Pet Valu Companion Magazine Fall 2012

}Meet our Pet Appreciation Story Contest Winner P.16

Fall I 2012 Your Pet. Your Life. Your Store

Pet Valu

Eco-friEndly toys

INSIDE

ProductReviewour pets put Pet Valu's top products to the test

Ask the Pet Experts We'll find the answer p.5

something new for your cat

NEWPRODUCT

IN-STORE

find out more 〉 p.6

RoleTreat

Treats if you please 〉 p.14

of the

Back to Cool

Fall Apparel forDogs

PumpkinYOUR PETS'

SUPER-FOOD

Hedgehogs A different tyPe of Pet!

Where is the Kitten Food?Pet of the Month

Jokes, Games & Skinny Pigs

Editor KellieMcCutcheon dESiGN DanielCullen CoNtributorS DavidSummers,Ph.D. CandaceEberts,TeraCashen, LuaEmilia,AlisonPreiss, GavinCarothers

editors page

iam pretty sure Lucy’s favourite time is fall. Summer days are spent trying to beat the heat, laying on cool tile or finding the perfect shady spot out-side. Winter is fun but her time outside is limited to what I can handle (my

favourite season is summer…) and her paws have been known to crack from sidewalk salt. Spring is muddy and wet, which inevitably means more baths than she would like. For Lucy, fall is perfect.

One thing Lucy and I both love about fall is pumpkin. Pumpkin is one of Lucy’s all-time favourite snacks (and my favourite latté flavour). Did you know pumpkin is a pet super-food? It's packed with vitamins and your pets will find it delicious! Look to page 11 for all the benefits of pumpkin and why you should always have an extra can in your cupboard.

While pumpkin is a very healthy treat for dogs, there are a ton of other nutritious treats available for your pet. On page 8, a panel of pets review some of your favourite treats and on page 14 we talk about what role treats play in training, rewarding and bonding with our pets.

I hope you and your pets have a wonderful, pumpkin-loving, treat-filled fall!

Happy reading,

Kellie McCutcheoneditor

contact usKellieMcCutcheon, Pet Valu Companion,

130 Royal Crest Court, Markham, ON, L3R 0A1

Foradvertisingopportunities,[email protected]

AN

Ad

iAN

E

dit

ioN

Product availability will vary by store location. Products may not be exactly as shown. Not responsible for typographical errors. Prices

listed are in effect until September 30, 2012 and thereafter are sub-ject to change without notice. Please note that the suggested retail

prices referenced in Companion magazine are merely suggestions and may differ in stores. ©2012 PET VALU

3 Newin-Store Find out what’s happening in-store & meet Petunia!

4 CheckoutGo!andNoWFresh New look and better than ever

5 PetExpertsAnswer YourQuestions Your tricky questions are answered here!

6 Performatrinultra Grain-FreeCatisHere All the details about your cat’s new favourite food

7 ForFashionablePetsonly Collars & leashes that combine function & fashion!

8 PetValuProductreview How do our products stack up?

10 AllLifeStagesCatFood What does that mean?

11 Pumpkin-palooza! Healthy & delicious!

14 treatPlease Get the most out of treat time!

16 PetAppreciation StoriesWinner Meet Dawn & Regan!

18 HedgehogLove Do’s & Don’t’s about these quilled critters

20EcoPetProducts Earth friendly toys for your furry friends!

21FallFashion All the “coolest” clothes are here

22KidZone! Learn new pet jokes!

23MeetHairy& ExamineProteins All about Hairy and learn about protein

in this issue

®™ trademarks used under license.

follow us onwww.petvalu.com

Fun ProductsIn-Store

2012 fALL Companion 3

didyouknowthatsomeofourstoreshavepetsoftheirveryown?Manyhavebirds,catsanddogs,butthePickering,oNstore(locatedat705Kingstonroad)decidedtogoadifferentroutebyhavingapot-belliedpignamedPetunia.Weheardthatshehadquitethepersonality,sowedecidedtogettoknowheralittlebetterbyholdingacelebrityinterview.

❉it’sverynicetomeetyou,MissPetunia.Please,callmeToony!❉ Weheardyoulovetoeat.Whatkindsofthingsareusuallyonthemenu?Myparents,Karen&Dave,trytokeepmehealthysotheyusuallyfeedmepigkibble,bokchoy,romainelettuce(noiceberg,thanks),andfruitsuchaswatermelon,applesandbananas.I’lleatcarrots,butonlyiftheyarecooked.❉ Forabreedwithpot-belliedrightthereinthename,youstillstayveryfit.What’syoursecret?It’sactuallynosecret,Iliketoplayalot!Myfavouritetoysareplasticwaterbottlesandcardboardboxes,aslongastheyhaveCheerioshiddeninside.Ialsoloveplayinginmyrootingbox;it’saboxfilledwithrocksthatIcandigthroughtofindmytreatsthatsomeonehashiddenforme.

❉ Howaboutyoutellyourfansaboutsomeofyourotherfavouriteactivities.Iliketolieatthefrontdoorofthestoreandwatchthepeoplewalkby.Sometimes,onwarmsunnydays,I’llevengowalking.Iabsolutelylovesplashingaroundinmyveryownpiggypool,andnothingbeatshavingmybellyrubbed.❉ Soundslikeyou’vegotafunlife!Ireallydo,butwhatIlovebestissharingthejoybymakingpeoplesmile.Sometimespeoplecomeintothestorewhomaybefeelingalittledown,butaftertheymeetmethey’realwayssmiling.WhatcanIsay,I’mmyownclaimtofame!❉ thanksfortakingthetimetotalktous,toony.You’rewelcome.Ican’twaittogetsomevisitsfrommyfans!

• Read more about Petunia on our blog! www.petvalu.com/blog

Toony

Pet? Check. Computer? Check. Love to talk about your pets online? Check.Pet Valu’s online community is filled with coupons, tip & tricks, exclusive offers and contests. It’s a great spot for pet parents to share stories, post pictures of their fur babies and ask questions of the Pet Valu team! What are people talking about online right now?

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/petvaluJoin us on Twitter @petvaluJoin us on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/petvaluJoin us on email www.petvalu.com/signup

Zoo Med MoPanI Wood50081 • from $7.99

FloPPy dISc dog ToyS

53481 • $14.99

ZM WIPe ouT50064 • $5.99

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JW crackle & crunch dog ToyS

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4 Companion fALL 2012

new food

Withanew,‘fresh’lookandsomeadditionalformu-las,Go!andNoWFrESHarelookingtotakethepetfoodaislebystorm!

The packaging is not the only thing they have enhanced; GO! and NOW fRESH have also had some formula changes so the food better fits your pet's nutritional needs. The formula changes vary depending on the recipe, but enhancements include increasing DHA levels, decreasing fat or adding ancient grains to their whole-grain diets (such as quinoa or kamut). GO! and NOW fRESH were already two fantastic Canadian foods – we are excited that they are constantly developing and evolving their formulas to meet the changing requirements of our household pets.

GO! and NOW fRESH are two unique brands made by the same company. Don’t know the difference between them? The chart below outlines the key differences and will help determine which of the two is a better fit for your dog or cat!

GO! & NOW FRESH

key dIFFerence Go! NoWFrESH

Primary Protein Source named meat meals (ex. chicken meal or salmon meal) make the food energy packed and filled with a concentrated source of protein

100% Market fresh Meats – like turkey, salmon or duck. the fresher the better for this formula!

Primary function

Go! fit & free – fitness food for everyday dogs and cats. the dog formulas come in puppy, adult or senior and the cat formulas are for all life stages.

Go! refresh & renew – revitalize your pet’s energy needs. this is a ‘whole-grain’ formula for all life stages.

Go! Sensitivity & Shine – Made for dogs & cats with food allergies or sensitivities.

noW freSH Large Breed – Made with your large breed dog in mind, which includes added ingredients for hip & joint care.noW freSH Puppy, Adult, Senior dog, Cat, Kitten & Senior Cat – Specially formulated for your pet's life stage.

noW freSH Small Breed – Kibble designed to help with chewing, sensitive stomachs and fresh breath.

Grains Available in whole-grain or grain-free formulas. All noW freSH formulas are only available in grain-free.

✱ Lucy Loves ✱

by kellIe MccuTcheon

It's Back & Better than ever!

It's Back & Better than ever!

Hello! I am enjoying Pet Valu Companion magazine. Is there anybody out there that

knows what tool can handle the mats that my Bouvier gets? Bouvier’s don’t shed –

their fur clumps every now and then, which is great, but the matting is terrible.

I’m beginning to think buzzing him down and starting from scratch is the only answer.

Regular grooming can be expensive. I need a tool to use at home but need help

finding something that actually works. Any suggestions?

diANECooKE –SEAGrAvE,OnTArIO.

Whenitcomestomatting,nofancy

gadgetsarerequired,butitisoneof

thosecaseswhereanounceofpreven-

tionisworthapoundofcure.regular

brushingshouldpreventmatsfrom

forming,butitdoesn’thavetobea

chore.Setasideafewminutestwoor

threetimesaweektogiveyourdogan

all-overbrush(don’tforgettheinsides

ofhislegs!).notonlywillthiskeep

himlookinghisbestandmat-free,but

itwillalsohelpyoukeeptrackofany

changesinyourpet,liketenderareas

orlumps.Makeitafuntimefor

youbothbyofferinghimspecial

grooming-time-onlytreats.

Whenyoudofindamatortangle,useademattingbrushandtryadetangling

spraytogentlyeaseitout.

I am interested in getting a bird, I live in a condo so I thought it was a perfect

“small house” pet but then I see that you need to let them fly around and spread

their wings. How much space does a bird really need?? I want to make sure I have

all these answers before I go and adopt my new pet! Thanks for your help!

dAVid–MISSISSAuGA,OnTArIO.

Younevermentionedwhatspeciesofbird

youwerelookingfor,butinasmallerliving

space,Iwouldsuggestasmallbirdspecies

suchasacanary,budgieorfinch.Whenbuy-

ingacage,youneedtotakeintoaccounthow

activeyourbirdisandhowmuchtimehewill

spendinsidehiscage.Whenpickingacage,

alwaysgoasbigasyoucan,keepinginmind

thecostandwhatwillfitinyourhome.

Forsmallbirds,additionalcagewidthis

moreimportantthanheight,asthewidthwill

givethemmoreroomtohopfromperchto

perch.Birdcagesneedtobementallyand

physicallystimulatingtoabird,somakesure

thereisenoughroomforyourbird'stoysand

amplespacetomovearound.Properbar

spacingisalsoveryimportant,toprevent

injury,yetwideenoughforperching.While

smallbirdsneedroomtoflutter,large

birdsneedroomtostretchandflaptheir

wingsforexercise.

Ask the Pet Experts!


asK tHe pet eXperts

clean life house Bird cage51077 • $99.99

JW dematting Brush

52786 • $14.99

have a queSTIon?We have Pet eXPertS that

can answer your pet questions.

email your question to

[email protected]

and you could see your

question printed in the next

issue of Companion!

• only questions that will be published

will be answered. Please include name

and city of residence.

new food!


W e know. We get it. Finding cat food that your cat loves is not easy. Never mind the challenge of finding healthy, cat food that your feline will go bonkers over. Cats are more discerning with

their food than other pets. They are particular to certain textures, smells and tastes. This is why we are so eager to tell you about Performatrin Ultra Grain-Free Cat – a new addition to the Performatrin family – that is sure to impress your cat’s palate and your health - and dollar - conscious family.

Performatrin Ultra food is holistically made – meaning that it goes beyond your pet's basic daily dietary needs and focuses on your pet's whole health. Performatrin Ultra Grain-Free food was the next addition to the Performatrin family, providing healthy, whole food recipes for pets that prefer a grain-free diet. Performatrin Ultra Grain-Free is now available for dogs and for cats.

Our lovable, cuddly, household cats are carnivores at heart. It’s this basic principle which explains why they love this food so much. Performatrin Ultra Grain-Free Cat contains a high meat content, making it irresistible to your cat or kitten.

Never heard of All Life Stages food before? This means that this food was designed for your brand new kitten, your healthy adult cat or your mature

senior cat. As described in detail on page 10, All Life Stage food means you don’t need to switch foods as your cat reaches certain ages, just the quantity of food you serve them (seniors will eat less than adult cats).

All Life Stages food makes feed-ing your cat a breeze, especially in a multi-cat household where

you cannot seem to keep those little noses out of each other's bowls!

Just for Cats!


What's in it?typically,healthyfoodsarenotthemostdelicious(askanykid)butthisfoodhas4keyingredientsthatmakeithealthyandtastyforourpets:

Meat–Catslovemeatandthisfoodhastheperfectblendofturkey,salmon,duckandchickenthatisgoingtoimpresseventhemostfinickyoffelines.Thiscombinationofproteinsprovidesyourcatswiththeaminoacidstheyneedtobuildstrongmusclesandahealthyskinandcoat.

CranBerrY –urinarytracthealthisacom-monconcernamongcatowners,whichiswhywholecranberrieswereaddedtotherecipetodiscourageharmfulbacteriafrombuildinginthedigestivetract,preventinfectionsandprovideyourcatbeneficialanti-oxidants,vitaminsandminerals.

oMega-3–Salmon,oneofthefourmeatsinthisfood,alsoprovidesanincredibleamountofomega-3essentialfattyacidstoyourcat'sdietwhichhelpreducesheddingandimproveskinandcoat.

YUCCa sHidigera–Aprebioticthatpromoteshealthybacteriaandahealthydigestivetract,meaninglitterboxandbodyodoursarenoticeablyreduced.

TranSITIon TIP

When transitioning to a new food, keep in mind that cats have delicate digestive systems, so don’t rush it. start by mixing 25%

of the new food into 75% of the old food. feed this blend for a few days. After that, mix the

foods 50-50 for the next few days. then feed 75% of the new food and 25% of the old

food for a couple days. After this transition, your cat should be fully

adapted to the new food and you can feed the new food exclusively.

good To knoW!

MADE INCANADA

avaIlaBle In Three SIZeS17025 • 6 kg bag $52.99

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leading fasHion


Spots-Light LED Collars & LeashesAsthedaysbecomeshorter,thereisaverygoodchanceyouaretakingyourdogonhisnightlywalkinthedark.Staysafewithalight-upleashandcollar.Whenthecollarandleashareturnedon,yourpoochisvisiblefrom350yardsaway!Thismeansdrivers,otherdogsandtheirownersareabletoseeyouandyourdogcoming.Alight-upleashandcollarisalsoextremelyhelpfulwhenvisitingacot-tageorparkintheevening,whereyouarenotentirelyfamiliarwiththelandscape.Andifyourdogunexpectedlyfindssomewatertosplashin,nottoworry,thecomponentsarewaterresistant.Thecollarsandleashesareequippedwithtwosmall,replaceablebatter-iesthatlastforupto75hoursofcontinuoususe(goforanhour-longwalkeverynightanditwilllastyou2½months).Withthelightbeingbuiltin,youcansuccessfullyavoidfranticallylookingforamisplacedlightrightbeforeyouheadoutthedoor.Anythingthathelpsyouandyourpetstayvisiblewhenitgetsdarkgoesalongwayinkeepingyoubothsafe!

Follow Our Lead


When it’s time to replace your pet's collar or leash (or add one to her ever-so-stylish

collection), be sure to check out these new options. These new products are a perfect

balance of function and fashion.

Up Country Collars & LeashesYouknowyouarea“petperson”whenyougetexcitedaboutnewcollarandleashpatterns!Buthowcanyounotgetexcited?Thesefantasticnewpatternswillturnanyoneintoapetperson.Thesewashablecollarsandleasheshavestrongandsecurehardware,makingthemattractiveandpractical.SomeofourfavouritesincludetheBellapattern,whichwouldlookgreatonanydog,aswellastheüber-fashionableHeart&Bonepatternwhichisperfectforanytimeoftheyear.Theadjustablecollarsareverypracticalforgrowingpuppies(getlongeruseoutofthem!)aswellaspetswhoputonalittleextraweightinthecoolerweather.Allthecollarsarestainandfrayresistant;builttobeaneverydaycollarforyourextraordinarypet.

Allleashesare6feetlongandcollarscomeinsmall,mediumandlarge.unsureaboutsizing?Bringyourpetinandhavethemfittedrightinthestore.

up country collars & leashes• from $19.99

Spots-light collars & leads• from $24.99

✱ Lucy Loves ✱

prodUCt review


by lua eMIlIa

You expect a lot from your pet products. You need tools and supplies that are effective and easy to use, treats that are palatable, and above all, you want to give your

pets the very best. So we unleashed our discerning team of product reviewers (and their owners!) to put some of our products to the test.

product:FurminatorGroomingtools–dog•from $44.99promise: Thedesignoftheedgeallowsthetooltopushthroughthetopcoattoeasilyandgentlyremovetheundercoatandloosehair.Won’tcutordamageyourdog’sdelicateskin.

Youwouldn’tbelievethefurrymessmytinyteacupChihuahuausedtoleavebehindonmyclothes.Iwasabitskepticalabouthowmuchthiswouldhelpsincesheissosmallandhasashortcoat,

butevenafterjustthefirstbrushingInoticedamajorimprovement.veryimpressed!•Lua&Zoë-5/5

TheFurminatoreasilyandefficientlyremovedexcesshaironourGoldenretrieversandEnglishCockerSpanielswithoutdamagingtheirskinortheirtopcoat.Wearenowrecommendingthistoolasanessentialandsafedoggroomingtooltoallofourpuppybuyersandotherdogownerfriends. •Michele&darrylandthedogsofblackpoolPerm.reg.Kennel-5/5

Product Review

product: FurminatorNailGrinder•from $49.99

promise: Thedesignofthiscordless,battery-includedtool

ensuresnailtrimmingissafe,efficientandpainless.AutomaticLED

lightensuressafetyandmaximizescontrol.

Welovedthesafetylightandtheplasticcoverhelpedkeepthe

processclean.Themotorwasquieterthanthatofothergrinders

onthemarket,whichhelpsifyourdogisnervousabouthavingher

nailsdone.Thedownsideisthatthegrinderwasn’tpowerfulenough

tohandlelargerbreeds,butitwouldbeperfectforsmalldogs.

•Alison&denver–4/5

nail-cuttingtimeisalwaysastrugglewithmydogashernails

aresotinythatclipperstendtopinchthesoftcuticle.Ittooka

littlegettingusedto,butafterafewnailssherealizedthatthe

grinderwasn’thurtingherandshestartedtorelax.Bestofall,

thegrinderleftasmoothfinish,nofilingrequired!

Lua&Zoë–4/5

product: FurminatorGroomingtools–Cat•from $49.99promise: Effectivelyreduceshairballsandreducessheddingupto90%.Guaranteedtoreducesheddingbetterthananyotherbrush,rakeorcomb.Easytocleanandremoveloosehair.Furminatorremoveslotsofhairandiseasytoclean.ItreducestheamountofhairleftclingingtomyhandwhenIpetthecats.Asforhairballs,it’shardtotelliftherewasamajorreduction.•daniel&KeenEddie&CaptainAwesome–4/5Thisproductissoeasytouse.Itdidagreatjobcombingoutthefineundercoat.Mycatdidn’tmindbeingbrushedatall!•Leslie&Marley4/5

Thisisanamazingproduct.Thetoolcollectssomuchhairwhenyoustartbrushing,somakesurethereisnodraftoritwillfly!Asyoucontinuetousethecomb,thereislessandlesshair.IusedtopetSonnyonthecouchwhilewatchingTvandgethandfulsofhair,butnotanymore!•Sherri&Sonny4/5

product: Vet’sbest–Gasbusters•from $16.99promise: Helpstoalleviateoccasionalgas,bloating,foulstoolodouranddigestiveupset.Formulatedtosupportnormal,healthydigestionandproperabsorptionofnutrients.Easy-to-feedtablets.

Theydidn’thavethegreatestsmellwhenIopenedthejar,butLucylovedit!Onthefirstdayshewasextragassy,butafterthatwenoticedabigdifference.Shereallylikedthetasteofthem,soitwaseasytogivethemassupplements.Withabigdog,wegotthroughthejarquickly,soIwouldbuytwoatatimemovingforward.•Kellie&Lucy–4/5


prodUCt review

product: PawGanicstoyCleaner•from $7.99promise:natural,non-toxicandeffective.noneedtorinse.Thisproductistoughondirt,droolandgrime,withoutleavingharshchemicalsbehind.veryeasytouse.Therewasnoneedtorinsethetoys,mydogseemedtoagreewiththeproductanditdidn’tmakehimsick.•ioana&Chipici–5/5Thedirtandgrimecameoffeasilywiththiscleaner.It’scomfortingtoknowthatit’shealthy,becauseLucypickeduphercleantoysrightaway.Iwaseveninspiredtowashallofherplushtoystoo!•Kellie&Lucy–5/5

Thisproductwasexcellent!IputpeanutbutterinaKongformydog–shelovesit–butlasttimeIoverstuffedtheKonganditwasdifficulttogeteverythingout.ButwiththehelpofthePawGanics,someQ-tipsandsomepapertowelsherKongnowlooksgoodasnew.Itevengotoutthelittlepiecesofrubberthatcomeofffromscrubbing.Iwoulddefinitelyrecommendthis!•tanvi&Marley–5/5

product: GreenGrass-GrassGuardWafer•from $10.99

promise:Thesewafershelpreduceurinarynitrogenlevelsand

neutralizethepotentialforhighpH(alkaline)urinethatcandamage

grass.Thistastywaferpromotesahealthypetandspotlesslawn.

Thesebiscuitshaveastrongsmellbut

thedogsdidn’tseemtomind!Thereare

afewyellowspotsstillonthelawn,

butwithmultipledogsIsuspectthat

isbecausetheyliketocopyeach

other’speespots.

•Alison&denver–3/5

Iusedthisproductfortwoweeks,

andthoughMemphislikedhow

theytasteIcan’tconcludethatthe

wafersmadeadifferenceforour

lawn.Tokeepthewafersfrom

goingstale,Iwouldrecommend

usingachipcliponthebag

inadditionthebuilt-inseal.

•Gavin&Memphis–2.5/5

product:Greenies-Cat•from $3.99promise: Clinicallyproventohelpreducetartarandplaquebuild-up.Freshensbreath.Has

agreattastethatcatswilllove.unfortunately,mycatFerguswasnotinterestedinthesetreats.Mycousin’scatOreo,however,enjoyedthemverymuchandshedidnoticethatOreohadfresher-smellingbreath.•Andrea&Fergus–1/5Andrea&oreo–4/5

product:Greenies-dog•from $9.99

promise:Clinicallyproventoreduceplaque

andtartarbuild-up.

Ilovedthisproduct.Mydogisverysensitive,

andeatinganythingotherthanhisdogfoodcan

makehimsick.HelovedtheGreeniesandnever

gotsick.Bestofall,hedoesn’thavebad

breathanymore!•ioana&Chipici–5/5

Manydentaltreatsarehard,makingithard

tocutthemintoasizemoreappropriatefor

my5lbpup.Thesetreatsweresoftenough

tobendinhalf,whichIreallyliked.Mydog

adoresthesetreats,andIadoreher

fresherbreath!•Lua&Zoë–5/5

✱ Lucy Loves ✱

dr. dave


t his may be a question that you ask yourself when you want to buy grain-free food for your kitten or puppy. You look, but for most grain-

free brands you can’t find them. Why? Well, for the brands without kitten or puppy foods, if you were to read through the label from start to finish, buried in there somewhere, usually in the AAFCO statement, will be the words "formulated to meet the needs for All Life Stages". An All Life Stage food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of both growing pets and adult pets. That is nice to know, but what you are really interested in is, “Is this food as good as a puppy or kitten food, or if I want the best food should I be buying food specific-ally labeled as a puppy or kitten food?”

FoodHasComeaLongWayTo answer that question we need to look at why puppy and kitten foods were originally developed. Back when puppy and kitten foods were first introduced the nutritional quality of dog and cat foods was much poorer than it is today. As the nutritional knowledge of dogs and cats advanced it became clear that puppies and kittens needed better foods than were currently available. Puppy and kitten foods were developed to give pups and kittens the proper nutrition they needed. There are quite a few nutritional differences between a growth food and an adult food but the most apparent are the higher fat and protein levels. The higher fat level gives the puppy or kitten food more energy to meet the growing pet’s higher metabolic rate, and the higher protein provides the amino acids needed to build muscles and other tissues. As the years went by there was a great improvement of all dog and cat foods and

Where is the Kitten

Food?by davId SuMMerS, Ph.d.

the nutritional differences between growth foods and adult foods lessened considerably.

NeedsArebeingMetEspecially in the case of cats, because the nutritional differences are less between kittens and adult cats than between puppies and adult dogs. The nutritional need for a separate kitten food almost disappears with a high quality food. With the introduction of higher meat protein, grain-free foods, the last major difference between puppy and kitten foods versus adult foods has disappeared in most brands. The higher protein and fat levels mean these foods have all the protein and energy required for growing pups and kittens, and because more of the protein comes from meat, these foods also have more of the other unique nutrients required by growing pets. For example, the kitten’s higher requirement for taurine is met because meat protein is a good source of taurine. The same is true for all the nutrients required by puppies and kittens. Most grain-free foods with a high meat protein level are difficult or impossible to improve upon as puppy or kitten foods. DHA to help brain development is met in foods that have fish ingredients, such as salmon.

readtheLabelThere is a wide variety of grain-free foods and not all of them make equally good growth foods. Grain-free foods that are low in protein, under 28% for dogs and under 33% for cats, are not good options for growing pup-pies and kittens. With a few excep-tions, the first two ingredients should be meat ingredients. The tradition of having higher protein and fat levels for puppies and kittens doesn’t apply to grain-free food, as they already have a higher fat and protein level. Having too much protein coming from meat starts to upset the nutri-tional balance of other nutrients, in particular the mineral balance need-ed for pups and kittens. Because the optimum range of required nutrients is narrower for growing pets, having too much of particular nutrients, like minerals, is as much a concern as having too little.

HighQualityAllLifeStagesNot finding a puppy, or especially a kitten food, is not unique to just grain-free foods. It is not unusual to not find kitten foods for many of the high quality holistic cat food brands as well, because kitten formulas are simply not needed. Often having a kitten food is more directed at you than at what your kitten needs. With pups, there is a greater nutritional difference between pups and adult, and not surprisingly more of the holistic brands that do not have kitten foods do in fact have puppy foods.

natural Balance limited Ingredient diet grain-Free cat Food• price from $16.99All Life Stages, balanced nutrition that is gentle on sensitive stomachs.

nature's variety Instinct grain-Free cat Food• price from $11.99All Life Stages, holistic and helps improve skin & coat.


pUMpKin

W hen we think of pumpkin, we think of carving faces, scooping out the inside, or baking for pumpkin pies. But pump-

kin isn’t just a decoration. Pumpkin is an extremely versatile fruit that sometimes doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

Pumpkin is an amazing super-food with a super-pack of vitamins (A, C and E to name a few), antioxidants, and minerals. Pumpkin also has the advantage of being filling, anti-inflammatory, low in saturated fat and very low in cholesterol and sodium. It is perfect for pets with diabetes too, as it has a low glycemic load and doesn’t increase blood sugar lev-els very much.

SUPER-FOOD! The main benefit for dogs and cats is the dietary fibre that pumpkin contains. This eases the dreaded food transition, whether transitioning a pet from one protein source to another (say from chicken to lamb), or from one brand of food to another.

Anyone who has switched a pet from one food to another without any of the old food knows the problems that can occur. The biggest problem is diarrhea. This occurs because the digestive flora in the digestive tract have adapted to the nutrients and the proper breakdown of food that the current food gives them. When a food is switched, the flora may not receive the same nutrients that they expect. This hinders your pet's ability to break the food down efficiently, giving the pet diarrhea.

By adding pumpkin to the pet’s diet, the dietary fibre in the pumpkin gives the digestive flora the nutrients and ability to adopt to the new food. The stool continues to be firm because the digestive tract can do its job normally despite the new food.

Pumpkin’s fibre can help relieve constipation too. The fibre helps keep enough moisture in the stool, making it easier for the pet to pass its stool.

PUMPKIN PRODUCTS EVERYWHERE! There are many products that contain pumpkin to help with these functions, such as Nummy Tum-Tum’s pumpkin puree in a can. Just add a few dollops to the pet’s food according to the directions, or freeze in an ice tray and give as a treat.

Firm Up! Pumpkin contains both pumpkin and apple fibre and comes in a powder form, which makes it handy for travelling with your pet.

Look for pumpkin in treats too, most notably Fruitables, which has several flavours of crunchy treats that also contain a variety of other fruits. These treats are packed with nutrition and are small enough to act as training treats too.

You can also find pumpkin in the food section. Weruva has canned food for both cats and dogs and contains either puree or cubed pumpkin. These can be added on top of the dry food as an extra treat, or can be used as a meal in itself. Look for the chicken varieties, such as ‘Funky Chunky’ or ‘Grandma’s Chicken Soup’.

So next time you carve a pumpkin, think about giving some fruit to your dog or cat, or come in to your local Pet Valu and grab an amazing pumpkin-filled product.

by Tera caShen

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Treats if you please:

KNOWiNG THE ROLE Of

THE TREAT iN PET

PARENTiNGWhy Give Treats?

For dogs and cats, there are many good reasons to give them treats.

Maybe it's a reward, something to eat in between meals, or something to

keep them busy (so they’re not doing something bad!). It’s important to

know a thing or two about how treats can be used positively so that both

you and your pet can enjoy treat time and benefit from good pet behaviour.

That being said, don’t just buy any old treat for your furry buddy. You should

always read the label and make sure you are getting high-quality and

healthy products.

treats

The K9 Approach- Excitement is a no-no

Treatscanbeapowerfultoolfortrainingandawaytoreinforcegoodbehaviourinourdogs.Conversely,treatscanalsobeawayofreinforcingbadbehaviour,evenifwedon’trealizeit.Dogsseetreatsasaformofaffection,muchlikehugsandbelly-rubs.Whenwegiveourdogatreat,wearesendingamessagetotheirbrainthatwelikewhattheyaredoingatthatmoment,whetherit’ssittingquietlyandatten-tivelyorjumpingalloverustryingtograbthetreatfromourhand(baddog!).Thisiswhytreatsaresuchapowerfultrainingtool.Ifwearerepeatedlydoingasimpleexercise,liketeachingourdogtosit,atreatisawaytoreinforcethatbehaviour.Forthisreason,it’sveryimportantthatourdogassociatestreattimewithacalmandobedientstateofmind.

Attention Please!Here’ssomethingthatmaysurpriseyou:whenyouopenatreatbag,yourdogcanalreadysmellit.notonlythat,shecansmellwhatsomeofitsingredientsare.Trythis:askyourdogtositorliedownquietlyonceyouhavethetreatinhand.Ifyoustaycalm,theywillbecomecalm.Thekeyistobepatient!Waituntilyouhaveherfullattention,andthenslowlyplacethetreatinfrontofhersnoutsoshecantakeitfromyou.Gettingusedtothiskindofritualisimportanttoconditionourdogstorememberwhatkindofbehaviourisexpectedofthem.Givingourdogstreatsatvariousstagesofexcitementcanactuallyconfusethemtothepointwheretheywillnotknowwhatweaspetparentswantfromthem.

Medicine, What Medicine?Danglingatreatinfrontofyourpetcanalsobeaneffectivewayofkeepingherattentiononyou,andawayfromsomethingelse.Forexample,ifyoufindyouarehavingahardtimeputtingtopicalmedicationonyourdog,atreatcanbeagreatwaytomotivatehertositstillwhileyouhaveafriendorfamilymemberworktheirmedsmagic.

Walking Like a Good DogIfyouareteachingyourdoghowtowalkproperlyonleash,givingtreatsisalsoacceptable,thoughthetimingisalittlebitdifferent.Thebehaviouryoushouldbelookingforisthatsheiswalkingbesideorbehindyou,notleadingandnottryingtopullyouindifferentdirections.Thenumberonedistractionbywhichyourdogwillbeluredonwalksisstrangesmells.Havingsometreatsinyourpocketandkeepingoneinyourhandtodrawyourdog’sattentioncanhelptosetthepaceyoudesireforthewalkandhelpkeephernosefromgettingdistractedbyothersmells.

Keeping Them BusyTreatsusedinatoylikeaKongcanbeafunactivityforyourpoochaswell.Cleanthetoy,thenfillitwithafewoftheirfavouritetreatsandletthemhaveatit.Thiscanbeagoodbreakfromkeepingacloseeyeonapuppythat’steethingaswell.It’seasytoalmostfeelbadwatchingyourdoggoinsaneovertryingtogetthelasttreatout–youmayevenfindyourselfcavingandfishingitoutforthem.Butremember,thisactivityshouldalwaysbesupervised!

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treats

They're Different, AlrightAnyonewho’sbeenalong-timecatordogownerknowsthattheyarewiredquitedifferently.Domesticatedcatswereoriginallybredtohuntvermin,somostofthemarefairlyindependentandaren’tasobsessedwithgettingourattentionandpraiseasdogs.Catslovetreatsbecausetheytastegreat.Treatscanbeagreatwaytoreinforcepositivebehaviourwithyourcat,whetheritisafunbreakbetweenmeals,arewardforbehavingwell,oreventraining.Yes,catscanbetrainedtoo,believeitornot!

Good KittySometimesaspartofourdutiesofgoodpet-parentingweneedtoengageinactivitieswithourkittythathemaynotlike.Thiscaninclude:nailtrimming,brushing,earcleaning,medicating,orteethbrushing.Treatscanbeagreatwayofreinforcinggoodbehaviourafterwehavefinishedoneoftheseactivities.Don’tforgettodotherequiredactivitycalmlyandovertimehewillbegintoassociatetheseactivitieswiththepositivereinforcementofatreat.Evenwhenyoucatchyourcatdoingsomethingright,likeusingthatscratchingpostinsteadofthecarpetoryournewsweateryouforgottohangup(whoops),atreatcanbeagreatwayofrewardingthisgoodbehaviour.

Yes, You CAN Train a Catnokidding!Butthisrequiresamodifiedapproachcomparedtodogs,andtreatsareagreattoolwhentrainingyourcat.Let’susetheexampleofgettingyourcattositonachair.Catsgetboredeasily,sokeepyourtrainingsessionsrelativelyshort.It’salsohelpfultouseaclickerorsomethingthatmakesaclickingnoisesuchasapen,immediatelywhenhehasdemonstratedthebehaviouryou’relookingfor,followedbyatreat.Fortraininghimtositonachair,trainhiminstages.Firstly,rewardhimjustforjumpingonthechairandgivingyouhisattentionwhenyou’veasked.Whatevercommandoractionyouuse,justkeepitsimpleandconsistentfortheactionyouarelookingforhimtodemonstrate.Forthesecondorthirdtrainingsession,challengehimtositbyholdingthetreatinfrontofhimandslowlyarcupwardssohisnosefollowsyouupandhisrearstartstogodown.Evenifhedoesn’tsitallthewaydownonthefirstorsecondtry,stillgivehimthetreat.Gethimtoworktowardssittingallthewaydowneventually.

Whentreatsareusedfortherightreasonsandundertherightcircumstances,theycanbeagreatwaytopositivelyreinforcegoodpetbehaviour,torewardthem,orjusttohavesomegoodfun.Choosethetypeandfrequencyofyourtreatswithsomecareandyouwillfindthatthisisoneofmanywaystogetthemostoutofbeingapetparent!

Just for FunCatsarequiteeasytopleasewithtreats,aslongastheyliketheingredi-ents,theshape,andthetasteyou’reofferingthem.It’sactuallyquiteanicewaytobondwithyourcat.Youcanevenmakeagameoutofitbytossingthemaroundandwatchingyourcatchasethetreatsdown.Likeanything,remembertotreattheminmoderation.Treatsaren’tmeanttobearegularmealreplacement,andcatscanbecomeoverweightifweoverdoitwithoutprovidingthemenoughexerciseandawell-balanceddiet.

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Please tell us a little more about the impact that Regan has made in your life:

Regan has made a HUGE impact on my life. After our son died I felt it wasn’t fair to Regan to miss the obedience classes we were tak-ing, so we got right back into training. If it were not for being kept so busy with Regan’s training, I probably would not have left the house. Regan is such a sweet dog. She doesn’t leave my side, follows me from room to room around the house and she is totally dependent on me, which is something I needed at the time. That, and unconditional love!

You and Regan are involved in therapy work; please tell us a little more about how you got involved with that.

We have completed novice, intermediate 1, intermediate 2, and advanced training through Sparkwatch Professional Dog Train-ing in St. Catharines, Ontario. When the therapy dog training became available we jumped at the chance. The training Regan and I took through Sparkwatch follows the 12 guidelines of the CKC for Canine Good Neighbour certification.

Our trainer, Melodi Doiron-Bennett, is an evaluator for the CKC and we had to train and pass the test in order to be certified. Melodi and Tracy are amazing dog trainers and it is because of them that Regan and I are on this journey. We visit a local home for the aged and it is wonderful to see the smiles on the faces of the residents when they see the dogs. Many of these seniors have had pets in their lives and love to talk about them. We also visit a public school in our city every Wednesday where the children in the ESL (English as a second language) class read their books to the dogs. Some of the children are apprehensive about reading aloud in class, but they will read to a dog as the dogs are non-judgmental. While at the school we also visit the special needs class, and children who were once apprehensive about approaching the dogs now can’t wait for Wednesdays to interact with the dogs.

What is your favourite part of volunteering with your pet? What is Regan’s favourite part?

After I retired I knew I wanted to do volun-teer work, but had no idea at the time that it would be so rewarding. Visiting the seniors gives them something to look forward to, and the children have opened up and carry on a dialogue in class, drawing pictures

regan's storY


Heart of Gold(en) Our Winning Pet Appreciation Story

Tocoincidewithour2ndAnnualPetAppreciationWeekendandourfirstevernationalAdoptionWeekend,weaskedpetparentstotellusaboutthetimetheyhelpedapetorapethelpedthem.Wereceivedover1,200entriesandweretrulytouchedbytheincrediblestoriesweread.ThewinningentrycamefromDawnBergemann,ofSt.Catharines,Ontario.Dawn’sentryencapsulatedallthewonder-fulthingsthatpetsbringtoourlives,fromhelpingustoovercomepersonaltragedies,tobecomingmoreinvolvedinourcommunities,andjustenjoyingtheamazingbondthatwesharewiththeanimalswelove.

DawnwonayearoffreePerformatrinFoodforregan,aswellasanappearanceinourflyer.WeaskedDawntotellusalittlemoreaboutreganandthevolunteerworkthatsheandreganenjoytogether.

Interview by alISon PreISS


regan's storY

of the dogs and writing stories about them. They now know all the dogs’ names and often request a particular dog to read to. I absolutely love these visitations and look forward to meeting new children each week.

Regan especially likes when the children ask if they can give her a treat (which I carry with me).

When you and Regan aren’t out helping others, what do you like to do together?

When Regan and I aren’t visiting the nursing home and school we love to take long walks. Regan loves it and it certainly helps me get exercise I wouldn’t be getting if it were not for Regan.

What advice would you give other pet owners who are considering volunteering in a pet-based program?

For any pet owner I would urge you to get your dog into a therapy dog training program. You won’t regret it. It gives

you the satisfaction of helping others in your community. If you live in the Niagara Region I highly recommend Sparkwatch Professional Dog Training but there are classes in other areas. St. John Ambulance has a program, and you can get further information on the Canine Good Neighbour program from the Canadian Kennel Club.

read more great Pet Appreciation Stories onlinepetvalu.com/petappreciationcontest

A chance rescueAbbey cAt AdoptionAbbey catsAbbey foundationAction Volunteers for AnimalsAdopt a petAlberta Animal rescue crew society (AArcs)All Breed canine rescueAll Hearts Pet rescueAllies for Alley catzAlliston & district Humane societyAnimal AidAnimal AlertAnimal Assistance of niagaraAnimal care centerAnimal love foundationAnimal rescue foundation (A.r.f.)Animal shelter for HuntsvilleAnimal Welfare Association of HamiltonAnn and PeteArf Animal shelterArK Animal rescue KrewArnprior & district Humane societyAspen Valley Wildlife sanctuaryBarrie osPcABeamsville 4Paw rescueBig sky ranchBirch Haven rescueBlue Moon rescueBrandon Humane societyBrant county sPcABrantford sPcABullies in needBurlington Humane societyc.A.P.s.c.A.r.E. (cat Advocacy rescue and Education)caledon Animal sheltercalgary Humane societycanadian dachshund rescuecanadian Golden rescuecA-r-MAcat Adoption teamcat Busters Animal rescuecat rescue networkcats Anonymous rescue and Adoption

cK Animal rescuecommunity Animal Allies of niagaracommunity Association for riding for the disabledcool Kats rescuecraig street catsdarcy's Arkdog's dream rescueduke & duchessEast Beaches Animal shelterEast coast German shepherd rescueEdmonton Humane societyEtobicoke Humane societyfarley foundationfffAs (friends fundraising for Animal shelters)fixed for lifeflamborough Animal Assistancefor the love of lunaforgotten ones cat rescuefort Erie sPcAfour Paws rescuefriendly Giants dog rescuefunds for furry friendsfurry friendsGeorgina Bay Animal rescueGimli Humane society Goderich sPcAGolden opportunities Assistance dogsGood dog rescueGrand river All Breed rescueGrey Bruce Animal shelterGuelph Humane societyHamilton sPcAHomeless cat rescueHelping Homeless Pets.comHighland Animal relief teamHillsideHome Again BancroftHomeward Bound dog rescueHopeful HeartsHulls HavenHumane society of durham regionHumane society of Kawartha lakesHungry and Homeless cat rescueK-9 resQKings Branch sPcAKingston Animal rescue

Kingston Humane societyKool Kat rescueKW Humane societylanark Animal Welfare societylethbridge PAW societylincoln county Humane societylions foundation of canada dog Guideslittle cat lostlove of life Animal rescueloyalist Humane societyManitoba German sheppard rescueManitoba Great Pyrenees rescueManitoba MuttsManitoba small dog rescue inc.Manitoba Underdogs rescueMature dog AdoptionsMidland osPcAMilton K9 rescueMississauga Animal servicesMississauga Human societyMoncton sPcAMoose Jaw Humane societyMuskoka sPcAMuskoka Wildlife centernAfA (niagara Action for Animals)new Animal shelter for Uxbridge-scugognew Moon rabbit rescuenewmarket sPcAniagara falls Humane societynicole Briggsninth life cat rescuenoAWs (northern ontario Animal Welfare society)north Bay Humane societynorth Halton Kitten rescuenorth toronto cat rescuenorthern spirit K9northumberland Humane societyoakville and Milton Humane societyoakville Humane societyoasis Animal rescueoHsokotoks Pound rescueontario osPcA leeds & Grenville Branchontario sPcA Barrie Branchontario sPcA stormont, dundas &

Glengarry Branchoops a dazyorangeville sPcAorilllia sPcAorphan Kitten nurserieosPcAottawa Humane societyowen sound Animal shelterParkland Humane societyPAWs (People's Animal Welfare society)Persian dreams and canine themesPerth county osPcAPet PatrolPEtsAVEPickering Animal servicesPomeranian and small Breed rescuePomeranian rescuePrecious PawPrince Albert sPcAQuinty Humane societyrefuge rr for Horsesregina Humane societyrenfrew county osPcAres Q Merescue for liferescue siamese & stray catss.A.d.sault ste. Marie sPcAsAVEsave old soulsshaid tnrshebas Haven rescueshelter of Hopesimcoe Humane societysouthern ontario Animal rescuespay & neuter durhamspay neuter initiatives Associationspay neuter Kingston initiativesPcAsPcA Halifaxspeaking of dogsstreet catssudbury sPcAtAAGtAGstails to tell Animal rescue foundationtapa cat rescue

the Animal coalitionthe Animal Guardian societythe township of scugog Animal shelterthunder Bay & district Humane societythunder's runtimmins & district Humane societytiny Pawstlc Animal Aidtoronto Animal servicestoronto Animal services -West regiontoronto cat rescuetoronto People with Aids (Pet food Bank)Ugly MuttsUpper credit Animal rescueUrban cat reliefValley Boxer rescueVaughan Animal servicesVaughan Animal shelterVictoria county sPcAVrK KittensWallaceburg Animal shelterWasaga osPcAWelland and district Humane societyWhiskers and PawsWindsor Essex county Humane societyWindy city canine rescueWinnipeg Humane societyyarmouth sPcAyork region sPcAyour dog rescueyouth Unlimitedtimmins & district Humane society

PetWeekend

Appreciation In April, our stores raised over $614,000 for local pet rescues and charities, thanks to your generosity. Here is a list of all the organizations we were able to help.

As with the arrival of any new pet, it’s important to consider the care that they need, whether it be what type of habitat they may need or what kind of food they need to eat. A hedgehog can be quite a different type of pet, but once your hedgehog becomes used to you, it will be a rewarding experience.

rub-a-dub-dubHedgehogs are generally clean animals. They groom themselves as other pets would, but some-times they may not be able to clean certain spots, so it is important to inspect his quills regularly and clean him off if he is dirty. Check the feet too. You can use the bathroom sink or a small tub for his bath. Fill with enough warm water to cover his feet. A toothbrush or a soft baby brush can be used to clean through his quills. Then rinse well and dry him off thoroughly with a towel.

PricklyProfileThere are 15 species of the hedge-hog, but the most commonly seen as pets are the African pygmy hedgehogs.

In the wild, hedgehogs gener-ally live 2-3 years, but pet hedge-hogs can live up to 10 years if given the proper care. Hedgehogs use the quills on their back and sides for protection. If they sense danger is near, they draw in their stomach muscles and curl up into ball. This protects their face and undersides, which are covered with soft shaggy fur.

When the spines on the fore-head are erect, the hedgehog is shocked or cautious. They will also erect the spines on only one part of the body in the direction of whatever has disturbed them. But when the spines are laid f lat, the hedgehog is comfortable and relaxed.

HedgeHogs


bringHomebabyDon’t be alarmed if your hedgehog acts distrustful of you the first few days after coming home. He may roll into a ball or butt you with erected spines on his forehead. But he will quickly become acquainted to his new home and new people, and you can win him over that much more quickly by offering him mealworms or other treats.

Handle your hedgehog daily in the evening or early morning for short periods of time. This will allow him to get used to your scent and touch. Hedgehogs have very good senses of smell and hearing but they cannot see very well, so abrupt noises will startle them.

AHouseisaHomeThe indoor cage should not be too small as hedgehogs are very active and need lots of space to exercise. Make sure to have a proper cover on the cage to keep them from escaping. The cage should be well-ventilated. Keep the cage away from drafts and direct sunlight, and during cooler months be sure to monitor the temperature. Hedgehogs prefer warm climates, but if it gets too cold or too hot, they will go into hibernation. Like hamsters, hedgehogs sleep during the day and are active at night, so it is important to provide a good hidey hole for sleeping, preferably one that can block out light.

Hedgehogs also love to explore, so they can spend time outside of their cage in the house or outside in good weather. Don’t forget to supervise, and block off areas that may be dangerous to your pet.

dinnertime!You don’t have to go out into the garden to catch bugs to feed your hedgehog. There is a specialty dry food made just for hedgehogs that can be found at pet stores. Dry food will help to clean their teeth because the crunchy kibble will scrape their teeth as they eat.

Use a heavy food dish that cannot be tipped over, and fill a water bottle with fresh water daily. Feed your hedgehog once a day, in the late afternoon or early evening depending on when he wakes up, and be sure to monitor for weight gain.

That’s One Quilled Critterby Tera caShen

needto

Know• never force a hedgehog

to uncurl because this could harm him. dangle a tasty treat

by his mouth and wait for him to uncurl.

• Sometimes, hedgehogs will start foaming at the mouth

and begin spitting on themselves.

this is called self-anointing. Scientists are still unsure why hedgehogs do this.

• Hedgehogs can do well with other

animals, such as dogs, cats or rabbits. Supervise their first meetings.

8in1 hedgehog diet50298 • price from $8.9922 oz

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Pet valu is proud to introduce grain-Free cat as the newest member of the Performatrin ultra family.

dr. dave Summers, Pet valu’s nutritionist, has done it again. Performatrin ultra grain-Free Feline Formula was developed with the optimal health of your cats and kittens in mind.

• Packed with turkey, duck, chicken & salmon making this food irresistable to your cat

• Made for all feline life stages – built to support growing kittens and adult cats

• recipe includes cranberry, to support feline urinary health

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by candace eBerTS

do-it-yoUrSeLf!Natural, recyclable and environmentally friendly toys for cats and dogs have become increasingly popular choices for environmentally conscious pet par-ents. Natural and recycled materials are used as alternatives to provide safe and healthier toys. Without the use of chemicals and by reusing existing materials, natural and recycled toys are improving our environment. So what environ-mentally friendly toys are out there? Here is a variety of eco-friendly pet toys that will provide hours of healthy playtime for your pets.

AussieNaturalsoffersaselectionofwoolandJute/Cottonropetoys.Woolisafantastic,naturalmaterialthatisanti-microbialandrepelsbacteriaandodours!Coconutfillingisusedintheplushtoylineandis100%environmentallyfriendly;forchewing,snugglingorafungameoftug,Aussienaturalsdefinitelygivesyourdogsomethingtowaghistailabout.

WestPaw hasadurable,floatable,bouncylineoftoysthataremadefrom100%recycledmaterials.Eventhepackagingboastsrecycledpaperandsoybasedinks!Brightlycoloredandshapedtoentertain,WestPawofferschews,balls,tugsandfrisbeesforalltypesofplay.Thesetoysarefantasticforfun-filledafternoonsathome,waterfilledadventuresatthecottageandgeneralsharingfrenziesatyourlocaldogparks.

Planetdogoffersanenvironmentallyfriendlyselectionofmintyscentedtoysyourdogissuretolove.Madefromnon-toxic,recycledmaterials,PlanetDogtoysarebuoyant,durableandratedforchewersofalltypes!

Forcats,ourselectionoftoysvariesfromnaturaltoystoorganicallygrowncatniptoys.Checkoutourselectionoffish,balls,feathertailedchewsandevencigars!Yourcatwillenjoyhoursofentertainmentwithoneormoreofourmanyenvironmentallyfriendlyalternatives.

KongNaturals isalineofcattoysthatfeaturesmaterialsanddyesusedfromnatural,renewableresources.Specificallydesignedtostimulatethestalkingandhuntinginstinctsofcats,thenaturalcatnipfillingprovidesanaddedbonustothesuccessfulhunter.SomeKongnaturalsproductsofferastrawouterlayer,whichisquitedurableandoffersatexturedsurfacefullofnooksthataregreatforchewingandclawing.

Catitterratoys aremadefrom100%naturalmaterials.Eco-friendlyanddesignedwithyourcat’sbestinterestsinmind,CatItTerraToysaredesignedtoengageyourpetforhoursofpouncingandchasingfun.CheckouttheCatItTerraToyBallwithStringforsomequalityplaytimeforyouandyourfelinecompanion.

Yeowww! isacompanythatgrowsandmanufacturesorganiccatnip.Yeowww!toysarefilledtothemaxwithcatnipandzerostuffing!Offeredinawidevarietyofshapesandsizes,thesecatnipstuffedtoyswillkeepyouandyourcatquiteentertained.Forlicking,kicking,chewing,bitingandchasing,Yeowww!Catniptoysaremadefromatoughcottonmaterialstrongenoughtowithstandalltypesofplay.

Wedefinitelyhavetoyscoveredsohowaboutsomenaturaldo-it-yourselfalternatives?belowaresomeexcitingwaystokeepyourfurryfriendsentertained.

basicmaterialsarerequiredsobepreparedwithrecycledcontainers,tastytreatsandcreativehidingplaces.

Ice-ColdFrozentreatsareahealthy,cooltreatyoucanofferyourdogoryourcatduringthesummermonths.usingaplasticcontainer,layerafewtreatsatthebottomandaddsomewater.Freezeandrepeattheprocessuntilthecon-tainerisalmostfull.removeyourfrozentreatandplaceoutdoorsforyourpettoenjoy.

Found You!Hideandseektreatsareanotherfun,healthyandenvironmentallyappealingwaytoentertainyourpets.Chooseaselectionoftreatsthataredurable,tastyandchewyandhidethemaroundyourhouse!Catsanddogshaveanamazingsenseofsmellandwillbeabletoseekoutthesetasty,hiddensurprises.Feelfreetohidesometastytreatsoutdoorsaswell!

Withsuchawideassortmentoffuntochoosefrom,feelfreetovisityourlocalPetValustorewithyourpet.Nothingbeatsahelpfulpawtoensuretherighttoyisselected.

✱ Lucy Loves ✱

West Paw Zisc52625 • $17.99

Environmentally Friendly Toys for Dogs & Cats

Hot Couture Next time you’re reminding your family to put a sweater on, don’t forget the family dog! Whether you’re conserving energy by turning down the thermostat, or venturing out on a cool fall day, a sweater can help keep your pet cozy when the temperature drops.

Chilly Dog sweaters help your dog stay warm, and are also eco-friendly and support fair trade. Chilly Dog sweaters are hand-knit by Quechan Indian artisans in South America using organic wool and natural plant dyes. The knitters are paid a fair living wage, and by using fair trade guidelines, Chilly Dog employs many knitters in healthy workplaces so your dog’s sweater is helping workers achieve a better lifestyle in their small villages. Warm your dog and your heart in six different styles.

Winter Wonderland WearDon’t let the winter weather slow down your dog’s active nature; pick up a coat made for winter. Coats with a water-proof material on the outside and a warm material on the inside will provide a great combination of weather protection and comfort. Try on coats before purchasing to make sure the fit is right, and to make sure your dog can move freely.


Back to Cool: Fall Apparel For Dogs

2012 Fall Apparel from Bailey & Bella For fall 2012, Pet Valu is launching our new line of dog sweaters, vests and coats. ❉ Look for our new bone-patterned roll-neck sweater, striped roll-neck sweater, and matching striped scarves with pompoms, all available in three great colours. ❉ Also included in this new line is a reversible nylon vest with rubber bone appliqué. Bailey & Bella apparel is offered in all sizes and colour co-ordinated for the furry fashionista.

apparel

Bailey & Bella Stripe Scarf with Pompoms – red/Black• 69691-69693, S-L$12.99

Bailey & Bella reversible nylon vest with Bone applique – red/Black• 69935-69939, XS-XL$24.99

Not sure if your dog needs a little extra warmth and protection in the winter months? Unless your dog’s coat was built especially for winter (like Huskies or other breeds with thick weather-resistant fur), a little extra warmth will be most welcome.

by alISon PreISS

fall apparel

note: Plaid Coat is available in stores Sept. 15th, all others are available in store August 20th.

Bailey & Bella Bone roll neck Sweater-Black/Blue/Ivory• 69685-69689, XS-XL$24.99

Bailey & Bella Plaid Blanket coat – red Plaid• 90282-90283, XS-XXXLXS, S - $24.99M-XL - $29.99XXL-XXXL - $34.99

K ID ZONE

Q: Why do dogs run in circles?A: Because it’s hard to run in squares!

Q: What’s the difference between a fish

and a piano?A: You can’t tuna fish!

Q: What do you call

a fish with no eyes?

A: Fsh!

Q: What kind of tiles

can’t you stick on walls?

A: Reptiles!

Q: When does a guinea pig go “moo”?

A: When it is learning a new language!


KID ZONE ANSWERS

www.petvalu.com/companionanswers

Q: There were four cats

in a boat, one jumped out.

How many were left?

A: None.

They were all copy ca

ts!

Q: What do you give a sick bird?A: Tweetment!

Spot the Difference

there are 7 differences between the two pictures. See if you can find all 7 differences.

K ID ZONE


Our pets have specific dietary needs, and one of these is protein. Like us, their bodies can’t synthesize all the amino acids and nutrients that they need, so many of these need to be obtained through food. Dietary protein provides these essential amino acids and nutrients, and replenishes protein reserves. Let’s look at the benefits of some proteins commonly found in pet foods.

Beef– In addition to having a balanced profile, beef is also a fantastic source of phosphorous for strong teeth and bones, zinc for a healthy immune system, B-complex vitamins which help release energy from food, selenium for the production of antioxidant enzymes, and iron for energy production.

Pork – This meat is an excellent source of nutrients such as Selenium, Zinc, Phosphorous and B-complex vitamins. It is also a rich source of histidine, which is especially important for growing kittens as well as dogs of all ages.

Fish – In addition to being a good source of leucine, lysine and phenylalanine, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish such as wild salmon boost a pet’s ability to withstand allergies, fight kidney disease and arthritis, and maintain cholesterol at a healthy level.

Poultry– Considered a “complete” source of protein, poultry such as chicken, turkey and duck is a highly digestible source of protein and has a well-balanced amino acid profile. It also increases the palatability of your pet’s food.

Eggs – Also a complete source of protein, eggs contain a variety of nutrients including choline for brain health, and are a natural source of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus to help your pet's metabolism.

Ingredients

Do you have anyone with pet allergies in your family? Families that have

allergies have found that hairless guinea pigs (skinny pigs) are a perfect addition

to the family. We had the opportunity to get to know Hairy Willis this summer,

a skinny pig with very cute ears and a very large appetite!

Name: Hairy Age: My birthday is July 21 – I turned 2 this year!

Breed: Skinny Pig Astrological Sign: Cancer

Describe your home: It is a spacious 20x40 cage with a combination of

aspen fluff and ground corn cob on the bottom. It used to have a second floor,

but it had to be removed because I kept peeing on it. I have an igloo for

privacy, a large container of hay, a large bowl of fresh food and of course

my Oxbow Guinea Pig Food from Pet Valu.

What did you have for dinner last night: Nice weather means lots

of fresh greens for me! Romaine, cucumber, parsley, apple,

basil (my favourite), celery and carrots.

Favourite thing to do: Eat treats, eat hay, eat anything really!

Favourite snack: Apple Bites

Best physical feature: I am told I have an adorable face with

my large ears. My Mom says my bum is pretty cute as well!

Your favourite time of day: I am most frisky in the morning

when Mom is cleaning my home and getting my breakfast ready.

Getting to Know You!

Hairyhairy recommends:oxbow guinea Pig adult30529 • $14.99 - 5 lbs

PASSIONATEABOUTPETS?

Join Canada’s Largest Chain of Specialty Pet Supply Stores.

READY FOR

RETAIL?

A pet specialty franchise can help you turn the growing pet industry into your own successful business. As Canada’s largest pet specialty retail franchise chain, we can support your success from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. Pet Valu has a loyal and established customer base, a recognized brand and is part of a growing market in Canada and throughout North America.

Take our established business model and turn it into your own thriving success story. The next store opening could be yours!

We Offer Our Franchisees:

• Best-in-class inventory control and more than 200 vendor relationships • Purchasing and warehousing of more than 7,000 national and premium pet foods and supplies • Marketing and advertising support (local and nationwide) • Pet Valu’s own successful private label program

For more information about this opportunity, contact:

Mark Sonik, Franchise DirectorPet Valu Canada Inc.905-946-1200 ext. [email protected]

Visit petvalu.com/franchise for details

Pet Valu Companion Magazine Fall 2012

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Transcript of Pet Valu Companion Magazine Fall 2012