Frequently asked questions

Yes, all ingredients used are mentioned in the ingredient list (following international packaging trends).

While you may be able to see some of the firmer ingredients, not all the vegetables will be visible as they are cooked away during the cooking process.

Cooking and processing wet food involves applying heat to the food which is sealed in a tub or container. Heating of the wet food destroys any microorganisms that cause food spoilage. During the process, air is driven from the container and a vacuum forms as it cools and seals. As such, preserving and sterilising means no other preservation is needed.

No. Research has found that, in strict moderation – as in Karoo’s recipes – the herbs we’ve used are not toxic for dogs.

In regard to the use of the word animal derivatives on our packaging: in South Africa, we are heavily regulated by the Department of Agriculture, the term that is used for muscle meats and organs is meat and animal derivatives. This is the reason why local products will need to state meat and animal derivatives on their packaging.

Montego Classic, Wuma! and Karoo:

• Small breed dogs | Yorkies etc. will be on the Puppy food till about 12 months and then go onto the Adult till 7 years when they switch to Senior.
• Large breed dogs | Labs, golden retrievers, German shepherds, will be on Puppy food till about 18 months then Adult till 6 years when they switch to Senior.
• Giant breed dogs | Great Danes etc. Puppy till 21 months then Adult till the age of 5, when they will switch to Senior.

Montego Pet Nutrition has a twice-yearly price increase in line with inflation. Inflation has never gone above 7% or below 6% and we try to stay on par with the market fluctuation. We do it twice a year to avoid one big price hike.

Our price increase ensures that we remain able to provide customers with the best quality products, sourced from our international and local suppliers.

The Protein and fat content of the food makes the price higher than dog food as the raw materials costs are high, as well as other specific ingredients cats need in their diets such as Taurine for improved eyesight and Omega 3 and 6 for a healthy skin and coat. These ingredients are added to the Montego Classic Kitten and Adult Cat, making the product more expensive.

Please select Ask a New Question and fill in the SUBMIT A NEW QUESTION form. Include the following details: your contact number, your location and your email address so that we can contact you.

Please select Ask a New Question and fill in the SUBMIT A NEW QUESTION form. Include the following details: your contact number, your location and your email address so that we can contact you.

Unfortunately, we only appoint petshops, vetshops and feedshops. We do not appoint agents, gas stations, supermarkets or general dealers. With that said, we are flexible and will consider appointing retailers other than those stipulated if you are in a rural area.

We would suggest negotiating a bulk discount with retailers in your area to get the best possible price. To find your nearest retailer, please use our store locator.

You can visit the career opportunities area on our website where we will post vacancies as they arise.

We run a strict quality assurance system where raw materials, through to final product, are thoroughly screened and tested throughout production before use and dispatch. Quantities, temperatures and times are strictly controlled during production. Other than the mycotoxin tests mentioned, all meat meal is scanned using a NIR scanner to confirm that the protein, fat, fibre and ash levels compare to the certificate received with the specific consignment. During manufacturing NIR tests are done on the final product every 30 minutes to ensure that the product meets the guaranteed analyses as registered with Act 36, Department of Agriculture. We are certified as FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) applicable for manufacturing of dry pet food for cats, dogs and fish products. Read more about that here.

Currently an estimated 300 000 dogs eat Montego Classic products in South Africa with positive results. We have more than 2000 outlets in South Africa of which 400 are veterinarians

Montego Pet Nutrition (Pty) Ltd is a member of the PFI (Pet Food Industry of South Africa) and complies with their standards.

The PFI performs random tests on the products of all their members and inspect our manufacturing premises. All members’ products are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Act 36 of 1947 under which a unique V number is attributed to each product name, which can be found on the packaging.

The ingredients list, nutritional guidelines, feeding guidelines and benefits stated on the packaging have been authorized and validated by the Technical Advisor of the Department of Agriculture.

Our manufacturing equipment is imported from the USA and Holland, manufactured by two of the world leaders in the field. Using this equipment, we produce pet foods locally that are on par with international and imported brands.

All Maize in South Africa is genetically-modified (GMO) and by virtue our commitment to supporting local suppliers, Montego products therefore contain GMO maize. The use of local suppliers allows us to continue to manufacture high-quality products at an affordable price, while simultaneously supporting the local economy. Non-GMO maize would have to be imported at a considerably higher cost, which would have to be passed on to our customers.

Our suppliers’ farms are regularly visited by inspectors from the Department of Agriculture to ensure that the pesticides and herbicides used are registered with the Department, in the interest of maintaining the highest levels of safety for the environment and consumers. Montego’s processing facility is also regularly inspected by the Department of Agriculture to ensure that our maize and grain silos comply with their stringent specifications. We do not compromise on the position that each element in our supply chain must comply with the relevant legislation outlined by the Department of Agriculture.

The Consumer Protection Act requires companies to declare whether their products contain any GMO elements. The law covers all products from pet food to maize meal, to cereals and beyond. This is to ensure that consumers are aware that GMO products may be transferred to them and their pets by consuming animals that consume GMO feed. Montego Pet Nutrition complies with this legislation, naming GMO products in our ingredient list on-pack. Our commitment to supplying the best-quality products at affordable prices is the hallmark of the Montego Pet Nutrition brand and we continue to uphold the most stringent quality-control processes to protect both our customers, and our consumers – your treasured pets.

Montego products contain a number if ingredients that are imported, such as the various meat meals, vitamins, minerals and other micro-ingredients that are included in specific products for your dog’s or cat’s benefit

When changing your pet’s diet, it is very important to do it gradually over a period of 7 days to avoid any stomach irritation.

Here’s our guideline:

• Day 1 – 2: 25% of the new food with 75% of the previous food.
• Day 3 – 4: 50% of the new food with 50% of the previous food.
• Day 5 – 6: 75% of the new food with 25% of the previous food.
• Day 7: 100% of the new feed.

Unfortunately, we do not sell / manufacture products for dogs who suffer from diabetes. Please note that you must feed your dog a clinical diet that is recommended by your vet.

Our Karoo range is our super-premium range and is scientifically formulated for small to medium breed puppies, large to giant breed puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs. These are rich in nutrients derived from real meat with added vitamins and minerals for peak physical development and digestive health.

You can view the nutritional information on the Karoo Flavour Pages

Monty & Me Essential is formulated with natural raw materials and no flavorings and colorants are added. Monty & Me Essential is the more affordable option compared to Monty & Me Adult with regards to Rand value, whilst still having all the nutritional benefits that your dog needs. It contains the same high-quality ingredients we use in all our products.

They are both formulated with the best ingredients and raw materials to give your dog an ideally balanced, satisfying and positively digestible food.

Monty & Me Essential ingredients are as follows:

• Cereals – Barley
• Derivatives of vegetable origin – Wheat bran and barley by-products
• Meat and animal derivatives
• Vegetable protein extracts
• Fats and oils – combination of animal fat and vegetable oils
• Essential vitamins & minerals
• Approved antioxidants

Monty & Me Adult is formulated to meet the same high standards as the Montego Classic products, using the finest raw materials:

• Cereals – Maize
• Derivatives of vegetable origin – wheat bran
• Meat and animal derivatives
• Vegetable protein extracts
• Fats and oils – a combination of animal fat and vegetable oil
• Essential vitamins and minerals
• Approved antioxidants

Monty & Me has a nutritional energy difference of 5kcal/100g to that of our Classic range. This difference is minute, and the product is complete & balanced and therefore the difference would be in the amount of food being fed per day. The extra amount of food would be literally 5g extra for a 15kg dog.

Therefore, when comparing Monty & Me to Classic Adult, the products are similar from a nutrient point of difference, the biggest difference is that Classic contains a higher inclusion of meat protein, whereas Monty & Me contains a combination of meat and vegetable proteins. Please note that Monty & Me can cause more flatulence due to the vegetable protein added to the product.

As puppies are still growing and their digestive system is getting used to different ingredients, tastes etc., it would be advisable not to feed the sauce to young puppies. The sauces are recommended when the puppy is about 9 months or older – and then only occasionally.

No clinical trials are done on our products or ingredients. The only trials that we do on our products from time to time are palatability, digestibility and urine pH trials. These trials are done by Dr Guido Schroeder from Xantah who is a qualified veterinarian.

During these trials dogs are kept in kennels like those of dog breeders. Please visit www.xantah.co.za. Dogs are fed our standard products for a period of 7 to 10 days and the only laboratory tests are then done on faeces and urine of the dogs. The amount consumed per day is also noted and then compared against the amount excreted.