Pet business is resetting post Covid, Petco Love promoting vaccination during National Pet Vaccination Month, Global Pet Expo, guide to safe online transactions and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 11, 2024. Link. Record number of speaker applications for IBPSA FLOW Business Conference planned for September 24, 2024 - September 26, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona … [Read more...]
PetIQ adds telehealth service for NextStar® customers seeking help with flea and tick prevention
Purchasers of the OTC flea and tick prevention brand NextStar® will now have 24/7 telehealth support available from PetIQ to address any flea, tick or parasite-related concerns and questions. Industry telehealth professionals <Link> will provide further education on year-long prevention and infestation solutions to NextStar customers at the time of … [Read more...]
Show off your dog’s athletic prowess on the same app you use
Last month, Strava announced a partnership with the dog collar brand, Fi. Fi collars have built-in satellite positioning systems like sports watches. They monitor basic health metrics and help find lost pets. The same technology can be used to log exercise online. Source: Outside, March 4, 2024. Link. The new partnership allows Strava to log distance traveled and number of … [Read more...]
Mella Pet Care secures investment from Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban
Congratulations to the Mella Pet Care team for the success on ABC’s Shark Tank, televised on March 1st. Source: Mella Pet Care, March 4, 2024. Link. Watch a clip from the episode here <Link>. … [Read more...]
Home alone? Tips to keep dogs entertained when everyone is gone.
Separation anxiety is a common dilemma for dog owners. Amber L. Drake shares tips to keep dogs busy and mentally stimulated while home alone. Consider including the article in newsletters or social media posts along with behavior management services or products you recommend when appropriate. Source: LoveToKnow, September 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Could dogs have ADHD?
Many problem behaviors in dogs are anxiety-related, but some appear due to inattention or hyperactivity, says Deirdre V. Lovecky, PhD. She presents ADHD-like behaviors in two articles here using her own dog as an example. Rating scales and other methods of assessment that can help determine canine ADHD are included. Source: Psychology Today. Link. In part one, the literature … [Read more...]
Pet owner handout emphasizes the importance of pet oral health
Reinforcing the importance of home care and oral exams by veterinarians, this handout is built as a take-home to reinforce discussions in the veterinary hospital or for use in newsletters or social media. Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2024. Link. The handout refers to different types of oral care products for at-home use and refers to the VOHC lists of approved … [Read more...]
13 things dogs hate that humans do (video)
Inconsistencies, forcing dogs into uncomfortable situations, changing food too quickly and ignoring dogs’ health needs are included in the items in this informative video. Use video content like this to engage pet owners on social media or in newsletters. Add assertive comments or pet care reminders from your own hospital or pet services business. For example: “Puppy classes … [Read more...]
Data from 36 years: 20 dog breeds that attack people most frequently (slide show)
Stacker looked at data collected by ANIMALS 24-7, which logged serious attacks by dog breeds from September 1982 to December 31, 2018, to see what trends emerged in the most serious attacks. Only pure dog breeds with 10 or more attacks doing bodily harm were ranked, and any ties were broken by the number of deaths. Source: MSN, Stacker, March 3, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Hercules, Yeager Airport’s working Border Collie
Working and service dogs come in all shapes and sizes. In this video, Hercules and his dual roles at Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, are featured. He and his handler patrol the runways and taxiways to chase wildlife away and take time to greet passengers. Enjoy! Source: MotionMasters, YouTube, April 11, 2019. Link. (2:45) … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 4, 2024
Petflation outpacing national inflation rate, Door Dash to deliver pet supplies, nurturing vendor relationships for growth, little things that count, AI in small business and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 4, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
9 pet companies listed as fastest-growing U.S. private companies by region
Inc. magazine’s 2024 Regionals list honors the fastest-growing privately held U.S. companies by region over a two-year period which includes emerging veterinary hospitals, pet franchises, pet insurance and other product manufacturers. Source: Pet Product News, March 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
2023’s top 25 pet retailers
Rising competition from online and non-specialty retailers companies on the 2023 list added more than 200 stores to top retail competitors. Store conversions and acquisitions along with organic growth helped them avoid contraction and optimize economies of scale. NOTE: Consider reading the comments from four top growth companies who share their experiences in managing for … [Read more...]
Fire doesn’t discriminate. Neither do these vets.
Dr. Deb Zoran, a veterinarian and leader of Texas A&M’s Veterinary Emergency Team, faces long days and short nights as the Texas wildfires rage on. Originally on a narrow mission to aid the search dog sent with A&M’s search and rescue team, Shelton and other volunteers heeded officials’ pleas for help from more veterinarians. They’re still there. The veterinarians … [Read more...]
Home delivery, autoship important offerings for veterinary clients
ICYMI. Ordering online is rapidly becoming an expectation. Already, convenience is table stakes. Malinda Larkin shares takeaways from survey results presented by Brakke Consulting. The survey looked at consumer preferences and behaviors in pet medicine purchasing, customer satisfaction with different channels and service expectations, and the competitive landscape versus major … [Read more...]
Decontamination guidelines for dogs developed by Texas A&M VET
A newly developed set of protocols from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Emergency Team aims to educate disaster management teams across the country about the kinds and quantities of resources needed to clean external contaminants, such as toxic chemicals, off dogs. Providing information about other common pet species … [Read more...]
Are veterinarians obligated to discuss pet insurance? (podcast)
Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, debate the role of the veterinary team when it comes to pet owner education and discuss if pet insurance is an obligation. Their consensus: Pet insurance is not an obligation. Educating pet owners on the lifetime costs of veterinary pet care is important. Source: Veterinary Breakroom, Clinician’s Brief. February 2024. … [Read more...]
Veterinarians launch pet treats and chews certification program
In an industry where pet owners seek the best for their furry companions, VetEvaluated aims to be a trusted authority, offering a rigorous certification process that involves expert evaluation by experienced veterinarians. Current certification is available for consumable pet treats and chews at this time. VetEvaluated Certification assessments cover: Digestibility … [Read more...]
Webinar to address cutaneous adverse food reactions
AAHA and Hills will offer a free CE webinar to update veterinary teams confronting skin issues from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. MDT, March 14, 2024. Presenter Sara Hoff, DVM, MPH, Dip. ACVD, expects to cover novel proteins plus: Latest data on CAFR prevalence and risk factors Advanced diagnostic techniques for accurate identification Proven strategies for managing … [Read more...]
Chatfields and Joseph J. Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, share updates on using hemp, CBD for pets
Commercial Content included It seems everyone is talking about hemp and CBD for pets and there are several considerations for veterinarians. Studies are showing CBD and CBDA can be helpful in certain conditions common to pets and potentially with livestock. Topics include pain, stress, anxiety, inflammation, itching plus dosing and quality issues with so many sources of … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 26, 2024
Best pet care apps, NerdWallet survey shows pet insurance in 24 percent of pet owners, elements of scaling in small business, American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group introduces two new online training programs for veterinary assistants, franchise or independent choices and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Partnerships advancing Petco’s transition from transaction to engagement focus
Like it or not, pet owners seen by veterinary teams two or three times per year may visit a pet retailer a dozen or more times per year. Petco is tapping into the inherent emotion of the pet sector to create a sense of shared experience and loyalty in its customers, shares Nicole Silberstein. She shares a look at Petco’s strategies, partner alignments, services roster and … [Read more...]
Yes to testing! Yes to preventatives!
Commentary Resources from the American Heartworm Society include a waiver for when a client declines heartworm testing and heartworm prevention. Use this AHS form to educate clients when they won't choose prevention. Whether they sign or not, it provides an opportunity to educate them on how important heartworm prevention really is! And it is a role most veterinary … [Read more...]
Skipping the dog walk is a big deal
A fenced yard is nice for a dog to rest or to take a quick pee, but it can’t take the place of a good walking, according to Stephanie Borns-Weil at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Plus, while great, exercise isn’t the most important reason for the walk. Source: The Washington Post, February 20, 2024. Link. . . . they’re not getting … [Read more...]
Over-the-counter meds & pet poisoning perils
Renee Schmid, DVM, DABVT, DABT, joins Drs Jenifer and Jason Chatfield to discuss the often-overlooked dangers of common over-the-counter medications for pets. Pain medications like Advil, Tylenol, Aleve and aspirin top Dr. Schmid’s list of OTC medications that frequently cause issues for pets. Schmid notes that a high number of calls they receive at the Pet Poison Helpline … [Read more...]
Which size dog faces higher risks of certain diseases?
A University of Washington study of more than 25,000 dogs and 238 breeds has linked dog size to varying patterns of risk for health conditions throughout a dog’s lifespan. Overall, larger dogs in the study were more likely to have faced certain health conditions at some point in their lives, including cancer, bone-related disease, gastrointestinal problems, ear/nose/throat … [Read more...]
Banfield, more than half of dogs and cats have periodontal disease
Commentary Research from Banfield’s expansive, granular veterinary visit records has been invaluable as our industry seeks to understand the metrics of our business. Their recent report on oral health issues, while not surprising, quantifies the challenges veterinary teams face in making oral health an integral part of managing a pet's overall health and … [Read more...]
Cost of Care tools drive interest, conversations at VMX and WVC 2024
Veterinarians and technicians kept ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance field representatives busy at their booth during VMX 2024 and WVC 2024. Booth personnel sought to learn about the interactions veterinary staff have with pet owners about pet insurance from attendees. Those discussions exposed the values an informative cost of care tool provides when sharing ways to plan for the … [Read more...]
8 reasons a dog may be anxious
Anxiety in dogs is displayed, among other behaviors, through fear responses, aggression, noise phobia, separation anxiety and compulsive behaviors. Some of these can be subtle or ignored as normal. Caroline Wilkinson shares reasons a dog may have anxiety. Lack of socialization, life changes and owner anxiety are among them. Source: Pets Radar. Link. INSIGHTS: This is a … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 19, 2024
Active shooter training, nose length may hint at dog longevity, progress on pet adoption crisis, year-round dental care, curing animals with cannabis, getting ready for falling interest rates, SEO, social media and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 19, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]