Companion Bites is a pet goods brand headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The first batch of Companion Bites was made in 2018 by a dog's grandma. The dog is Noonan, Noonie to his family. The founders say he has been asking for them ever since. The frozen kibble toppers are now made by hand in Salt Lake City.
Co-founders Taylor and Monica wanted something clean and minimally processed for their dog's bowl, and most of what they found came with preservatives or cheap fillers. They had been meal-prepping fresh mix-ins for him, which took more time than they liked. So they worked with a certified pet nutritionist and spent years refining the recipes, with help, they say, from canine friends and family.
There are three recipes. Salmon, made with wild-caught Alaskan salmon, is the best seller, pitched at pups with a more refined palate. The beef and chicken versions pair the meat with its liver. Each serving carries more than 3 grams of protein, the company says.
The ingredient list reads like a grocery run. Alongside the meat are organic spinach, broccoli, carrots and blueberries, plus 2% cottage cheese. Each 1.2-ounce bite is baked and then frozen right away, with no fillers or added starches, the company says.
Being frozen is the catch. The bites need freezer space at home and time in the fridge to thaw before they go on the kibble. The company suggests a splash of water on top for extra hydration.
In Salt Lake, Healthy Pets stores in Sugar House and the Avenues carry them, and there is a stockist in St. George. Noonie, presumably, still gets first pick.
Companion Bites gets its camelina oil from Saskatchewan, Canada, from a plant also called false flax, a member of the mustard family.
