Annamaet Petfoods, a truly family owned and operated company, has been providing optimum nutrition to dogs and cats for over 35 years. Our mission is to maximize the health and well-being of our beloved pets while preserving our environment and natural resources for future generations. Each formula is derived from four decades of research in nutrition and hands-on experience with canine athletes. Annamaet has two nutritionists on staff, allowing for better checks and balances of all formulations. Annamaet is manufactured in the United States and utilizes no ingredients from tainted sources. Annamaet maintains strict standards of quality control. All meat and fish used in our formulas are passed fit for human consumption. All of our products are corn, wheat, and soy free. Annamaet production uses small batches and a slow cook at a lower temperature for better absorption and digestibility.
There is an Annamaet formula for everyone.
Our ‘original’ canine formulas are made with low ash chicken, salmon, or lamb and healthy whole grains. These products contain chelated minerals and optimum levels of Omega-3 fatty acids to help support the immune system.
Annamaet’s line of grain free canine formulas have helped many dogs dealing with ear, skin and coat issues as well as chronic digestive problems. Our Annamaet Lean formula was designed to help with canine weight struggles. Annamaet also produces Canine Companion treats, a healthy grain-free treat, to accompany our grain free formulas.
Annamaet has three different feline formulas designed for all stages of your cat’s life. As with our canine formulas, we use chelated minerals to increase their utilization and support the immune system. Our feline formulas contain cranberries to support urinary tract health.
Annamaet also has a line of 4 supplements to address specific canine needs. All supplements are certified by the National Animal Supplement Council. In addition to our powdered supplements, Annamaet has formulated a functional treat called Recovery Chews that are designed to aid in the recovery process by helping to replenish muscle glycogen stores following exercise.
Annamaet cares about the environment.
Annamaet is dedicated to a more sustainable future and the wellbeing of our environment.Our commitment to sustainability includes not only our new packaging, but what’s inside the bag as well.Annamaet now uses sustainable packaging, made with Bio-Flex™ materials that are specifically engineered to biodegrade in landfills.During this process, green, renewable and sustainable energy is created. Annamaet is also a part of the Pet Sustainability Coalition.
Annamaet’s sustainable philosophy shows through our partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council, the Gold Standard for marine sustainability, to guarantee the use of certified sustainable fish sources in our formulas that are traceable back to the boat they were caught on.Annamaet utilizes other sustainable ingredients as well, including solver carp and line caught Alaskan cod.
These beliefs have led us to utilize marine microalgae in our formulas as a sustainable form of Omega Three Fatty Acids to offset the amount of fish oil necessary for canine and feline health.
The History of Annamaet Petfoods
Rob Downey, President of Annamaet Petfoods Inc., brings to the Petfood Industry the unique combination of a broad scope of knowledge in the field of nutrition as well as a lifelong involvement with dogs. In addition, the tireless efforts of Rob’s wife and co-founder, Mary Jo, have brought Annamaet to the peak of pet nutrition! This legacy of care and commitment can now extend into the lives of your pets in the form of Annamaet products.
Annamaet is backed by real science!
Rob Downey has dedicated many years studying nutrition to improve the health and well being of your canine companions. Rob’s passion for working dogs led him to University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine where he worked as a field researcher and graduate student with the late Dr. David Kronfeld. This work forever changed the way moderate to endurance performance dogs were fed and has been the foundation for canine athletes for the past 37 years. Rob’s research has been published in several peer reviewed Veterinary and Nutrition journals as well as being cited in the NRC Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats. In 2016 Rob was named a Pet Industry Icon by Pet Age Magazine for his contribution to the wellbeing of our beloved pets. In 2021 Rob received the Distinguished Alumni Award from The Ohio State University CFAES for his dedication to companion animal nutrition and community activism. In 2022 Rob was given the Power 50 Award from Pet Age Magazine for his leadership and dedication to the pet industry and as well as his decades of animal health and nutrition experience.
Annamaet has a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist on staff.
Dr. Joe Wakshlag is a graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine receiving his DVM in 1998. He then continued advanced training in Veterinary Pathology and Veterinary Nutrition along with PhD training at Cornell University receiving his PhD in 2005 and board certification in Veterinary Nutrition in 2008 becoming a member of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVIM – nutrition). He became a founding diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2010. He has worked as a veterinarian in private practice full time and locum since 2003 and became an assistant professor at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 advancing to become a Full Professor in 2019. He has published over 150 peer reviewed publications and book chapters in the areas of canine and feline obesity, sporting dog physiology and metabolism, nutraceuticals in cancer cell biology and canine osteoarthritis. He has become a leading authority in veterinary nutrition and nutraceuticals and is an avid sporting dog enthusiast. He has had a long history at Annamaet for over 20 years working with the Annamaet team to develop formulas and provide technical support.
What’s behind the name Annamaet?
Pronounced like the verb “an-i-mate”, the company was named after Rob’s mother, Anna Mae (pictured above), who had a real soft spot in her heart for animals. After months of formulating and testing, the first bag was actually sold on her birthday in 1986. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines ‘animate’ as to give spirit; to give life to; to give vigor and zest to.
What about the moose on every bag?
Annamaet’s founder and CEO, Rob Downey, has been involved in the sport of sled dog racing for decades. After beginning in Northern Minnesota, he found himself racing and training dogs with his family in the interior of Alaska. The moose on each bag of Annamaet food represents an unfortunate encounter that he had with some Alaskan wildlife. Read more about the story here.
Rob makes his first drive up the Alaska Highway to race the Downey's sled dogs, Rolling Thunder Kennels, in Alaska for the winter. Rob would make this annual trek to their cabin in the Interior of Alaska for the next 20 winters, an 8,400 mile drive round
Following the success of Annamaet Sustain for dogs, Feline Sustain No. 29 is released after being reformulated 29 times to meet Rob's standards (as well as his finicky cat taste testers).
Annamaet's Family Line is released! Ohana, Original Puppy, and Re-juvenate allow APF lovers to feed their dogs from day one through their golden years.
Annamaet is excited to announce its latest supplement, Annamaet Enhance! Proudly carrying the NASC seal, this human grade product was designed to simply balance a dog's home cooked or raw diet.
Annamaet's grain free line of dog food is included in Pet Age's Editor's Select, which names products that set the gold standard in the pet industry.
Nov 09, 2017
Works by Robert Downey
Downey, R. L., Kronfeld, D.S., and Banta, C.A. “Diet of Beagles Affects Stamina.” Journal American Animal Hospital Association, Vol.16 (1980), pp. 273-7.
Spoo, J.W., Downey, R.L., Griffitts, C., Horst, R.J., Levine, C.B., Childs, R.M., Wakshlag, J.J., “Plasma Vitamin D Metabolites and C-Reactive Protein in Stage-Stop Racing Endurance Sled Dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Vol. 29 (2015), pp. 519-525.
NRC, “Physical Activity and Environment.” Nutrient Requirements ofDogs and Cats, National Academies Press (2006), Editor Bietz D.C.,pp 258-312, Chapter 11.
Wakshlag, J.J., Kraus M., Downey R.L., Vachhani P., “The Influence of High-Intensity-Moderate Duration Exercise on Cardiac Troponin I and C-Reactive Protein in Sled Dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine,Vol. 24 (2010), pp.1-5.
Kronfeld, D.S., Downey, R. L., “Nutritional Strategies for Stamina in Dogs and Horses.” Proceedings, Nutritional Society Australia, Vol. 6(1981), pp. 21-29.
Kronfeld, D.S., Atkins, T. O., Downey, R. L., “Nutrition, Anaerobic and Aerobic Exercise, and Stress.” Nutrition of the Dog and Cat, Ed.Burger, I.H., Rivers, J.P.W., Cambridge University Press, 1989, pp.133-45.
Kronfeld, D.S., Downey, R. L., and Banta, C.A., “Stamina of Beagle is Influenced by Diet.” Proceedings, American College Veterinary Internal Medicine, Seattle (1979), P. 105.
Huntingford, J.L., Levine, C.B., Mustacich, D.J., Corrigan, D., Downey, R.L., Wakshlag, J.J., “The Effects of Low Intensity Endurance Activity on Various Psychological Parameters and Exercise Induced Oxidative Stress in Dogs.” Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 4 (2014) pp. 134-44
Downey, R.L., “Heat Stress in Dogs.” Howl, Vol. 5 (1989), pp. 6-13.
Downey, R.L., “Feeding for Winning.” Hounds and Hunting, Vol. 76(1979), pp. 32-36.
Downey, R.L., “Musher (With a Difference!) With Leatha Braden.” Siberian World, Vol. 3 (1979), pp. 3-8.
