With natural pet care products growing at nearly 20% per year—and  interest in organic and vegetarian foods at an all time high—natural  pet care pioneer PetGuard® now offers pet owners complete and balanced canine nutrition in a premium certified organic, vegetarian formula.

Green Cove Springs, FL—(Aug. 9, 2004)—PetGuard® Natural Pet Products, a leading producer of natural and organic pet care products, announces the launch of PetGuard® Organics “Organic Vegetarian Dog Food” for adult dogs. Made with a superior blend of certified organic grains, apples, sun-ripened cranberries and nutritious organic vegetables, and enriched with all-natural vitamins and minerals, PetGuard® Organics Organic Vegetarian Dog Food provides complete and balanced, certified organic, vegetarian nutrition for adult dogs in a delicious, easily digested formulation.

Sales of organic pet products grew nearly 20% in 2003, according to the Organic Trade Association, and PetGuard® has long been a leader in certified organic companion animal nutrition. The new Organic Vegetarian Dog Food joins PetGuard’s “Next to Nature®” line, which also includes such certified organic products as Purrlicious™ cat treats and PetGuard® Organic Catnip, and all-natural products including LifeSpan® Super Premium Dog Food and Mr. Barky’s™ Vegetarian Dog Biscuits.

“People today are concerned with the important relationship between nutrition and health—and that interest is extending to their pets as well,” says President and co-founder Sharon Sherman. “Our organic and all-natural pet care products offer discriminating and conscientiously concerned pet parents the opportunity to provide their companion animals with the same health benefits that we all seek for ourselves.”

PetGuard® Organics Organic Vegetarian Dog Food, a dry food available in 4.4-lb. resealable “keep fresh” bags, is made with more than 95% certified organic ingredients and contains no fillers or genetically modified ingredients. The product is completely free of by-products, artificial ingredients, sweeteners and sugar, yeast, soy, wheat and corn. Naturally preserved with only vitamins C and E, Organic Vegetarian Dog Food is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and is formulated to be appropriate for many dogs that have sensitivities to pork, beef, lamb or lactose products. A proprietary combination of whole grains (including organic quinoa, a primary source of complete protein), fruits and vegetables, blended with vitamins and minerals, provides a nourishing, palatable, great-tasting dinner that dogs eagerly enjoy.

Since 1979, PetGuard has offered its canned and dry dog and cat food, biscuits and treats, nutritional supplements and pet grooming products through leading natural foods retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.petguard.com, or contact petcare@petguard.com, tel 1.877.PETGUARD.