About Pala
Pala is a Finnish dog food brand that makes air-dried food based on raw ingredients. The fresh meat, organs and fish are slowly dried at a low temperature, which preserves proteins, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids better than conventional extruded food. The result is a food that is close to raw feeding in composition, but without the practical drawbacks of freezing, thawing and storing.
What makes Pala special is that it was developed in collaboration with DogRisk, a leading independent research institute at the University of Helsinki that focuses on dog health and nutrition. The starting point is that dogs thrive on a high-protein diet as nature intended. Each recipe contains at least 82 percent highly digestible raw meat and fish, 13 to 14 percent vegetables and berries rich in antioxidants and fibre, and 3 to 4 percent completely natural boosters. No grains, no fillers, no starch and no plant-based omegas.
Another feature of Pala is what is NOT in it: no synthetic additives, no supplements, no flavourings and no preservatives. All vitamins and minerals come from the ingredients themselves. Approximately three kilos of fresh ingredients are used for one kilo of air-dried food; that explains the concentrated nutritional value and the relatively small daily portion.
The recipes
Pala has seven numbered recipes, each with its own protein profile. The recipes are suitable for dogs of all ages, from puppy to senior.
Recipe #1 Original
Pala's original recipe, with chicken (41%), beef (32%) and salmon (12%), supplemented with green tripe, cabbage, carrots, beets, Icelandic kelp, salmon oil and herbs. A complete choice for dogs of all ages, with a mix of highly digestible proteins.
Recipe #2 Chicken & Salmon
A high content of fresh chicken (67%) and fresh salmon (19%) from Finland, supplemented with vegetables, seaweed, turmeric and herbs. Suitable for dogs that do well on poultry and fish.
Recipe #3 Beef & Salmon
The PALA Recipe #3 Beef & Salmon is a high-protein and high-calorie recipe with muscle meat, liver, heart, tripe and organs, supplemented with salmon, vegetables, berries and natural boosters. It provides vitamin A, B and D, iron, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, essential amino acids, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, probiotics and enzymes. Popular with active dogs that use a lot of energy.
Recipe #4 Rabbit, Herring & Salmon
Rabbit as a base, supplemented with herring and salmon. Suitable as a hypoallergenic recipe for dogs that react to chicken, beef or lamb, because rabbit is a new protein for most dogs. The recipe is suitable for all ages.
Recipe #5 Chicken
A monoprotein recipe with 76 percent whole chicken and 6 percent egg, supplemented with healthy vegetables, berries and boosters. Suitable for dogs where you want to stick to one protein source, or for elimination diets.
Recipe #6 Turkey, Duck & Herring
A combination of poultry and fish, with 81 percent turkey, duck and herring. An easily digestible option for dogs that do less well on red meat, and suitable as a variation within the Pala line.
Recipe #7 Lamb & Herring
The PALA Recipe #7 Lamb & Herring combines lamb with herring; a recipe that works well for dogs looking for an alternative to chicken or beef, and that benefit from the omega-3 in herring.
Pala Treats
In addition to the complete food, Pala also makes air-dried snacks from 100 percent fresh chicken, lamb or Icelandic lamb liver. By drying slowly at a low temperature, the taste, smell and nutrients are preserved. A healthy reward without additives. You can find the full range of recipes and snacks in the Pala collection.
Practical use
Pala is delivered in bags of 100 grams, 400 grams or 1 kilo, so you can choose a size that suits the size of your dog and the pace of consumption. Because the food contains no synthetic preservatives, we recommend finishing an opened bag within two weeks and storing it airtight in a cool, dry place in the meantime.
Because Pala is concentrated, you need significantly less than with regular dry food. The correct daily portion depends on the age, weight, activity and metabolism of your dog; every bag has a guideline and we are happy to calculate it together with you in the store. Keep in mind that the stool with Pala can be dark brown to almost black, because the food contains hardly any carbohydrates. That is normal and not a cause for concern.
Are you unsure which Pala recipe best suits your dog? Call us on 020 341 3363 or drop by on the Haarlemmerdijk. For dogs with a specific condition, we always advise you to consult your veterinarian first before switching to a new food.
Frequently asked questions about Pala
What is air-dried dog food?
Air-dried dog food is food based on fresh meat and fish that is slowly dried at a low temperature, instead of being extruded at 120°C or higher. Due to the low drying temperature, proteins, vitamins and minerals are preserved in their natural form. Pala uses approximately three kilos of fresh ingredients for one kilo of air-dried food.
Is Pala the same as raw feeding (BARF)?
No, but it comes close. Pala provides the same nutrients as raw food; fresh meat, organs, fish, vegetables and berries, but without the practical drawbacks of freezing, thawing and weighing out portions. For dog owners who do want the benefits of raw feeding, but do not want to keep a freezer full of food, this is a good intermediate form.
For which dogs is Pala suitable?
Pala is suitable for dogs of all ages, from puppy to senior, and for all breeds. The different recipes make it possible to alternate or choose a specific variant for dogs with a sensitivity to certain proteins. For dogs with allergic reactions, the monoprotein recipes such as Recipe #5 Chicken and Recipe #4 Rabbit are a good option.
Does Pala contain artificial additives?
No. Pala contains no synthetic vitamins or minerals, no flavourings, no colourings and no preservatives. All nutrients come from the natural ingredients themselves. That is one of the reasons an opened bag must be finished within two weeks.
How much Pala should I give my dog?
Every package has a feeding table based on the weight of your dog. Because Pala is highly concentrated, the daily portion is significantly lower than with regular dry food; approximately three kilos of fresh ingredients are used for one kilo of Pala. In the store, we are happy to calculate the correct amount with you, based on the age, weight and activity of your dog.
Why is the stool darker with Pala?
The dark brown to black colour of the stool is because Pala contains hardly any carbohydrates. With carbohydrate-rich food, the stool gets a lighter colour and there is more volume. With Pala, the body absorbs almost all nutrients, so there is less and darker stool left. That is normal, as long as your dog shows no other symptoms of illness.
