Introducing pet bargainista

Welcome Leona Hobbs our new pet bargainista columnist. Leona will be sharing her shopping experiences as a pet owner. Isn’t Scotia adorable?

I’m no pet expert. Far from it.

My husband and I become dog people for the first time in our lives this July when we got Scotia, a female Golden Doodle (Golden Retriever - Poodle cross).

So, as a first-time dog owner, I have learned lots. Also, I have made more than a few rookie mistakes with our pup. My inaugural Pet Bargainista column, is about a lesson learned along the way - pet food (kibble) is a racket.

My breeder had a sponsorship deal with a large multinational pet food company and started Scotia on a so-called premium food after she was weened. Our vet suggested our puppy needed a mix of dry and wet and that the food they stocked (also a premium) was the best. It was made in Canada, had no foreign by-products (like that Chinese pet food additive scare last year) and was made with top-notch ingredients. Finally, our dog walkers suggested we do our research and that we take a look at Orijen. Deeply perplexed, and with a very young puppy in our inexperienced hands, we started our research. The best resource we found was Dog Food Analysis which provides reviews of kibble. According to that site, here’s how the food stacked up:

The kibble suggested by the Breeder was reviewed found to have inadequate meat content, fat of unidentifiable origin, low quality grains, and controversial filler. Rated 1 star.

Unfortunately, the kibble suggested by the vet didn’t fare much better. The main meat ingredient is byproducts, it has low quality grains, and a controversial filler. Rated 1 star.

Which brings us to Orijen. The review on Dog Food Analysis found that Orijen Puppy had high named meat product content, contained no grain (grains are not a natural part of a canine diet), and uses high quality ingredients throughout. Rated 6 stars, we decided to feed our puppy Orijen. We get our Orijen from Global Ryan’s Pet Food.

I’d love to hear from other pet people out there. What do you feed your pet and why?

photo credit: Scotia at 8 weeks by Leona Hobbs

Dance with a dog or cozy up with a cat in 2008

I’m not a pet owner. I live in a small house and between parenting, working full-time and part-time social media endeavors including this blog, I don’t have much time left over for a cute, cuddly and furry four-legged addition to the family. As much as my kids would like a dog and/or a cat, they don’t really want the responsibility.

This time of year, many people think about giving pets as gifts without thinking about all the repercussions. After a couple days (or hours), the new owners/gift recipients realize they just aren’t cut out to own that new dog or cat and either give them to a wanting home or turn them over to the Toronto Humane Society. Some are also abandoned in our streets.

Fortunately, for those of you who want a new cat, dog or other pet and know you will be a responsible and caring pet owner, the Toronto Humane Society may have just the furry companion you’re looking for.

Last year, more than 700 animals were placed during the holiday season. This year, more animals need a home. Consider their Adopt a Pet program. You’ll need to qualify first. Although adopting a pet is free, donations are requested.

Want to help out but can’t own a pet right now? There are other ways to get involved as a volunteer and help out even if you can’t take a furry friend home.