The best for your pets

Photo courtesy of Kevin Nehls

SANTA PAWS. Every Christmas, Dog Daze Natural Pet Market brings in a Santa to pose and take photos with furry friends of all shapes and sizes. All proceeds from the photo sessions go directly to local animal rescue organizations.

Natural chain markets, specialty stores and farmers markets have gained massive followings and customers during the middle and end of this decade. With movies and books highlighting the decline in health of the majority of Americans today and the part that mechanizing food production has played in that decline, more individuals are choosing to go a more natural, thoughtful route with consuming. For a dedicated group, this also includes integrating healthier options into the lives of their furry friends, too.

Throughout Tacoma and the South Sound, natural pet stores have taken stake to try and reach out to more thoughtful consumers. In the downtown Puyallup area, Dog Daze Natural Pet Market tries to reach out to the neighborhood with a dedication to educating their customers and offering their best to pets and their owners.

Having worked in the pet supply industry since 1989, Dog Daze Natural Pet Market owner Erin Walker knows a few things about the business. After working for a traditional pet industry outfit for a few years, Walker moved onto a natural pet supply distributor and worked under it for seven years.

“It was the only one in Washington dedicated to natural pet supplies versus chemical ingredients. And then when I learned as much as I could there I decided to start my own store,” Walker stated.

And since she’s opened the store, Walker has had some very specific criteria as to how she wants to run it and what customers should expect from her business.

“My main focus, besides natural food, is education to help people understand the different options. We have supplies for dogs, cats and house rabbits and we feature rescue animals in the store, but don’t sell any. We sell as much ‘made in the USA’ items and local stuff as we can find…I wanted to get more into education (of customers),” Walker affirmed.

Walker also feels that the business is completely different working with consumers rather than pet food companies. She loves to get feedback from customers and to hear “it worked!” She feels a great sense of

accomplishment by only selling products that she and her employees are proud of and would use on their own animals. They evaluate each product they bring in before it goes to the sale shelves to make sure it meets their high standards.

The location of the pet store in downtown Puyallup was an important decision to Walker, who wanted very much to be a part of the revitalization of the area. “We looked at other areas and at what they were doing. In Puyallup it seemed like there was a need – there’s not another store like us in the area. They’re definitely

trying to re-face buildings to how they used to be. People think of the area as just antique stores. We wanted to offer variety and get more walking traffic as part of the

rejuvenation, and not just in a strip mall,” Walker said.

The bulk of Walker’s business is focused on selling natural pet foods, treats and supplements for dogs, cats and rabbits. Dog food brands such as Canidae, Nature’s Variety and FirstMate, as well as cat food brands such as Evo, Innova and California Natural are available as well as many other brands that meet the top Dog Daze standard. In addition to food, Dog Daze also prides itself on its selection of specialty pet items such as functional clothes, specialty training items such as Tellington Touch Supplies (a method of soothing animals that is used on horses for positive training with a scientific based trainer), as well as a selection of raw and dehydrated foods which are gaining in popularity with pets and their owners for a more back-to-basics approach to feeding.

“One of the things we focus on is animal rescue outside of the store. We carry some supplies for housing rescue spayed/neutered house rabbits and we have a cat (three right now). We’re big into spay, neuter and rescue, working with special needs, allergies and behaviors,” Walker said.

Walker affirms that the store also has an array of pet toys that are both fun and interactive, such as puzzles that dogs and cats have to work at for their food. The toys are mentally stimulating and perfect for days when it’s too cold out and they can’t talk a long walk. Dog Daze Natural Pet Market also caters to cats despite the name, and has a full line of cat supplies, foods, toys and bedding.

Though there are similar stores in nearby Tacoma and sprawled throughout the South Sound, Walker feels that she offers a few things at Dog Daze that put her ahead of the competition.

“First, we’re very picky and we evaluate every product we have and we stand behind everything we do. All of our employees have experience with pets, are pet owners and people who’ve surrounded their lives around animals to answer questions from customers. And also we are solution-oriented, holistic and network with acupuncturists and chiropractors. Our goal is if a dog comes in with health problems and the owner doesn’t feel like they’re getting anywhere being treated with medications, that they can come and we can get them to stop it from happening, lesson symptoms and use holistic treatments,” Walker said.

Natural pet stores only make up about 12 percent of the market, and most people just buy their pet food at grocery stores. Dog Daze Natural Pet Market wants to be a destination where customers will come in and ask questions. The store doesn’t give out medical advice, but they are all about educating customers on what they can do for their pets. The store is not just about selling customers products – it’s about having the best relationship with your pet.

Members of the military always receive a 10 percent discount at Dog Daze, and right now the shop has a special on Canidae brand dog food: $3 off all varieties of large bags. The store also has a large selection of winter coats and jackets that will keep kitties and puppies warm in the elements.

Dog Daze Natural Pet Market is located at 116 S. Meridian, suite A, in downtown Puyallup. The store’s hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be closed on New Year’s Day. For more information, call (253) 445-3647 or visit http://www.dogdazenaturalpet.com. 

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