I’m a big fan of both Shark Tank show and food. When there’s nothing else to watch, I dig through my library of re-runs to find something interesting to watch. My ears perked up when I heard a pitch being made to the Sharks about an all-natural pet food.
Dr. Geoffrey Broderick and his daughter Kristina along with her dog Casey appeared on the Shark Tank show seeking a $300,000 investment for 15 percent of their company Cornucopia Express. Kristina talked about two products, Super-Food and Phyto-Food, which are probiotics for dogs and cats. I was on the edge of my bed, anxious to hear more.
Dr. Broderick claimed his pet food would help extend a pet’s life by 50 percent. That’s a pretty big claim. He pointed out to the Sharks that his food is human grade unlike a lot of the ingredients that go into most pet foods which are “unfit for human consumption.” On the company’s website, they also claim their food has no artificial flavorings, colorings, preservatives, pesticides, sweeteners, sugars, or MSG in their food. I wanted to learn more about these products.
He added that his food is a “supplement that makes the food wild again. It brings nature back into the food.” The comment seemed to drive Shark Kevin O’Leary wild. Kevin loved the sound of this but was curious about the taste. Mr. Wonderful was the only Shark to try a spoonful and claimed it was “not bad…and a bit funky.” Kristina added that her father makes a smoothie every day and dumps this stuff into it before drinking it. I’d like to see the CEO of one of those low grade pet food companies do the same with their own low cost products.
Unfortunately, the doctor offered the Sharks no hard evidence to support his claims. All of the Sharks zeroed in on this, so it was no surprise that all were all saying “I am out” very quickly. Some of them were also pretty tough on the doctor, suggesting that his claims were exaggerated and possibly a scam. The Brodericks walked away empty handed but it was probably great exposure for their company.
I wish there were more quality products for dogs and cats, so I was disappointed things didn’t work out. Unfortunately, the sad reality is most dog food contains a lot of junk, and there are plenty of examples of contamination. There seems to be too much focus on price, so it’s no surprise that there are few quality pet food choices available. I came across this Consumer Reports article that completely misses the boat because it focuses on saving money. As a foodie, my advice is to come up with a pet food shopping list so you stay focused on making the right choices.
I often wonder if all of this low grade pet food is behind the rise in canine cancers and other illnesses. This is especially true when I hear about pet food recalls. The American Veterinary Medical Association keeps a list current alerts and pet food recalls.
If you prefer a home cooked meal, it’s a good idea to talk with a nutrition specialist to develop an overall diet plan which includes supplements. Unfortunately, a home cooked meal without the necessary supplements could also be harmful. Hank worked with Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and a nutritionist developed both a home cooked plan and suggested a dry food option. NC State College of Veterinary Medicine also offers this same service. A good book on the subject is Unlocking the Canine Ancestral Diet: Healthier Dog Food the ABC Way.
I’ve never tried the Cornucopia products. Maybe the Brodericks could send me free samples for evaluation purposes. I am happy to review it free of charge. Actually, I am happy to review any healthy food free of charge. Dogs and cats deserve better food options. Unlike the Sharks, I am willing to do something about it!
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