Paws for a Cause: Dog & Whistle’s Sustainable Pet Food Revolution

Dog & Whistle is an upcycling pet food company founded by Eric Adams. Upcycling, also called creative reuse, involves repurposing by-products, waste materials and unwanted items into new objects or products in an artistic style or environmental value.

Excess food can be fed to animals, converted into energy or composted. Dog & Whistle redistributes high-quality excess food and converts it into human-grade pet food. This practice not only combats food waste but also contributes to the global fight against hunger, making a significant environmental impact.

Adams talked with Cuisine Noir to share Dog & Whistle’s sustainable practices and what sets it apart from other dog brands.

First things first, would you mind sharing your background and history.

I was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, and my childhood was filled with love, support, and dogs; I always had a dog companion. I grew up with my parents, who were married, but they later divorced.

My father remarried, so I have stepbrothers and sisters, but I was the only child of my mother, who sadly passed away when I was ten years old.

Despite the challenges of losing my mother at a young age, both my parents and extended family provided a stable and nurturing environment. We were family-oriented, which helped us stay connected and build lasting bonds.

Do you have any standout memories that contributed to your career?

Growing up, I witnessed my parents work hard and provide for our family. My grandmother’s cooking inspired me, and I followed in her footsteps by attending Baker College to study culinary arts.

My family taught me integrity, honesty, and building meaningful connections, and in my business endeavors, these values have guided me to do right by people and stay true to myself.

What inspired you to start Dog & Whistle, and how did you transition?

 It has been an exciting journey from chef to the pet food industry. After pursuing my initial passion for culinary arts, I transitioned to front-of-house management, leading restaurants for over 15 years.

Having gained a deep understanding of food quality, customer preferences, and operational excellence, I became eager to explore new opportunities to apply my knowledge and skills.

Dog & Whistle was inspired by my grandmother’s ethos of not wasting food, finding value through upcycling, and a desire to provide pets with the same level of care and quality. I’ve created nutritious and delicious dog meals with my food preparation and ingredient-sourcing expertise.

I’m looking forward to making a positive difference in the future.

What sets your pet food apart from others on the market?

At Dog & Whistle, we take a comprehensive approach to food rescue and upcycling as part of our sustainable manufacturing process. Through our collaboration with distributors and restaurant partners, we rescue overabundances and foods ordered erroneously, which would otherwise go to waste.

Food rescues are conducted by our team every week and prepared in our commercial kitchen. The manufacturing process begins with creating nutritious pet meals using rescued ingredients. After preparation, the meals are vacuum sealed to maintain their freshness and frozen to maintain their nutritional value. These meals are carefully prepared, ensuring high quality and safety standards.

In addition to meals, we produce treats and toppers as part of our sustainable manufacturing process. Treats are dehydrated to preserve their natural flavors and nutrients, while toppers are dehydrated using rescued foods, providing pets with a flavorful and nutritious addition to their meals.

We develop Dog & Whistle’s recipes through meticulous collaboration with veterinarians to ensure optimal nutrition. We prioritize pet health by selecting high-quality, nutrient-rich ingredients that meet our strict standards.

Can you give specifics on the veterinarians, how they help with food quality, and what their job entails?

To ensure the highest quality of our pet food, Dog & Whistle has a dedicated veterinarian advisor on our team. Our veterinarian advisor plays a crucial role in overseeing the formulation and production of our meals, treats, and toppers, focusing on pets’ well-being and health. Responsibilities include:

1. Quality Assurance: To ensure the quality and safety of pet food, the veterinarian advisor works closely with suppliers to source only the best ingredients.
2. Recipe Development: Our veterinarian advisor collaborates with our team of nutritionists and chefs to provide ingredient selection and formulating expertise to create healthy meals for pets.
3. Product Testing: Veterinary advisors conduct or supervise feeding trials and analyze the results to make the necessary changes to our recipes to ensure our high standards are met.
4. Health and Nutrition Guidance: They can offer recommendations for specific dietary needs or health conditions, helping pet owners make informed decisions about their pets’ diets.
5. Research and Development: They may initiate or participate in research projects to improve our products and services based on the latest pet nutrition and health developments.

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Do you have any specific testimonials about how Dog & Whistle has helped a consumer’s dog’s health?

Yes, we had testimonials about how switching to Dog & Whistle has led to significant improvements in digestion, with no more upset stomachs or irregular bowel movements. Others have said their dog’s skin and coat are shinier and softer and have encountered fewer problems with dry skin.

Dog & Whistle’s balanced meals have facilitated weight management for overweight dogs. Some dogs with longstanding food allergies have vanished since making the switch, eliminating symptoms like itching, scratching, and ear infections.

What are your favorite dog breeds?

I have a soft spot for German Shepherds, but don’t tell my current furry friend, Rocket, who is a mix of Yorkie and Shih Tzu!

Finally, what is your vision for Dog & Whistle’s future?

We plan to expand our product line to offer a broader range of options for pet owners, including new formulations tailored to specific dietary needs and preferences. Cat food is coming soon!

Check out Dog & Whistle online for more information and to shop. You can also visit Adams on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.