Pet Newsletter · April 2008

Deciding on Your New Family Pet

Choosing a new pet is an important step in life. It may sound like a small decision, but the type of pet you choose makes a difference. If you don't do your homework or research, you may wind up with more responsibility or unexpected characteristics than you bargained for. There are many things you must know and understand about your potential pet in order to be sure to choose the right one. Will this potential pet fit in with your family? Also consider the amount of care the pet will require. One more thing to keep in mind is your budget.

One of the first and most important things to think about when you are considering buying a new pet is whether or not your new pet will fit into your family. You must consider allergies. If you or any of your loved ones are allergic to any specific types of pets, common ones include dogs or cats, obviously you should not choose that specific pet. Another thing you might consider is if you have children, depending on their age and size, a large pet may not be an appropriate choice. Always keep in mind that for a family to truly enjoy their pet, it must be the right choice.

Another thing you must be sure of before you choose a pet is the amount of care your potential pet will require. If you have a job with long hours or are the type that doesn't stay home much, a more dependent animal such as a dog, requiring emotional support and letting out for bathroom breaks, may not be the type of pet you are looking for. Something definitely more independent, like a cat that has a litter box and requires a bit less attention would be more appropriate for your family.

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Tips on Choosing the Right Food for your Pet

Selecting the proper diet for your companion pet can help ensure a happy, healthy life for your dog or cat. But did you know that your pet's health and well being can be tarnished by improper handling and storage once you bring the pet food home? Even the most stringent manufacturing requirements can be diminished by improper care at home. Propet, a leading pet food manufacturer and retailer of Performance Plus®, Pro Balanced®, Pro-Pet®, Big Red® and Li'l Red® dog and cat foods, offers the following tips to selecting and caring for your pet's food.

Ensure the diet meets the requirement of your pet!
All pet foods are required to have an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement displayed in the Ingredient and Analysis section of the bag. Pet foods can be formulated to meet a nutrient profile or have passed a feeding trial, and are designed to provide all the nutrition required to maintain your pet for life stage indicated in the AAFCO statement. There are several nutrient profiles - including products for puppies, performance, adult/maintenance, dogs and of course one for growth and reproduction.

Snacks and Treats
While pets who look at you with those soulful eyes can be irresistible when it comes to begging for a treat, snacks and treats are generally not designed to provide your pet with complete and balanced nutrition. Snacks and treats should be fed in conjunction with a complete and balanced diet. While an occasional treat is fine, snacks, treats and table scraps used in excess may unbalance a pet's diet.

When selecting a product off the shelves, make sure the bag is intact and secure: not torn, broken, dirty or damaged. All pet food should have a code date or provide a best if used by date - ask your local retailer to explain the date code if you have any questions.

Once you have brought the product home, store the food in a dry, tightly sealed glass, metal or rigid plastic container. Improper storage increases the risk of loss palatability and nutritional value. Do not store the food near stoves, hot water pipes or heating ducts as heat and moisture can cause food to lose its quality more rapidly. Be on the alert for insect infestation, which can occur in any home. Discard the pet food if it is moldy or smells different than when you first brought it home, or if it becomes infested.

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This Month's Featured Products:

Agway 25lb Cat Litter

Agway Snug Cup Cat bed

Agway Cat Litter mat

Big Red Beef dinner 13.25 oz.

Upcoming Events:

To find your local events visit www.agway.com/events

4/03: Early April flyer

4/17: Late April flyer

Announcement of the Month:

Enter our Pet Photo contest on www.agway.com. Send us your favorite picture of your family pet and enter for the chance to win a $25 Agway Gift Card! Contest rules.

Here are some of our favorites ...see which ones you like best! We're adding new photos every day so stop back again to see more!

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