ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

Christie Willett makes dog food. Actually, she does more than that. She’s also an educator and animal nutritionist with a mission.

Her father died in 2016, and her mom died in November 2019 of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a liver disease. In January 2020, she found her dog Jack having seizures. He, too, was diagnosed with NASH.

Willett was told to change his diet immediately to prescription or homemade food.

“I went through that with my mother,” she said. “I knew we had to make his food. I called a friend who is a veterinarian, and she helped me formulate the food. And I went shopping.”

Sadly, Jack only lasted one night before they had to say goodbye.

That started Willett on a mission to learn what is in commercial dog food, how to make nutritious food at home from scratch and educating others about what she learned. She became a pet nutrition coach and animal advocate and Waggin Meals was born.

“I decided enough sadness,” Willett said.

Christie Willett’s Waggin Meals shop contains space where she creates the dog food, packages it, freezes it and sells it.
Animal nutritionist Christie Willett teaches people how to make nutritious meals from scratch for their dogs.
Christie Willett became an animal nutritionist and educator after her dog died from liver disease.
Christie Willett is on a mission to educate people about what’s in the food their dog eats.

She said she now has a master’s degree in animal science and a passion for educating others about their pets’ food.

Willett consults with pet owners in her shop and via Zoom and ships food all across the country. She also offers cooking classes.

“It’s not about my food. It’s about understanding what’s in your dog’s food and how to read the labels,” she said.

Willett is quick to point out she’s not a veterinarian but said food is vital to a dog’s health.

“You have to understand what the food they are eating is doing to them. Is it healthy? Is it nutritious?”

Her shop on Johnston School Road is not a pet store, she said. “It’s about nutrition. It’s about what’s in it.”

She sells meals, toppers, treats, supplements and shampoos with special attention to where the ingredients are sourced.

“I can design food for your dog or you can make it yourself,” Willett said. “For most of us, our dogs are family. And what we give them is important.”