Dog Community

Talking nutrition at the vet

Posted : 5/3/2006 7:27:42 PM

Well, we finally got our second batch of business cards done and are going to be looking around for places to leave some card holders. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check outhttp://www.balancepet.com (it's a little rough as we're still adding products in). Unless you live within about 10 miles of Denton, TX, I'm not advertising. [sm=biggrin.gif]

My own vet is definitely part of the Hill's marketing team (I think she's working towards that trip to Hawaii). We stopped by a vet yesterday just to test out the waters, and they were also adamantly behind Hill's and also Royal Canin. I know this is going to be a rough road interacting with the local vets, but does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to at least let us get the word out, even if they don't specifically recommend the brands we sell?

I know it's going to be a losing battle with most vets due to Hill's marketing. I'm just looking for if anyone's ever had any luck convincing their vet that the premium and super premium foods might be at least as good as Purina Puppy Chow. [sm=lame.gif]

griffinej5

Posted : 5/3/2006 7:37:46 PM

I can't say I have, but at least the vet we use doesn't try to push that crap on us. I secretly think that maybe she knows better, and maybe she doesn't feed that to her dog (well, the one , i've never met the other, and hey, I can dream, can't I?)

smilee1079

Posted : 5/3/2006 10:13:37 PM

I actually found my vet and decided to use him because he sells Innova. (He was listed on the Natura web site as a location for where they sell). He feeds his dog Innova too. However, when I was there, I saw some SD foods ready to be picked up but I think they were prescription. I am not sure if he regularly carries any other foods aside from Innova.

I don't see why a vet would be against you leaving your info. Also, have you thought about leaving info at gyms (my gym has a big table with people's business cards) and grocery store (community bulletin boards)?

schlep

Posted : 5/3/2006 10:32:02 PM

Hadn't, but those are good ideas.

You'd be surprised how crazy vets are when it comes to nutrition. When I told my vet that I feed Link a half pound of FarMore Raw Frozen Buffalo and Solid Gold Wolfcub for the rest, her reaction (not kidding) was to say, "Why are you doing that to your dog?!"

bluelighting

Posted : 5/3/2006 10:46:26 PM

Our vet just nods his head and gives us a smile when ever he ask us what we fed Blue. I'm surprise he didn't go flying off the handle when I told him that Blue does eat raw ribs or raw chicken parts.

He did say Blue's teeth are nice and he has a small amount of tartar.

ron2

Posted : 5/4/2006 5:52:47 AM

Excellent site and some good-looking foods. So, you don't have a store, only delivery within a certain radius?

Anyway, in some vets' offices will be a cork board or something where people can post puppies for sale or kittens for sale and such. If the vet won't specificallt recommend your brands, at least you might be able to post fliers there. Be mindful that many people in these small communities, especially my age and older, are not on the net. You may end up building your business on word of mouth, which lasts longer in the long run anyway.

Good luck to you.

Julie Byers

Posted : 5/4/2006 8:46:03 AM

Don't forget to make use of the bulletin boards at grocery stores, laundromats, churches, and the cheapo magic ads. Use whatever you can get your hands on, and have a magnetic sign made for your car too. This may sound weird, but have a garage sale too. Have it on hand and sell it at your yard sale. Work 'around' uninformed vets. Jules

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 5/4/2006 10:57:46 AM

in out town we get a flyer (more like a really small magazine) in the mail about once a week that has coupons and ads for local businesses. we always check it out and have tried alot of the restaurants that advertise in it. if there is something like that available you could run an ad in it. you would be guaranteed a good bit of exposure.

i think your new business is a great idea and i like the web site. i wish someone would do something similar in our area. [

]

schlep

Posted : 5/4/2006 1:07:12 PM

Some really good ideas about advertising in general. I like the bulletin board ideas, and using the magazine. I'll have to call up the people who do our county magazine and find out their rates. We do already have lettering on the back windows of our cars, otherwise we'd get some of those magnetic signs.

Ron, for right now we're not opening a store up to the public since it's just the two of us, and we're either making deliveries or doing business most of the time. You're in McKinney if I remember correctly? We would probably meet someone at the edge of our delivery area, or if there were a dozen or more people in the same city within 30-45 miles we could make deliveries every month, like if we had a dozen people in Gainesville, we'd probably make a trip up there.

Thanks for the compliments. [sm=biggrin.gif]

schlep

Posted : 5/4/2006 6:49:37 PM

Turns out to be a bunch of concern for nothing. We visited 6 vets today and 5 of them were fine with the idea, a couple of them were pretty ecstatic about it. We even got cards up in a vet that had a sign posted saying, "We feed & recommend Science Diet." [sm=wink2.gif]

ron2

Posted : 5/4/2006 7:14:33 PM

I live about 20 miles north of McKinney but I am currently working on a project in McKinney. I've worked jobs in Denton, too. We have friends in Ponder, friends in Lewisville, an old schoolmate that lives in Carrollton. Depending on traffic It would take approx. an hour to get there, thanks to there now being lights on 380.

If I decide to give one of your brands a try, and I think you've got some excellent stuff, then I could pm you or contact through your website and arrange to meet at say, Golden Triangle Mall, near the movie theater. Keeping it easy and simple.

And again, good luck with your venture.

schlep

Posted : 5/4/2006 7:43:11 PM

20 miles north, is that Anna? Meeting at Golden Triangle wouldn't be a problem at all. We've got samples right now of almost everything we carry (take a look [linkhttp://www.balancepet.com/product.php?productid=45&cat=21&page=1]here[/link]).

Also, I wouldn't mind driving out to Ponder to deliver if your friends are interested. I kinda want to try the steakhouse sometime anyways. [sm=biggrin.gif]

ron2

Posted : 5/4/2006 8:29:03 PM

The Ranchmann Steakhouse, aka the "Ponder" Steakhouse is excellent and the stuff of legends. Celebrities make a special trip to eat there. You have to call ahead to reserve baked potatos. And it is a byb (bring your own beer) restaraunt. I live in Howe, near Sherman. So, going north from McKinney, you would go through Melissa, where I did the new fire station, Anna, Van Alstyne, then Howe. By the time I get on the freeway going south, I'm passing a sign that says "McKinney 20 miles".

And, if I'm ever going over that direction anyway, I might still drop a line and meet at the same place just to say hi.