When it comes to the best pet products for retailers, it’s always a good idea to consult with the experts.
In this case, the expert is my “assistant editor,” Omar. As he received varying questions about pet products as a result of his
blog posts, we decided to write an article addressing these in detail.
Meanwhile, the basic principles of these pet products apply to all companion animals, not just cats. My main goal, which should be shared by all retailers, is to promote the healthiest, safest pet products for all animals.
So here are answers to your questions.
What Cat Food Brands Does Omar Advise Pet Retailers to Carry?
When it comes to pet products, food is the absolute most important item any store carries. As such, I feed Omar only the highest quality natural and holistic
cat food brands.
I primarily feed him wet foods, because these are best for cats. Not only do they contain less carbs than dry foods, of which cats should only have a minimum, these also contain a lot more moisture than dry foods. In case you didn’t know,
water is the most important component to a cat’s diet.
His favorites are:
I only feed my cat dry foods very sparingly, and only buy the best brands:
- Avoderm
- Earthborn
- Castor & Pollux Organix
- VeRUS
As many retailers who deal in natural pet products know, there currently is a lot of controversy about EVO, because the company that produced it, Natura Pet Products, was bought by
Proctor & Gamble last year.
The concern among pet retailers who are proponents of natural pet products is that the company will ultimately skimp on quality ingredients. Plus, P&G is known to practice animal testing of its products. So far, I have not heard any complaints about EVO from retailers or pet parents. So I will cautiously proceed to feed Omar this pet food, because he loves it.
As for the other foods on these lists, they are not easy to find in my region. I actually have to go to three different stores to get them. Life’s Abundance, which a lot of pet nutrition experts claim is the best commercial pet food in the world for cats and
dogs, is really hard to find. So pet products retailers would be well-advised to stock these foods.
What Cat Litter Does Omar Use?
I recently switched Omar to
Cedarific, a soft, all-natural cat litter composed of cedar shavings. This is not only good for cats, it’s kind to the environment.
As I mentioned in my article about
green pet products, using the right litter is extremely important to the maintenance of a cat’s overall health. Clay-based litters should be avoided altogether. Not only are these detrimental to cats, they also are very bad for the planet, as well as septic tanks.
I previously used World’s Best cat litter, made from whole-kernel corn; it’s all-natural; it’s chemical- and silica dust-free; it helps to contain odors; and cats love it.
However, I have stopped using this for reasons outlined in my
review.
What Other Pet Products Does Omar Recommend?
Green cleaning supplies. As I also mentioned in my green pet products article, these are very important pet products, that are often overlooked by pet retailers.
My cat had some health issues, so I changed his entire environment. I use such green cleaning products as Method on all surfaces he comes into contact with. When you think about it, pets will frequently spill some of their food on the floor, and will eat off of that surface. They will subsequently ingest the cleaners people use, which could be potentially toxic. That’s why I urge pet retailers to carry these products, and educate their customers about their importance.
Toys. My very frisky, playful assistant editor loves sisal and yarn mice. He also can’t resist foam rubber balls, such as Ethical Pet Products Sponge Soccer Balls. These are good for small dogs, too. (However, I do not recommend these for larger dogs, because they might swallow them.) I love these toys because they are safe, non-toxic, durable (Omar plays rough), and they keep my cat busy for hours.
Grooming Supplies:
Brushes. The majority of pets, even short-haired ones like Omar, require periodic brushing. Not only does this aid in the reduction of shedding and hairballs in cats, brushing also helps to maintain the health of any pet’s skin and coat. Omar is one of those rare cats who loves to be brushed. I use a wire slicker brush on him, which effectively removes excess fur and affords even greater shine to his already glossy coat.
Nail Clippers. I use the open
clippers, which trim nails evenly. I don’t like the round “guillotine” kinds, which can rip the nails. Either way, I strongly encourage pet retailers to carry pet nail clippers, especially for cats, and educate pet parents about the importance of learning how to use these. (This
video from Janet Tobiassen-Crosby, DVM, About.com Veterinary Guide, gives great tips).
No matter what, please discourage your pet parent clients from
declawing their cats. This is a terribly inhumane practice that can cause all kinds of physical and mental health issues.
Scratching Pad. Omar and I like Emery Cat. It’s a simple contraption made from corrugated cardboard with a sandpaper-like finish and a sloping arch set in a light plastic base. You entice a cat to use it by sprinkling cat nip onto the replaceable cardboard panel. The finish helps to file a cat’s nails.
Many people prefer sisal or carpet posts and pads. I suggest retailers carry a good selection because these, too, are good alternatives to declawing.
Other Assorted Pet Products Omar Recommends:
Water dispenser. As mentioned earlier, water is very important for all pets, especially cats. Pet parents who are away from home for long periods of time should invest in these, as these keep the water fresh. (I use a tower dispenser that I fill with water and freeze, so that it stays cold longer.) So please carry fountains and other types of automatic water dispensers.
Catnip. This herb which is in the mint family is the kitty equivalent to relaxing with a glass of wine. It’s also a good way to train cats to use scratching posts and litter boxes. However, not all nip is created equal. It must be fresh, natural and chemical free. I give Omar such brands as From the Field All Natural Organic Catnip. I swear I can hear him singing Bob Dylan’s, “Everybody Must Get Stoned!”
