Greater emphasis being placed on pet health care
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Pet shop owner Piers Smart predicts more pet owners will be placing greater emphasis on the health and care of their animals in 2013.
And that includes dog owners buying food that has a high meat content, is low in carbohydrates, and is natural/organic.
"I would urge fellow pet retailers to understand more about pet food," said Piers, who is managing director of Scampers in Cambridgeshire. "They must have a higher level of knowledge of what actually goes into the pet food they sell.
Scampers has de-listed well-known brands from major pet food companies, and is now working with independent natural pet food and treat manufacturers.
"Initially, a few customers questioned the cost of the pet food we now sell," said Piers. "But I told them that this is what good dog food costs. They didn't take much convincing because their pets' welfare is the most important thing to them."
Piers added that retailers needed to keep an eye on the pet food they stock in future, to make sure suppliers were not cheating on the ingredients.
"As costs increase there is a danger that suppliers try to pinch money back on the quality of ingredients by reducing meat content and increasing cereal content."
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