FAQ
/in Uncategorized /by Amelia ChidaTop 10 FAQ asked at Peaks Family Pets?
- Why did you change your name? We changed our name from O’Brien Pet Foods and Supplies to Peak Family Pets in May 2022. Mainly because O’Brien’s was the previous owner’s name. Peaks Family Pets represents our deep connection to the Squamish community and our commitment to treating every pet and pet owner like family.
- I want to switch my dog to a raw diet, but it is overwhelming. Can you help? Peaks Family Pets have the largest selection of raw for dogs and cats. We feed our dogs raw ourselves and can help you navigate the change. The best way is to come in and talk to us and we can tell you how to transition into the raw diet. Whether you are switching because of allergies or personal preference we are happy to help guide you.
- I want to switch to a raw diet, but it is expensive, any ways I can save? There are a couple ways we can help you save on raw. All our raw brands come in larger bulk cases. If you purchase the larger freezer packs (usually 10 to 24 lb cases) you will get a 10 to 20% savings vs buying smaller freezer packs. Also, we have an in-store loyalty program where you will collect points for every dollar you spend of which raw food purchase count towards.
- I don’t see my dog’s food, can you get it? We carry most brands of pet foods and are always happy to order in a custom order for you. In fact, we custom order food for many of our customers. Part of belonging to the Peaks Pets Family means that we learn your dog’s requirements and eating habits. So, when you are due for your next bag of food, we will have it ordered for you.
- You have a parrot? Yes, that’s Princess, our CEO. She has been with Peaks Pets since it first opened in 1988. She keeps us on our toes and if you want to see her, she is most active first thing in the morning and right before close.
- My dog chews everything, what is your longest lasting dog chew? Well, nothing is guaranteed to last forever. But our customers report back and confirmed that the heavy weight bully sticks, full length bull tails, beef cheek roll and large pork pressed bones are contenders for the longest lasting chews. These are all safe and natural dog chews. We don’t carry any raw hide in our store.
- Why is my dog itchy, is there a way I can figure this out? If the vet thinks it is food related, we can help with that. We are experts in advising you how you can do an elimination diet, helping you decipher which food is the best for your dog’s allergies or offering you advice on a healthy dog gut. Need us to find the best food that aligns with your dog’s requirements? We can help you with that too.
- Do you deliver? Yes, we do. Why drive down the highway or wait to have your dog food delivered from Vancouver? Peaks pets offers free local delivery within Squamish with every order over $75. Live in the Valley or Brittania? We can get you your food too for a delivery fee of $20 or minimum order of $100. Order online on our website or via phone and have your dog food delivered the same day in Squamish.
- Can you make it “raw dog food?” We have the largest selection and variety of raw dog and raw cat food in Squamish. We have 5 freezers full of raw food brands that are either made here in the lower mainland or in Canada. Raw food varieties range from pure proteins to complete raw diets for dogs and cats.
- 10.Are you a local shop or a chain? Nope we are a locally owner and operated small family run business. We are the best pet food store in Squamish because we have been in business for over 30 years. We love to support other local businesses and you will see that in our shop.
- What makes you Squamish’s Best Pet Shop? (Okay we felt we had to sneak this one in) We were voted Squamish’s Best Pet Store in 2022 by the Squamish Chief Reader’s Poll. And we hope to make the list again next year. We treat all our customers as Squamish Locals and Squamish family. Come by just to say hi – we would love to meet you.
Camping With Your Dog
/in Uncategorized /by Amelia ChidaCamping With Your Dog
Enjoying the great outdoors and camping is one of BC’s best outdoor activities. Out here, we have the privilege of living in the close proximities to so many trails, Provincial parks and shoreline. Most likely, wherever you are in BC you are withing an hour’s drive to great camping sites and trails. Most of us want to enjoy our camping trips with our dogs. Let’s face it, they love being outside and we want them with us all the time. Some things to consider when camping with your dog are the following. If you cannot say yes to all these below, then you may want to reconsider your trip.
- Is my pet fit and healthy, and up for travelling?
- Does the campground allow pets?
- Will my dog be comfortable or will camping cause anxiety?
Keeping your dog safe from wildlife.
The biggest hazard with dogs and camping is the potential for wildlife encounters. Pets are generally wildlife attractants therefore its important to have them leashed or have a very strong recall to get them under control.
Consider teaching your dog the emergency call back. It’s basically a “come here now, I mean it!” call. Dogs in the outback need to understand that this recall is a must. If you cannot recall your dog, then makes sure your dog is always leashed.
Check with the park authorities if you are at a provincial/national park and ask about recent wildlife sightings. If you are camping in Spring know that wildlife is most active around this time, they are either waking up from a long hibernation and/or looking for mates. Bear bells are great tools to announce that you and your dog are approaching and allowing wildlife to flee.
Pet Restrictions on Trails and Beaches
It’s always best to check ahead of time whether dogs are allowed on certain trails. For example, Alice Lake allows dogs within the campgrounds, but dogs are not allowed in the public beaches or picnic areas. The dogs are allowed in the surrounding trails but limited in other public spaces. The Sea to Sky Gondola allows dogs up top but they are not allowed to upload. You will have to trek up with your dog and then purchase a download ticket to come down. Once up top there is a dog friendly area to leash up your dog.
Our recommendation is to investigate these things ahead of time. Also, as part of your research, review the rules and make sure you know the leash laws for the campground—most pet-friendly campgrounds require your dog or cat always stay on a 6-foot leash.
The Raw Diet and Camping
A common question is “how do I keep with my dog’s raw diet while camping?” If it is at all possible to bring a cooler packed with ice or one that can be plugged in this may be a convenient way to store raw food. But if you are going into the back country for a long trip and where there are no electrical hook ups you may want to change your dog’s usual raw blend to a comparable food. Also using ice and cooler may not get the safest way to keep your dog’s food from the heat of the summer.
A safe, lighter and more convenient way to keep on a raw diet while camping is to feed your dog dehydrated, air dried or freeze dried raw food. These types of food retain the same qualities of raw food but have undergone a slightly different manufacturing process. Not only are these foods completely balanced, but you also don’t have to pack a lot because they are very calorie dense. This means you don’t have to feed your dog as much and it won’t take up space in your gear. Similar to the raw diet they are usually grain free and have very little added to them.
Great options are a Canadian dehydrated raw brand call Smack. We like it because it is made with only highly nutritious organic and non- GMO ingredients. A 50-pound dog needs only 1 1/4 cup to 2 cups a day. And if you are doing lots of activities you can easily add water to this food to ensure your dog is staying completed hydrated through your camping trip. If you are leaning towards a freeze-dried food then Acana Freeze-Dried or Open Farm Freeze-Dried are great options. Both are minimally processed in a convenient freeze-dried raw format with at least 85% protein, organs and bones. Air Dried foods, such as Ziwi Peak are gently dried to protect the nutrients and integrity of the food. All these alternatives (air dried, dehydrated, and freeze-dried) contain more nutrients than fresh food, because the freezing process helps to preserve them better. They are also a lot denser in calories and generally have a higher percentage of protein and fat compared to kibble because the drying process removes water and concentrate the protein and fat. Which ever you go with you cannot really choose wrong it just depends on your preference.
Key Rules to Remember while camping with your dog.
- Don’t leave your pet unattended at your campground
- Ensure your pet is secured when traveling
- Don’t leave your pet in a parked car in warm weather
- Keep them leashed on trails and in campgrounds
- Clean up after your pet
- Respect other dogs in the campground
Don’t Forget to Pack the Essentials!
- Water bowl (preferably no spill) and water
- Collapsible water bowl for long hikes
- Food enough for the trip plus one extra day’s worth
- Treats for the trails and bones for campfire gatherings
- An extra long leash for camp or a tie out/ collapsible fence area
- Poo Bags – don’t be that guy!
- Medication
- Pet first aid kit
- Collar / Harness / Leash (biothane is best – non stinky and waterproof)
- Their bed / blanket
- ID Tags
- Bear Bell
- Emergency Vet Care Contact Information
- If you are going to wash your dog while on vacation, make sure you use earth friendly biodegradable shampoo.
Happy Camping.
A Healthy Dog gut
/in Uncategorized /by Amelia ChidaA Healthy Dog gut
Gut Health, probiotics, and poop. The not so glamourous side of dog ownership.
Most of our conversations at Peaks is focused on dog food and a common question is “how will I know if the new food is good for my dog?” And almost 100% of the time this conversation will end up with discussion about your dog’s poop. Yup, we went there. You don’t know how many times we talk about poop in detail at our shop. Nothing is off the table at Peaks.
Truth be told the poop tells a lot about your dog’s health. What does it look like? Is it runny, firm, large, small, too soft, too hard? Does your dog have diarrhea or is your dog constipated? Your dog’s poop is a vital indicator of your dog’s gut health. So really once your switch your pups food, keep an eye on how the poop changes. Poop should be firm and occur on a regular basis, once after each meal period. If it is anything drastically different, then your dog may not be reaping the best from its food. Sometimes it can be a food intolerance, but often it could be your dog’s gut health.
Probiotics – what are they really?
It makes sense to touch on gut health and probiotics when we are talking about watching poop once you change your dog’s food. Probiotics have recently become popular, but what are we really adding when we give our dogs probiotics? Probiotics are live bacteria that live in the stomach, intestines, and colon. They are considered “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help keep your dog’s gut healthy. Probiotics are the happy bacteria that help to digest food. In short probiotics normalize the conditions in the intestines by changing the local acidity of the digestive tract. It only makes sense that if you change what your dog eats the environment in your pup’s gut changes too. Adding probiotics will help get your dog’s insides back to its regular balance much quicker when introducing new foods.
Not only do probiotics help the digestion of foods they also are a beneficial influence on our dog’s health. How? The microbiomes that live in your dog’s intestines have a big influence on their immune system, defense against intestinal pathogens, and provision of vitamins and nutrients. For example, dietary carbohydrates are fermented by bacteria into usable energy for cells. And studies have proven that the biproduct produced by the bacteria regulate intestinal motility and possess anti-inflammatory properties. Also, it has been found that good bacteria help combat bad ones such as salmonella.
With all this talk about good gut health we should talk about what can cause a dog to have poor gut health? A diet high in processed foods, fillers, and processed grains. Stress, antibiotics, corticosteroids could all lead to a gut imbalance. The destruction of the good bacteria in the intestinal tract can give the bad bacteria the chance to take over and this can lead to nutrients not being absorbed by the gut and thus leading to irregular poops or diarrhea. Something this can also lead to Leaky Gut. So best to feed your dog a diet that is natural and easily digestible and limit the amount of human food you give to your dog. At the end of the day, we do our best for our dogs and just reading the list of ingredients and understanding what you are feeding your dog will go a long way. If you ever need help in understanding what you are feeing your dog, we invite to you come by for visit.
What’s in a name?
/in Uncategorized /by Amelia ChidaWhat’s in a name?
In case you missed it we rebranded and changed our name. What is the meaning of our new name? Peaks Family Pets represents our deep connection to the Squamish community and our commitment to treating every pet and pet owner like family.
Why the change? When Brent and I bought the shop, everyone asked if we were going to change the name. We weren’t sure at the time. All we knew was that were going to be a part of a great community and be immersed in our passion. We love pets and want the best for them. We wanted to support other local businesses that believe in local too, and the action of buying a simple bag of dog food can help build connections and community. What we didn’t realize was how much the community was going to affect us. We have celebrated new family members with you, we shed tears when some have crossed over the rainbow bridge, and we have shared and laughed at some of the best pet stories. We truly believe that we are not just a place to get pet supplies, we are a family that looks out for other families here. We care about what is going on your lives and feel privileged to be doing what we do. And so, when it came to choosing our new name, we knew it had to be a name that reflects and represents how important your pets are to us all in the beautiful setting in which we call home.
The story of Peaks Family Pets didn’t begin with O’Brien’s Pet Foods and Supplies. The pet shop dates all the way back to 1988. The store was originally called Squamish Pet Foods and Supplies and was located downtown on Cleveland. Back then the town was half the size and if you were to visit the shop then you would have seen more horse and farm animal feed than dog food. Over the years, as pets transitioned from working animals to members of our family, we started to pay more attention to what we feed them. Over the years we have educated ourselves in what quality pet food should be, what we should avoid feeding our pets and we have learned about which dog and pet supplements to further improve their lives. What you see in our warehouse today, is Squamish’s largest variety of raw dog and a raw cat food, healthy dry dog and cat food and the best quality treats for our fluffy loved ones. We also have great have great options for fish supplies, reptile supplies and small animal food and treats.
From long-time customers to new faces, we invite you to join us in this new chapter as a part of the Peaks community. Thank you, Squamish, for your continued support over the years, we wouldn’t be here without you!
Sierra, Teresa, Lin, Brent and Princess
Local Vendors
/in Uncategorized /by Amelia ChidaLocal Vendors
Other than Princess the Parrot, our most favourite things in the shop are our local vendors. The Sea to Sky is filled so many talented people and we are so grateful that many of these folks have crafted specialty items for pets. This month we wanted to feature local dog treat vendors. If you haven’t heard about these yummy and healthy treats read on…
Pet-Pep makes non-medicated organic beef liver treats that will support you and your pet throughout their lives. The owner, BJ, provides a line of high value treats that satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. She is located in Squamish and has been making these treats since 2014. What is great about Pet-Pep is there are no fillers, no additives and no hormones; nothing but the best! BJ started making treats when she found out her rescue pups had allergies. So what would any pup loving mom do? Well…make her own treats and share it with the community. Since then Pet-Pep has made a name for itself. Healthy and irresistible and a go to high-value treat for all types of dogs.
Another one of our favourites is from Pemberton and they are Wow Treats and More. The owners, Tina and Constantine, are a dynamic due that also started making beef treats out of necessity. Their dog, Uma was struggling with intense itchiness and significant hair loss. They soon realized it was their food choices that were affecting Uma. So what did they do? They made their own healthy and nutritious treats and Uma has never been the same. Unique to them is that they work with local farmers in Pemberton and make in-season treats such as Pumpkin, Kale and Carrot. Other flavour staples are Hemp Seed, which is rich in omegas, and Egg Shell for added calcium. A great way to reward and train with treats rich in nutrients.
Though physically no longer in Squamish, Kanine Kookies dog treats will always have a place among our local favourites. Kim was one of the very first local vendors at O’Brien’s. Kim is the founder of Kanine Kookies and crafts her cookies in small batches using only fresh, human-grade, whole food ingredients, without the addition of additives or preservatives, salt or sugars. The most popular are the Flower Power Kanine Kookies made with pumpkin to help with digestion, and with turmeric for it’s anti-inflammatory properties. Also good to try are the Outback Snack treats made with kangaroo, one of the most hypo-allergenic meats, with pumpkin for digestion and blueberries for antioxidant.
Allergies
/in Uncategorized /by Amelia ChidaI think my dog has allergies?
One of our most frequently asked questions is “ I think my dog has a food allergy, what can I do?” When people discuss food allergies, they are most likely meaning their dog has a food sensitivity or food intolerance. Food sensitivities, unlike true allergies, do not involve an immune response and are instead a gradual reaction to an offending ingredient in your dog’s food, for example to beef, chicken, eggs, corn, wheat, or soy.
Dogs with food sensitivities can present themselves with several symptoms, often including gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhea, or dermatologic signs like itchiness, poor skin and coat, and chronic ear or foot infections.
If the symptoms are concerning, please consult your vet. They may recommend an allergy test to sort out what the offending allergen is. Other options can also be an elimination diet or improving your dog’s gut health.
Switching Foods and elimination diets
The elimination diet can be a long process as it involves avoiding the suspected offending food. We have seen a good success if you stay on the same brand of food but simply change the protein. Often a protein that is not as common such as lamb or pork will do the trick as chicken and beef are common allergens to dogs. The key to the elimination diet is only changing one thing at a time and making sure you eliminate it in all that your dogs eats (including treat) .
Unfortunately, it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks for food allergies to clear up so one cannot expect immediate results. Patience is needed here. Keep you dog comfortable an apply hot spot spray or other topical treatments to areas that may be itchy or that fido has been chewing on while you are waiting to see if there is a change.
We recommend only changing on thing at a time rather than moving to completely different food if you want to try to determine what the allergen is. So, if you have been on the new protein for 4-6 weeks and still no change in symptoms then something else is the culprit. A good next step is moving to a limited ingredient diet. These foods are exactly that. Less ingredients so instead of oats, rice, and potato it may just have rice.
Can a raw diet help with allergies?
Switching to a raw diet is also an effective way to eliminate allergies. As they are limited ingredients diets and are easy to get with just one pure protein. It is a great option to control exactly what your dog is eating. Raw meals do not have grains so this can also help clear up any allergies to grain.
Something else to consider is your dog’s gut health. Human studies are starting to reveal that properly and fully digesting food may play an important in allergy response. Probiotics added to a dog’s diet will not only improve and restore balance to bacteria levels in the gut. Improving gut health will also improve their immune system. Because of this it is said that probiotics can help with dog allergies.
Figuring out allergies with so many different brands to choose from can be daunting. If you need help navigating all that is out there we encourage you to come by O’Brien Pets and we will be more than happy to help you through this.
raw diet
/in Uncategorized /by Amelia ChidaRaw Diet
If you have decided that the raw diet is right for you but have questions on how to begin, we hope that we can help guide you. The recommended guidelines for raw (BARF diet) consists of 70-80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, 5% offal (kidneys, pancreas, or spleen), 5% liver and vegetables, fruit and supplements. Sound complicated? It doesn’t have to be as many of the the raw food brands make a fully balanced raw meal. So you don’t need to worry about adding the proper proportions to your pupper’s meal. We recommend starting off with a balanced raw meal. They key is to read the ingredients and look for the following.
- – Protein
- – Bone or Egg Shells
- – Liver and Offal
- – Vegetables, fruit
- – Omegas (oils)
- – Mineral Supplements (kelp)
There are raw foods out there that are made for owners that like to supplement their own veggies, offal, oils and minerals. These meals will usually say “base” or “pure”. These blends are can be the just the protein and bones or even just the pure protein. We suggest to read the ingredients list on these “base/pure” blends so you are aware of what needs to be supplemented.
The size and portions that raw comes in may be the most confusing part of the transition. You will find medallions, pucks, patties, bricks, blocks and even pillows of raw. This variety is great for owners as everyone will be able to find a serving portion that fits their pet’s daily requirement and the owner’s needs. If you like to make your own food and save money then the larger bulk pillow or bricks will be perfect. Recommended for larger dogs over 75lbs. The smaller portions such as medallions are meant for the smaller dog or if you want to thaw the raw quickly. You need only to remove the portion you need a couple hours before feeding time. The downside is generally the more proportioned the raw the higher the price point.
How to Transition your dog to raw.
Fast/Cold Turkey vs Gradual Method
There are two ways to transition your dog to a 100% raw diet. The Fast/Cold Turkey method is the easiest and less fuss method. Great for dogs that have a tolerant stomach or are not fussy. For dogs that have sensitive stomachs or are more finicky the gradual method may be the way to go.
The fast method is just that.
- Fast your dog for 12 hours overnight. This ensures that all the kibble is out of the system, and you will also have a hungry dog eager to eat. Thaw your raw food during this time too.
- Feed ½ daily serving of raw to your pup. If they reject the food take it away and reintroduce it 5 minutes later.
You can also add pumpkin or probiotics such as raw goat’s milk or tripe to help your dog transition. The probiotics are bacteria that will help with digestion. - Feed the second ½ of your dog’s daily serving in the PM.
The Gradual Method
In this method you replace a portion your dog’s daily meal with raw over the course of 1 or 2 weeks. This is a good method if you have a dog that is prone to diarrhea at the slightest change in diet. It is recommended to feed your dog on kibble in the AM and replace the dinner serving with raw. Over the week(s) and every 2 or 3 days you increase the amount of raw and decease the amount of kibble.
Example if your dog should eat 2 cups of kibble/day or 1 lb of raw/day. The transition will look like the following. (This is hypothetical and just for you to visualize please replace with your timeline and recommended daily feeding amounts)
Day 1-3 AM meal 1 ½ cups of kibble PM Meal ¼ lb of raw
Day 4-5 AM meal 1 cup kibble PM Meal ½ lb of raw
Day 6-8 AM meal ½ cup kibble PM meal ¾ lb of raw
Day 8-10 Am meal ½ raw PM meal ½ lb of raw you are fully transitioned
In this method adding probiotics can help too. Again, you will be on poop watch. If the stools are solid and firm then it’s safe to move to the next increase.
Test Post # 3
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His nusquam maluisset in, ne altera nostrud mea. Quem expetenda ei vis, ornatus albucius an qui. Est id primis principes, nam erat clita admodum te. Ne luptatum antiopam forensibus per, duo in integre copiosae, ne qui integre tacimates mnesarchum. Et eos iriure albucius, posse populo eum et. Et has aliquam vituperata, et mel utroque ancillae tacimates, voluptua euripidis voluptatum cum ad.
Alterum ancillae an per, populo cetero signiferumque vel at. Vix no inimicus sententiae, has eu duis detracto antiopam. Cu quas nullam detracto vim. Quando suscipit delectus id per, ut est epicurei sententiae referrentur. Eu vivendum repudiare cum, ex etiam minim detraxit eum.
Eam te legere audiam interesset, est et magna accumsan eloquentiam. Assum soluta usu ad. Eu nulla animal vivendum sed. Ceteros qualisque adversarium his no, inermis deterruisset vix ei, simul urbanitas id eum. Cu ius aeterno epicurei mediocritatem, has veniam audiam ut, no eripuit accusata mei. Accusam eloquentiam ullamcorper has ut, no vix graeci insolens consectetuer.
Cu nec iuvaret facilis, mei ea doctus consulatu disputando. Ius an dignissim deterruisset. Pri tractatos repudiandae te, aperiam placerat lobortis ei pro, eu cum omnis ancillae. Cu abhorreant cotidieque ius, ferri tamquam cum an, et choro integre per. At omnium suavitate constituam sed, mel quot nemore tractatos ne. Vim no corpora constituto, mei quis reformidans id. Assum aeterno his at, his tantas intellegebat cu.
Test Post # 2
/in Uncategorized /by obpets_adminLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, duo ex iusto noster evertitur. Ius ea fugit euismod. Mel id nobis choro albucius, simul utroque vis ut. Mea cu vocent fastidii facilisis. Quem maiorum repudiare pri cu, ea harum alienum ius. Reque nostrud disputationi per te, vis te essent nostro, posse dicam legimus duo an.
His nusquam maluisset in, ne altera nostrud mea. Quem expetenda ei vis, ornatus albucius an qui. Est id primis principes, nam erat clita admodum te. Ne luptatum antiopam forensibus per, duo in integre copiosae, ne qui integre tacimates mnesarchum. Et eos iriure albucius, posse populo eum et. Et has aliquam vituperata, et mel utroque ancillae tacimates, voluptua euripidis voluptatum cum ad.
Alterum ancillae an per, populo cetero signiferumque vel at. Vix no inimicus sententiae, has eu duis detracto antiopam. Cu quas nullam detracto vim. Quando suscipit delectus id per, ut est epicurei sententiae referrentur. Eu vivendum repudiare cum, ex etiam minim detraxit eum.
Eam te legere audiam interesset, est et magna accumsan eloquentiam. Assum soluta usu ad. Eu nulla animal vivendum sed. Ceteros qualisque adversarium his no, inermis deterruisset vix ei, simul urbanitas id eum. Cu ius aeterno epicurei mediocritatem, has veniam audiam ut, no eripuit accusata mei. Accusam eloquentiam ullamcorper has ut, no vix graeci insolens consectetuer.
Cu nec iuvaret facilis, mei ea doctus consulatu disputando. Ius an dignissim deterruisset. Pri tractatos repudiandae te, aperiam placerat lobortis ei pro, eu cum omnis ancillae. Cu abhorreant cotidieque ius, ferri tamquam cum an, et choro integre per. At omnium suavitate constituam sed, mel quot nemore tractatos ne. Vim no corpora constituto, mei quis reformidans id. Assum aeterno his at, his tantas intellegebat cu.
Contact Us
Address
#103-1121 Commercial PlaceSquamish, BC V8B 0S5
Ph: 604-892-9035
Email: info@peaksfamilypets.com
Opening hours:
*Statutory Holidays please call store for hours
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