April 2011

April is a big month for Pets To Go. We will be celebrating our 22^nd birthday with a storewide event on April 16^th.  From 10am to 6pm the entire store will be on sale.

Pets To Go will serve lunch for those in attendance and the day will be highlighted by a visit from our favorite alligator “Izod” at 1pm.

Vendors will be on hand displaying their pet products, as well as other local independent business owners that serve our community.

This is a fun filled day and a great opportunity to bring your pet out for a day at Pets To Go.

Written By Dr. Angie Stamm DVM

Meridian Veterinary Care

1. How can I tell if a pet food is high quality? If a food contains any of the following, it is generally low quality and should be avoided: corn, corn gluten, wheat, wheat gluten, soy, meat by products, preservatives (BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin), artificial coloring, and sugar. Look for foods that contain whole food fruits and vegetables.
2. Which dogs should be fed a grain free diet? Most dogs do well on grain-free diets, as they are more biologically appropriate than those high in grains. Dogs with allergies, cancer or obesity can especially benefit from a grain-free diet. Keep in mind that these diets are generally higher in protein and fat and are therefore more “dense” than other types of kibbles. You may feed up to 25% less by volume compared to standard dog kibble.
3. Will canned or soft food make more tartar on my dogs’ teeth compared to dry food? No. Increased tartar build up caused by wet food is, in my experience, a common misconception. I cannot say that I see a significant difference in teeth of animals on canned vs. dry foods. Because canned foods are far less processed than dry kibble, the health benefits far outweigh the “risk” of possible tartar build up.
4. Do you recommend raw diets? Yes, in most cases. Raw foods have higher levels of enzymes, which mean that your dog will absorb more nutrients (vitamins, minerals) from the food. The benefits of raw diets include more energy and vitality, fewer allergies, less tartar build up, smaller and less “stinky” stools, easier weight management and healthier skin and coats. I do not recommend raw diets for animals less than one year of age, geriatric or sick pets.
5. Are raw diets safe? As with any raw meat, there is a small risk of bacterial contamination, so safe food handling techniques are recommended. However, proponents of raw food diets argue that a dog’s digestive tract is better suited to handle higher bacterial loads than a human’s due to a higher stomach acidity and shorter intestinal length. In my career to date I have not seen any adverse effects or illness related to feeding a raw diet. Instinct raw diets now use a “high pressure pasteurization” process to further reduce any risk of bacterial contamination in the diets.

More to come in June from Dr. Stamm

When you meet Oscar, he will immediately want attention. If you try to stop petting him, he is likely to grab your hand so you cannot stop. It is not uncommon to find Oscar sitting on the stacks of dog food so he can be up high and keep a look out on the store.

Do not be surprised if he approaches you and asks to be loved. Make sure you say hello to Oscar when you come to Pets To Go.

Would you like your pet to be the featured pet of the month? Send us an email (info@petstogo.net) and photo of your pet and tell us why he or she should be the new-featured pet.

Pets To Go stocks the entire line of Stella and Chewys raw frozen and freeze dried products.

10% Off Coupon