O’Brien Pet Foods first opened its doors in Squamish, BC over 30 years ago, and to this day is still the only locally owned and operated pet food store in town. What began as a feed store for the rural community eventually transitioned into a pet shop, and it remains dedicated to providing care and high-quality nutrition for pets. “Our mission is to provide and supply healthy, nutritious food to all animals,” says Lin Smith, who owns the store with her husband Brent. “We specialize in diet, and one of... Read more

The best of all worlds - why rotational feeding is important for your pet We all want what’s best for our pets - health, happiness, and a lot of love and fun! But when it comes to their diet, have you ever considered the importance of rotational feeding and how it can help to optimise their nutrition - and their health? Here at Smack Pet Food, we believe in creating pet food free of synthetic vitamins and minerals, with superfood ingredients and recipes that naturally promote high bioavailability of nutrients.... Read more

A powerhouse of nutrition: parsley and its many benefits Parsley - probably not the first ingredient we think of when it comes to superfoods, but this herb has more to offer than just a pop of green on your plate. Parsley - the curly variety - actually offers a range of AMAZING nutritional benefits to our pets (and us!). A powerhouse of vitamins as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, we’re all about including it in our pets’ bowls. Read on for more about why parsley really is a paw-some... Read more

For Carly Patryluk, founder of House of Paws Pet Boutique, being a pet store owner was never part of the plan. “I didn’t even know it was a dream I had,” she says. After 25 years in the corporate world, she realized that this wasn’t what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. “I’ve always loved animals, and have always done things to try to help them.” Her ventures into the pet world began with her starting a non-registered organization called Feeding Fur Babes, which raised funds... Read more

Top tips for protecting your pet's skin this winter Winter - it’s a tough time of year for all of us - with extra layers to wear outside, cold faces and dry skin, it takes extra effort to get out and about. But what about our pets at this time of year? Just like us, the cold dry air (and extra heating inside) can cause cats’ and dogs’ skin to dry out and develop uncomfortable, itchy patches. Leaving these issues untreated can lead to excessive scratching, which can cause hair... Read more

On the road again... this time with extra safety measures! Travelling can be stressful at the best of times - booking flights, managing itineraries, organizing and packing - but travelling with pets adds another layer of complexity when it comes to sorting out a trip. Pet Travel Safety Day (marked on January 2 each year) is an opportunity to educate pet owners about the possible dangers for pets when travelling and to make them aware of the best ways to keep them safe when you take a family trip. We’ve... Read more

Thyme for some festive nutrition! We’re all about this popular nutritious herb, perfect for the holiday season… Ever thought about adding thyme to your pet’s diet? It’s a spice that you probably have on hand in your kitchen for adding a delicious kick of flavour to your soups, stews, meats and pasta dishes. But it’s actually a herb that can also be incorporated into your dog or cat’s bowl, with numerous nutritional benefits for them. Not only does it help improve digestion, and strengthen bone and muscle tissue, thyme can... Read more

Looking for the ulti-mutt gift for the dog in your life? We’ve put together our top 5 gift ideas to help your pup have a paw-fect festive season! Treat dispensing or puzzle toys Some dogs eat too fast, while others need more mental stimulation to help wear them out. There are lick mats, snuffle mats, puzzles and even just treat-dispensing toys to satisfy all their needs. These types of toys can be extra handy during the hectic holiday season - put them in their crate or in a quiet place... Read more

Looking for that purr-fect present for the cat in your life? We’ve put together our top 5 gift ideas to bring some feline joy this festive season! Scratcher Whether it’s cardboard or carpet, this is a present to satisfy your cat’s natural need to stretch and scratch (and - added bonus - it helps to keep their nails healthy!). Find scratchers here  Catnip Not only is this a TON of fun for cats, it’s also wonderful as an appetite stimulant for any kitties who are feeling the stress of a... Read more