Smokin' Joe's Crystal VanDePol discuss the healthy benefits of her gourmet dog treats with customers at the Sioux City Farmers Market. In addition to all-natural, preservative-free pet foods, VanDePol also makes cookies and pastries for pet parents.
Earl Horlyk
While mass-market dog treats have ingredients you can't pronounce, Crystal VanDePol prefers natural ingredients for her Smokin' Joe's line of dog and cat treats.
Earl Horlyk
Crystal VanDePol uses all-natural veggies and unprocessed meat to make her pet jerky.
"Have you looked at the label for dog food lately?" she asked. "There's always tons of ingredients but only a few that you're able to pronounce."
Using ingredients like peanut butter, pumpkin, chicken and sweet potato to make healthy biscuits, jerky and chews, VanDePol also makes treats that come in gluten-free varieties for pets with digestive issues.
"Since people are becoming pickier about their diets, it's only natural that they want their pet's diet to also be healthy,"Â VanDePol said.
So what does she recommended for the health-conscious pooch?
Well, the pumpkin and peanut dog treat is a crowd-pleaser as is the cheesy cat and dog, which is made with cheddar and Parmesan cheese, and sour cream.
But VanDePol said her customer can't get enough of Smokin' Joe's chicken-bacon dog treats, which are made with wheat flour, chicken broth, powdered milk, eggs and real pieces of bacon.
"Everything is better with bacon," she joked.
People (plus their pets) seem to be responding to VanDePol's natural take on dog treats.
She recently partnered with Becky Davis, of Loess Hills Honey, to open a storefront at 516 Fifth St. It's called Loess Hills Honey & Treasures.
"While people will continue to purchase Smokin' Joe's products at the farmers market, they are also available at the store," VanDePol said.
After all, people want the best for their pets.
"It's amazing that people will say they're on a diet but will splurge on their pets," she said. "Since my dog treats are all-natural, nobody will have to worry about empty calories."
School pride can be shown on a basketball court, but it can also be shown inside a kitchen.For the past several years, The Journal has request…
Smokin' Joe's Crystal VanDePol discuss the healthy benefits of her gourmet dog treats with customers at the Sioux City Farmers Market. In addition to all-natural, preservative-free pet foods, VanDePol also makes cookies and pastries for pet parents.
While mass-market dog treats have ingredients you can't pronounce, Crystal VanDePol prefers natural ingredients for her Smokin' Joe's line of dog and cat treats.
