ROCKY CHOW FAQ'S

WHAT DOES “WHOLE-FOOD, PLANT-BASED” MEAN?

Whole-food, plant-based nutrition centers nutrient-dense foods derived from plants, prepared in ways that preserve their nutritional integrity while supporting digestibility, flavor and function. The emphasis is on minimally processed foods that retain the fiber, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and naturally occurring phytonutrients that make plants so nutritionally powerful.

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Rocky Chow applies that philosophy to canine nutrition by building a nutritionally complete meal around whole and minimally processed plant foods, thoughtfully prepared to support optimal health, vitality and overall wellness.

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WHY DOES ROCKY CHOW USE SO MANY DIFFERENT WHOLE PLANT FOODS?

Contrary to the persistent myth that plant proteins are somehow incomplete, plant foods contain all of the essential amino acids, although the amounts and proportions vary from plant to plant. Protein is also only part of what these foods bring to Rocky’s bowl..

 

By using a variety of whole plant foods, Rocky Chow provides a broader combination of protein and essential amino acids, fiber, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring phytonutrients. Each ingredient contributes its own nutritional profile, and together they allow us to build the nutrient-dense, nutritionally complete meal we want for our besties without relying on animal-derived ingredients.

 

WHY USE FLAXSEEDS AND HEMP SEEDS?

Ground flaxseed contributes fiber, plant protein, minerals and alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid as well as naturally occurring lignans and other beneficial plant compounds. Flax also acts as our natural binder, with mucilage absorbing moisture and helping the ingredients hold together. This allows us to create the texture we want without relying on a highly processed binding ingredient.

 

Hempseed is another nutrient-dense seed but its nutritional contribution provides substantial plant protein, beneficial polyunsaturated fats including omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids and a host of minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.

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We also use both because they complement one another. Flax brings omega-3s, fiber, protein, minerals and natural binding power, while hemp adds another strong source of plant protein, essential fats and minerals.

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WHY USE NUTRITIONAL YEAST? 

For flavor and nutrition.

Nutritional yeast gives Rocky Chow a naturally savory, slightly cheesy flavor. our fortified nutritional yeast contributes B12, which also contributes vitamin B12 and other B vitamins to the recipe. Nutritional yeast is commonly fortified with B12 and is widely used for its cheese-like flavor in plant-based foods. 

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WHY SUCH A VARIETY OF INGREDIENTS? 

Peas, carrots, red bell peppers and kale each bring a different nutrient profile. We intentionally use a range of colors and plant families rather than relying on one vegetable to carry the recipe.

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WHERE DO ROCKY CHOW INGREDIENTS COME FROM? 

We choose minimally processed or whole vegetables based on quality, consistency and nutritional value. This means Rocky Chow can include both fresh and frozen produce. Frozen vegetables are also available year-round, which allows us to maintain consistency from batch to batch. Adding frozen vegetables are also excellent because they're harvested at their peak and frozen soon after harvest, which helps them retain a maximum nutrient load. What matters most to us is that it caused no harm, what the ingredient contributes nutritionally, how little unnecessary processing it has undergone and whether it meets the standard we want in Rocky’s bowl.

 

WHY DOESN'T ROCKY CHOW INCLUDE ANIMAL-DERIVED INGREDIENTS?

Because Rocky Chow was intentionally created as a whole-food, plant-based dog food.

 

We start with the nutrients a dog needs and build the formula from plants rather than beginning with the wrong assumption that says protein, fiber and nutrients must come from animal ingredients for dogs to thrive. Legumes, whole grains, vegetables, leafy greens, seeds and fortified ingredients are chosen for the specific nutritional and functional roles they play in the finished food.

 

For us, that also means creating a meals that align nutrition with helping our besties thrive without requiring another animal to end up in the bowl.

 

WHY DON'T YOU JUST GRIND OUT A SMOOTH PATE? 

 

Because we believe healthy food can still look like food.

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Some Rocky Chow ingredients are finely chopped, some are mashed, some are cooked until tender and ground flaxseed naturally helps bind everything together. We want a cohesive texture that dogs enjoy while still allowing the character of the whole-food ingredients to come through, as our goal is to provide a nutritionally complete, plant-based meal that still looks like something came from the earth before it came to the bowl. 

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HOW MUCH ROCKY CHOW SHOULD I FEED MY DOG?

There isn’t one universal portion that works for every dog.​

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Body weight gives you a starting point, but age, activity level, body condition and individual calorie needs matter too. Rocky Chow’s feeding guidance is therefore exactly that, guidance. Start there, pay attention to your bestie’s body condition and energy needs and adjust the amount when appropriate.

The portioning source you shared earlier makes the same important distinction: calorie needs and body condition are more useful than assuming every dog of a certain weight should receive an identical scoop. 

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DOES ONE 16 OZ PACKAGE EQUAL ONE MEAL?

Not necessarily.

 

Every Rocky Chow pouch contains 16 oz / 454 g of food, but package size and serving size are not the same thing. A 16 oz pouch may provide several meals for one dog and fewer meals for another depending on that dog’s calorie needs and feeding routine.

That is also why we chose to state the package accurately by net weight instead of pretending that a fixed number of cups tells every customer how much their dog should eat.

 

HOW SHOULD ROCKY CHOW BE STORED?

Rocky Chow should remain frozen until you’re ready to use it and can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator, then keep it refrigerated once thawed and use it within 5 days. As always, keep fresh water available for your bestie throughout the day.