Quite often animals’ skin problems or abnormal behaviours are caused by their diet, according to Kylie Higgins, the manager of the newest pet food retailer in Shepparton.
That’s why she recommends feeding your pets fresh meat and also why her new job at the helm of The Pet Food Shop is a labour of love.
Mrs Higgins said the shop, one of seven stores across Victoria, has the largest range of fresh meat for pets in the Goulburn Valley.
“It’s about offering better food choices for pets,” she said.
“If your dog was out in the wild, they’d be eating raw and fresh meat, so it’s what comes naturally.”
She said animals were drawn to textures and smells and had vastly different taste buds and stomachs from humans.
The store stocks meat sourced from local suppliers and harvesters, including meat from kangaroos, cows, horses and goats, which Mrs Higgins said was great for dogs with skin allergies.
Whole rabbits, salmon heads and frames, ducks and bones are also available.
In addition to the extensive dog and cat food range, the shop stocks feed for birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens, and general pet supplies such as beds, toys, harnesses and muzzles for all mentioned animals.
“We also have the lick mats, which are really good,” Mrs Higgins said.
“You can get your fresh mince and make a paste of it to smear over a lick mat to keep your pet entertained.”
Mrs Higgins said staff at the shop could recommend and supply diet supplements to customers to complement the protein they’ve chosen for their pet, depending on any issues they were experiencing.
“We have probiotics, anti-inflammatories, hemp seed oil, turmeric for joint health,” she said.
“Sometimes people like to try for a natural cure or solution for something like a skin irritation before going to the vet and sometimes prescribed medicines haven’t worked so they’d like to try an alternative.
“A lot of what animals eat comes out in their skin and behaviour.”
Pet owners are able to bring their fur-covered friends in to the store to determine suitable bed, harness and pyjama sizes.
The Pet Food Shop is at 41 Archer St. It is open Tuesday to Saturday.