Beware of the Dog Food Industry

What We Do Not Allow Our Dogs to Eat — and Why

At Royal Frenchel, our decisions around nutrition and medical care are intentional, researched, and deeply protective of our dogs’ long-term health. Because of this, our dogs are not permitted to eat food or supplements routinely handed out or prescribed through veterinary clinics, unless they align with the standards outlined in this guide. This statement is not made lightly — and it is not meant to undermine veterinary medicine. It is meant to educate you about systemic conflicts of interest within the modern pet food and veterinary industries so you can make informed choices for your dog.

The Truth About the Dog Food Industry

Most dog owners are unaware that the majority of dog food sold in stores and recommended in veterinary offices is owned by a very small number of massive multinational corporations. These companies do not exist primarily to improve pet health. They exist to maximize shareholder profit across huge consumer portfolios that include candy, cereal, toothpaste, packaged foods, and household products. Dog food is only one revenue stream among many.

Market Concentration Reality Today, an estimated 85–90% of commercial pet food is controlled by a handful of corporations, including: - Mars Petcare - Nestlé Purina - Colgate-Palmolive (Hill’s) - General Mills (Blue Buffalo) This concentration matters — because when ownership narrows, transparency and accountability often suffer.

Why Veterinary Recommendations Are Not Always Independent

“Many pet parents assume that food recommended by a veterinarian is automatically “what’s best.” Unfortunately, that assumption is no longer safe.” Vertical Integration: The Core Problem Mars Corporation — best known for candy like M&M’s and Snickers — is also: - The largest pet food manufacturer in the world - The owner of Royal Canin, Iams, Eukanuba, Pedigree, Nutro, and many others - The owner of thousands of veterinary hospitals Including: - Banfield Pet Hospital (1,000+ clinics) - VCA Animal Hospitals (1,000+ hospitals) - BluePearl Specialty & Emergency Hospitals (100+)

This means one corporation profits from: 1. Manufacturing dog food 2. Selling it through clinics 3. Recommending it to pet owners 4. Treating the health issues that often arise from long-term poor nutrition This is called vertical integration, and it creates an unavoidable conflict of interest. They sell the food — and they profit again when dogs get sick.

Why This Matters for Your Dog’s Health

This model treats chronic illness as normal rather than preventable. We do not accept that.

Many “prescription” or “vet-recommended” diets: - Rely on highly processed ingredients - Contain low biological value proteins - Use fillers, starches, and synthetic supplementation instead of whole-food nutrition - Are designed for shelf stability and profit margins, not optimal longevity

They are often marketed as: - “Science-backed” - “Clinically proven” - “Veterinary exclusive”

But much of the research behind them is: Company-funded Not independently replicated Designed around short-term symptom management, not lifelong vitality

Our Position at Royal Frenchel

We do not raise dogs to survive. We raise dogs to thrive for 14–18+ years with vitality, clarity, and joy. That requires: - Food that is digestible– that supports biology, not just calories - Nutrition that reduces inflammation, not manages symptoms - Long-term thinking, not reactive care This is why we choose pawTree.

Royal Frenchel

Why pawTree Is Different

pawTree was created with a fundamentally different mission: To help pets and their people truly thrive — not just get by. pawTree: - Is not owned by a conglomerate selling candy or toothpaste - Does not own veterinary hospitals - Does not profit from chronic disease - Does not use fillers, by-products, or inflammatory grains - Does not hide behind vague ingredient language - Has never had a food recall Their focus is preventative health, transparency, digestibility, and long-term wellness — the exact opposite of the mass-market model. This aligns with how we breed, raise, and care for Royal Frenchel Frenchies.

What We Ask of Our Families

We ask you to: - Read labels critically - Ask questions — even uncomfortable ones - Seek second opinions when something doesn’t feel right - Understand that “vet recommended” does not always mean “conflict-free” - Choose nutrition that supports your dog’s whole body, not just symptoms We are always happy to: - Help evaluate foods or supplements - Explain ingredient panels - Support you in conversations with your veterinarian - Advocate for your dog’s long-term health alongside you

Summary - Please Read

Why Royal Frenchel Chooses a Different Nutritional Path

- Most dog food brands are owned by a few large consumer-goods corporations - Some of these corporations also own 1000’s of veterinary hospitals - This creates unavoidable conflicts of interest - Many “vet-recommended” foods focus on symptom management, not long-term health - Chronic illness in dogs is often nutrition-driven and preventable - I have personally seen dogs harmed by these systemic failures - pawTree is dedicated to transparency, prevention, and true wellness

A Final, Loving Reminder

Most veterinarians enter the profession because they love animals. Most pet parents trust recommendations because they love their dogs. The issue is not intent — it is system design. When profit and health collide, education becomes your most powerful tool. Your dog only eats every single day. That makes nutrition the most important medical decision you will ever make. We are here to help you make it wisely. Royal Frenchel Dedicated to health, longevity, transparency, and love.

See The Recommended Nutrition Guide