April 24, 2009
 | It’s hard to compete with Wagatha’s dog biscuits when it comes to ultra organic and healthy dog treats. This brand was founded by a very accomplished human chef and these treats are USDA Certified Organic and Kosher. Made in Vermont with a lot of love, so your dog can finally eat organic and Kosher, if that’s important to you. Even my picky biscuit tester Bernard LOVES them and begs for more. Visit www.wagathas.com. |
11
Feb
2009
Review: Wagatha's Dog Biscuits
When have a cannister by our back deck door filled with a variety of dog biscu
its, all holistic, organic or otherwise healthy offerings. Eli knows that as soon as he comes in the door, there’s a treat waiting for him. When Eli and I saw a box of Wagathas Organic Dog Biscuits arrive, we were all ears (and one of us, all wagging tail). Wagathas, a Vermont-based company, was established in 2006, as the brainchild between two guys - a chef and a former Wall Streeter. Their product line features only human grade ingredients, is all organic, and certified kosher. They have quite a wide selection available, from Cranberry Cheddar Biscuits and Tomato Herb Biscuits to even senior biscuits for the elder pup in your life. So what did Eli think?
The GOOD: Featuring all organic and human grade ingredients, these are treats you can feel good about giving your pet. I love the name, Wagatha, and the adorable containers contain fun pet quotes, letters from Wagatha and more.
The BAD: As of right now, you can only purchase the items online, so you’ll have to plan ahead. They are currently running a free shipping promotion on all orders over $50. There is a store locator on Wagatha's home page.
MONEY MATTERS: The 9 oz containers sell for $8.95 each, and discounts are available when you purchase more than three. You can browse their biscuits, accessories and other items right here.
The MOM VERDICT
Cate says: I love a company like this. One that comes together from pure passion and friendship, without such a keen eye on selling what will deliver the biggest buck on the bottom line. It’s a company with a sense of humor and a solid product, which is a winning combination. Now obviously I didn’t taste these myself (as if!), but I can tell you what Eli thought. Granted, he doesn’t have the most discerning palate, but he definitely liked these. When I first held one out to him, he stopped and sniffed, so it must smell a bit different than his usual fare. Then he dug in. And came right back for more. I was wondering if the unusual flavors (Cranberry Cheddar with a hint of Mint) would deter him, but it didn’t slow him down in the least, and he’s made his way through a variety of flavors now. Two furry paws up from this camp!
Nor, being a Wheaten Terrier, did she have any idea what Neil Reilly of Wagatha’s meant when he said that ““Lively dogs need lots of vitamins and minerals to keep up with rigorous activities and Super Biscuits were carefully formulated to re-energize and revitalize.” All she knew was that these Kosher biscuits tasted better than any pig’s ear she could ever remember eating. Though it’s doubtful that each Wagatha’s Super Biscuit contains enough of the “holistic ingredients needed to soothe aching joints, regenerate cells, and maintain a healthy digestive system” as the company claims, there is no arguing with the fact that these biscuits are delicious while also being made from the highest quality ingredients of any dog biscuit on the market today. Unlike most other products on the market, Wagatha’s biscuits are made from the highest quality, 100% USDA certified organic, and KSA certified Kosher human grade ingredients. With a wide assortment of special blends and delicious flavors, Wagatha’s mouth-watering dog biscuits can be found at fine, independent pet stores nationwide, as well as online at www.wagathas.com. A 9oz canister of Super Biscuits sells for $8.95 at Wagatha’s online store; or you can by 3 canisters for $7.95 each. The best deal, however, is their 10lb bulk box for $52.00. All prices are exclusive of shipping.Dog Product Reviews
Wagatha's Super Biscuits
WAGATHA'S Super Biscuits tasted so good that our squirrel-chasing, tree climbing product reviewer couldn’t believe that they were wheat and lactose free and made with 100% organic ingredients including blueberries, carrots, and cranberries.
“A monthly column Sniffing out trendiest pet pampering products and services.”
In December I attended the Bay Colony Dog Show held in Boston at the Bayside Expo Center. As a proud pet parent of three dogs named Rocky (Puggle), Jake (Puggle) and Sasha (Brussels Griffon) and two cats named Caesar and Isaac, I couldn’t wait to uncover new and trendy dog products and share them with our South Shore Pet.Com readers!
And finally a Vermont based organic dog treats company named Wagatha’s was quite busy. I had to see what the fuss was all about. These biscuits come in many flavors like Original, Wheat, Super, Breakfast, Cranberry Cheddar and Tuscan Tomato and Herb. Are you serious, I wanted to try these biscuits which I was then told they are made with 100% certified organic, kosher and human grade ingredients.
That was it. I was sold, I chose a 15oz container of Original flavor for approximately $8.00, which let me mention the metal containers these biscuits come in are absolutely adorable. My dogs went nutty over these biscuits and although I didn’t try them myself they did smell delicious. Ok- I thought about trying them but I didn’t. Also I was very pleased to see that Wagatha’s are now offered at the local Whole Foods supermarket near my home. Next on the list to try is cranberry cheddar I will keep you posted. Visit www.wagathas.com for more information.
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Manchester, Vermont - December 26, 2008
An industrial kitchen in Manchester is stocked with many of the ingredients any bakery would have, but this business is for the dogs.
Neil Reilly of Wagatha's Dog Treats explains, "People are using pets almost as surrogates for children."
Wagatha's produces organic dog biscuits. They're part of a large and growing pet food and gift market estimated at about $41 billion a year. Reilly says, "Of that, the organic section is the fastest-growing segment, so we're in the sweet spot, it's really nice."
Reilly was a Wall Street commodities trader who gave up the city life for a quiet Vermont venture. He renovated Burton Snowboards' former plant and partnered with a professional chef, Norman Levitz. Levitz says, "Most often, pet food is made from food not edible for human beings."
But because he had years and years of restaurant experience, Levitz designed recipes using ingredients from human food. Whole wheat flour and allspice are just some of them. He explains, "I just didn't feel right about producing something I wasn't proud of and wouldn't eat myself."
So he does eat his own dog treats, and offered me one. I have to admit, it wasn't bad at all. They taste like thick gourmet crackers. With flavors like Tuscan tomato & herb, cranberry cheddar, and maple oatmeal with bananas and apples, the biscuits sound like human food too.
Rabbis have even certified them Kosher for observant Jewish households. Levitz says, "We're one of the few in the industry doing that."
When some Chinese-made pet food was found to contain harmful chemicals, the safe, all-natural approach here paid off in a big way. Business, both direct and wholesale, has quadrupled since 2007. You can find Wagatha's in 48 states and countries as far away as the Middle East.
Neil Reilly beams, "It really matters in the business world when you say something's Made in Vermont."
Buoyed by the strength of the organics industry, Wagatha's expects continued growth for their Made in Vermont treats from buyers who pamper their pets, and wouldn't give them anything they wouldn't eat themselves.
Most organic products including these biscuits come at a premium price. Wagatha's treats are about $8 per container, and are sold at retailers around the state. Some include City Market and Scribbles in Burlington, Healthy Living in South Burlington, Noah's Ark in Colchester, the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, and Catamount Pet Supply in Rutland. Wagatha's also sells treats direct from its website.
Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont
