Important Food Information for a Pet Food Franchise
Running a pet food franchise is more than stocking shelves with your favorite pet food brands. Different dogs also eat different portions pending on individual factors age, activity level, and idea weight. Some pets even have sensitive stomachs and have to eat food for that. So as you open up your pet supply franchise, keep these many facts about pet food in mind.
Dogs Can Overeat
A 2013 study done by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has shown that no improvement has been made in pet obesity since 2011. 52.6% of all dogs in the United States registered at being overweight or obese while cats are slightly worse at 57.6%. Every pet has a different requirement for daily calorie intake based on weight and activity level. The worst part about that is that it’s harder to determine how much a dog is eating by measurement. One cup could be 200 or 400 calories depending on what they’re eating. When you run a pet food franchise, it will be important to know the brands that you carry, their specific goals, and which pets they benefit the most. You will more than likely be asked for your recommendation, especially from owners coming in with doctor’s orders to lower pet weight. Knowing what you carry is an important part of gaining the trust of your customers.
Dog Food Can Be Dangerous
As a pet food franchise owner, it’s important to know what is going on with the FDA regarding pet food. There have been barely any guidelines for testing pet food before it hits the market. So often times there are recalls due to contamination multiple times a year. Make sure to follow the FDA regarding pet food as you run your pet supply franchise. Be fully informed on who are good, trusted brands and who are even slightly less reliable.
Know the Difference Between Food Types
Assuming your pet food franchise carries wet and dry food, it will be important to know their benefits and their faults. Dry food often boasts lower fat content and calories for more food. It often comes in larger, bulk bags and is relatively cheap while wet food comes in cans and has a higher fat content. If a pet is having a hard time gaining weight or maintaining a healthy weight, wet food is a great way to stabilize. It’s also juicier and usually more appetizing if a dog is not eating due to large changes in his life. It’s important to use wet food as a treat or mix it with a diet of dry food in order to maintain a healthy pet weight.
Be Prepared to Learn
A large part of owning a pet food franchise is learning and adapting to new information. If you don’t know how to answer a customer’s question regarding food, be prepared to do a little research to answer it next time. By providing answers, you instill confidence in your patrons that you are a trustworthy source of knowledge. However be wary of giving out any information you’re unsure about. False information can damage the trust and relationship. There’s nothing wrong with saying, “I don’t know, but that’s great question for a vet”.
