prevent the formation of hairballs.

Prebiotics are a type of non-digestible dietary fiber that serves as food for beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping to maintain and improve the health of the gut microbiome. Likewise, they are live microorganisms that provide health benefits to furry animals when consumed in adequate quantities. Prebiotics do not contain live bacteria, but instead promote the growth and activity of good bacteria that are already present in the intestine. Its benefits for dogs are focused on intestinal health, improving digestive function, increasing the absorption of minerals, strengthening the immune system, regulating intestinal transit and controlling blood sugar. Our Grain Free Intestinal Functional Sticks contain BIO-MOS prebiotics, helping digestion and boosting intestinal health.

When furry dogs ingest dry food, they can accumulate excess tartar in their gums, as well as halitosis and different problems related to oral health. Our products with Ascophyllum Nodosum seaweed, a non-abrasive natural product that does not harm the gums, have different benefits. Among them we highlight that they help reduce the accumulation of tartar, their long-term supply prevents halitosis, fights bad breath and bacterial plaque. To do this, we have formulated our Functional Sticks and Serrano Snacks for cats with Ascophyllum Nodosum.

Our Functional Sticks "oral health" are semi-moist snacks; soft and cut into as many pieces as desired. In this case, it is not a product that provides benefits due to its friction with the gums and teeth, but rather it fulfills its function due to the intake and properties of the "ascophyllum nodosum" algae itself. These bars are a non-abrasive natural product that does not harm the gums.

Cranberry provides different benefits to dogs, especially in relation to the urinary tract. It is an antioxidant and fiber-rich component that promotes the immune system, prevents degenerative diseases, improves intestinal transit by reducing E-coli bacteria, reduces the risk of heart disease, stimulating circulation. In addition, it fights urinary infections, cystitis and stone formation in the pet and, in turn, contains polyphenols that help fix calcium, preventing the loss of bone mass. With these characteristics we have formulated our Functional Sticks Grain Free Urinary and the Serrano Snacks for cats urinary chicken and salmon & tuna.

Our dog and cat food and snacks are neither extrued nor cold-pressed, but stuffed. This ensures that our snacks and food do not lose any of the properties and nutrients provided by the raw material.

Modified atmosphere packaging is also known as controlled atmosphere packaging or protective atmosphere packaging and refers to the process by which air is removed from inside the bag in which the product is packaged and replaced by the most suitable combination of gases for the preservation of the food or snack.

 

It is a method widely used in the food and feed industry, completely harmless, and ensures that the product is kept in perfect condition until it is consumed.

For us, the most important thing is to offer a balanced product for your dog, which provides him with what he needs in the right quantities. That is why our products contain meat of different animal origin.

 

There is currently some confusion when evaluating monoprotein feed with protein of different animal origin.

 

Sometimes veterinary specialist recommend monoprotein (single source protein) diets as a method of diagnosing possible food intolerances or allergies. In other cases, once an intolerance has been diagnosed, a monoprotein diet may become part of the animal´s treatment to avoid adverse reactions.

 

However, in healthy animals, a monoprotein diet is of no benefit simply because it is monoprotein. The most important thing is to evaluate which feed or snack, in terms of its composition, characteristics and properties, is the best for our animal, regardless of whether its formulation includes protein from one or more sources.

 

It should be borne in mind that each animal needs a specific animo acid profile (basic units that form the protein) and, unless the animal suffers from intolerances or allergies that prevent it from ingesting certain meat or fish, the easiest way to supply it is by providing a feed with a mixture of animal proteins from different origins, as is the case with our products.

Yes, our Delicias are a complete food that dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages can enjoy. In addition, we have food specially formulated for puppies (up to one year of age) and adult dogs (from one year of age).

Our snacks can also be offered to dogs of all sizes, ages and breeds from 4 months and upwards.

In addition, we  offer snacks specially formulated for puppies (in the Serrano Snacks and Ibéricas Sticks families) and for senior dogs (in the Serrano Snacks family).

One of the most valued characteristics of our semi-moist products by our customers is that being so soft, they are easily chewed and digested by the dog and can be broken into as small pieces as desired, adapting the portions to the needs of the animal. This is why our products are highly appreciated both by families with senior dogs who have difficulty chewing due to lack of theeth, and by families with small and medium-sized dogs, who can reward their dog in education, games and training with snack portions and not necessarily with larger, complete snacks.

Our Delicias semi-moist food is suitable for any dog, but is especially suitable for small and medium-sized dogs and those with difficulty chewing dry food.

Delicias is a complete, nutritious and very soft with good palatability. It contains a high percentage of meat and fish and shrimp and crab extract (which provides glucosamine, helping to strengthen ligaments). It is free gluten, artificial colourants free, GMO free and trans-fatty acids free. It is rich in Omega 3,6 and 9.

Semi-moist food Delicias of Mediterranean Natural is a complete and balanced food that covers all your dog´s nutritional needs. It is therefore not necessary to mix it with dry food.

However, has sometimes been used by some customers to enrich dry dog food, making it more appealing for your dog to eat. This can be done without any problem.

Some customers ask us whether it is possible to mix our semi-moist food with dry food because they have read that the digestion process of these types of food is different and mixing them can cause health problems for the dog (gastric torsion, for example).

In reference to this, we consulted our colleagues at the University of Murcia (a team of experts in animal nutrition who collaborate both in our formulations and in the supervision and improvement of our production system) and they told us that the stomach does not change in shape or size more than what is conditioned by development and growth. The dog drinks water when it eatss, but it also secretes saliva in significant quantities and in the stomach there is hydrochloric acid, which is an aqueous solution. Therefore, the small amount of water contained in semi-moist feed compared to dry feed is irrelevant and has no decisive effect on the dog´s digestion and health.

The amount of food that a dog eats must cover and satisfy its nutritional needs. This intake must be carried out avoiding both excess and lack of food, in order not to cause unwanted effects in the furry animal, such as overweight or, on the contrary, involuntary weight loss.

The recommended daily dosage, according to the dog's weight, is found in the product description on our website and on the product itself, where, in this case, it appears printed on the side of the product.

In any case, these quantities are indicative and must be adjusted according to the animal's activity since, just like people, each furry animal has specific needs according to its characteristics and situation (activity level, environment, etc.).

It can be seen that we recommend lower doses than dry food. This is because our raw material does not suffer loss of properties in the process of making Delicias semi-moist food, so the protein and other components are easily digestible, more usable and assimilated by the body and complete than in dry food.

No, a dog cannot be fed exclusively on snacks. They are a supplement to food and should be used as such.

 

However, Mediterranean Natural snacks can be used occasionally on short trips, excursions or outings as food, as they provide your dog with the necessary nutrients without the need to feed it.

 

Our snacks have been formulated as the perfect complement in collaboration with the Team of Experts in Animal Nutrition (Faculty-University of Murcia).

 

They are a reward widely used by trainers in training and education and in the practice of dog sports such as agility to reinforce the animal when its behaviour is appropriate. We offer a wide range of flavours that will delight your dog, who will learn to behave more easily using this reinforcement.

 

Information on the composition and recommended daily amount of our snacks is available to all our customers on our website and on the information printed on the product.

In our functional family we offer snacks with different properties.

The formulation of these snacks is specially designed to help the dog´s body, but it is important to note that it is not a medicine.

By this we mean that it should be used for preventive rather than curative purposes, in accordance with the indications and recommended dosage printed on the packaging and published on our website.

For example: if our dog is afraid of loud noises and has a hard time when firecrackers and fireworks are set off, we can start rewarding him with Functional Sticks anti-stress 15 to 7 days before the stressful situation.

In case of dogs with chronic or prone to chronic problems, we recommend the use of Functional Sticks as their regular treat, on a contiunuous basis (dogs with hair problems with our Functional Sticks skin and hair or dogs prone to joint diseases with our Functional Sticks joints, for example).

Our Functional Sticks can be enjoyed by dogs of ages and sizes, just adjust the dosage to achieve the desired effect.

When on the move, we always recommend using our dog sitcks or snacks in a zip-lock bag.

On our website, in the "product" section, you can consult all our families of snacks for dogs and cats: Tapas and Functional Sticks are packaged in an airtight bag that can be opened and closed as many time as you wish, and La Barrita and Serrano Sticks in sigle-dose vacuum packs with an easy-opener, also very convenient and ideal for enjoying on holiday with your dog, as they can be carried in your bag or pocket without staining or giving off odours.

Mediterranean Natural snacks and food are specially formulated for small and medium-sized dogs and are packaged in a modified atmosphere and/or vacuum packed so that they retain all their properties until the moment they are consumed, so even if a dog consumes them in small quantities, they can be kept in perfect condition as long as they are not remove from their original packaging and exposed to the sun, very high temperatures or excessively humid environments.

 

In addition, most of our snacks are packaged in vacuum-packed single-dose or hermetically sealed packs, which further ensures their perfect preservation.

 

In the case of our snack families whose packaging does not have a zip closure (such as Serrano Snacks, for example), we recommend keeping them once the packaging has been opened in a glass jar with a screw-on lid, as they will last for months in perfect condition for your dog´s consumption and enjoyment.

A dog may eat bones as long as it does not suffer from a disease that would prevent it from doing so. What you have to be careful about is choosing the right bone.

 

Bones are beneficial for dogs because:

-They help strengthen their jaw.

-They clean their theeth naturally.

-They are a nutritional source, rich in calcium and phosphorus.

-They satisfy their need to chew and they love to play with and savour them.

 

In many cases there is fear of giving them a bone because of the risk of splintering.

 

This splintering usually occurs because the bone is cooked and, when softened, can cause it to break into small pieces which, when ingested directly by the animal without chewing, can cause damage to the stomach or intestine. It is therefore not recommended to buy bones at the butcher´s and cook them at home before giving them to the animal.

 

At Mediterranean Natural we have worked conscientiously to minimise the risk of splintering. Our Serrano Ham Bones are not cooked, but dried and sterilised, maintaining all the properties of the product. In this way, the risk of splintering has been minimised so that your dog can enjoy gnawing on this delicious delicacy.

 

However, it must be borne in mind that the bone is a 100% natural product with its own characteristics, as it comes from a pig that will be different from any other. Therefore, there is always a certain risk of splintering, even if it is minimal.

 

Therefore, we recommend the supervision of an adult and to choose bones that are suitable for each dog, according to its size, breed and age. The bone should be larger than the dog´s mouth and in case of splintering, remove the smaller pieces to prevent the dog from swallowing them without chewing. In this way we will avoid unnecessary risk.

 

On the label of our Serrano Ham Bones and on our website you will find all the information you need to choose the right bone for each dog, as at Mediterranean Natural we offer a wide range of products so that, depending on the size of the dog, you can choose a specific bone. We recommend one unit per week.