companion magazine winter 2012

}Find us Online and Join the Conversation P.20

Winter I 2012 Your Pet.Your Life.Your Store.

Pet Valu

Feeding Our Winter FriendsWho Eats What & Where? p.21

We disect your dog food bag

WHAT DOES

“THAT” MEAN?

Find out more 〉 p.5

WinterWellness Tips & Tricks 〉 p.17

ThE 2012GIFT GUIDEPet Presents Made Easy 〉〉 P.9

Litter.It's GOOD fOr the envIrOnment?

What's NEW in FOOD?Pet of the Month

Did You Know & GamesHoliday Leftovers

Bright Ideas for

WintertimeFUN!

TM

Editor KellieMcCutcheon dESiGN DanielCullen CoNtributorS TeraCashen,LuaEmilia, GavinCarothers

editors page

Dear Santa Paws,I have been a very good dog this year. My barking at the door when someone

knocks is slowly improving and I did not make a mess on the floor at my annual

check-up. My Mom was very proud of me. As you can imagine, I have visited a

lot of pet stores this year, so my Wish List may be longer than your average

dog's but I am hoping you can help me. For Christmas, I would like a:

New to y (p.11 ) - Something durable please, I want it to last well

into 2013. I have had the same Zisc for years and I'm looking to add the

Glow-in-the-dark one to my toy collection this year!

New bed (p.15) - I have my eye on the Nap Paisley Oval Bed.

If you are able to bring this to me, I promise to stay away from skunks

in 2013. Deal?

New treats (p.11 ) - Everybody loves snacks and treats over

the holidays. I am no exception. These new Smart N ' Tasty Dental Treats

look delicious and will clean my teeth and gums as I enjoy..

New sweater (p.15) - Not all big dogs can pull off a sweater, but

I promise you I can. I play hard all year long and need something to keep me

warm and dry, like the Chilly Dog Moose Sweater. My friends at the dog park

will be so envious!

Thank you Santa Paws!

contact usKellieMcCutcheon, Pet Valu Companion,

130 Royal Crest Court, Markham, ON, L3R 0A1

Foradvertisingopportunities,[email protected]

AN

Ad

iAN

E

dit

ioN

Product availability will vary by store location. Products may not be exactly as shown. Not responsible for typographical errors.

Prices listed are in effect until December 31, 2012 and thereafter are subject to change without notice. Please note that the suggested

retail prices referenced in Companion magazine are merely suggestions and may differ in stores. ©2012 PET VALU

3 theScooponLitter Plus Ask the Pet Experts!

4 What’sNew? New Formula, New Flavour & New Look

5 PerformatrinGrain-Freebag Shedding light on your favourite food!

8 beattheWinterblues Bright Ideas for you and your pets

9 2012HolidayGiftGuide Latest and greatest pet presents

17 WinterWellness Take care of your pet this winter

20WheretoFindus 5 Ways to Find us Online

21Winterbirds101 Learn what to feed this winter

22KidZone! Did you know this page is a ton of fun?

23HolidayLeftovers &ourStorePet Learn about our most festive store pet!

in this issue

®™ Trademarks used under license.

Follow us onwww.petvalu.com

Love Lucy

HuGGLEHouNdS49038•$19.99•SEEPAGE11

peTvalu.coM - 2012 WINTER Companion 3

Litter. It's GOOD for the environment

By LUA EMILIA

eco friendLy Litter

Fresh 4 Life’s new line of cat litters includes an assortment of eco-friendly options, so you can finally feel good about littering!

Wheat They’re not taking away from your bread-making. Fresh 4 Life uses wheat straw, a product created by wheat harvesting that is typically thrown out.

• 3x more absorbent than clay

• Highly absorbent with hard clumping action

• Less likely to be eaten by pets• Natural ability to eliminate

ammonia odours

Pine Environmentally friendly, with a Canadian twist! Made from Northern White Pine, this litter uses what’s left from the lumber industry.


• Locks away odours• Natural pine scent for

extra odour control

Recycled PaperExtra! Extra! Read all about it! Fresh 4 Life has used recycled paper to produce an ultra soft, textured litter.

• 3x more absorbent than clay• Higher cat acceptance• More litter box fills per bag

Corn No corn roast shortage this year! Fresh 4 Life only uses the cob that would otherwise be rendered useless after the corn itself has been cut away for food production.


• Naturally absorbent with hard clumping action

• Excellent odour control• All natural and

chemical-free

Have more traditional taste? Don’t fret, Fresh 4 Life has a selection of clay litters for you to choose from including fragrance-free, non-clumping and multi-cat.

TipAvoidrEjECtioN! When transitioning your cat

to a new litter, be sure to layer some of the old litter on

top and gradually reduce the amount over

two weeks.

My 9 year old min-pin, Jackie, hATES the snow. She starts shaking as soon as we open the door and she doesn’t even like to put her paws down. I don’t know if it’s the cold, or the ice or the snow but she hates everything about winter. Would you suggest anything to help make the next 4 months more enjoyable for all of us?

Daove, Clarkson ON.

Poor Jackie isn’t alone, this is common in little dogs, but we have a couple products that may help Jackie warm up to the idea of winter. make sure you have a warm sweater that fits her well, keeping her body heat close to her. for her paws, boots are the ultimate protector for sen-sitive paws, but because Jackie is older she may not like them very much (tip for pet parents: get your pet used to boots as young as possible!). If she refuses the boots, try Dr. Maggie Paw Protector, made with waxes and moisturizing ingredients. It is very easy to apply and waxes harden in cold weather to provide a barrier to salt, snow and ice. Good luck this winter!

HAVE A QUESTION? We have PET EXPERTS that can answer your pet questions. Email us at [email protected] and you could see your question printed in the next issue of Companion! Only questions that will be published will be answered. Please include name and city of residence.

Ask the PetexPerts!

4 Companion WINTER 2012 - peTvalu.coM

new food

✱ Lucy Loves ✱

Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Boost KibbleBelieveinthebenefitsofrawbutstillhavingahardtimeservingittoyourpet?Nature’sVarietyhascomeupwithasolution.Theyhavecreatedthefirstofitskind–grain-freekibblewithfreezedriedrawfood–allinthesamebag!Theconveniencefactoristhroughtheroofwith

theirnewlineofdogfood.Thefreezedriedrawpiecesprovidenaturalenzymesforoptimaldigestivehealthanddogslovethetaste.Everybiteyourdogtakeswillcontainahealthyrawboostofgrain-free,gluten-freepureingredients.

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets® Legume & Duck Meal FormulaNewflavouralert!NaturalBalanceL.I.D.hasaddedLegume&Ducktoitsrecipebook–makingthattheseventhL.I.DformulathattheyofferourpetsSo,whylegumes?Well,legumes-includinggarbanzobeansandpeas-provideanexcellent

sourceoffibreandprotein,makingthemagreatcarbohydratealternativefordogs.Healthy,digestiblecarbohydrates,suchasbeansandpeas,giveyourdogseriousamountsofhealthyenergy.

Merrick Classic or Grain FreeThebagsmaylookdifferentbutdon’tbedistracted,Merrickstillstandsbytheir5-StarPromisetoyouandyourpets:LocalGrowers,RealWholeFoods,FromtheirKitchentoYours,BalancedNutritionandHealthYouCanSee.Merrickknowsthatdogsthriveonqualityprotein

andhealthyfats,whichiswhyeveryMerrickrecipestartswithdebonedmeatasthefirstcomponent.Intheirdryrecipes,meatwithhighlevelsofproteinisthefirst,secondandthirdingredientused.ServingMerricktonightwillbeahomerunwithyourpets.

What's new in the dog food aisle?

New Formula!

New Flavour!

New Look!

☞Forallbreedsandalllifestages.

☞Forallbreeds.Lifestagesvary.

☞Forallbreedsandalllifestages.


digging deeper

From Playful Pups To Wise Old HoundsThisformulaissuitablefordogsofallages.

PerformatrinUltraGrain-Freedogfood

isformulatedtomeetthenutritional

levelsestablishedbytheAAFCODog

FoodNutrientProfilesforAllLifeStages.

It’s all out of the bag!By LUA EMILIA

We’re taking apart the bag to shed light on all the great

reasons to go Grain-Free with Performatrin Ultra.

Whole Foods For Whole HealthUsinglocalfoodshelpsmaintainingredient

qualityandreducesourcarbonfootprint.Plant-based

phytonutrientshelppreventchronicdiseases

suchasdiabetesandstroke,andprobioticsease

digestionandstimulateimmunefunction:justa

fewofthegreatfeaturesofthiswholesomerecipe.

Colour of HealthNOmeatby-products,grains,chickenprotein

orsoya,noranyartificialpreservatives,colours

orflavours.Instead,we’vepackedthisrecipe

withdeliciousnaturalingredientsthatare

richinantioxidants.

We are the 85%That’sright,85%oftheproteininthisformulacomes

straightfrommeatbyusingadeliciousblendofturkey,

salmonandduck.That’senoughtomakeanydogdrool!

INGREDIENT LIST:Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, Duck Meal, Potato, Peas, Chicken Fat stabilized with Mixed Tocopherols (a natural source of Vitamin E), Vegetable Pomace (Tomato, Carrot, Celery, Beet, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Spinach), Natural Flavor, Cultured Yeast, Whole Fresh Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Whole Cranberries, Whole Blueberries, Sea Salt, Chicory Root Extract, Lecithin, Choline Chloride, Alfalfa Juice Concentrate, Dried Kelp, Fresh Spinach, Fresh Whole Blackberries, Dried Yeast, Taurine, Rosemary Extract, Marigold Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Spi-rulina, Green Tea Extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Ascorbyl Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Lactobacil-lus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Bifidobacterium Bifidium, Streptococcus Faecium, Zinc Proteinate (source of Chelated Zinc), Iron Proteinate (source of Chelated Iron), Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Proteinate (source of Chelated Manganese), Copper Proteinate (source of Chelated Copper), Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supple-ment, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Inositol, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Calcium Iodide, Selenium Yeast (source of Organic Selenium).

Natural Ingredients. Complete. Canadian.Natural Ingredients. Complete. Canadian.

Over 25 Years Making Premium Pet FoodQuality Manufacturing At Its Best!

At Nutram we make our own food. We control everything to ensure our products meet your

highest standards. Nutram is Canadian innovation from beginning to end.

In-house product development by our team of Nutritionists

High quality ingredients sourced by our industry experts

Focused on supporting other Canadian business (local ingredients, packaging, etc.). Canadians supporting Canadians.

All Nutram products are manufactured and packaged in Canada, we control the entire process.

Quality Comes FirstAt Nutram we feel pets are important members of

our families. Nutram is produced in a Certified Global Food Safety manufacturing facility, the

highest certification standard for Pet Food Manufacturers in the world. Our dedication to this

leading quality program is second to none.

Experience the difference…

Nutrition you trust, quality they taste.

Holiday Entertaining Tips…The holiday season can be a stressful time for many pets.

Changes in routine, including feedings and household activity levels can lower a pet’s immune defenses. Help

keep your pet safe and healthy over the holidays by:

Strong Defences – offer a quality pet food rich in antioxidants and easy to digest for a healthy immune system.

Inform Your Guests - explain that it is in your pet’s best health to eat quality pet food. Greasy food, sweets and excessive treats can cause digestive upset and other health related issues.

Routine - when entertaining feed your pet their usual meal before guests arrive and limit the number of treats. Exercise is a great stress reliever for the entire family, including your pet.

Just like you, pets also need a healthy dose of antioxidants for a strong immune system.

Naturally occurring antioxidants can be found in grains, oils, herbs, and some fruits,

like berries and pomegranate.Canadians know that a strong offence is

your best defence, so make sure your pet is getting enough

immune boosters!

Health Tip

The Power of Antioxidants

BerriesOrganic

SeaweedQuinoa Seed

Chickpeas

Spinach

Fresh Trout

Fresh Duck

Fresh TurkeyGreen Peas

Pumpkin

Apples

Carrots

Butternut Squash

QCON

NV

NF

NB NSPEI

MBSKAB

BC

YK

NT

Seaweed

Canadian Salmon

Green Tea

A Complete Taste of CanadaNutram addresses the main key areas of

your pet’s health in every diet with a large number of functional ingredients.

This special seaweed, Ascophyllum nodosum, is a one of a kind. Research has shown superior prebiotic action (5 times higher than Chicory Root!), improvement in skin and coat health and decrease in prevalence of diseases. It doesn’t

get any more “complete” than that!

We have all heard Omega-3s are good for our health and your pet can benefit from it too. Nutram uses high quality Canadian salmon. 25-30% of all protein consumed daily is

used for skin and coat maintenance, so ensuring your pet is eating quality protein and getting enough omegas is crucial.

Green Tea is a powerful antioxidant, rich in EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate). This potent polyphenol has a

positive impact on free radicals, protecting the body from oxidative stress and helping support dental health.

Made at Home From Local Ingredients

For more information on our complete line of life-stage and specialty diets, please visit: www.nutram.com

Sensitive DogCombo Diet : SKIN + STOMACH

A large number of dogs with stomach sensitivity will likely

experience skin and coat problems in their lifetime. This food offers the perfect balance of omegas, vitamins & minerals they need.

Finicky Indoor CatCombo Diet : INDOOR LIVING +

PICKY EATERSIndoor cats groom more, are less

active and get picky when it comes to food! Natural fibres, lower calories, special kibble shapes and fantastic

taste makes this food a success among the most selective eaters.

Urinary Care Male CatAbout 70% of cats struggling with

Oxalate stones are males!Oxalates form in acidic pH and Nutram is the only brand of pet

food to develop a diet specifically tailored for Oxalate Stone control. Nutram Male Cat provides a more

basic urinary pH to reduce the chances of Oxalate stone formation.

ADvertOrIAL


❆ SocializeInviteafriendortwoovertoyourplacealongwiththeirpet.Ifyourpetshaven’tmetbefore,useyourbestjudgementbasedonhowtheyhaveeachreactedwhenmeet-ingnewanimalsandhowwellsocializedtheyareingeneral.Gettingsocialsupportofanykindisagoodwaytogetthroughlongwinterdays.

❆ Goofy Fun InsideTheholidayseasontendstoyieldalotofboxesandwrappingpapermakingtheirwayintoyourhouse.Makeafortforyourpet–manypetsjustlovetoexploredark,interestingplacesandlikethesoundandfeelingofplayinginwrappingpaper.Getalaserpointerasastockingstufferandwatchasthey“stalk”thelight.

❆ Get Some SunshineLackofsunlightcanmakeusfeeldowninthewintertime.Researchhasshownthatbrainchemistryisaffectedbybrightlight.Itwouldnotbesurprisingthatourpetscouldbenefitfromthisaswell,sotakeadvantagewhenthesunisshiningbygoingforawalkandsoakingupsomerays.

❆ Snowball FightDoesitsnowwhereyouare?Whetherit’splayingtagorjoiningasnowballfight,dogslovetoplayinsnow.Rememberthatifyoutakeyourdogsoffleashinthewinter,ensuretheyhaveup-to-dateIDtags.Dogsaremuchmorelikelytogetlostinthewinterbecausetheirsenseofsmellcannotguidethemthewayitdoesinwarmmonths.

❆ Kong ItKongisapettoythathasstoodthetestoftimeandpunishmentfromyourfurrybuddy.Kongscomeinallsizesandyoucanstuffthemwithgoodiesortreatstofittheappetiteofyourpet.It’ssureforalaughwatchingyourgopositivelybattytryingtogetthetreatsout.

❆ VolunteerOneofthebestwaystofeelgoodanytimeoftheyearisbygivingbacktoyourcommunity.Therearemanyplacessuchasseniorshomesandcommunitycentreswhereyouandyourpetcouldmakeahugedifferenceinsomeone’sday,justbypayingthemavisit.Yourpetmayhavetopasssomebehaviouraltesting,justtomakesurethatheorshewillnotbeoverwhelmedfromtheattention.

raise yoUr spirits

Bright Ideas to Raise Your Spirits this WinterWintertime has a way of shutting us down and exposing us and our pets to a little bit of cabin fever. Use your imagination this winter and get down with some fun activities to enjoy with your pet. Need some ideas? Here are some of our favourite wintertime, pet friendly activities.

By GAvIN CArOThErS

IMAGINATION!With a little imagination and the right

attitude you and your companion can enjoy the winter months together and take

advantage of the best parts that the season has to offer. Seizing opportunities to socialize,

experience new things and get outside together will help ensure a fun and

enjoyable wintertime for both of you.

2012 holiday gift guide

More than 70 perfect pet presents for everyone on your list!


FouFoudoGCorduroyoWLSdoGtoyS49075-78•from$6.99

NortHErNbiSCuitturKEy&CrANbErry28768•$7.99500g

CLAudiA'SCuiSiNEHoLidAyASSortEdCooKiES

30277•$9.998oz

PErForMAtriNuLtrAbiSCuitSyoGurt&bErry30000•$8.9920oz

HuGGLEHouNdSHoLidAyPLuSHtoyS49041•$7.99

PEtGrEENSFrEEZEdriEdLivErtrEAtS

30548•$7.291.75oz

Dog Gifts Under $10PET vaLu gifT guidE 2012

KoNGrEd&GrEENSquEEZEdoGtoyS53191•$9.99

LooFAHdoGtoyS76801-9•from$4.99

doGStoCKiNG76180•$7.99

✱ Lucy Loves ✱

SMArtN'tAStydENtALtrEAtS30854•$19.9915oz

HuGGLEHouNdS49038•$19.99

WEStPAWGLoWZiSC52591,52599•from$12.99

truECHEWSNAturALCHEWS56608•$12.49

GodoGCHECKErEdELEPHANtPLuSHtoy63780,63781•from$14.99

viPtuFFytoyS52742•$24.99

bioNiCdoGtoyS53107,53108•$14.99

Dog Gifts Under $25


PET vaLu gifT guidE 2012

✱ Lucy Loves ✱

GrEENiESdENtALtrEAtS64442•$18.9912oz

HoLidAySNoWMAN&rEiNdEErCAttoyS99806-7•$4.99each

CoSMiCGiNGErbrEAdMAN52472•$7.49

PLAy-N-SquEAKrEiNdEEr&SANtAMouSEreindeer52471-Mouse52475•$7.99each

Cat Gifts Under $10PET vaLu gifT guidE 2012

NAturALbALANCECAttrEAtSSalmon30207•$2.993ozbag

PEtGrEENSFrEEZEdriEdCHiCKENWitHWHEAtGrASS

30511•$4.990.75ozbag


HoLidAydoordANGLErCAttoy

99803•$5.99HoLidAyANtLEr&SANtAHAt

Antler-99804Hat-99805•$5.99eachHoLidAydoorKNobCAttoy

99802•$8.99

GrEENiESSMArtbitESHAirbALLCoNtroLCHiCKENForMuLA

56215•$3.992.1ozbag

PEtLiNKSroPEArouNdSCrAtCHPAd56429•$12.99

PEtLiNKSPiLLArPAWZPoSt75441•$24.99

PEtLiNKSiSCrAtCHPAd75384•$19.99

CoSMiCdoubLE&ALPiNESCrAtCHPoStS56356,56358•from$17.99

Cat Gifts Under $25PET vaLu gifT guidE 2012

peTvalu.coM - WINTER 2012 Companion 13

AtHENSLEAtHErCAtCoLLAr32985,36584,47381-2,73365,73379•from$13.99

PLAy-N-SquEAKtHriLLoFtHECHASECAttoy

51711•$21.99


uPCouNtrydoGCoLLArS&LEASHESfrom$19.99


PLANEtdoGMAZEE52412•$19.99

FouFouPEttEASCENtEdPEtWiPES44031•$1.99each

GodoGMoNStEr63782,63783,63784•from11.99

GrEENSLoWFEEdEr49109•$44.99

HEArdoGGyPLuSHdoGtoySCAt,bEAvEr&FLAMiNGo

63786-63789•$9.99

HuGGLEHouNdSLAMbiENAturAL&GrEy43266-43267•$11.99

Hot & New

KoNGFLoPPyEArWubbA53975,53976•from$8.99

✱ Lucy Loves ✱

peTvalu.coM - WINTER 2012 Companion 15

PEtLiFEdoGPArKA80007-12•from$24.99

rCCoAtS60511-19,60525-27,90251-62•from$41.99


Beds, Furniture & Apparel

CLASSyKittyCAtPoStWitHtoy75336•$19.99

HoLidAyELFHAt&bANdANASElfHat76186-88•Bandanas90181-4

•Hatfrom$4.99-bandana$7.99

bAiLEy&bELLArEvErSibLESANtA

jEStEroutFit90152-56•$24.99

HoLidAyANtLErSAntlers76161-62•from$4.99

CHiLLydoGSWEAtErS90235-90250•from$39.99

NAPPAiSLEy&SoLidovALbEdS58598-99,58602,58622-23•from$34.99

NAPPAiSLEyPiLLoWbEd58659•$44.99

✱ Lucy Loves ✱


PoLLyWANNAboXSWiNG8"41433•$9.99

EXtrEMENAturALtrEAtS50228,50229,50234•from$5.99

MAriNACubuSbEttAKit40909•$24.99

MArtiNAPPLEduMPLiNGSorbANANAMuFFiNS

50700,50701•$5.99tEtrAdELuXEAquAriuMKit10GAL

70255-$69.99

MAriNAbEttAKitS40865,40866,40869•$14.99

ruNAboutbALL7"42113•$9.99

CrittErtrAiLEXtrEMECHALLENGE74495•$45.99


Small Pets

iNSHrEdAbALL9"41444•$7.99

1-888-323-5575 grizzlypetproducts.com

• HealthyOmega-3Balance•HealthySkinandCoat•HealthyImmuneSystem•HealthyJoints•HealthyAppetite

StayWild...

...StayHealthy!

Winter is no time to drop the ball when it comes to your pet's health. The cold weather brings unique health challenges for our pets. Here are some ways you can help take care of your companion all season long.


Winter Wellness

In dog years, winter lasts almost

2 years! YIkes!

Those who are chilly together, stay together

Thebestindicatorforwhentotakeyourpetinsideandoutofthecoldiswhenyouaretoocoldyourselftostayoutanylonger.Forpetswithshorterhair,likedachshundsorbeagles,makesuretheyhaveawarmcoatforwhenthetemperaturedrops.Doesyourdogliketonotjustwalk,butplayinthesnow?Lookforacoatthathasawater-proofshell,tohelpavoidtheirfurgettingwet.

Old Souls

Thecoldcanleavejointsinolderpetsextremelystiffandtender.Makesureolderpetshaveathick,softbedtocurlupinduringchillynights.Also,watchstiffandarthriticpetswhenyougoout-side,awrongsteponsomeicecouldprovetobeverypainfulandcauseanunwantedinjury.

Keep the flakes outsideWintercanberoughonyourpet'sskinandcancauseittobecomedryanditchy.Tryswitchingtoafoodwithfishinit,togiveyourdoganextraboostinfattyacids.Betteryet,addanallnaturaloillikesalmonoil,toyourdogsfood,andyouwillnotonlynoticeadiffer-enceintheirskinandcoatbutitwillalsohelpreduceshedding.Win-winforeveryone!

By KELLIE MCCUTChEON

winter heaLth

If you’re the owner of a purebred dog you are most likely aware that purebred dogs have gone through a selective breeding process and are bred to have specific traits. The result of doing this is that every breed will have a specific set of genes that distinguishes the dog from other breeds and will show consistent, replicable, and predictable characteristics. These characteristics include physical traits such as size, coat, and colour, as well as temperament characteristics such as energy level and intelligence. On the down side, because purebred dogs come from a limited gene pool, they are also susceptible to a wide range of congenital health issues. Nutrition can help in preventing some of these health issues. Royal Canin’s expertise, developed over the last 40 years, lies in providing dogs with the most precise nutrition to meet their purebred needs.

Tailor-made

Breed Health Nutrition™

for your Purebred Dog.

Holiday 10% Give Back!

† Get 10% free when you buy a 30 lb bag of Royal Canin Breed Health NutritionTM adult formula. Offer valid on Cocker Spaniel 25 TM, Bulldog 24TM, German Shepherd 24TM,, Boxer26TM, Labrador Retriever 30TM, Golden Retriever 25TM, Rottweiler. See in-store for details.

Receive 10%† more free BReed HealtH NutRitioNtM

German Shepherd 24tM

Boxer 26tM Golden Retriever 25tM Cocker Spaniel 25tM

Bulldog 24tM labrador Retriever 30tM Rottweiler

NEW!

Cocker Spaniel The Cocker Spaniel is an easy going and trusting dog. This breed is two times

more likely to develop cataracts than other breeds. Royal Canin’s Breed Health

Nutrition™ promotes healthy vision with antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthine (protecting the lens and retina of the eye), with additional antioxidant action from green tea polyphenols and vitamins E and C. The unique cashew-shaped kibble is low-density, which helps slow down food ingestion to keep Cocker Spaniels feeling fuller longer. Recommended nutrition:

Cocker Spaniel 25TM

Bulldog The Bulldog is a gentle, big-hearted dog. The Bulldog’s thick tongue can

affect both its breathing and digestion which can result in flatulence (or excess

gas). Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition™ helps promote better digestion and less gas with highly digestible proteins and carbohydrates, prebiotics, and zeolite. The tailor-made kibble is designed to make it easier for the Bulldog to pick up and chew their food, which slows down eating, improves digestion, and helps to prevent bloating and gas. Recommended nutrition: Bulldog 24TM*

Labrador RetrieverThe Labrador Retriever is a devoted and playful dog. However, this breed tends to have more fat than muscle. Royal

Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition™ promotes a healthy weight with hunger-satisfying

oats and barley, fat-burning L-carnitine, high protein, and controlled fat levels. The tailor-made “hole-in-the-middle” kibble has a low-density design to reduce the amount of calories consumed, and to limit gulping by forcing the Labrador to slow down and chew. Recommended nutrition: Labrador Retriever 30TM*

Golden Retriever The Golden Retriever is an intelligent, energetic dog that can be prone to skin irritations. Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition™ promotes skin and coat health with a specialized complex of

four B vitamins and one amino acid, methionine, cysteine, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The appetite satisfying low-density kibble is specifically designed to help prevent gulping, helping your dog to feel full more quickly, and reducing the amount of calories consumed. Recommended nutrition:

Golden Retriever 25TM*

German Shepherd The German Shepherd is a courageous,

dependable companion. In comparison with similar sized breeds, German Shepherds have

extremely fragile digestive systems. This can lead to bloating and soft, wet stool. Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition™ promotes optimal digestion with ultra-digestible ingredients, like brown rice, soy protein and wheat gluten, plus beet pulp and prebiotics. The specialized kibble features a custom X-shape helps support healthy digestion by encouraging the German Shepherd to slow down and chew their food, and increases kibble surface area to further increase digestibility. Recommended nutrition: German Shepherd 24TM*

Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition™ range is formulated with precise nutrient levels, high quality raw materials, exclusive shapes, textures, and natural aromas which attract the dog immediately. The very high digestibility of the carefully selected proteins promotes intestinal health and ensures the best possible utilization by the body. These formulas combine scientific knowledge and nutritional precision; taking into account each breed’s particular sensitivities to formulate a unique product tailored to their specific needs. Breed Health NutritionTM also available for small purebred dogs. See in-store for details.

*Also available in puppy formula.

UniqUe Breeds, UniqUe needs, UniqUe nUtrition

Rottweiler The Rottweiler is a protective and powerful dog. However, they are predisposed to cardiovascular

disease including subaortic stenosis. Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition™ promotes a healthy heart

with EPA and DHA, taurine, and L-carnitine. Vitamins C and E, along with green tea polyphenols and lycopene help to protect the heart cells against free radical damage. The kibble is tailored for their unique jaw, and encourages the Rottweiler to slowly chew each kibble, helping to decrease the risk of gastric torsion. Recommended nutrition: Rottweiler*

Boxer The Boxer is a powerful, athletic breed who can develop heart issues in the

adult stage of life. Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition™ promotes heart health

through the use of taurine, L-carnitine, arginine, and antioxidants including vitamins E and C, lutein, green tea polyphenols, and lycopene. The tailor-made kibble is also shaped for the Boxer’s unique jaw. This specialized S-shaped kibble prevents gulping by making kibble prehension easier and encourage chewing, which helps decrease bloating and gas. Recommended nutrition: Boxer 26TM

NEW!

ADvertOrIAL


on the web

1 www.petvalu.com

Want to find your closest store? View our flyer online?

This is the place to go. You can also learn here about

the services we offer as well as our product selection.

2 http://twitter.com/petvalu

Tell us in 140 characters or less all the wonderful

things about your pet! Our customers, stores and local

charities love to send updates about what is happening

across our stores, so make sure you are one of the first

to know all the details.

3 www.facebook.com/petvalu

If you are interested in connecting with other pet par-

ents, sharing photos, entering contests or learning about

our store events then our Facebook page has everything

you are looking for. Like us to join the conversation.

4 http://petvalu.com/blog

Our blog is all pets, all the time. Learn many things

including pet safety tips, new products in-store, rotation

feeding and the benefits of holistic. Like one-stop shop-

ping, there is something for everyone here.

5 http://pinterest.com/petvalu

The most “awww-inducing” pinterest page you will visit!

The pictures will melt your heart and leave you smiling

for days. Be sure to upload pictures of your adorable

pets and pin them on our boards. Our boards include

“Hand-held Cuteness” and “Amazing Adoptables”.

Are you in the know?Pet Valu is more than just a store. We have an entire online community that, like yourselves, loves pets. There is a lot happening online with Pet Valu and we want to make sure you know all the ways to connect with us!

✱ Lucy Loves ✱

American GoldfinchFEEDEr TYPES:tube with small holesor platform

appareLwiLd birds

Winter can be a harsh season for many wild birds. as temperatures drop, scores of birds fly south to find readily available food. However, there are many birds who fly north for the winter, or remain in the area, and because of the declining amount of food available, it is important to leave food out for these birds.

By TErA CAShEN

Black Capped ChickadeeFEEDEr TYPES:hopper,platform or tube feeder with large holes

Downy WoodpeckerFEEDEr TYPES:hopper,platform or tube feeder with large holes

House FinchFEEDEr TYPES:platform or tube feeder with small holes

BluejayFEEDEr TYPES:hopper, ground or platform

❆ Look for these winter birds

❆ Extreme Temperatures & FoodAslongasbirdscanfindshelterindenseshrubsandconifers,thecoldtemperaturedoesnotbotherthem.Somespeciesroostinholesintreeswithmanyotherbirdskeepingeachotherwarm.Others,likeblack-cappedchickadees,areabletogrowmorefeathersthatfluffupduringthewintertoprovidebetterinsula-tion.Butwithoutagoodsourceoffood,birdscanbecometooweaktofindfood.

Foraging,orhuntingforfood,iscutdrasticallybyshorterdays,especiallyforsmallerbirdswhospendmostoftheirwakinghourssearchingforfood.Thesmallerthebirdis,thehighertheirmetabolismis,andthegreatertheirneedforfood.Becauseofthis,it’sagoodideatoleavefoodoutforthebirdsinthewintertohelpthemwithsearchingforfood.

❆ Types of Wild Bird FeedItisimportanttofindseedthatbirdswilluseforenergywithaloweramountofwastebelowthefeeder.Poorqualitybirdseedwon’tcontainalargeamountofseedsthatwinterbirdsactuallyneedtosurvive.

Thebestproteinsource,andthemostpopularforsmallbirdsandlargebirdsalike,isthesunflowerseed,particularlytheblackoilsunflowerseed.Theoutershellofblackoilsunflowerseediseasytocrack.Itcontainsahighamountofprotein,fat,andnutrientslikeiron,calciumandphosphorus,whichbirdsreallyneedforsurvivingthewintermonths.Agreatmixthathasmostlyblack-oilandstripedsunflowerseedisSolescaWoods’Woodlandmix.Thismixalsocontainspeanuthalvesandsafflowerseed,whichisgreatforattractingawidevarietyofbirds.

Thesecondmostpopularfoodforwinterbirdsispeanuts.Thesecontainasmuchproteinandfatasblackoilsunflowerseeds.SolescaWoods’WasteFreemixcontainspeanutchips,andtheShellFreemixcontainshulledpeanuts.Bothmixesaregreatforreducingfoodorshellwastebelowthefeeder.

Asmallerseedwithhighfatandhighproteincontentisnyjerseed(sometimeslabellednigerorthistle).Thesethinblackseedsareafavouriteofsmallerbirds,likechickadeesandfinches,butrequiretubefeederstokeeptheseedfromfallingout.YoucanbuythisinSolescaWoods’Finchmix,whichcontainsothersmallseedsforsmallbirds.

Birds ofWinter

Northern CardinalFEEDEr TYPES:hopper or platform

Red Breasted NuthatchFEEDEr TYPES:hopper or platform

feeding winter birds can be quite

enjoyable. not only do you get the

satisfaction of knowing these birds will have plenty of food, but you will

enjoy watching a wide variety of birds gather in your backyard.


K ID

ZONE


KID ZONE ANSWERS

www.petvalu.com/companionanswers

find the pet!iGUAnA-pUppY-Kitten-pARROt-BettA fiSh

hAMSteR-GeRBiL-LiZARd-fROG

RABBit-GUineA piG-MOUSe

Did you know?

A dog’s nose has 14 times as many

scent cells as a human’s. They can

sniff out their dinner from any

room in the house!

Did you know?A guinea pig’s teeth grow constantly throughout its life!

Did you know?A parrot’s resting heart rate is about 400 beats per minute!

Did you know?

A goldfish can live

up to 40 years!


5 horrible holiday foods & what to feed your pets instead!

Instead of this… Feed them this…Cooked meatThe seasoned meats that made up your big holiday dinner contain too much fat and will wreak havoc on a pet’s tummy

Freeze Dried Treats Dog - Throw Fido a freeze dried treat, which is healthy & full of flavour.cat - Felines love 100% freeze dried treats.All the trimmings

Onions, macadamias, grapes and sultanas are extremely toxic to pets

Pumpkin Dog – Nummy Tum-Tum 100% organic pure pumpkin (Item # 78951)cat – Weruva cats in the Kitchen pumpkin jack splashStuffing

There always seems to be so much of this left over, but using this to satiate your pet’s sad eyes is a bad idea

Turkey TreatsDog – Northern turkey cranberry treatscat – Whiskas Temptations tantalizing turkey flavourChocolate

Nothing new here, the cocoa found in chocolate is awful for animalsCarobDog – 3 Dog Bakery cookies with natural carob and vanillacat – pawbreakers! catnip candyPecan Pie

all that sugar and butter tastes delicious, but given that it’s hardly good for us, just think how bad it is for your pet!

A Fruit-Filled TreatDog - Fruitables sweet potato & pecan (Item # 29666)cat – cranimals very Berry organic cranberry, blueberry & raspberry

63%ofpetownerssaythattheiranimalshadbeensickaftergorgingonholidayleftovers.Scraptheneedforavetvisitthisseasonbystickingtotreatsthataresafeforanimalstoeat.

❉it’sverynicetomeetyou,Sirred. Soformal!❉ Weheardyoulovetoeat.

Whatkindsofthingsareusuallyonthemenu?

Myparents,SatbirandNavdeep,trytokeepmehealthysotheyusuallyfeedmeParrotGranulesandfruits.ButIlovepeanutswiththeshell,canteloupe,apples,pears,watermelon,grapesandmynot-so-healthyfavouriteis…

FrENCHFriES!

❉ Howaboutyoutellyourfansaboutsomeofyourotherfavouriteactivities.

Iliketohangupsidedownonthedoorofmycage,sayingwordslike“hello”,“hi”&“peekaboo”tocustomers.

❉ Soundslikeyou’vegotafunlife! Mybrightredandgreenfeathers

areashowstopper!❉ thanksfortakingthetimeto

talktous,red. You’rewelcome.Ican’twaittoget

somevisitsfrommyfans!

Did you knowthat some of our stores have pets of their very own? Many have cats or dogs, but the Brampton, ON store (located at 55 Mountainash Rd) has a big, beautiful parrot named Red (so festive!). We held an interview with Red, to get to know him a little better.

Read more about Red on our blog! www.petvalu.com/blog

PASSIONATEABOUTPETS?

Join Canada’s Largest Chain of Specialty Pet Supply Stores.

READY FOR

RETAIL?

A pet specialty franchise can help you turn the growing pet industry into your own successful business. As Canada’s largest pet specialty retail franchise chain, we can support your success from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. Pet Valu has a loyal and established customer base, a recognized brand and is part of a growing market in Canada and throughout North America.

Take our established business model and turn it into your own thriving success story. The next store opening could be yours!

We Offer Our Franchisees:

• Best-in-class inventory control and more than 200 vendor relationships • Purchasing and warehousing of more than 7,000 national and premium pet foods and supplies • Marketing and advertising support (local and nationwide) • Pet Valu’s own successful private label program

For more information about this opportunity, contact:

Mark Sonik, Franchise DirectorPet Valu Canada Inc.905-946-1200 ext. [email protected]

Visit petvalu.com/franchise for details

companion magazine winter 2012

Documents

new treats

new sweater

new bed

new flavour new look

whats new

new formula

pet experts

lot of pet