Do you know what your dog is eating?

If the adage “You are what you eat” is true for pets, our dogs are could be in trouble.

According to the Pet Food Institute, traditional kibble sold in 50-pound bags is cooked at high temperatures, sometimes over 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and that process leads to the creation of advanced glycation end-products, referred to as AGEs. Research suggests that the accumulation of AGEs in a dog causes inflammation in tissues and organs, which can lead to a greater chance of chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.

In the U.S., 80-90 percent of dogs eat kibble at least once a day, according to multiple pet organizations.

When retired Lynbrook teacher Rob Collorafi was confronted with his own health issues two decades ago, he changed his diet.

An avid pet lover, Collorafi, 57, then thought about improving the health of his pets.

“People know on some level when they walk down the dog food aisle and see pelletized dog food, they know they wouldn’t eat it,” Collorafi said. “We’re not quite comfortable with the ingredients but that’s what’s there.”

Collorafi and his business partner, Michael Gray, formed Totus Pet Food, a startup that makes veterinarian-approved and canine-nutritionist engineered dog food. Totus prepares its food — made with ingredients like kale, pumpkin, and high-quality proteins — at lower temperatures to reduce the chance of AGEs forming.

There are four options for meals: Angus Beef, Tasty Turkey, Juicy Chicken, and an option for puppies. The meals are customized based on each dog’s needs and shipped ready to serve. The meals are packaged to remain fresh in the refridgerator and can also be frozen.

Gray, originally from Manhasset and now lives in Florida, said dog owners see an almost immediate positive effect in their pooch after woofing down the first few meals.

“We have had dog owners tell us that they already noticed a better level of energy and stamina,” Gray said.

For Collorafi, helping pets live healthier is a natural progression in his own life. He said he drove 45-minutes from his home in Amityville to find organic and healthy foods for his six children. That’s when it dawned on him that the pets needed better nutrition, too.

“In our society, there’s been this gradual evolution over the last 10, 20 years of eating healthier,” Collorafi said. “Folks aren’t eating the same things they used to. We know certain foods aren’t good for us. It’s the same for our pets. It’s the next phase in the evolution.”

Collorafi was the band director at Lynbrook North Middle School for 22 years, and then an elementary band teacher at Waverly Park Elementary School for 12 years. His compassion for not only Lynbrook families but also children helps explain his deep desire to make the world a better place, starting with pets.

“We wanted to do something beautiful for people,” he said of the reason he and Gray started Totus. “You can’t change the world, solve the arms race, but we realized we could do something really great for the health of people’s dogs, and that could be our contribution to a better world.”

Aside from the physical health benefits dogs receive from eating better, Collorafi — and veterinarians nationwide — said healthy meals promote positive mental health.

“When the dog eats this food, it satisfies them on a very deep level,” Collorafi said. “Not only are they satisfied, but they’re calmer and more docile. It’s food for the body, tummy, and mind. They come to have a greater trust in you because they know you’re taking care of them.”

Though the business idea was three years in the making, Collorafi said Totus is on its way to making its first 500 shipments to customers. Soon, Collorafi said, they plan to release cat food of the same quality.

“This is food made with love — love of our families, love of our pets,” Collorafi said. “We made this with one goal in mind — to do better for our families.”

For more information, or to order, visit TotusDog.com.