Eating healthy is all the rage right now, with vegan and raw cafés popping up everywhere and organic foods becoming commonplace even at regular grocery stores. 

But one Palm Harbor business owner is taking the healthy eating craze a bit further. 

Lori Boland’s shop on Alternate 19, Healthy Pets Groceries, caters to the dietary habits mainly of cats and dogs, although she does offer some products for birds and other animals, too. 

Palm Harbor Patch sat down with Lori and asked about her business, how she got into the field, and why pet diets are so important. 

How did you get started in this business?

I was in the tech field, software, for a long time, but I always loved animals and natural things. Then I worked in a pet supply place for a while and made some contacts. 

I came from a family where everybody owned their own business, and I went to school for business, so I knew I would have my own someday. Once I became brave enough, I opened this place in April of 2010. It’s an expansion of what I love. 

What kind of products do you sell?

We sell raw, freeze-dried, canned and bagged food. We have meats, complete diets with fruit and veggies, or partial diets with meat and veggies or meat and fruit. 

I check all my sources to make sure all my food is healthy. The food here doesn’t have fillers, preservatives or byproducts. Some of the products are gluten-free.

What are the benefits of pets eating healthier foods?

Certain medical conditions can be controlled with diets. Some animals have health, diet, or gluten issues, just like people. By controlling their diets, they lead healthier lives. 

You’ll spend a little more money on quality food, but you’ll save because you’ll have healthy animals. Plus pets eat less of this food because they’re getting more nutrients from their food. 

What advice would you give to the many pet owners in the area?

They say we are what we eat, and dogs and cats are very similar to us. More raw and freeze-dried diets are coming out as people become more aware of the benefits. 

Treat your animals like you treat yourself and they’ll live longer, happier lives.

Healthy Pets Groceries

Address: 2609C Alt 19

Phone: 727-787-6500

Hours: Tue - Sat, 10am - 7pm, Sun, Mon, closed