“RASPUTITSA” IS THE WORD used in Eastern Europe, and in Alaska they call it “breakup”: It’s that soggy few weeks of late spring when low-riding Corgis and big-digging Malamutes always come home a muddy mess. This year, push rinse-free formulas for dogs that need regular spot checks and foaming cleansers for head-to-toe freshness.

Natural Shampoo Bar

Wondercide

KEY FEATURES: Freshly ground neem bark works as an exfoliant, getting dirty dogs extra clean and helping to alleviate common skin conditions.

SALES TIP: The bar lasts longer than liquids and prevents fumbling with shampoo bottles.

wondercide.com, (877) 896-7426

$2.49

Squeaky Clean Kit for Pets

Oxyfresh

KEY FEATURES: This cleansing combination pack includes a pH-balanced citrus shampoo and an alcohol-free solution to clean itchy, irritated ears.

SALES TIP: This all-in-one purchase covers dogs from head to tail.

oxyfresh.com, (800) 333-7374

$23.45

Cape Towel

Tall Tails

KEY FEATURES: This towel has a collar with Velcro fastener plus two hand pockets for more control when drying.

SALES TIP: Super soaker — this terry fiber towel is 50 percent more absorbent than cotton.

talltailsdog.com, (937) 222-2132

$19.99

Oatmeal Honey Shampoo

Petology

KEY FEATURES: Ultra-fine colloidal oatmeal combines with honey extract to calm irritated skin while providing superior moisture, luster and shine.

SALES TIP: A long-lasting lather with long-lasting effects, and the creamy vanilla and honey keeps fur smelling good for days.

petology.net, (386) 672-1872

$14.99

Shed Control Shampoo

Pura Naturals Pet

KEY FEATURES: Sweet orange, coconut oil and omega-3 fatty acids moisturize and improve skin, and freshen coats.

SALES TIP: Reduce shedding, dander and allergens with this wash, and add on the sister Shed Control conditioner for shine.

puranaturalspet.com, (844) 698-4367

$15.99

2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner

Dr. Sniff

KEY FEATURES: A wash-and-go shampoo and conditioner naturally rinses unwanted odors and grime, leaving a subtle fragrance behind.

SALES TIP: The bottle has an easy pump top, and the two-in-1 formula means baths take half the time.

drsniff.com, (561) 901-5341

$7.49

Oatmeal Waterless Foam Shampoo

John Paul Pet

KEY FEATURES: The special formula helps water grab the oil and dirt so they can be brushed out of the coat without rinsing.

SALES TIP: Sell it for senior pets struggling to get into the tub, and for spot cleaning dogs that love rolling in goose poop.

johnpaulpet.com, wholesalepet.com

$11.95

Flea and Tick Body Wash and Leave-In Treatment

Spina Organics

KEY FEATURES: Repel fleas and ticks with cedarwood and sandalwood in this organic shampoo and leave-in treatment combo.

SALES TIP: Straight A: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antifungal.

spinaorganics.com, (310) 713-3223

$24 body wash; $16 leave-in

Conditioning Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

Healers Petcare

KEY FEATURES: A highly concentrated formula using all-natural ingredients like tea tree oils and designed to help with a variety of skin conditions. It works for all animals.

SALES TIP: Great testimonials — this shampoo has been used throughout the veterinary market for years; now it’s in the retail space.

healerspetcare.com, (800) 924-7036

$12.99

PET OWNERS ARE COMING around to seeing food toppers as more than just a treat. For cats and dogs who are picky eaters or suffer from food allergies, toppers can provide an extra boost of nutrition and hydration, making them an important addition to the pet lover’s pantry.

Organic Bone Broth

Primalvore

KEY FEATURES: Only three ingredients: certified organic bone broth, collagen peptides (for joint health) and organic turmeric. Beef or chicken. 12-ounce pouches, sold in packs of two and six.

SALES TIP: For customers looking for more organic options, paired with clean ingredients.

primalvore.com, (800) 987-0544

$19.99 for 2

Tiki Cat Dash Tuna Flakes

Tiki Pets

KEY FEATURES: Only one ingredient: wild-caught bonito tuna. Naturally smoked and flaked for easy sprinkling over wet or dry food. 1.5-ounce bags, also available in mackerel flavor.

SALES TIP: Tuna is packed with protein (86 percent to be exact), satisfying kitty’s carnivorous nature.

tikipets.com, (866) 821-8562

$9.99

Pour Overs

The Honest Kitchen

KEY FEATURES: Limited-ingredient wet toppers in three types: Bone Broth Stew, Pumpkin Stew and Superfood Stew, with three flavors in each grouping. 5.5-ounce TetraPak, sold in packs of three and 12.

SALES TIP: With nine slow-cooked flavors, there’s something for all palates.

thehonestkitchen.com, (866) 437-9729

$6.99 for 3

PureBites Mixers for Cats

Pure Treats

KEY FEATURES: Just the basics: pure meat, packed in water for extra hydration, to be served as a wet topper or meal mixer. Five chicken and seafood flavors. 1.76-ounce trays.

SALES TIP: Just one or two ingredients per variety, appealing to clean-eating enthusiasts.

purebites.com, (888) 388-7873

$1.79

Beef Bone Broth with Turmeric

Solid Gold

KEY FEATURES: Made from human-grade ingredients: beef bone broth, carrot, sweet potato, apple, sesame seed oil, turmeric. 8-ounce pouches. Serve as a topper or add to water.

SALES TIP: Super-spice turmeric is prized for anti-inflammatory properties, making this good for aging dogs.

solidgoldpet.com, (800) 364-4863

$3.99

Fetch Fuel Active

Presidio

KEY FEATURES: Blend of glucosamine, omega-rich oils, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that promote joint health and healthy skin and coat. 12.5-ounce pouches contain 25 servings. Part of a line of three formulas.

SALES TIP: Easy way for pet parents to sneak in some extra vitamins.

presidiopet.com, (888) 859-4280

$24.99

SuperGravy

Clear Conscience Pet

KEY FEATURES: Just add water to the powdered mix. Barkinara red and Arfredo creamy white join the original brown. 4.5-ounce pouches come with a scoop to make 30 gravy servings.

SALES TIP: Hanging displays available, for squeezing more products into your food aisles.

clearconsciencepet.com, (239) 984-2705

$15.95

Smiling Dog Bone Broth

Herbsmith

KEY FEATURES: Bone Broth Kibble Seasonings contain only freeze-dried meat and bone broth, using USDA-certified sourced ingredients. Chicken (3.5-ounce) and beef (3.35-ounce).

SALES TIP: Serve wet or dry to appeal to picky pups. Cat approved, too.

herbsmithinc.com, (800) 624-6429

$9.49

The Honest Kitchen Pour Overs. Dogs are going crazy over their superfood and bone broth pour overs! Customers love that it isn’t too messy, their dogs gobble it right up, and the fact that it is human grade. — Kara Holland, Pittsboro Pet Supply, Pittsboro, NC

Products

• Fromm Crunchy Os have not slowed down. Zignature small bites are growing. — Kimberly Taylor, Nashville Pet Products, Oshkosh, WI
• Perhaps not surprisingly, we sold a great deal of our own hand-made and decorated Valentine’s doggie cookies. — Kimberly Barnes, New England Dog Biscuit, Salem, MA
• Coco Charms Pumpkin Pie treats. These 100 percent organic treats are only 1 calorie each, which is perfect for the small dog families we cater to. We like that they’re made in the USA and they can help small dogs maintain a healthy weight. — Tom Jeffrey, Dinky Dog Club, Charleston, SC
• Victor Hi-Pro for puppies/adults. We have breeders who buy this formula in 5-,40- and 50-pound bags. The pups are beautiful and visit the store, so we see how good the food really is. — Nancy Okun, Cats n Dogs, Port Charlotte, FL
• CBD increases have been great. Just in the Pet Releaf Brand, we sell over 100 units a month, and we carry other brands as well. People are looking for relief for arthritis, seizures, anxiety, cancer, etc., and this just helps so many ailments. The vets have been sending tons of people in for it, which has been great. — Jennifer Larsen, Firehouse Pet Shop, Wenatchee, WI
• Our Vital Essentials Raw Bar is worth every penny! Some of the most popular items include: freeze-dried bully sticks (good for seniors or those with bad teeth); duck necks, moo sticks, cod skins and salmon skins. During slow periods, we offer buy one, get one, and then they fly off the shelf even more quickly! — Sandy House, The Store at Paws, Hamden, CT
• Raw food and new raw coated food. — Sherry Shupe, Fur Baby, Milford, DE
• Food! FirstMate was offering an incentive: Every $15 spent gets an entry into winning a $400 Traeger grill. — Jennifer Flanagan, Nature’s Pet Market Sherwood, Sherwood, OR
• Gibson’s Dog Treats from Wild Meadow Farms. — Gloria Von Zech, The Principled Pet, Collingswood, NJ
• Our best-selling product in February were Saltsox booties. Since we had such crazy cold and icy weather, they were selling fast. Customers were buying them because they were having trouble getting their dogs to go out in the bad weather and also to prevent their dogs from walking on the salt. They are very easy booties to put on the dog and they have Velcro that wraps around the ankle of the dog which keeps the booties secure. — Jan A. Hopper, Living Pawsitively, Lafayette, NJ
• Fromm Gold is our No. 1 food line. — Janelle Pitula, Wags to Whiskers, Plainfield, IL
• Our best sellers for February were the Gourmet Doggy Cookies from Preppy Puppy. Our customers wanted to make sure their pups felt the love on Valentine’s Day too! — Wendy Megyese, Muttigans, Emerald Isle, NC
• After taking a sales rep’s advice and merchandising our cat food pouches, we saw a definite increase in pouch sales. — Jack Carey, Amoskeag Pet Supply, Manchester, NH
• Our best seller was a donation! Every February, we raise money for a local senior dog rescue by inviting customers to sponsor individual dogs starting at $30 for three months (and we match the first $1,000 in sponsorships), or donate by buying a paper heart for our windows. Small hearts are $1, and large ones are $5. The $5 ones also had partner brands kicking in: For every $5 heart sold, The Honest Kitchen added an extra $1 to the rescue (up to $500 extra), and Weruva donated a pouch of wet food to the dogs. In total, we sold 510 of the $5 hearts, and raised nearly $8,000 total for the rescue! — Shane Somerville, Paddywack, Mill Creek, WA
• Doc & Phoebe’s Hunting Feeder for cats. — Pennye Jones-Napier, The Big Bad Woof, Washington, DC
• The Earth Animal No-Hides did well for us in February. They are nice to sell to someone who is looking for a longer lasting chew that isn’t rawhide. — Diane Marcin, Benny’s Pet Depot, Mechanicsburg, PA

Services

• In February we offered free teeth brushing to every pet who came through the door. We also gave out a toothbrush to every pet. This led to sales of oral hygiene products. — Carlos Carrizo, Alta Pet Center, Upland, CA