Washington woman eating only pet food for 30 days

Dorothy Hunter, owner of Paw's Natural Pet Emporium in Washington State is giving a new meaning to the concept of 'Scooby Snacks.'

Hunter is eating only the pet food she sells in her store for 30 days. She started her campaign that seeks to enlighten pet owners on nutrition and ingredients on June 19 and has since gained the attention of the national media, even appearing on the 'TODAY' show.

"You would be surprised how tasty dog and cat food can be when it's made right," she said.

In a video on the store's YouTube channel, Hunter said, "We sell holistic, natural foods...I actually believe our pets are eating better than us."

Another YouTube video shows Hunter eating salmon bonito flakes dog food. With all this pet food eating, she said in the video, Hunter has found she needs to drink a lot more water...or coffee. "So for today," she said, "I'm having a latte and bonito flakes for breakfast."

Hunter sells pet food with no fillers and byproducts. The food in her store is all-natural and contains no corn, wheat, soy, BHA, BHT or other non-nutritious products. In comparison, soy, corn and wheat are all listed as common pet food ingredients on the Iams website, a popular pet food brand.

"You really are what you eat," Hunter said, "and it's the same for your pets."

The Kennewick pet store owner hopes that her month long diet will encourage pet owners everywhere to read the ingredients in their pet's food as well as their own human food.

Following the May pet food scandal in which PetSmart and Petco vowed to ban Chinese dog treats from their stores because the treats were reportedly making pets sick, Hunter said she carries no food from China. Some of her favorite dry kibble, however, comes from Italy. Hunter is also keen on a certain canned cat food made with chicken. Her favorite treats, though, are the dehydrated green beans the store sells. Believe it or not, Hunter isn't the only employee in the shop who eats the nutritious kibble and bits.

Amanda Kempf has worked at the all-natural pet food store for nine months. She not only enjoys the occasional tasty morsel of dog snacks, but shares them with her kids as well.

"My kids love the dog treats," Kempf said. "They even told their teachers who asked me if it was true."

Hunter, who has two teacup Shih Tzus and standard, opened her shop six years ago and has since expanded once. The store is currently working on another expansion.