Thankful for the Things Our Pets Bring

If you share your life with an animal, you already know: gratitude is a daily practice. It’s in the nose boops at 6:03 a.m., the after-work wiggle butt greeting, the soft sigh when your pup finally settles beside you, the cat who decides your laptop is a heated throne (obviously installed for them). Pets ask us to be present, kinder, and a little more playful. At Pet Grocer, that spirit of gratitude guides how we care for our own animals—and how we source the products we put on our shelves.

Today, we’re taking a moment to name what we’re thankful for in our pets, and to share how we honour that love with thoughtful, transparent choices for their wellbeing, and ours!

What We’re Thankful For

·        Their unfiltered joy. Zoomies. Head tilts. The prance they do when they know the good treats are coming. Pets remind us that happiness lives in the body AND the brain.

·        The routines that anchor our days. Walks that get us outside. Meal times that bring families together. “Brush time” that somehow becomes a ritual of connection.

·        Their honesty. Pets don’t pretend. If something’s off, they show us—behaviour, coat, energy, digestion. We’re grateful for that clarity; it helps us support them better.

·        The way they teach us to slow down. Ten minutes of fetch or gentle petting with a sigh can reset a whole day. When they do the big sigh, it reminds our body to follow suit.

·        Aging alongside them. Senior pets teach us tenderness, patience, and the beauty of meeting each other exactly where we are.

How We Say “Thank You” in Practice: Our Sourcing Promise

Gratitude is a feeling; care is an action. Products at Pet Grocer pass through a pretty tough filter: our own standards as protective, research-obsessed pet people. Here’s what that looks like:

·        Ingredient First, Always. We scrutinize what’s in the bag, bottle, or chew—prioritizing real, species-appropriate ingredients and functional botanicals over fillers and fluff.

·        Transparency You Can Trace. We expect clear sourcing, clean formulations, and honest labels. If we can’t explain it, we don’t stock it.

·        Thoughtful Formulation. From gently-cooked and raw foods to supplements, we look for products that make nutritional sense—balanced, purposeful, and free from unnecessary additives.

·        Small, Trusted Makers. We champion brands that care about batches, not just boxes; companies who test, verify, and stand behind their work.

·        Tested by Our Own Pets. Real life matters. We try it, we watch for changes, and we’re straightforward about what we notice—good, bad, or “meh.”

·        Holistic Support. Health is a whole-body conversation: nutrition, environment, enrichment, and rest. Our shelves reflect that.

Staff Selection of the Things We Are Most Thankful For

We asked the staff – what product are you grateful for that we carry? The top answers were:

·         K9 Easy Joints by Furbabies – especially helpful for seniors who find it a bit harder to get up from their bed or getting harder to climb up on the sofa.

·         Neutracil - Hypochlorous Acid (multi-staff pick!) – we sourced our own from a supplier we trust as we think it is the remedy for nearly everything! This is an antiseptic spray that is safe to use in eyes, sprayed in mouth, and all the other sensitive body parts on people and pets! As we head into cold and flu season this is one your household must have on hand.

·         Healthy Gut or Fido and Felix’s Flora by Adored Beast – having a well sourced, reliable probiotic that uses safe, non-sugar based prebiotics is paramount! Not all probiotics are created equal and using this will show you exactly what careful sourcing by companies with integrity really represents.

·         Lastly – one staff member could not pick just one thing – but said the huge variety of healthy food choices is what she was grateful for (her top pick currently is Iron Will Raw).

Joy Is a Wellness Strategy

Play isn’t extra; play is medicine! Enrichment reduces stress, boosts confidence, improves digestion through calmer nervous systems, and can transform “naughty” behaviour into “needs met.” An added bonus – while some days it may feel like an extra thing on your to-do list, getting that toy out and spending five minutes with your pet will help your body reset as well! That’s why we’ve built options for all play styles and life stages:

·         Sniff + Solve: Puzzles, snuffle mats, and slow-feeders to engage the brain and nose.

·         Tug + Toss: Durable toys for interactive fun (and yes, for the destroyers—we see you).

·         Chew + Chill: Appropriate chews to satisfy natural instincts and support calmer downtime.

·         Gentle Movement: Tools and tips to ease into activity for puppies, seniors, and sensitive bodies.

In-Store: Our Puzzle Library

For our local friends, the Pet Grocer Puzzle Library is ready when you are. Try new enrichment without committing to a closet full of gear—swap, explore, discover what your pet loves, and keep things fresh and fun.

Across Canada: Toys on Sale, Shipped to Your Door

Not local? We’ve got you. Select toys are on sale, and we ship across Canada, so your pet can join the play party wherever you are.

A Seasonal Note: Finding Joy in Halloween

Halloween reminds us that playfulness is a life skill. Costumes, silly noises at the door, crunchy leaves, extra treats—this season can be a lot, and also a lot of fun. We approach it the same way we approach pet health: with intentional joy.

·         Keep costumes comfy and stress-free.

·         Offer breaks and a quiet space when the doorbell chorus starts.

·         Trade a few sugary human treats for pet-safe enrichment (puzzle time for the win).

·         Join the silliness—because when we’re playful, our pets mirror that ease.

From our Pet Grocer family to yours: thank you for trusting us with your pets’ wellbeing. For the snuggles, the happy dances, the long walks, and the quiet moments—we’re grateful for it all.

Ready to add a little more joy to your routine?

·         Pop into the shop to browse or borrow from the Puzzle Library.

·         If you’re elsewhere in Canada, check out our toys on sale—we’ll ship them to your door.

·         Have questions about fit, durability, or enrichment levels? Ask us. We love matching the right product to the right pet.

Here’s to thankful hearts, healthy pets, and a season full of play.