Wagleaf Organics Has Created a New Culinary Standard for Dog Treats
When it comes to dog treats, most pup parents want the very best for their four-legged friends… they are family members after all.
That’s why we were so excited to stumble upon Wagleaf Organics which makes high quality, small-batch dog treats using whole, human-grade and organic ingredients sourced from small farms.
Unlike big name brands that use mass produced, toxin-filled ingredients (some of which actually suggest washing your hands to rid of any residue after feeding your dog), Wagleaf treats have created a new culinary standard for dogs with zero chemicals, preservatives, corn, soy, or gluten.
Wagleaf is created with the intention of giving your pups the same culinary experience and variety that we, as humans, have come to expect.
Wagleaf founder Kristen Johnson came up with the idea during the height of the pandemic while living in New York. During the shut down she spent her days in her garden planting flowers and veggies which she found therapeutic — and which gave her a clear head to come up with ideas.
She reflected on the fond memories she had of her dog Porter, a Cairn Terrier, who had lived until the age of 19. She knew the secret to his long life was the fact that she had always cooked his meals at home, opting to be Porter’s own personal chef long before the concept of feeding your dog healthy food was popularized.
“He was just as much of a foodie as I was,” she laughs.
“I would cook him a dog friendly version of the same thing I cooked myself for dinner. I bought his groceries from the farmer’s markets just like I did my own.”
Johnson decided this would be her next venture: enhancing the bond between pet and parent through human grade dog food that is actually healthy.
Only using novelty proteins like lamb, duck, rabbit, and venison (since chicken and beef are common allergens in dogs) and antioxidant rich superfoods, Johnson came up with Wagleaf’s signature recipes with clever names like “Duck Duck Dog" (duck, butternut squash, zucchini, and thyme) and “Berry Good Boy Biscotti” (chickpea flour, strawberries, blueberries, coconut milk, coconut chips, coconut flour, and rosemary extract).
The entrepreneur and puppy chef catered to the stereotypical pup-obsessed NYC city dwellers who were always on the go and who wanted a quick-and-easy healthy option for their pets — but Johnson quickly realized after launching her website that her target demographic was more about spoiling their dogs, rather than the practical approach she saw in her New York clientele.
Her customers were coming from California — and they were ordering in bulk and much more frequently.
With Wagleaf’s stylish packaging and commitment to sustainability, Johnson smiles when she says, “I realized I had inadvertently created a Californian brand. Culturally, the California lifestyle is more focused on sustainability, organic foods, and supporting local farms, which is a large part of the Wagleaf brand ethos.”
So what does Johnson do? She hops on a plane and sets out on a two-month adventure — from Laguna Beach to Los Angeles to San Francisco — on a mission to share her “California brand” with as many Californians (and their Cali pups) as possible. She’d set up shop at local farmer’s markets, events, and even at our Laguna Beach Living Puppy Picnic: “I’ve gotten a lot of FaceTime in the community and the reception has been amazing… not to mention a big serotonin boost from the nicer weather!”
It went so well, in fact, that she’s in the process of moving the Wagleaf operation to SoCal permanently. “It’s the perfect fit for not only where the brand stands now, but for my future expansion plans (including events).”
Johnson’s dream is to set a new culinary standard and reimagine what it truly means to TREAT your dog.
“The Wagleaf dog is a Michelin Star dog that deserves only the best,” she says with a palpable passion.
And Benny and Bev (LBL’s pups) are first to say they agree.
Browse Wagleaf’s seasonal menu for seasonal offerings, and stay tuned for the upcoming launch of “Truffles and Chops” (lamb, shaved black truffles, parmesan, and parsley).
As a special offer for Laguna Beach Living readers use code SPRING20 for 20% off.
Lindsay DeLong is the Editor-in-Chief of Laguna Beach Living and the Founder of the City Living Network. A brand strategist and web designer, she specializes in building brands from the ground up, establishing online identity, and cuddling with well-fed puppies. Reach out to her at lindsay@lagunabeachliving.com or on her personal site, iLikeLindsay.com.
Photos by: Tiffany Perry Photography & Wagleaf.