The smoke curled skyward, carrying the scent of real meat with our dogs sitting faithfully at our feet. Noses twitching, eyes locked on the grill. In that moment, we realized something simple but powerful: they weren’t just begging for scraps. They were answering an ancient call – their Vital Instincts.

We asked ourselves: what if we could give them something worthy of that heritage? Not artificial flavors. Not fillers. Just real smoke, real meat, and real nutrition crafted to honor the wolf within every dog.

But our story stretches further back than that barbecue. Since 1975, our family has been rooted in the meat business, building a legacy of craftsmanship, trust, and quality. Generations of experience taught us that when it comes to food, there are no shortcuts — only care, patience, and integrity. That same standard became the foundation of Vital Instincts.

Today, we proudly operate our own USDA-certified meat packing plants, giving us control over every step — from sourcing to smoking, from safety to flavor. That means every single treat we make carries our family’s guarantee of quality and care.

We don’t just produce for ourselves. We also partner with a select group of brands who trust us to carry their name. But whether it’s for our dogs or yours, our promise never changes:

Real ingredients. Real smoke. Real care.