Pet Product News - December 2018

“Most reptiles and amphibians eat live insects or frozen rodents. Putting a focus on those items that can only be purchased in-store is important and [can help] upsell the customer to add an extruded or commercial diet for variety and nutrition.”—RYAN MCVEIGH, brand manager for Zilla, a brand of Franklin, Wis.-based Central Garden & Pet

HIGGINS PREMIUM PET FOODS offers in Tune Complete & Balanced Diet for Birds. The food does not contain artificial preservatives or flavors. The diet uses colors sourced from seeds, spices and vegetables for natural, subtle colors. The tropical aroma is derived from real banana, pineapple and citrus. Balancing these natural aspects, in Tune has added vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The antioxidant formula contains balanced DHA omega- 3 and - 6 fatty acids along with stabilized vitamin C and vitamin E to support the immune system. Fruits, vegetables and highly cooked grains are added to support the digestion of carbohydrates. Protected probiotics are added to promote the delivery of active, beneficial bacteria to the intestinal tract in order to support digestive health. It is available for macaws, parrots, conures, cockatiels and parakeets.

higginspremium.com

INDUSTRY VOICES

How can retailers leverage herp diet sales to get
a leg up on the competition?

“We have a little bit of a blind spot because I don’t see the [hobbyists] who are buying online. I can say that herp diet products are selling fantastically, and our regulars are buying from us. They want to support us so that we’ll be around for them. Online competition is definitely a big issue, but in that case I can’t see what I’m not selling.”—JAYZUNBOGET, assistant manager of the reptile and small animal department at Preuss Pets in Lansing, Mich.

“Customers are more certain of what they’re going to get from a store like us compared to what they might get over the internet. I do have a lot of people who come in saying they ordered [live foods] over the internet, and when it arrived they were all dead. I’ve seen a wide variety of people coming into the store. I feel like the hobby’s expanding.”—MATTBENEDICT, sales associate for Custom Creatures Pet Shop in Phoenix

BRENT-WOOD PRODUCTS
offers the Bow Wow Dog
Houses Tortoise House, built
on the platform of Bow Wow’s
large doghouse with outside
measurements of 40 in. by 40
in. The addition of 4-in. legs
to the home raises it off the
ground. The primary entrance,
that includes the ramp, was
expanded to a 20-in. width.
There is an insulation option
for the floor, walls and roof, which would assist in keeping the temperature
moderate and would serve as a barrier for controlling heat. It features a heater
as well as a full-size side swinging door for additional access with an option to
upgrade to a double door or French doors for the front opening. Other custom-
izable options are available. The company utilizes premium materials made only
from environmentally conscious resources. bowwowdoghouses.com

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET presents the Zilla Spring Cave, natural-look-ing rock décor with running water for species that like to drink from a trickling water source, such as geckos and chameleons. A large stick helps animals climb into the cave to drink, and a blue LED allows owners to see them at night.