When your products only include a single ingredient, that ingredient should be the very best New Zealand can offer.
It’s an unfortunate fact that a lot of modern dog foods are ultra-processed, packed with fillers, additives, preservatives and meat by-products. Our aim with Hound was to offer a range of pure single-ingredient food options for dog owners who are thinking beyond a bowl of kibble and who want to add more natural whole foods into their dog’s diet.
It had to be nutrient-dense and convenient which led us to freeze-drying, a process which retains 97% of the raw nutritional value of meats. By removing 99% of the moisture, freeze-drying makes meat shelf-stable without the need for preservatives. The result is a very user-friendly meal addition, which can be packed for on dog-on-board adventures without smell or mess.
So with the process locked down it was time to source ingredients. We were looking for nothing but locally and ethically raised meats and, fortunately, we didn’t have to look too far beyond our front door. Topflite’s base of operations is nestled right in Ōamaru, one of New Zealand’s food bowls.
After 50 years in business here, we know the farms and producers who share our values around traceability. Keeping the environmental impact low was important, with nutritious off-cuts repurposed where possible, as was a spotless record around animal welfare.
Southern-raised beef
For our Beef and organ meat products, such as Liver Lot and Tripe Slice, we cast our eyes to our local paddocks in the lower South Island, choosing only pasture-raised beef from farms that share our values. Rich in protein, zinc, iron and essential vitamins, this dried raw meat really packs an energy-boosting punch.
South Island chicken
To keep our carbon footprint low, our Chicken is sourced from South Island farms. Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, with the meat deboned and minced with soft cartilage before being freeze dried. This process helps to retain that omega 6 and amino acid goodness, with glucosamine for joint health.
Mackenzie Country Salmon
Knowing how much dogs love a leftover salmon skin (and how chock-full of joint-protective omegas they are), we started talking to the Mackenzie Country’s salmon farms. Our salmon range makes use of off-cuts from the farms, giving us our crunchy Salmon Skins and the minced, freeze-dried Salmon Crumble (show us a better meal topper!). These tasty morsels are naturally rich in omega-3, great for healthy joints and skin and help to make coats thick and shiny.
New Zealand-fished mackerel
With locally grown ingredients such a big part of the Topflite difference, we knew our mackerel had to be sourced from New Zealand waters. Especially good for dogs with arthritis or skin conditions, Whole Mackerel are a great meal maker, dense in omega-3 amino acids and vitamin D. While some might anticipate fishy smells, the freeze-drying process mostly deals to that. We find the odour is natural and minimal – they smell much like a fresh fish does.
More seasonal produce on the way
Like visiting your local butcher, we plan to keep adding new and seasonal varieties to the Hound range. However, no matter what we include, we will always keep our values front of mind when sourcing our meats. We also plan to continue our freeze-drying here Ōamaru, using human-grade processing facilities to ensure the utmost quality control.
We designed these products for people who understand the benefits of fresh, unprocessed foods for their dog’s health. We hope these filler-free treats help to leave empty calories and unnecessary additives out of your dog’s diet, while keeping them bounding back for more every time.
How do I feed freeze-dried meat to my dog?
Similar to a Backcountry Meal you might enjoy after a long hike, freeze-dried meat can be rehydrated with water for dogs who prefer a softer texture. It can also be fed dry as a meal-maker – add it to a pup’s usual kibble for a bit of variety and extra nutrients in their meal. Lastly, its snappability also makes it super handy as a training incentive or for stuffing into enrichment toys.
Read more: How to Hound – A Feeding Guide
