Practical Pet Chat

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob dive into one of the biggest challenges in the pet industry today—educating pet parents and customers in a way that informs, engages, and empowers without overwhelming or sounding like a lecture. With so much information (and misinformation) available online, today’s pet parents often come to the table with strong opinions, half-truths, or p...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob explore one of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of great pet care — communication. As a pet parent, you are your pet’s voice, their translator, and their advocate. Whether you’re talking with your veterinarian, groomer, trainer, or pet sitter, how you communicate on your pet’s behalf can make a huge difference in their overall health an...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob take on one of the most important — and often controversial — topics in the pet industry: should you sell live animals, insects, fish, or other living beings in your store? What may seem like a natural way to enhance your store’s appeal or diversify your offerings can actually open a complex web of ethical, operational, financial, and emotio...

On this edition of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dive into a topic that always sparks passionate debate — how people add pets to their families. From adoption and breeders to rescuing a stray or taking in a pet from a friend or family member, there are countless paths to pet parenthood. Yet, for some reason, society often gets tangled in judgment and division over how that connection began, in...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob dive deep into a topic every pet business owner has wrestled with — in-store events and promotions. Are they really worth it? Do they bring lasting value, or do they just drain your time, your team, and your bottom line? From small, simple in-store happenings to big, buzz-worthy community events, Lorin and Rob explore the full spectrum of wh...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dive into a heartfelt and often overlooked topic — future thinking and planning when it comes to growing your pet family. Adding a new pet is one of life’s greatest joys, but it’s also one of the most important long-term commitments you can make. As Lorin and Rob remind us, life changes — sometimes in ways we expect, and sometimes in ways we nev...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob explore one of the most underrated growth and loyalty strategies in the pet industry — becoming your customers’ most trusted resource for all things pet-related, even beyond what your business directly offers. Pet parents today are navigating a world full of choices, challenges, and information overload. They need guidance they can trust. Wh...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob take a closer look at Rob’s recent encounters with robotic, AI-driven pets and ask the big question: are these high-tech companions the future of pet ownership, or are they just another passing trend? The conversation goes beyond the novelty factor to explore what robotic pets could mean for the larger pet world. Lorin and Rob discuss how these...

On this edition of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob take on a topic that is impossible to ignore: technology. It’s everywhere—inside and outside the pet world—and it’s transforming the way pet businesses operate and how pet parents experience the products and services they love. From point-of-sale systems and online booking tools to wearable pet tech, smart feeders, and AI-driven customer ser...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob take on a topic that resonates with nearly every pet parent: the self-judgment we place on ourselves when it comes to caring for our pets. In today’s world, there’s an overwhelming amount of information, advice, and even criticism about how to be the “perfect” pet parent. From social media comparisons to endless product recommendations, it can q...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob shine a spotlight on the top things you can do for your pet this week—simple, intentional actions that only take a few minutes but can make a big difference in your pet’s health, happiness, and overall quality of life. In a world where our days are often busy and filled with distractions, it’s easy to overlook how much little moments mean to our...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob explore the ins and outs of Pet Business Loyalty and Rewards Programs—a powerful tool when done right, but a potential pitfall when handled poorly. They break down where and when these programs are having the greatest impact in today’s pet marketplace, and the different approaches businesses are using to strengthen customer connections. From...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dive into the ever-expanding world of commercial Fresh Food offerings for pets. What started as a small niche has now grown into a thriving, permanent category in the pet food marketplace—one that more and more established companies are jumping into. They break down what this growth really means for pet parents: more options, more accessibility,...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob take a closer look at the state of the pet industry and uncover an important truth: while overall industry numbers show steady and even impressive growth, many individual pet businesses aren’t sharing in that success. The question is, why? They dig into the factors behind the disconnect—more competition than ever before, broader product avai...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob open up about some of the most challenging aspects of being a business owner—making tough calls, having uncomfortable discussions, and managing the inevitable waves of burnout. These are not just abstract business concepts; they’re real issues that almost every entrepreneur faces, especially in the pet industry where passion runs high and em...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dig deep into one of the most polarizing topics in the pet world: grain-free diets for dogs and cats. Over the past decade, this debate has caused pet parents, veterinarians, and even entire pet food companies to take strong and often opposing positions. With so much noise, half-truths, and conflicting marketing messages, it’s no surprise that m...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob revisit the often misunderstood world of white labeling. At first glance, it might seem like a quick way to expand your product line or increase profits, but as they remind us, it’s your name, your reputation, and your relationship with customers on the line. They break down the key questions every pet business owner should ask: When does wh...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dive into a topic that touches the hearts of so many pet parents—adding a new pet to the family. Whether you’re bringing home your very first companion or introducing another furry friend into an already full household, the process comes with joy, excitement, and, of course, challenges that need thoughtful preparation. They explore the unique dy...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob dive deep into their experiences and observations from the SuperZoo 2025 National Trade Show in Las Vegas—one of the pet industry’s most anticipated events of the year. With thousands of retailers, vendors, groomers, innovators, and pet enthusiasts under one roof, SuperZoo once again delivered a whirlwind of energy, excitement, and discovery...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob take listeners inside their experience at SuperZoo 2025, the premier national pet trade show held in Las Vegas. With thousands of exhibitors, retailers, groomers, and innovators under one roof, the show was packed with energy, ideas, and plenty of pet-world passion. They walk through what it’s really like to be on the show floor—from massive ven...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob take a deep dive into the strategies and insights behind identifying the pet products that truly drive traffic and build excitement for your store. They discuss how small shifts—like moving the location of key products, refreshing displays, and keeping a close eye on consumer trends—can make a big impact on engagement and sales. Beyond the logis...

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dive into the important topic of when and why to take your pet to the vet. While your veterinarian is a key partner in your pet’s health, you know your pet better than anyone else—trusting your instincts is an important part of making timely decisions. From routine visits to situations that require urgent attention, Lorin and Rob share insights...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob dive into a pressing question for many pet business owners: physical store vs. virtual presence. They explore the key factors in weighing the value and return on a brick-and-mortar location versus running an online shop, from cost considerations to customer experience. Learn how to spot the signs and interpret customer trends so you can plan...

On this episode, Lorin and Rob dive into the fascinating world of pet food processing and explore how different preparation methods shape the final product your pet eats. From extrusion to baking, freeze-drying to air-drying, we break down what each process means for nutritional value, ingredient integrity, and overall health impact. Some methods can enhance certain benefits, while others may comp...

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob dive into the importance of having a clear purpose and plan when attending pet industry conferences and events. With the significant investment of time, money, and resources involved, simply showing up and winging it won’t deliver the results your business needs. From strategically mapping out booth visits to prioritizing educational session...