What are Protein Puffs?
Looking for the perfect treat for your cat or dog has become an exhausting task! Down one aisle we find treats our dogs will do tricks for, but the ingredients are just well-disguised fat and sugar. The next aisle has plenty of low-fat, no-sugar treats, but they do nothing to entice our cats.
We feel stuck in a balancing act between taste and health (sounds just like our own dietary struggles)!
Roughly 53 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Unfortunately, their research shows signs these numbers are continuing upward.
If you’re a health-conscious pet owner like myself, those stats can be daunting. It’s time for a change.
That’s why Redbarn partnered with the largest caseinate (more on this below) supplier in the world to bring you innovative low-calorie, low-fat treats our own pets are begging for.
Why did I try Protein Puffs for my pet?
As a new cat parent, one of my biggest fears was having an overweight cat. Sure, some might say fat cats are cute, but the health risks associated with them- diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease- are not. Even though she’s young and growing, I believe it’s important to watch every calorie and every ingredient I give to prevent her from gaining unhealthy weight.
In a moment of panic, I even considered swearing off treats altogether.
When we launched Redbarn’s Protein Puffs I appreciated the limited ingredients, the range of flavors, and calorie count. So, I decided to give them a try. Nola loves them! Every time I walk toward my kitchen’s cat treat drawer, she gets excited.
These novel treats are packed with nutrients like protein and essential amino acids. But how did we get so much protein into small, crunchy treats? Redbarn’s new Protein Puffs are loaded with a milk protein derived from human-grade caseinate.
But what is caseinate? Is it beneficial for cats and dogs?
When introducing any new treat, we always encourage pet parents to understand the ingredients in them. While it won’t give your cat or dog bodybuilding strength, each crunchy treat packs a punch.
What is Caseinate?
Chances are you’ve had caseinate a few times without even knowing. Caseinate, a form of casein, is a white powder derived from cow’s milk after extracting all the water, fat, and carbohydrates. The food industry often uses forms of caseinate in powders that require quick dispersion in water, like coffee creamers or creamy instant soups.
However, caseinate is best known for supporting healthy muscle growth, making it a popular dietary supplement amongst athletes and bodybuilders. It’s frequently used in protein bars, health supplements, and other dietetic products. In short, it’s a common and safe supplement for those looking to lose weight, strengthen muscles, or simply stay fit.
With so many benefits for humans, we wanted to take caseinate and make it palatable for your pets to enjoy too!
What’s the difference between casein and caseinate?
Let’s get a little scientific! We asked Steve Doerr, Redbarn’s Technical Director and co-developer of our Protein Puffs, to help us understand this question.
Doerr explained “There are three common forms of casein: neutral, acid, and salt. Casein refers to the neutral form; Caseinate refers to the acid form, also known as acid casein. Caseinate can be neutralized with various salts including calcium and sodium. This forms calcium caseinate or sodium caseinate. In Redbarn Protein Puffs you’ll find a mixture of both calcium and sodium caseinate.”
Benefits of Protein Puffs for Cats and Dogs
Redbarn’s Protein Puffs are a premium, natural treat for cats and dogs that help keep your pet’s health in check. Light and crispy, Redbarn’s Protein Puffs are a low-fat, high-protein treat loaded with amino acids to help support your pet’s muscle development.
These lean treats are packed with 75% protein at less than one calorie per treat.
Suitable for all life stages, your pet will enjoy the fun crunch of this multi-purposeful snack. You can use Protein Puffs as a topper to your pet’s full feed diet or as training-treats!
Choosing the best food to aid in your pet’s health is just as important as the location where the ingredients are sourced and manufactured. Redbarn is proud to manufacture our Protein Puffs in the USA, guaranteeing both high standards for quality assurance and American jobs.
Redbarn Protein Puffs are also a clean label treat containing no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and are free from wheat, corn, soy, grains, and gluten.
Find the best Redbarn Protein Puffs for your pet!
Cat Protein Puffs
A good cat deserves a good treat! Redbarn’s Protein Puffs for cats are the perfect training treat with over 275 sugar-free treats per bag! And as with most Red barn products, natural poultry or fish is the first ingredient. Whether your cat favors salmon or chicken, we have you covered.
Dog Protein Puffs
Don’t you want a treat your dog will actually roll over for? Redbarn’s Protein Puffs for dogs are a healthy snack worth obeying commands for!
We make them in two delectable flavors: cheese and peanut butter.
Don’t forget to let us know your pet’s favorite flavor in the comments below!
