Food for Thought

As the temperatures outside steadily drops and the sun sets earlier in the evening sky it's a sure sign that winter is creeping up on us. Humans are not alone in suffering from the harsh effects of winter; our four-legged friends are also feeling the effects. Make sure your furry friends are safe and warm this winter. From apparel all the way to diet you can find ways to help your customers' pets survive the winter and make your store thrive.

Summer is officially over, but that doesn’t mean flea season has ended. There is a common misconception that fleas and ticks are exclusively a seasonal concern; they come out in the warmer weather and die off in the colder seasons. We look forward to that first drop in temperature that signals the pests are heading south for the fall/winter months, but are they? Many aren't aware that the dropping temperatures can make the perfect environment for the flea population to surge.

It's official, CBD products are here to stay. Google the term “CBD”, and you’ll find that it’s projected to be a $2.1 Billion industry by 2020, an astronomical jump compared to last year's CBD market of around $202 million. When it comes to CBD brands and their products, it can feel like you’re swimming in a sea of options. With so many companies out there making claims about their product being the best, the most effective, and the best priced it can feel overwhelming to know exactly what to stock your shelves with.

Let’s face it: despite the high quality food brands you sell at your store, many pets could benefit from supplements. Pets experiencing symptoms like lack of energy, dull coat, upset stomach, bad breath, and even cancer can benefit from the right supplement recommendation. Even better, you have the opportunity for an add-on sale for nearly every customer that walks through your door.

As pet parents pay more attention to the dietary needs of their furry friends, they are taking their pets’ diets back to basics with Limited Ingredient Diets that eliminate any extra, unnecessary ingredients and help cats and dogs with food sensitivities. For those interested in maximizing nutritional benefits while minimizing risk of food allergies and other diet-related issues, LID may be the way to go.

Many dog owners live with the misconception that their pets are invincible in the winter: they believe their furry coats keep them warm and safe from the harsh effects of the winter months. Unless your dog is a Direwolf, pets feel the freezing temperatures and require proper care to stay safe.