Summertime heat puts a spotlight on the importance of pet hydration!

     One often forgotten means of driving add-on sales is focusing on pet hydration! Since it’s been about 90 degrees every day here in the south, it seems like a perfect time to talk about the importance of moisture in your pet’s diet.

     So why is it important for your staff to be educated on hydration?  Many consumers think if they use a topper, their dog will become spoilt and picky; however, approaching hydration from a health  perspective can make all the difference. 

     Moisture is extremely important for all mammals, but especially for carnivores like our dogs and cats. A mammal’s body is made up of approximately 60% water. Therefore, a dog or cat’s digestive system is designed to take in a large portion of moisture from their meal itself. For example: A dog eating a dry kibble diet is only getting ~5-10% of moisture from its food.  Long term, this can lead to intestinal, pancreatic, liver, and kidney stress. It forces the dog’s body to draw the moisture needed for digestion from other parts of the body putting cells and organs into constant dehydration.  This stress can result in UTI’s, chronic digestive issues, pancreatitis, kidney stones/crystals, elevated liver enzymes, and more.

     “What moisture are you adding to your pet’s bowl?”  This is a great question for staff to ask customers -- especially those regulars who routinely purchase that same bag of dry food over and over again. Even when you can’t address every customer directly, signage near your moisture rich topper offering can still provide helpful information. Creating a fun and informative hydration section can boost topper sales, all while bettering the health of their pets. 

     So what are some moisture-rich meal additives you can use as add-on sales? Bone broth, goat’s milk, and veggie toppers are what generally come to mind first.  These options often have added benefits beyond just the benefits of moisture. Bone broth provides collagen and glucosamine which aids joints, skin, and coat; and it’s easy on sensitive stomachs. Goat’s milk provides natural probiotics, boosts the immune system, and is a natural anti-inflammatory.

     If you have customers who are already using a freeze-dried or a similar meat topper and they mention that their pet just “picks through the good stuff," remember that adding water into any kibble or freeze-dried topper is still a great way to keep pets hydrated in the summer and all year round. Many pet owners see shinier coats, reduced urinary issues, reduced digestive upset, more energy, and an overall happier pet with consistent added moisture.  All reasons to keep them returning to your “hydration station!”

Written by Karena Richardson, Inside Sales Rep

Ask your sales rep for more information about our hydration-focused products!