Updated Articles and Resources

By Alissa Wolf, About.com Guide

Best Pet Foods Brands for the New Puppy Created: Saturday, February 04, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
When a customer adopts a new puppy, this is cause for great excitement, and a great way for retailers to form stronger customer relations by helping the pup to get off to a healthy start in life. H...
The Best Dog Food Brands for Your Store Created: Thursday, December 30, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
An article to aid pet business proprietors in selecting the most high-quality, healthiest dog food brands for their pet stores.
China Dog Chicken Jerky Treats and Other Pet Food News for September 2012 Created: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Here's the latest pet food news for September 2012, including info about the ongoing dog chicken jerky treats made in China brouhaha, China's first Pet Food Forum, a "happy" new line of pet food fr...
Pet Food News for Mid-2012 Created: Friday, August 03, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
There are always new developments in the world of pet food, an often controversial pet industry sector. Here's what was happening for mid-2012.
About Pure Vita Holistic Pet Food Created: Thursday, August 30, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Read a review of Nutrisource Pure Vita canned and dry kitty foods, a line of holistic dog and cat foods made by a family-owned company in the U.S., that has been producing pet foods since the 1940s.
Hound & Gatos Natural Pet Food Review Created: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
A review of Hound & Gatos, an awesome all-natural pet food brand for dogs and cats, made in the U.S.A.
Lessons from the 2012 Pet Food Recalls Created: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
The Diamond Pet Foods recalls of the spring of 2012, which involved multiple, otherwise respected pet food brands, was a huge debacle. But there were important lessons to be learned, which I have p...
The 5 Biggest Pet Food Myths Created: Saturday, August 13, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
One of the biggest challenges responsible pet retailers face is debunking the myths many pet parents believe about pet foods. Here are the top 5, with tips on how to go about disputing these.
The History of the Pet Food Industry Created: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
The commercial pet food industry for its start in the mid-1800s, when an entrepreneurial American named James Spratt invented the first mass-produced biscuit. Learn about the fascinating history of...
Lotus: Natural Pet Food Innovator Created: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
In my never-ending quest to report about the best natural pet foods, I review Lotus, a unique brand of holistic foods for dogs and cats.
Meet Omar, Ace Kitty Pet Products Reporter, And One Lucky Black Cat! Created: Friday, August 17, 2012 Updated: Monday, June 17, 2013
A collection of pet industry-related articles by Omar, my right-paw kitty who is also my assistant editor in charge of pet product reviews. And as a misunderstood black cat, he has an important mes...
Pet Shops Spotlight: Warren London Created: Monday, June 17, 2013 Updated: Monday, June 17, 2013
Meet Warren London, a New York-based company that is taking the pet grooming industry by storm with its unique line of dog nail polish pens and other high-quality dog grooming products with the fin...
All About Pet Reptiles and Lizards Created: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Updated: Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Pet reptiles and lizards have dramatically grown in popularity around the world within the last decade or so. Here is a handy collection of articles about our reptile friends, along with news perta...
Pet Supplements/Vitamins Update Created: Thursday, May 30, 2013 Updated: Saturday, June 08, 2013
Pet supplements and vitamins represent a healthy market within the industry. This has also become a complex, highly competitive market. Learn about what's new, what's selling, how and why.
Paw Sweet Journal© June 2013: Major Pet Food Companies News Created: Friday, June 07, 2013 Updated: Friday, June 07, 2013
There were a lot of interesting developments among major pet food companies in late spring 2013, including plant closings, a plant opening, new products and more. Here's what was happening as of Ju...
Best Pet Snakes Supplies Created: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 Updated: Friday, June 07, 2013
Pet snakes are more popular than ever around the world. So it's a wise idea for pet retailers to carry amphibian supplies, and learn as much as they can about these fascinating creatures. Here are ...
Reptiles Around the World Created: Monday, April 29, 2013 Updated: Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Reptiles and amphibians are hotter than ever across the globe. Here is some info about the fascinating herptiles trade around the world.
Pet Shops Books Created: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 Updated: Tuesday, June 04, 2013
When it comes to inventory essentials, pet shops really should consider carrying a decent array of books about pets. Here are some well-respected pet shop books for your store.
Fun Ways to Diversify your Pet Store Created: Monday, November 15, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Here are some great tips for diversifying a pet store by adding fun new services to expand an existing business. Learn all about doggie day care, pet massage and in-store pet photography right here.
Tips for Women in Business Created: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Updated: Sunday, June 02, 2013
Women in business face a number of challenges unique to them. I spoke with Shawna Schuh, president of Women in the Pet Industry Network about how to overcome these challenges for maximum success.
Pet Friendly Lodging for Posh Pooches Created: Monday, May 20, 2013 Updated: Monday, May 27, 2013
Pet travel and lodging are now big business. Meet the D pet Hotels, which takes the concept to a whole new level by offering incomparable luxury for posh pooches.
New Pet Supplies for Spring 2013 Created: Friday, May 24, 2013 Updated: Saturday, May 25, 2013
Here is a report about a bunch of cool new pet supplies for spring 2013, including '80s-inspired dog products from Bret Michaels; a new line of Burt's Bees pet care products, a paw-some natural cat...
Great Products for Pet Lovers Created: Saturday, May 18, 2013 Updated: Monday, May 20, 2013
If you're interested in carrying cool products for pet lovers not easily found elsewhere, then look no further than Pangea Brands, which offers a collection of toasters for critter fans.
Meet Chuck Simons: The Pet 'Groomer's Helper' Created: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 Updated: Monday, May 20, 2013
This installment of the "Pet Professional" series features Chuck Simons, inventor of the Groomer's Helper®, a safety and positioning device that has helped to revolutionize the pet groomer ind...
Backer Pet Trade Show Gets a Makeover Created: Monday, May 06, 2013 Updated: Monday, May 20, 2013
Following lagging attendance and the sale of its trade magazine Pet Age, H.H. Backer is primed to climb back to the top of the pet trade show world with a whole new image. Heres what's in store for...
How Pet Groomers Can Increase Their Bottom Line Created: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 Updated: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Here are some suggestions for tools for pet groomers to help them to upgrade their services and increase their sales.
Honest Pet Products, ‘Paw-some’ Hemp Pet Toys and More Created: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 Updated: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Green and earth-friendly pet products are all the rage these days. Learn about a company called Honest Pet Products that makes pet toys and pet grooming products made from hemp, and helps people in...
Tropical Fish Store Startup Tips Created: Thursday, January 27, 2011 Updated: Friday, May 17, 2013
Have you ever dreamed of starting your own tropical fish store? Although that's a fascinating undertaking, these types of pet shops are also very complex. Learn all about the factors one needs to c...
Hurricane Sandy Pets Report Created: Sunday, November 04, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 17, 2013
Hurricane Sandy left a huge path of destruction all along the East Coast of the U.S. Here is some news about how it affected pets, and those within the pet industry.
Best Pet Fish for Beginners Created: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 Updated: Friday, May 17, 2013
Acquiring pet fish for the first time is a memorable experience, especially for kids, who will rely on local fish store proprietors to educate them about the best types of fish for beginners, as we...
Easy Pet Business Ideas Created: Sunday, January 08, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 17, 2013
For those who dream of getting into the pet business, a start-up doesn't have to cost a paw and a leg, or require extensive training. Here are some great, easy pet business ideas.
Fish Hobbyist News for Pet Stores Created: Friday, October 12, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 17, 2013
Here's some news for the fish store sector, from a possible ban on dwarf seahorses to info about a new business support platform for LFS operators, the hottest fish and aquaria trends and more.