One visit to Healthy Tails and you, too, will be hooked on this fabulous pet boutique. Only the most hard-hearted dog or cat owner could walk away empty-handed. It carries one of the city's better selections of water and food bowls, squeaky toys, cat play things, collars, leashes and leads, along with a broad variety of healthy treats and kibble, as the store's name implies.
It seems our furry friends don't always eat what's best for them. In fact, many of our pets eat meals made from some really nasty food sources such as crushed bones, discarded innards and fillers that have virtually no nutritional value at all, according to Von Witbeck, the store's owner. He says typical pet foods are not doing your animal justice. For instance, he says, if your dog-food label lists "meat" as an ingredient, it could mean anything. Better food manufacturers will list the source, such as beef, chicken or lamb. Witbeck is convinced bad food leads to behavioral problems as well as health problems.
Don't fret, there's hope. Witbeck selects all of the food at Healthy Tails so you don't have to worry about feeding your cat or dog surplus meat or fish by-products. He makes sure the food and treats are nutritionally sound and politically correct. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, which always makes things so much easier when shopping. Plus, you can bring your pet to taste any of the food available.
Once you get the food figured out, have a look-see around the rest of the store.
It carries plushy dog beds for all sizes, along with strong cat scratching posts and condominiums. Look for a wide range of ceramic, metal and plastic feeding and water bowls. Witbeck even carries several products that would appeal to those few Las Vegans who have selected modern décor for their homes.
The collar and leash sections are also worth a visit. Fans of rhinestoned, foofie collars will be well served, but those with a more refined appetite also will find tasteful suede and nylon numbers with unique patterns and embellishments.
Happy Tails' range of toys is also impressive. Pets can be particular about their fun-time accessories, so a strong selection of sounds, textures and characters is pivotal, and here it numbers in the hundreds. Can't decide? As with the food, bring Fifi or Fido in and let them decide.
One of the store's nicer touches is the flooring, made from a synthetic tile custom-made to look like grass, a nice touch.
Healthy Tails, 8547 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 656-1700.
Anne Kellogg is a native Las Vegan with a thing for purchasing stuff. E-mail her at
[email protected].