All Pets Web – Not Just Dogs n Cats

During the Dot Com crisis in early 2000, it seemed Internet business was doomed. It seemed that there wasn’t a sure-fire way to make money with an online start-up anymore. The economy was struggling. Yet, out of all this chaos, one truth remained: Pet Supplies seemed to be a recession-proof industry. Often the best pet supply prices can be found on the Internet, which made this a particularly lucrative niche. “Even in a big recession, people still buy for their pets,” Collette Fairchild of Pet Age Magazine told the NY Times. “It’s an emotional buy.”

Food is one of the most important pet supplies to buy. High quality food can ensure a shiny coat, a proper weight, good energy levels and a longer life, whereas poor quality food can leave a pet listless, bloated, chunky and requiring more frequent medical care. “You don’t have to choose the most expensive food to get what’s best for your pet,” advises Consumer Reports’ health editor, Jamie Hirsh. She advises that pet owners look for food that’s been validated by research from the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and food that is clearly labeled with manufacturer contact information. The pet’s age and special needs should be considered when making a healthy Pet Food purchasing decision.

Many people wonder about Wet Food versus dry food for their pet supplies. Pets with kidney or urinary problems may benefit from softer, moister wet food, although pets with dental problems or weak stomachs fare better with dry food. There’s generally no nutritional difference, but since wet foods contain 75% water, the pet will need to eat more to get the same amount of calories (which makes wet food more expensive). Age-specific food is very important for pregnant animals and growing puppies or kittens. Consumers should also look for cat supplies or dog supplies labels that say “for growth” or “for all of life’s stages.” Healthy adult animals should be on “for maintenance” food. Products labeled “lean,” “low-calorie” or “light” must meet designated AAFCO standards. Labels that say “natural” are loosely regulated.

When looking for pet supplies , owners may want to avoid brands that were involved in the major pet food recall in 2007. Brands like Eukanuba, Wegmans, Iams for Cats, Science Diet for Cats, President’s Choice, Compliments and Nutro were all taken off shelves for safety reasons. Consumers can read more at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17689821.