Why Choose an Independent Pet Store Like Heidi & cie?
Choosing an independent neighborhood pet store is about more than simply buying a bag of food, a harness or a toy for your dog or cat. It is also about choosing a local business that takes the time to get to know its customers, their pets and their needs.
At Heidi & cie, this is exactly what we have been trying to do since 2007. After nearly 20 years of advising dog and cat owners, we have developed extensive knowledge of pet food brands, their formulations and how they have evolved over the years.
Nearly 20 Years of Knowing Dog and Cat Food
Over the years, we have learned to know the major dog and cat food brands very well. We have also seen certain formulations change as trends and nutritional philosophies have evolved.
We take the time to read ingredient lists and understand what is actually in the foods we offer. At Heidi & cie, we have made the choice not to sell products containing ingredients such as wheat, corn, soy, corn proteins, or certain chicken, poultry or, even worse, meat by-products.
These criteria automatically eliminate several major brands that are readily available in supermarkets and large retail chains.
We do not claim, however, that good food is a guarantee of good health. Every animal is different. Some dogs or cats can eat a food that would not meet our criteria throughout their entire lives without developing any significant health problems, while others are much more sensitive.
Our philosophy is simply to stack the odds in the animal’s favor by choosing food that we believe is of better quality and better suited to its needs.
Good Nutrition Can Make a Difference
The differences between pet foods are not necessarily limited to whether or not an animal develops a disease.
For some animals, a less suitable diet can result in larger stools, less comfortable digestion, more gas, or a coat and skin that appear less healthy.
Conversely, a well-suited food can contribute to better digestion, healthy stools and good overall condition.
But there is no single perfect food for every dog and cat. That is why we take the time to talk with the owner and consider the animal’s age, size, activity level, habits and specific needs.
We Prioritize Good Ingredients
We believe it is better to start with a good basic diet rather than automatically choosing a food simply because it carries a “dental,” “sensitive digestion” or other specific claim.
For example, if a dental food contains ingredients that do not meet our criteria, we may prefer to keep a good-quality food and use complementary products for dental care.
Fortunately, some good brands now offer specially formulated dental diets. When a formulation meets our criteria, it can of course be part of our selection.
No Private-Label Brand: A Selection Based on Your Pet’s Needs
Another particularity of Heidi & cie is that we do not have a private-label brand that we need to prioritize.
This means we can compare different brands and formulations without having to steer our customers toward a product that belongs to us or that we are required to promote.
Our selection is instead based on ingredient quality, formulation, the animal’s needs and our experience with these products over the years.
We are not necessarily looking for the product that is most profitable for us, but the one that we believe is best suited to your dog or cat.
This is also why you will find brands that can be very different from one another in our stores. There is no single food that is ideal for every animal, and our role is to help you find the one that is best suited to your companion.
At Heidi & cie, You Are Not Just a Number
This is probably one of the great advantages of a small independent business.
Over time, we get to know our customers and their pets. We remember their habits, preferences, little problems, and what has or has not worked for their companion.
And the relationship does not necessarily stop with dogs and cats!
Over the years, we have talked with our customers about travel, projects, work, family, everyday life and all kinds of other subjects. Some relationships that began simply with a question about food or an accessory have developed into genuine friendships.
It is something that a large chain or an online store simply cannot reproduce in quite the same way.
A Relationship Built on Trust Over Time
When a customer comes back to see us, we often already know part of their pet’s story.
We know what food they eat, which products have worked, which ones have not worked as well, and what changes have been tried in the past.
This allows us to provide much more personalized advice. And above all, we can be honest with our recommendations.
If we believe a change is not necessary, we have no reason to tell you otherwise.
The Price Is Not Always the True Cost
We know that the cost of living is increasing and that veterinary care has become a significant expense for many families.
It is therefore completely understandable to look for ways to save money on your pet’s food.
But the price of the bag is not necessarily the best indicator of the actual cost of feeding your pet.
A less expensive food may sometimes require a larger daily serving. The bag costs less to purchase, but it does not last as long.
That is why we like to look at the actual amount needed per day and the daily cost of feeding your pet with our customers, rather than simply looking at the price displayed on the bag.
We Think About Your Pet’s Long-Term Well-Being
Our goal is not to convince you to change foods simply so we can sell you another bag.
If your dog or cat is currently eating a food that works well for them, we will not necessarily recommend changing everything.
When a change may be appropriate, we will explain why and look for a solution that suits both your pet and your situation.
And when a health issue goes beyond our knowledge, we do not hesitate to recommend consulting your veterinarian.
We want to make good decisions for your pet today while also thinking about their long-term well-being.
A Local Business That Grows With Its Customers
The pet products market has changed tremendously since we started in 2007.
Supermarkets, large chains and online shopping now play an important role. Dog and cat owners also have access to an incredible amount of information and an enormous variety of products.
Despite this, we believe there is still an important place for independent neighborhood businesses.
A local business can take the time to listen. It can get to know its customers. It can select the products it wants to offer and adapt its selection based on what it sees and experiences in the real world.
At Heidi & cie, we prioritize product quality, animal well-being and our relationship with our customers.
An Independent and Passionate Business
We are passionate about animals and about everything that can contribute to their well-being.
But after nearly 20 years, Heidi & cie represents much more to us than simply a business.
It represents thousands of dogs and cats whose lives we have followed. Families we have come to know. Customers who have been coming back for years, as well as new people who walk through our doors every day.
It is also a local business that is part of its community and wants to continue being there for many years to come.
We want our stores to be places where you can come to ask a question, compare different options, try on a harness, discover a new food or simply talk about your companion.
Because to us, an animal is never simply another customer.
Thank You for Choosing Local
When you choose an independent business in your neighborhood, you directly contribute to supporting a local business and maintaining local services within your community.
At Heidi & cie, every relationship matters.
Thank you to everyone who has trusted us since 2007, and to those who have just discovered our Longueuil and Rosemont stores.
We look forward to helping you and, above all, getting to know your companion!
Come Visit Us
Heidi & cie – Longueuil
1270 rue Sainte-Hélène
Longueuil, Quebec J4K 3S6
450 616-2267
Heidi & cie – Rosemont
3764 rue Masson
Montreal, Quebec H1X 1S6
514 903-8073
Dogs on a leash are welcome in both of our stores.