Pet supplies basics are common items that are required for regular pet care. There are many wholesale pet supply companies that sell pet supplies basics for pet supply stores. Many pet stores start selling basic pet supplies and grow to the more complex pet supplies. Pet supplies basics are a good way to start a pet supply store.

When buying pet supplies basics, there are three categories that all stores need. The first of these basics is pet food and food bowls or dispensers. Pet supply wholesalers have pet food and dispensers for all types of pets. The second category is cages, beds and aquariums. The third category of supply basics is accessories. Pet accessories are items such as toys, snacks, leashes and collars. Review the list below to begin your journey into pet supplies basics.

1. Locate pet supplies stores wholesalers for pet food.

2. Provide animal housing at your pet supply store.

3. Purchase pet supplies accessories.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate food and bowls for your pet supplies store

Every pet store should be well equipped with a wide variety of pet food and bowls. There are many companies that sell wholesale pet food and food dispensing products for domesticated animals.

I recommend: Buy food and bowls from UPCO, one of the leading pet supply distributors. J-B Pet has a wide variety of wholesale pet supplies. Visit PetFoodDirect.com for supplies for pets, including a wide range of brand name pet food.

Purchase cages, beds and aquariums for your pet supplies store

Pet supplies stores require temporary housing for in-store animals and permanent housing for sale. Each domesticated animal requires a specific habitat. The companies below supply housing for all different pets.

I recommend: ThePetStoreOnline.com has a wide variety of cages and beds for any pet supply business. Browse the online catalog at PetEdge for aquarium pet supplies. That Pet Place provides cages, aquariums and bedding for many pet supplies stores.

Purchase accessories from pet supply manufacturers

Pet accessories are items such as leashes, clothes, toys and other items that enhance a pets life. Accessories are available for all types of domesticated animals.

I recommend: Visit WholesalePet.com to find discount pet supplies. Sandia Pet Products is a leading pet supply manufacturer. Browse the online catalog at DollarDays, to find accessories for your pet supplies store.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When starting a pet supplies store, purchase items for common household pets such as dogs, cats and fish. Once the business has taken off, you can begin carrying items for exotic pets.

Pets supplies are big business. The 2007-2008 National Pet Owner's Survey, conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), found that 74.8 million of U.S. pet owners have dogs and 88.3 million have cats. These pet owners' love for and devotion to their furry friends is causing the pet supply industry to boom.

Pet supply manufacturers are cashing in — especially online pet supply distributors. According to the APPMA, pet owners are starting to purchase supplies for pets online. Conventional pet supply retailers can't beat the convenience and cost of online discount pet suppliers. Read on to learn how you can establish a successful pet supply business:

1. Find a reliable vendor to supply your business.

2. Locate difficult to find exotic pet supplies.

3. Offer all natural pet food selections.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find pet supply manufacturers to provide wholesale merchandise for your business

There are several pet product websites featuring wholesale supplies for your business. Most sites only sell to retail customers and some sites require minimum orders of $75 to $200 and registration to use the site. In return, you get a good deal of variety at a competitive price.

I recommend: King Wholesale Pet Supplies is a California-based wholesaler featuring pet shop supplies for dogs, cats and, occasionally, horses. They have one of the lowest pet supply wholesaler minimum purchase requirements. PetWholesaler.com offers products for a wide variety of pets including reptiles, birds and fish.

Provide your customers with pet supplies for exotic pets

The number of exotic pets is increasing among pet owners. However, many pet owners are still frustrated by how difficult it can be to find basic supplies to meet their exotic pet needs at local pet stores. This offers an online pet supply business a great opportunity to fill this need.

I recommend: Birdalog.com provides a variety of basic discount pet supplies, food and toys for your pet bird that your local pet shop may not offer. AquariumFish.net is offers a wide variety of vish, from the well known goldfish to koi to exotic fish from the Amazon River. Visit their online store to find all the aquarium pet supplies you need for your business.

Supply all natural and holistic products through your online pet supply business

Many pets suffer from allergies to certain foods and chemicals. Other pets suffer from diabetes, hypertension and other diseases. All natural and holistic foods from pet supply distributors are a great way to meet their special nutritional needs. In addition, a growing number of pet owners with perfectly healthy companions now choose to buy all natural products to optimize their pets' health.

I recommend: The Carefree Pet provides put supply retailers with all natural food, treats and other products for total health and well-being. Sojos Homemade Pet Food provides all natural, organic food and treats for cats and dogs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In order to really make money in the business of providing supplies for pets, you have to diversify. For example, a discount pet supplies business cannot afford to only sell dog food. You need to offer other pet shop supplies as well, like dog leashes, toys and grooming products.
• •  Remind customers about the additional pet supply products you sell by sending periodic email blasts, advertising special sales or the introduction of new products.

The pet supply business has become one of the biggest industries in the United States. People all over the country bring furry friends home every day for companionship and many think them as family members instead of pets or animals. There are hundreds of different supplies pet owners shop for on a regular basis and there are constantly new and innovative products available. Every pet supplies store can become more profitable by keeping up with the latest goods that consumers are seeking for their animal pals.

Successful pet supplies stores must stock a large variety of items, including the most modern and popular products. Help make sure your store has everything customers are looking for by:

1. Always keeping up with current pet supplies news and trends;

2. Offering the latest and healthiest pet foods on the market;

3. Stocking up on toys and clothing for animals;

4. Ordering wholesale pet products so you can offer the lowest prices possible for your customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Keep up with the latest food related pet supplies

Pets depend on people to provide them with a regular and healthy diet. Years ago, almost any cheap bag of food would suffice. But, these days, pet lovers look for the most nutritional meals available to keep their animals happy and thriving for years. Many animals are now being fed organic food that is loaded with vitamins to help keep them in great shape.

I recommend: Read about gourmet pet food from a blog sponsored by Discovery Communications. Keep up with pet food trends with help from Petfood Industry.

Pick toys from pet supply distributors

All pet supplies stores should stock a big selection of toys at all times. While there are some standard toys that will always be popular choices, there are always new things being created. Sometimes a new twist on a classic can make a toy even better. Dogs have always loved to play with rubber balls, but when they were made with built-in squeaky toys, they became even better. Some balls now feature other noises and even voices that speak to the animal in a playful manner. Make sure you always know what toys are going to be highly sought after so you can keep them in stock at your retail location.

I recommend: Learn about trendy toys from Trend Hunter. Keep up with pet toy news with help from Pet Qwerks.

Offer discount pet supplies to the public

Pet supply manufacturers often provide wholesale pet supplies to other businesses at extremely low prices. The costs usually go down when you order larger amounts. Work with a wholesale pet supply provider to obtain the most current and popular toys, food, pet clothing and other items at the best prices possible. Selling these products to the public at a slightly lower price than your competitors will help ensure that you will develop a loyal and regular customer base.

I recommend: Purchase clothing and wholesale dog supplies from Canine Styles. Grooming supplies are available from American Pet Pro. Read how the wholesale pet supply company Central Pet can help your business when you partner with them.

Read about pet supplies news and trends

There are always new products and services available for animals. Every pet supply store owner must be in the know about these items, so they can better serve their customers. There are websites you can visit and bookmark to make sure you stay on top of any new trends.

I recommend: Read the latest pet news at Zootoo or the Pet Industry Weekly blog.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Offer discounts on new items to help encourage customers to try something a little different.
• •  Keep a vast assortment of pet supplies on hand at all times to meet the needs of anyone visiting your store.
• •  Take customer requests for pet supplies they would like to find at your store.

If you stock pet supplies in your business, there are some pet supplies key terms you should know. Customers with pets often have questions about what product is best for their animals, so in order to get repeat business, you should be able to answer these questions satisfactorily. The following terms are basic pet supplies key terms you may want to know. Some are dog or cat specific, but others apply to both species.

Action Steps
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Air travel pet carrier

While many stores offer pet cages or carriers, an air travel pet carrier must meet airline standards. The air travel pet carrier must have food and water containers, as well as adequate ventilation for the pet. There must also be a solid bottom on the carrier to catch animal wastes.

I recommend: Discount Pet SuperStore has a large selection of air travel pet carriers. These carriers are suitable for both dogs and cats and can serve as kennels as well.

Comfort wrap harness

A comfort wrap harness attaches a pet to a leash in a slightly different manner than a typical collar. A comfort wrap harness wraps around the animal's neck and midsection as well. This type of harness is good for animals that are hard to fit and works especially well with cats.

I recommend: PetSmart pictures a comfort wrap harness on its website.

Pyrethrin dip

A pyrethrin dip is a bath formulated to get rid of fleas, ticks and lice in dogs and cats. To use it, you submerge the animal in the pyrethrin dip just as if you were giving the animal a bath.

I recommend: Read the information about pyrethrin dips on Drugs.com.

Bark collar

The purpose of a bark collar is to train a dog to stop barking. It's a training method that rewards positive behavior and changes bad behavior. There are three main types of bark collars: electronic, ultrasonic and citronella.

I recommend: You can find detailed information about the three types of bark collars by reading the chart provided by MightyPets.com.

Cat condo

A cat condo is a piece of cat furniture that allows a cat to climb, scratch its claws, and curl up to take a nap. Some cat condos are small and covered with carpeting, while others may be several feet tall and offer a cat multiple play options.

I recommend: You can see a variety of cat condos available from StepsforPets.com.

Litter

Litter refers to the materials provided by owners for animals to use as a bathroom. It may be made from natural products, such as pine or corn, or it may be some man-made material. It's important for litter to be absorbent. It should also cover or reduce odor.

I recommend: Purina offers information about types of litter.