A local man has launched a new business that will help dog owners find nutritious food for their furry friends made from safe ingredients sourced in the United States.

Jeff Huckstep, owner of the new dog food brand Pawtorc, said the brand offers four different blends for customers to choose from. Each blend offers different benefits for dogs.

“We have a formula for working dogs, hunting dogs, house companions and dogs with sensitivities and allergies,” Huckstep said.

This brand of dog food is only the second brand to be sold in Idaho. Huckstep said the other is in another part of the state.

“There’s not many of us,” Huckstep said.

According to the brand website, each blend is made with real meat as the main ingredient. Each formula also contains probiotics for digestive health, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and glucosamine and collagen to help with joints.

“It does a lot for joints, ligaments, skin and coat,” Huckstep said. “It helps make paw pads on dogs thicker, which is awesome for Idaho dogs.”

Huckstep worked with several nutritionists to develop the formula for his dog food. He said the manufacturer who makes it hasn’t had any of its products recalled in the last 100 years, and it only uses ingredients sourced within the United States.

“There’s lots of manufacturers all over the US,” Huckstep said. “You have to be careful with them because some are mouse and rat infested. We wanted to make sure we were doing it right from the ground up.”

Huckstep said he started Pawtorc because he has years of experience working with dogs. He owns a boarding facility for dogs and has several dogs of his own. He wanted to find a way to give his dogs nutritious food that was also affordable.

“My dogs are part of the family,” Huckstep said. “I know a lot of people feel that way. Having your family members eat healthy food is important.”

Huckstep looks forward to his new dog food brand because of the health benefits it will give to dogs. He hopes local dog owners will give his food a try and see what it can do for their dogs.

“My life revolves around dogs,” Huckstep said. “I’m excited to see the benefits for local dogs.”

Pawtorc is currently available for order online. It is also being sold at a few retail locations throughout Southeast Idaho. All the information about where to purchase it is on the website.

“You can have it locally delivered, or (the website) will show where the nearest store to purchase it is,” Huckstep said.

More information about Pawtorc can be found online at pawtorc.com.