In a time where it seems like value meals and microwave food dominate the choices on our menus, and the accompanying calories and fat associated with these meals tend to weigh us down more than ever, we tend to forget about our own physical fitness needs, let alone our pets’ needs!

I have always loved all kinds of sports. Lately, I have rekindled my love for mountain biking and have taken a recent liking to the physical and endurance reality shows such as American Ninja Warrior. It is amazing what the human body can endure, how strong the body can become, and what we can accomplish when we put our mind to it. Likewise, I love watching dog competitions such as Purina’s Incredible Dog challenge. Pets can be so competitive and seem to enjoy the partnership they have with their handlers as they pursue the fastest time, the best score, the most points, and so on.

I got to thinking: what if we were to incorporate different aspects of these programs into our businesses? Since pets are an ever-growing influence on our lifestyle, what can we do to help them have a healthier life? What can we do, as pet business operators, to expand our typical way of thinking about the services we offer to a new level, one that delves deeper into the physical and mental needs of our customers and the pets they love? What are you doing to promote physical fitness to your customers and their pets?

Believe it or not, there are a number of things you can do through your business to promote a healthy lifestyle for your customers and their pets! Not only can you increase the value of their companionship together by promoting a healthy pairing of exercise and proper diet, but you are also potentially increasing your bottom line, because a healthier pet lives longer and will require your services that much more into the future!

Here are some really cool ways to get your customers and their pets started on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Promote Clubbing!
Either find pet-friendly exercise groups in your area or develop some of your own. You can choose one activity a month to promote getting out with your dogs and exercising together, whether it be a hiking day at the park, a charity walk or run, cycling event, or even a swimming excursion. Get a few of your customers involved with the planning, and put together your own club that regularly meets and enjoys the time everyone spends together with their pets. Go all out and get T-shirts and/or bandanas printed to promote membership, and you may even get some real excitement started and get some free publicity from local news stations. At the very least, you will have your business name out there for others to see. Who knows, maybe another pet lover out there is looking for a new club to belong to, and this could be perfect for them. Once they try it, now you have a new customer!

The Biggest Loser
I heard of a really cool weight loss program (contest) modeled after the hit television show, but it was offered at a pet resort for the pet and pet owner to participate in! The goal: to lose a larger percentage of body weight than the other pet/pet parent couples in the program in a given period of time! What I like most about this idea is that the pet and the pet parent are involved together. I have also seen this offered just for the pets. Daily or at least weekly visits for weigh-ins can generate increased revenue, as some will look at this opportunity for their pets to shed some calories during a play group session or other exercise programs you can offer like treadmill time or swimming.

Fitness Classes
We all know about obedience classes for our pets. Many of us have taken our dogs to trainers to learn the basics like sit, down, stay, come, etc. But what’s next? How about fitness classes! Just imagine seeing a group of people and their pets jogging around the room or outside around the block, step aerobic exercises, sprints, lunges, obstacle courses, etc. If you put your mind to it, I am certain you can create some really cool ways that pets and their pet parents can be active together. Some would say that their best workout partner is their dog! I think I’ve even seen pet yoga videos online.

There are plenty of other examples out there of creative pet businesses, pet parents, and exercise enthusiasts who have made it their mission to get and stay healthy together with their pets. Do your homework, see which ones fit best in your business, and start offering something today!

Our customers are important to us, and the more we can participate in their lives beyond the essential needs, such as grooming, boarding, etc., the better it is for all of us. We want our customers and their pets to be healthy, so promote this and see where it takes you. Who knows? Maybe your ideas could get the attention of producers somewhere and you can start a new reality show phenomenon!

Joe Zuccarello has excelled in the pet industry since 1986 and is National Accounts Sales Manager for Tropiclean Shampoo and Fresh Breath Made Easy! Dental products for dogs and cats. To find out more about Tropiclean Shampoos and Tropiclean Fresh Breath Made Easy! dental products, please visit www.tropiclean.net or call 800-542-7387.

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