When was the last time you actually walked into a pet store? Chances are good that it’s been a while. That makes sense. We’re busier than ever, and you can get most of what you need online, from pet food to meds and even vet consults.
The problem is that pets aren’t static. They age, develop sensitivities, change behaviors, and go through phases. At some point, what you actually need is someone who knows what they’re talking about and has the time to talk with you.
Information Is Not Expertise
The internet will give you information. A good pet shop will give you expertise. Those are not even remotely the same thing. Information tells you that protein content in cat food usually runs between 30% and 45%. Expertise tells you that your 12-year-old cat with early kidney disease probably needs to be on the lower end of that range, and here are three foods worth trying.
Curated Shelves
Walk into a well-run independent pet shop and pay attention to what’s on the shelves. They don’t carry everything under the sun. Instead, there’s a selection that represents someone’s judgment about what’s actually worth carrying. If you’ve browsed Amazon’s virtual shelves lately, you know why that’s important.
Spotting Issues
When you buy from a local pet shop, you get the benefit of someone with real-world experience paying attention to your pet and how they change. The people start to know your pet, including what they eat, how they’ve been doing, and what’s changed. A staffer who notices that your usually food-motivated cat hasn’t been interested in treats lately might get you a recommendation for a vet visit that catches something early. All of that is part of preventative care.
Creating a Pet-Care Network
Yes, your local pet shop will be where you buy food, toys, and things for your pet’s environment. However, they’re also a connection to a wider pet-care network. You’ll be able to get recommendations for things like groomers that are good with nervous dogs, or vets that specialize in rare cat breeds. That real-world network isn’t something that you can get from the internet.
Come see us at Critters Pet Shop. We’d love to get to know you and your pet.