DTLA LIFE MAG #3 | MARCH 2014 | Page 37

PETS ! ! ! Passion for Pet Nutrition: Pet Food Advisors. As the saying goes, 'what you don't know won't hurt you'... well not totally so when it comes to choices in pet food. Do you really know what goes into pet food and how it's actually made? You might be seriously shocked to learn the truth. We believe feeding your pets is feeding your family. As pet caregivers, we have to choose wisely for those we love because our domesticated friends don't have that choice. What they intake has a direct effect on their be- havior, coat, energy level, chronic illnesses, and much more. So, if you think feeding your pets should be as easy as scooping dry kibble from a bag and pouring it into a bowl, you may want to think again—and, think outside the bag. All natural, organic, holistic—what does it all mean any- way? Does the quality of meats and vegetables in food really make a difference in your pets’ health? Absolutely! Just as we need to be increasingly aware of our own food sources in a world of GMOs and food safety issues and the ‘farm to table’ movement (or the ‘farm to friend’ movement in the pet world) gains more momentum, we are reminded of one simple principle, fresh is best – for you and your pets. Local community-minded independent pet retailers are most often a trusted and valued source of information for many facets of pet care, including leading the pack on pet nutrition knowledge and product selection. Passion- ate about healthy pet nutrition, these pet industry retail- ers provide a high-level of customer service not found in the grocery or big-box aisles, engaging with pet guardians about the types of food and health supple- ments best for their pets (including a variety of raw and fresh food diets, or base diets to support a home- cooked meal plan), educating on the difference in the quality of pet food ingredients, and delivering a variety of pet care options you can consider to ‘go natural’ with/for your animals. As consumers become increasingly more aware of pet food quality concerns, the independent pet retailer is a dynamic part of any pet-friendly neighbor- hood. ! ! ! ! ! ! If you are curious about the connection of pet health and wellness and food, we challenge you to: • Revisit your notions on health in which conven - tional ‘Western’ medicine is defined as the treatment of disease, contrasted by “Eastern’ medicine that is mea- sured by the absence of disease, and learn how to in- corporate a holistic lifestyle for an integrated approach in pet care • Understand how using natural food and supple - ments, whether as a preventative, or as therapy, is the foundation of health and the most important aspect of wellness for both you and your pet • Gain insights from personal experience dealing with chronic illnesses in our own pets like cancer, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, allergies, and more – and the important role nutrition plays in creating, avoiding, or managing these illnesses Once you learn more about what truth lies inside that bag of kibble, it’s very likely you will have a ‘fresher’ per- spective on commercial pet food. We encourage you to change up your feeding routine for the health, happiness, and longevity of your companion animals. Our Pet Experts are here to help you anytime, and we look forward to seeing you in-store at Pussy & Pooch to learn more about ‘What’s in their Bowl’. Live well! ! Janene Zakrajsek Pussy & Pooch | founder Pussy & Pooch 564 S Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 213 438 0900 www.pussyandpooch.com