About
What sets Annamaet apart?
Annamaet Petfoods, a truly family owned and operated company, has been providing optimum nutrition to dogs and cats for over 30 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 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 3 supplements to address specific canine needs. All supplements are certified by the National Animal Supplement Council.
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.
The History of Annamaet Pet Foods
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 has dedicated many years studying nutrition to improve the healthand well being of your canine companions. Rob’s passion for working dogs led him to University of Pennsylvania where he worked as a field researcher and graduate student with the late David Kronfeld. During that time in the mid-1980’s, dog food was largely carbohydrate and grain driven due to human exercise metabolism and canine endurance activities were not particularly well studied. Rob and David worked together on seminal studies involving the endurance of beagles and sled dogs, and definitively showed that dogs performed longer and better when provided a high fat diet when compared to the industry standard of higher carbohydrate diets. This work forever changed the way moderate to endurance performance dogs were fed, and has been the foundation for canine athletes for the past 35 years.
In addition to Rob’s expertise, Annamaet Petfoods has a board certified Veterinary Nutritionist on staff as well. Having two nutritionists provides better checks and balances on creating great formulas; between the two, they have over 100 publications in peer reviewed Veterinary or Nutrition Journals.
What’s behind the name?
Annamaet was named after Rob’s mother, Anna Mae, 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. Annamaet is pronounced like the verb “an-i-mate”. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines ‘animate’ as to give spirit; to give life to; to give vigor and zest to.
The Annamaet Pet Foods TIMELINE
1986
Annamaet sells its first bag on November 21, Rob's mother, Anna Mae's birthday. Annamaet Extra & Ultra were the first formulas to be released.
19861987
Rob and Mary Jo give birth to their first child, Sarah! She is currently Director of Marketing at APF.
19871988
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
19881996
Annamaet begins a canine supplement line, first releasing Impact shortly followed by Glycocharge.
19962006
Rob wins Gold Medals in both the 8 and 10 Dog Class for the 2006 International Sled Dog Racing Association season.
20062010
Annamaet's grain free line of formulas are released. All with names inspired by The Downeys' time spent in Alaska.
20102015
Marine microalgae is added to all Annamaet formulas as a stable & sustainable source of Omega 3s.
20152017
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).
20172018
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.
20182020
Annamaet releases a grain inclusive senior formula. Annamaet Original Senior is made with lamb, fish, and ancient grains.
Nov 09, 20172021
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.
Nov 09, 20172021
Rob receives the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award from The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Nov 09, 2017Works 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.
