• Lack of Transparency: Big corporations may prioritize profits over transparency, making it challenging to know the true ingredients and sourcing of your pet’s food.
• Lower Quality Ingredients: Cost-cutting measures by large corporations may lead to the use of lower-quality ingredients in pet food, potentially compromising your pet’s health. See recent findings 02/2024.
• Limited Nutritional Value: Mass-produced pet foods owned by big corporations may lack the necessary nutritional value, leading to potential health issues for your pet in the long run.
• Ethical Concerns: Some consumers may have ethical concerns about supporting large corporations that prioritize profits over animal welfare and sustainability.
• Reduced Personalization: Marketing-driven decisions by corporations may result in less personalized options for pet food, limiting choices that meet specific dietary needs or preferences.
• Risk of Recalls: Inadequate quality control and production standards in mass-produced pet foods can increase the risk of recalls due to contamination or safety issues. This is an older report from 2020 showing which companies lead the way in pounds of pet food recalled (link).
• Impact on Small Businesses: The dominance of big corporations in the pet food industry can overshadow smaller, independent pet food companies, limiting consumer choices and diversity in the market.
• Environmental Impact: Large-scale production methods employed by big corporations may have a significant environmental impact, including resource depletion, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Conflict of Interest: When a company owns both veterinary clinics and pet food companies, it can lead to a conflict of interest where recommendations at the clinic may be influenced by the products the company sells, potentially compromising the quality of care provided to pets.

Who owns your pet food 2023/2024?

1. Nestle; 2022 Earnings $19.38 Billion
   1. Purina: Beneful, Beyond, Purina One, Bakers, Lily’s Kitchen, Terra Canis, Alpo, Fancy Feast, Felix, Friskie’s, Cat Chow, Dentalife, Kit and Kaboodle, Chef Michael’s, Zukes, Pioneer Woman
   2. Castor & Pollux: Organix & Merrick
   3. Land O Lakes: Purina Livestock Feeds and Horse Feed
2. Mars; 2022 Earnings $19.5 Billion
   1. PEDIGREE, Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition, WHISKAS, ROYAL CANIN, Acana, Little Cesar, Chappie, CRAVE, Craemier, Greenies, Eukanuba, Iams, James Wellloved, KITEKAT, Lovebug!, Misfits, Temptations, Nom Nom, Nutro Nutrition, Orijen, Peewee, Sheba, Dreamies
   2. Horse: Buckeye, Spillers, Winergy
   3. Veterinary Clinics: VCA Veterinary Clinics, Banfield Pet Hospital
3. Colgate-Palmolive; 2022 Earnings $3.7 Billion
   1. Hills Science Diet, Hills Prescription Diet, Science Diet, Prescription Diet, Ideal Balance, Healthy Advantage
4. Schell & Kampeter – Diamond; 2022 Earnings $1.5 Billion
   1. Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild, Nutra Nuggets, Professional+, Diamond Pro89, Diamond CARE, Diamond Naturals Grain-Free, Nutra-Gold
   2. Co-pack: Kirkland (Costco), 4Health (Tractor Supply), Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food, Canidae, Solid Gold (some), many more.
5. Post Holdings, Inc (purchased 14 brands in 2023)
   1. Rachel Ray Nutrish, Nature’s Recipe, 9Lives, Kibbles ‘n Bits, Gravy Train, Perfection Pet Foods
6. General Mills; 2022 Earnings $2.3 Billion
   1. Blue Buffalo, Blue Wilderness, Blue Freedom, Blue Basic, Life Protect, Blue True Solution, Blue Natural Veterinary Diet

USA-based information. Brands change owners. Private companies often sell out to bigger corporations. 

Switch to one of our independent pet food brands and see the difference in less than 60 days!

The post Shocking Truth: Could a Marketing Company Be Behind Your Pet’s Food? first appeared on Self Serve Pet Spa.

Everyday Stuff

These are the “don’t forget to get” items!

• Collar – Collars are a stylish way to express your dog’s personality, and a place to attach their tag.
• 4/6ft leash – Learning to walk on a leash will expand your puppy’s world and allow walks, a great form of enrichment and exercise.
• Harness – A harness is the safest and most comfortable tool for a dog to walk in.
• Dog ID Tag – ID tags are the best way to ensure that if your pup gets lost and picked up by someone else, the finders can contact you.
• Toys – Puppies need to play! Using toys to tug, fetch, or chew enriches your dog and burns energy.
• Poop bags – Anywhere you take your puppy, they may poop. Cleaning up after them is easy with leak proof bags.

Food & Treats

Good nutrition is a major part of overall health & avoiding hefty vet bills. Start now, don’t wait until your puppy has health problems – preventive medicine is the best medicine!

• Food – Healthy, natural food leads to a healthy, thriving puppy. Feed a healthy diet to prevent instead of trying to fix them. We have you covered with raw pet food, lightly cooked food, freeze dried, dehydrated, wet and kibble! See our list of brands!
• Food bowl – Stainless steel is the safest material to feed your puppy out of.
• Water bowl – Make sure to provide fresh, clean water to your puppy at all times.
• Pumpkin/Goat’s milk – Puppies may get tummy aches. An extra boost of fiber and/or pre and probiotics can help “firm things up” on their way out if needed.
• Treats – the most effective way to train a dog is using treats; bonus points if they’re healthy!
• Bones/Chews – Chewing raw bones allows dogs to scrape the plaque off their own teeth, and they are also a healthy and tasty treat.

Grooming

Every dog needs to be groomed in order to be healthy and avoid excessive shedding.

• Self Serve Pet Spa – do it all here!
• Shampoo – Dogs need shampoo created specifically for dogs, otherwise they may have a reaction.
• Dog brush/comb – Depending on your dog’s coat, it’s ideal to brush them daily or weekly to keep the coat clean and shiny.
• Nail clippers – Teaching a puppy to accept a nail trim at a young age is the easiest way to avoid problems with it as an adult dog.
• Ear cleaner – Removing dirt and buildup from the ears is important to avoid ear infections.

Dental

It is very important to keep your pet’s teeth healthy and clean. Periodontal disease is very common and can lead to other issues.

• Raw marrow bones – Nature’s natural toothbrush! Studies have shown they work, this includes raw bones and feeding a raw pet food diet!
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste – These are ideal for removing plaque and tartar buildup, and important to introduce to puppies at a young age. Using toothpaste freshens breath and cleans teeth.
• Dental treats – Dental treats should be given once daily, can help prevent plaque buildup and lessen what you must brush clean.

Training

Training is best started as a puppy

• Kennel/Crate – Most dogs will, at some point, need to be in a kennel for some reason or another; introducing it as a puppy familiarizes the experience and takes away the fear. Need help getting it home? Order it online and get it delivered!
• Dog bed – A private spot of their own is important to any dog; additionally, a “place” command can help a puppy learn to relax in their own space.
• Treat pouch – Treat pouches provide easy access to the best reinforcer.
• Bitter Apple – Bitter Apple is a sour spray you can apply to just about anything you don’t want your puppy to put in their mouth.

Cleanup

Dogs don’t clean up after themselves!:

• Carpet cleaner – Accidents happen; carpet cleaner will make cleaning up after them much easier.
• Pee pads – Puppies have small bladders, so many cannot make it through the night without going out. Pee pads prevent you from going outside in the middle of the night.
• Pooper scooper – cleaning up the backyard poop is made easier with a scooper

Did you adopt this puppy from a local rescue or shelter? Bring your adoption papers for a free wash and ask us about your free adoption basket!

The post Discover Comprehensive Puppy Supplies with Our Expert Guidance first appeared on Self Serve Pet Spa.

Sample Service Fee Applied Towards Next Purchase: Your sample service fee can be seamlessly applied towards your next purchase as a credit, making it a win-win situation!

Customized Experience: Have specific needs for your furry friend? No worries! Simply leave a note when checking out, and our team will go above and beyond to fulfill your requirements.

Benefits of Feeding Better: We believe in the power of quality nutrition for your pets. Here’s why feeding better makes all the difference:

• Feed Less: Quality nutrition means your pet gets more nutrients with less food.
• Healthier, Shinier Skin and Coat: Witness the transformation with a radiant coat that reflects optimal health.
• Reduce Itching and Body Odor: Say goodbye to excessive itching and unpleasant odors. Your dog will smell fresh and clean!
• Less Shedding: Keep your home cleaner with reduced shedding, thanks to a balanced diet.
• Enhanced Activity Levels and Mood: Watch your furry friend thrive with increased energy and a happier disposition.
• Preventative Health Benefits: By feeding better, you could potentially reduce or even eliminate common issues like ear infections.

Give your beloved pets the gift of better nutrition and experience the remarkable benefits firsthand! Try our sample service today and embark on a journey towards a healthier, happier pet!

The post Discover Your Pet’s Favorites: Try a Sample Delivered or Pick Up In-Store! first appeared on Self Serve Pet Spa.