The Natural Pet

1. Why is your business named The Natural Pet?

The Natural Pet carries only healthy and whole foods and treats for dogs and cats. None of the foods contain wheat, corn, by-products, animal fat, dyes, gluten, or cancer-causing preservatives such as BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin. I also carry the largest non-prescription selection of supplements and herbal remedies in the area-as my customers often remind me. 

2. Why did you start this store? Were there other stores like yours in the area when you started up?

I am a founding member of GRROW-Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin. While networking with other Golden Retriever volunteers and owners I dreamed of a single pet store in the Bay View area where you could shop for your dog and cat and not need to worry if the food or treat was healthy or contained “bad” ingredients. Goldens are known for health issues such as cancer, allergies, and hip dysplasia. I had adopted a 7-year-old Golden Retriever from the Oshkosh area and shortly after found out he had severe hip dysplasia. I did not want to put him on drugs and decided to feed him only a healthy and whole diet. Murphy lived very comfortably until over the age of 14. He survived living with cancer for approximately two years. I believe The Natural Pet was the first “healthy and natural” pet food supply store in the Milwaukee area and has been open now for over five years.

3. What are the advantages of the natural, nontoxic products you sell?

Feeding a natural and nontoxic diet to your pet can eliminate allergies, soft stools, clear up the skin and coat, and most importantly give your pet the chance to live a long, comfortable, and healthy life.

4. How far are pet owners traveling to patronize The Natural Pet?

I have customers who come from as far away as Chicago and Manitowoc. My customer base also includes people from Franklin, Oak Creek, Pewaukee, Waukesha, Fox Point, and Shorewood.

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing business in Bay View?

One of the other reasons I decided to open my store in Bay View is that I live in Cudahy and was so tired of shopping for pet food on 76th Street or out in Waukesha. At the time I was fostering Golden Retrievers and had two Goldens of my own, (currently my family includes Mandy, 14; Promise, who just turned 13 this month; and Max, 4). I love the “small town feel” Bay View offers and am proud to know the names of most of my customers. I can’t think of any disadvantages of doing business in Bay View!

6. What is the biggest risk for pets today?

In my opinion, people still don’t realize the difference between a low-grade pet food from a grocery store and a healthy pet food. Low-grade pet foods can cause allergies, soft stools, tons of shedding, and possibly sickness and diseases from “bad” ingredients. Another reason I opened The Natural Pet is to help teach and educate people about feeding a healthy diet based on my own experience. I’ve experienced the changes and differences after feeding a good diet to my own dogs. I also have testimonials about the differences from my customers and their pets.

7. What are the future plans for your business?

Eventually I would like to open another store in another Milwaukee location to service pet owners who travel from afar to come to the Bay View location. I’ve been asked to open a store in the Fox Valley area, Waukesha/Pewaukee areas, and in Chicago.

8. Has the current economic downturn affected your business? If so, how?

I believe more and more people are eating organic and local foods. Since pets are more than ever considered a part of the family these days, these same people are learning to feed their pets healthier to save on some vet bills. I still strongly advise consulting with a vet, but also believe people have the choice to feed their pets healthier too.

9. Do you sell to more cat or dog owners?

It’s about equal.

10. Do you offer programs or classes about pet health and nutrition? What are the details?

We do offer events at the store. Monthly we have an animal communicator come in. I will be doing seminars on feeding a healthy diet coming up this winter-when everyone has “cabin fever” and the days are longer, darker, and colder. Monthly, I have a Healing-Energy Intuitive come to the store. I recently offered a beginners class on essential oils that was a great success. My senior Goldens currently get a weekly full-body massage at the store every Tuesday night and monthly we have free coupons and/or samples with various pet food demos.

The Natural Pet, LLC
2532 E. Oklahoma Ave.
Kim Hecker
(414) 482-7387
thenaturalpetllc.com