You want your pet to be happy and healthy, and you know the right food will be a big help. But with so many choices, how do you know which food is best?
One way to narrow it down is to build a relationship with a local store you trust.
“For dog and cat food to make it onto our shelves, it has to have a short ingredient list with foods you recognize — things like chicken, spinach and brown rice, not harmful preservatives, fillers, or discarded animal by-products,” says Chad McMillan, owner of A Pet’s Life. “Everything on our shelves is made by manufacturers we trust, and every month we’re bringing in more products from BC and Vancouver Island, ” McMillan says.
3 reasons to go raw
Dry, wet, raw… the ‘best’ food will be different for every animal. But if you’re interested in mixing things up, McMillan says there’s plenty to love about raw pet food.
- Flavour: If your dog or cat has been leaving kibble in the bowl, they’ll likely be licking their chops when you offer them a raw meal.
- Digestion: Raw food is a better match for your pet’s stomach, and may resolve digestive issues. That means they’ll be more comfortable, and you’ll have less mess in the litter box or dog bag.
- Nutrition: “Every raw food brand we carry is a balanced: filled with vitamins and minerals as well as great quality protein,” McMillan says. You may notice your pet has a shinier coat, healthier skin, improved dental health and extra energy once they try raw.
So now you’re convinced to give raw food a try, but where do you start? You don’t have to switch everything at once, and it doesn’t have to be messy. Plus all food at A Pet’s Life is 100 per cent guaranteed, so you can return unused bags if your pet won’t eat it.
- Freeze dried: Just add water and stir when it’s meal time.
- Dehydrated: “Dehydrated raw food often looks just like kibble, making it very convenient,” McMillan says.
- Frozen Patties: Keep a bag of 50 patties in your deep freezer, and pull one out to put in your pet’s bowl. A Pet’s Life also sells brands who make frozen medallions for more precise portion control.
- Treats: “Treats are an inexpensive way to introduce your pet to raw food, and a lot of the brands we carry are made right here on Vancouver Island,” McMillan says. “They’re so much healthier than the empty calories you’d get from old-fashioned treats, and just as tasty.”
- Toppers: Worried your pet is too picky to eat raw food, or might need more time to adjust? Top your regular kibble with raw for a boost of flavour and nutrition. “It’s important to move gradually so your pet has time to adjust,” McMillan says.
Shop by phone, online, and in-store at 2019 Cadboro Bay Rd. A Pet’s Life offers curbside pick-up and free delivery three days a week, often on an eco-friendly bike. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram for cute pets and product ideas!