Types of questions you can ask an Animal Care Expert

Food and nutrition

A healthy diet is a top priority for pets and the question ‘What’s the best food to feed my pet?’ is the most common one that pet parents have for animal experts and ACEs who, thanks to their training, are well versed in this topic.

Wondering what the difference is between timothy hay and alfalfa? An ACE can tell you why your rabbit might need one even though they prefer the other.

Looking to transition your senior dog to a food that better meets their nutritional needs? An ACE can tell you why you might want to consider something with a lower protein content or how glucosamine supplements can help.

Whether you have a dog, cat or other small animal, ACEs can provide useful insight on the food options available for your pet, and help you figure out what type of food will best support their health and happiness.

So many of our ACEs are pet parents, too, and can tap into their experiences with their own pets. If, however, they are stumped on a nutrition question, they can connect customers with Pet Valu’s in-house nutritionist who can provide answers to some of the more technical questions about diet and nutrition.

Grooming

If only it were as simple as a brush and the occasional shampoo.

In reality, however, pets have a wide variety of grooming needs that aren’t just superficial but also contribute to their health and comfort.

Depending on your pet, the grooming process can be simple or quite involved. Certain breeds of dogs, for example, benefit from the use of deshedding tools to help remove loose hair from the undercoat, clippers for haircuts, and combs and conditioners for detangling and avoiding the development of matts.

Many pets require teeth cleaning, nail clipping, and filing, which can be done by your vet or with tools (and treats) that you can find at Pet Valu.

Small animals need grooming, too, especially when it comes to their dental hygiene.

“We talk a lot about the grooming care that small animals require because most of them are open-rooted,” says Zana Ellis who is part of the team that develops ACE training, who is also a pet parent.

“Their teeth just keep growing, which is why they chew everything. So you want to provide them with different textures for them to chew. It'll naturally help grind down teeth.”

Common health concerns

While there are times you can always ask an ACE about minor or common health issues, your vet is always your best resource for health concerns about your pet.

For example, if you’re looking to help your BFF with weight maintenance or weight loss, an ACE might suggest a healthy low-cal treat or a new food. If your pet has food allergies, they can guide you towards a diet that steers clear of the ingredients your pet is allergic to.

ACEs can offer advice about how to ease the ageing process for your pet (think: raised feeding bowls or a litter box with a lower barrier to entry) or troubleshoot an issue you might have with motivating your pet during training, where the right treat could make all the difference.

ACEs are there to support pets and pet parents, so if you have a question about your animal, ask away.