Part 1 focuses on Tail Blazers’ product research and screening processes…Read it here

Why did we feel the need to create a “Health Food Store for Pets”?

We opened our first store in Inglewood, Calgary in Nov of 2000. Our background was in the human health food industry and being animal lovers, opening up a health food store for dogs and cats was an extremely natural extension/passion for us. This was an extremely new concept at that time.

But why a store completely dedicated to pet health?

The overwhelming majority of commercial food options available for pets before 2000, were incredibly undesirable. It’s my opinion that the commercial pet food industry was banking on us staying uneducated and uninformed about this, Continue reading

DEHYDRATION

Dehydration is one of the oldest methods of preserving food. Dehydrated dog and cat food is generally processed at low heat for a long time to draw out or evaporate any moisture out of the food. Each of the dehydrated food companies that we carry use different methods and temperatures to achieve this. I outline this below. In my research there definitely seems to be more variation and uniqueness in the processes used to dehydrate than to freeze- dry pet foods.

Foods dehydrated at higher temperatures are not considered completely raw, but very lightly cooked as the moisture is removed. Cooking denatures many of these nutrients including delicate enzymes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, affecting the nutrition of the product.

Dehydrated dog food is usually harder than freeze-dried food and takes longer to rehydrate.

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We frequently get asked why we do not create our own, “in store” or “private label” brand of dry or raw pet food. Private labeling is becoming more commonplace in pet food stores/chains. Private labeling is the process by which a pet food store or chain contracts a pet food or accessories manufacturer to formulate and manufacture an exclusive line of products – food, treats, toys, etc. for that store or chain. These brands are sold exclusively in that store or chain of stores.

Tail Blazers has made the decision to never private label for the following reasons:

Since 2000 we have developed close and important relationships with our suppliers and manufacturers. Those that have the same goals and stringent requirements that we do, which is creating and maintaining superior health for your pets! These relationships are extremely important to us. We have grown together in what was a VERY new concept in those early years, in creating a “health food store for pets.”

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