Local Pet Supply Shops Meet Demand For Natural Products

Nowadays, consumers are accustomed to seeing a dizzying array of products that are “all-natural,” “herbal,” “Ph-balanced,” “organic” and “holistic”  at the grocery or drug store. But an increasing number of pet supplies stores in the area are stocking their shelves with chemical-free products as well.

Given most peoples' devotion to their animal companions, it's probably not surprising that in Grosse Pointe Park, in the City and in the Woods are all meeting the demand for products that are free of chemicals, preservatives, additives and pesticides. Owners say their patrons are seeking the health-promoting qualities in their pet products that they look for in their own food and hygiene products.

Since the nationwide recall off several pet foods tainted with melamine in 2007, “people are really starting to look at what’s in their pet food,” said Cheri Musial, owner of Pointe Pet's Supply. While she stocks conventional products, she also carries several pet foods with human-grade ingredients, such as Wellness, a line of foods with no fillers or artificial ingredients and which assiduously lists and describes all its products' ingredients at its Web site.

Moreover, Musial routinely works with customers to identify diets that don’t cause allergic reactions, noting that pets can also be sensitive to gluten and other common pet food ingredients.  Prescription pet foods can be extremely expensive, she said, costing upwards of $80 per month, and she works with customers to identify store-brand foods that don't upset tummies.

Ed Gasper, a resident of Grosse Pointe Farms who buys supplies at Pointe Pet's Supply for his smooth-haired fox terrier mix, said he’s “against additives, whether in dog food or human food. I spent most of my life growing up on a farm where we didn’t worry about that.” Gasper, who hails from Ontario, Canada, said he’s willing to pay a higher price for “all natural food.”

Musial said there are certain things pet owners should check for. “Always look for meat as the firsts of the ingredients on the label," she said. "If the first ingredients is rice, it will go right through your pet.” 

Donnie Cook, owner of Lou’s Pet Shop, is also committed to meeting customers' demands for healthy, safe pet products.

“There’s definitely a draw” for organic products, Cook said. Food and grooming products are popular, Cook noted, but the biggest demand is for natural flea and tick products. This is particularly true for small animal owners, he noted, because their metabolism makes them particularly vulnerable to pesticides and chemicals. Organic chewable items for rodents are in high-demand, he said, because genetically modified organisms have been shown to be particularly risky to hamsters, he said. 

Cook, who owns a Great Dane, several reptiles and fish, and a ring-tailed lemur named “Mitzy," said he only uses all-natural products on his pets, and he estimates that more than 50% of his customers choose organic products as well. They're roughly 15-20% more expensive than conventional products, he said, but well worth it.

“If you spend 15-20% more on natural products, that initial cost will override the veterinary bills down the road,” he said. “This is exactly what we see with human food.”

Here's a sampling of the all-natural products available at Grosse Pointe pet supply stores:

• Blue Buffalo — Deboned chicken, lamb or fish is the first ingredient in this pet food, which also contains wholesome whole grains, garden vegetables and antioxident-rich fruit. The company donates a portion of its proceeds to animal cancer research.
• Bobbi Panter — This designer line of shampoos is salt-free, pH-balanced for no tears, and concentrated for 50% more washes per bottle.
• Zuke’s — “Z-Bones” grain-free edible dental chews are easy to digest and help scrape and polish teeth.
• Fruitables — These dog treats are made from organic fresh pumpkin and sweet potatoes and are “calorie smart,” reducing hunger between meals.
• Overby Farm — this Leland, Michigan-based company makes a cherry dog treat to promote healthy joints and hips.
• Nature’s Variety — This company is committed to holistic nutrition for dogs and cats. The foods are free of corn, wheat, soy, chemical preservatives and artificial colors and flavors.
• Dogswell Natural – "Happy Hips" help maintain hip and joint health with glycosamine and chondroitin, "Tummies" maintain digestive health with fresh yogurt, and "Happy Heart" promotes cardiac health with flaxseed and taurine.
• Grandma Lucy’s — “Pure and simple” pet products are the mission of this company. “We do things the same way you would if you had the time to cook for your pet,” they advertise, using human-quality, all-natural ingredients in their products, which include "Artisan" chicken, lamb and venison freeze-dried dog food and 100% USDA Organic pumpkin, blueberry and ginger oven-baked treats. 
• TropiClean — Eco-friendly and all natural, these soap- and detergent-free products won’t effect spot-on flea or tick treatment. 
• Bio-Groom — Working with EPA and FDA, Bio-Groom chemists select only natural cosmetic grade ingredients and are biodegradeable and environmentally friendly. They have products for dogs, cats, ferrets and horses.
• Natural Chemistry — These gentle enzyme grooming care and home solutions contain no pyrethrins or related chemicals to ensure the safety of pets. Products kill fleas, ticks and mites, remove odors, discourage chewing, calm pets, and smooth skin irritations. 
• NaturVet — This brand makes natural carpet crystal, herbal flea and tick shampoos and herbal flea powders.