As a doctor of veterinary medicine, I believe nutrition is the most important daily medical decision pet owners can make for their pets.
The sad fact is that very few pet owners or veterinarians have the knowledge to make informed decisions about pet nutrition.
Let’s be honest. When we see an owner lugging an ultra–heavy carrier into our salons, we know the odds are good that the cat inside is smushed in there like a jelly filled donut. When I think of the voluptuous pampered cat, I’m reminded of the feline in the movie of Cinderella. Do you remember Lucifer lying flat out on his belly as he dips his front paw into his bowl of milk and waits for it to drip into his open mouth? I know the meaning of the movie was symbolic of patience and optimism, along with a great looking slipper, but to me, the cat was hysterical.
Pet foods that contain new ingredients seem to appear almost daily on store shelves. Have you ever wondered why a particular ingredient is chosen for inclusion in a food? While the nutrient composition is the primary reason for ingredient selection, there are also other factors that need to be considered. Trends in the human and pet food industries can impact the appeal of an ingredient. Novel ingredients that serve a specific function can also influence selection. In addition, ingredient certifications are becoming increasingly common because it allows pet food brands to clearly communicate with consumers about the methods used to produce a food.
They say that an entrepreneur is someone who solves problems for profit. As pet groomers, the main problem we solve is dirty pets. However, we all do that. How can we differentiate ourselves from the other groomers in our area? Solve another problem.
We can do this by educating our clients on important topics that concern the well being of their pets. One such topic is how diet impacts a pet’s health.
I skip lunch” is a comment I’ve heard repeated over and over in the grooming industry. I’m sad to report that pet stylists do skip lunch. Many make unhealthy choices, don’t eat lunch, eat on the fly, or pick up take-out or fast food.
One thing is a given, and this is groomers need to take better care of themselves. Susan Sarris states, “Our eating habits are terrible.” I agree.
Why Do Groomers Skip Lunch?
The skin is a pet’s natural barrier to the outside world. As one of the body’s largest organs, the skin plays many vital functions to keep pets healthy. It protects the underlying internal organs, bones and muscles, provides sensory information, and acts as part of the immune system to guard against pathogens and external threats to health and safety. As part of the skin, fur also acts as a barrier and protects the skin, maintains body temperature, and contributes to the esthetic appeal of pets.
Benefits, Perils and Quandary
A client asked me the other day why I inquired at each examination what their pet was eating. What significance did the contents of the food bowl have to their pet’s general health? The adage of ‘we are what we eat’ pertains equally to our pets.
Regular grooming goes a long way to help achieve that “healthy shine” pet parents like to see on their beloved pets, but grooming is just the beginning. Diet is actually the single most important factor affecting coat health.
Having worked in the pet services and product industry for over 20 years, I have found that anyone can put a price tag on a can of food and hope it sells. Rather than just sell a can of dog food, I want to give you the tools to market pet foods for success!
You are what you eat. We all know that phrase, and it’s just as true for pets as it is for people. Every day in our salons, we see pets that obviously need help in the dietary department—the obese, the ones with skin issues and poor coats.