We’re here to help. On this page you’ll find answers to the most common pet food questions we receive here at Billy + Margot®.
If you can’t find the answer to your question, please feel free to Contact Us.Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
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Enquiring About Safety?
The health and happiness of your pet is our #1 priority. We do not include horse meat in any of our Farmers Market pet foods. We know you may be concerned following the recent recall of raw pet meat sold by a knackery in Gippsland VIC, and we hope the below information helps put your mind at ease. Our team is available and ready to help answer any questions you have, simply call us at 1800 732 573 (option 1).
Do you use horse meat in any of your products?
No, we do not include horse meat in any of our pet foods. We encourage our customers to review our product packaging as we list all ingredients in line with the Australian Standards to ensure you can make an informed decision as a pet parent when purchasing our products.
Do you source meat from the knackery in Gippsland Victoria?
No, we do not source any meat from knackeries. We source all our meat from well-known and trusted Australian suppliers who must meet our strict quality and safety requirements to supply to us.
Are any of your products impacted by the raw meat recall in Gippsland Victoria during July 2021?
No. None of our products are impacted by this recall.
How do you know your products are safe?
We are pet parents too and feed our RPF products to our own dogs and cats with confidence. As such, we take the quality and safety of our products very seriously. We are members of the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) and produce all our products in line with the Australian Standards (AS5812), within factories accredited to meet global food standards such as the SQF global food standards. These manufacturing standards address all quality control aspects associated with manufacturing pet foods, including the management of raw material selection and handling, factory management, product formulation, process monitoring as well as control and labelling consistency of finished pet foods. Additionally, as part of our PFIAA membership all our factories are 3rd party audited to ensure we are compliant with the Australian Standards - ABOUT BILLY + MARGOT
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Who is Marie Helene Jones?
Nutritionist. Dog Lover.
As well as being a passionate and loving pet parent, Marie Jones is a certified and highly experienced canine nutritionist, and the founder of Billy + Margot®.
In 2012 Billy + Margot® Iced Treats went into full production and received considerable positive acclaim. Marie then expanded the range to include dry, wet and fresh dog food, as well as dog treats. She is passionately focused on natural canine nutrition, creating grain free products for dogs, and sourcing only the finest quality meats, superfoods and holistic ingredients.
Marie also created the Billy + Margot® Circle of Nutrition to help pet parents explore new options and provide dogs with the variety and interest they crave. Today, the Billy + Margot® range continues to grow, and is loved by countless dogs, and their loving parents.
Visit our About Us page to hear more about Marie’s story.
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What meat protein is in a bag of Billy + Margot®?
Single source protein and novel proteins
Our nutritionist-handcrafted recipes use fresh meat that has been minced and cooked into a single protein food, ensuring quality and taste. We also use high-quality novel animal protein in some products.
All our dog food products have only one animal species in the recipe and are ideal for dogs who love the rich taste of the named protein.
High-quality everyday animal proteins that are used in our Billy + Margot® recipes include chicken, pasture grazed lamb and sustainably farmed salmon. And our high-quality novel animal proteins recipes include wild boar, wild kangaroo and venison.Our Ingredients page will give you additional information on all the meat proteins used in our dog food and puppy food products.
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What superfoods are in a bag of Billy + Margot®?
Every dog food and puppy food product in our range includes a specific selection of superfoods - all of which have been carefully chosen by Marie Jones with dogs’ specific needs in mind. These foods are bursting with antioxidants, phytonutrients and essential vitamins and minerals to promote optimal vitality and wellbeing.
The holistic superfoods included in our products include alfalfa, blueberries, brewer's yeast, carrots, chia seeds, chickpeas, coconut oil, cranberries, flaxseeds, ginger root, kale, pea protein, green peas, pumpkins, red lentils, rosemary, spinach, sweet potatoes and turmeric.
Our Ingredients page will give you additional information on why these natural and wholesome superfoods are beneficial to your dog’s health.
And our article Do Dogs Really Need Superfoods too? also has some great information to help you build your knowledge on using superfoods as part of your dog’s overall diet.
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Is Billy & Margot® dog food grain free?
All Billy + Margot® products are formulated without the addition of grains.
Grain free and gluten free pet diets have become extremely popular. This popularity has mirrored the appearance of similar products for people. These diets are particularly helpful for those that have intolerance to glutens or allergies to wheat.
For dogs that truly do have sensitivity to grains, a grain free diet would be an appropriate choice. The following are symptoms that would be expected in dogs that have food sensitivities: itchiness, excessive hair loss, bald patches, inflamed skin, sore and scabs, and “Hot spots”.
A food trial with a grain free pet food would be necessary to determine whether the food is beneficial for your dog and of course, consultation with your veterinarian.
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What does Complete & Balanced mean?
“Complete and Balanced” means the dog food contains all the vitamins and minerals needed to prevent most diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies. This means it can be fed as the dog’s entire diet.
Dogs that are not fed complete diets may become deficient in some vitamins and minerals, which may result in disease or an early death.
Most of our products at Billy & Margot® are complete and balanced, meaning the food has been formulated to contain all the essential nutrients for your pet in the appropriate amounts for their age group.
If you’re concerned your dog’s diet has not been complete and balanced, consult your vet.
And if you’d like to learn more on this topic, read our article What does complete and balanced dog food mean?
- DIETS
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What type of food should I feed my dog?
When it comes to feeding your dog commercial pet foods, it is very easy to be confused over which style of pet food to choose, especially when there are many options on your supermarket shelves.
When you choose Billy + Margot®, you can be rest assured that all of our meal-based dog food options are nutritionally complete and balanced. This means that regardless of the format you choose, your pet will be getting the quality nutrition it needs, in the right amounts.
Why Choose Dry Dog Food?
Dry dog food provides convenience. It can be left in your dog’s bowl for longer, which is particularly useful for animals that like to graze or take their time.Dry dog food can also offer better economic value for larger dog sizes as it is more concentrated than wet food, meaning you don’t need to feed as much to give your pet what it needs to thrive.
Why Choose Wet Dog Food?
Wet dog food has more moisture content, which some dogs may prefer. The level of moisture in wet products is similar to that of fresh meat. This higher moisture in wet food provides a smart way to provide hidden water for fussy four-legged friends.Wet dog food is typically lower in energy compared to dry dog food. This provides a fantastic option for dogs and their owners who are concerned with their dog's weight management.
When Should You Mix Wet And Dry Dog Food?
This depends on the dog and your own preferences, however many vets believe providing your dog with a variety of foods can be beneficial for their health, so there’s nothing wrong with trying a combination of these options.Read more about What Food is Best for your Dog.
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Can I feed my dog treats?
Healthy dog treats can be given to your best friend as part of their overall diet. They are a great to use as a training reward and they make those special bonding moments with your dog more fun.
At Billy & Margot® all our iced dog treats are dairy-free and filled with wholesome, natural ingredients. In addition to being delicious, they can also:
> Cool dogs down on hot summer days
> Be eaten straight from the tub Calm dogs down and enable them to relax> And they are far more nutritious than human ice cream!
Shop Frozen Dog Treats or read our article 7 Reasons Why Our Iced Treats Are More Than Just Treats to find out more.