Natural Pet

I think the title when I picked 2 stars as a rating says it all — «Meh. I’ve experienced better.» I really wanted to like this place, but… it has some issues, mostly with the staff. I was a little put off by the attitudes when I refused to purchase (really expensive!) products for my (very healthy and happy) dog. My dog isn’t ill, he doesn’t need all sorts of supplements and special treats for this or that. He just needs what he’s been getting for years — good quality food, lots of walks, and much love. To have to experience the feeling that I am somehow not treating my dog the best possible just because I don’t have the budget for (really expensive!) things for my dog was off-​putting.

HORRIBLE PEOPLE SKILLS!
Perhaps that is what drives one into the pet business?
I’ve been to this store a handful of times, mostly to purchase my dog a quick treat while on a walk around the neighborhood. My husband came here much more frequently to purchase canned food for our dog and oodles of treats (our dog is very spoiled!) By chance, because we were completely out of dry dog food, my husband had bought the large 50 lb (?) bag of Fromm’s dog food here a month or two ago, and he told me about their new reward tracking program for dog food purchases, which entails Natural Pet keeping track of your purchases. I didn’t think much of it bc we generally don’t buy our food here since we can find it for less at Mac’s on KK or Pet Supplies Plus.
Here’s how that plays in to my last experience at this store, with emphasis on LAST:
I was having a great day – my niece was with me, on a rare visit from half a hemisphere away, and I’d just won a voucher for a free bag of dog food – worth about $ 37 – from spinning the prize wheel at the Pet Fest tent at Summerfest!
I picked out my bag of dog food (which was the same brand we typically buy-​Fromms) because we were running low, and I asked for a sample of the flavor I was getting since my dog had not tried that particular flavor in the line yet. I also requested a sample of a different flavor that my dog had not yet tried (pork) as well. This particular brand of dog food has a 100% satisfaction guaranty, so it’s possible to exchange it if your dog doesn’t like it after opening it. I figured it would be better to find out if he likes the food before opening the 15 lb. bag and wasting it by having to return it. The helpful young lady that worked there gladly gave me the two samples, and I proceeded to the checkout. (This helpful person is the only thing that makes me okay even giving them one star!)
Another person was checking out ahead of/​next to me, and there were three people were behind the counter. One was the younger lady that helped me, one was another lady that worked there and the other was a lady whom I believe was the owner.
The fact that I had samples caught the owner’s eye, and she said in a measured tone,
«How did you like the samples I gave you the last time you were in here?» without taking her eyes off me.
I looked around, not sure if she was talking to me or not (since there were other people around), and said, «Me?»
She said curtly, «Yeah, you.»
I responded, «My husband does most of the dog food shopping for our house. I’ve never gotten any samples here before.»
She very audibly/​skeptically said, «Hmmmmmmmm.»
Then she moved on to how they have this new program to track purchases towards earning a free bag of dog food. I said, «Oh yeah, my husband mentioned that and he brought the envelope home.» She said, «No, we track your purchases in the store. I need your name.» She was waiting with the marker and envelope already in hand.
I said, «I believe my husband already has one started.» She must not have heard me, however, because she responded flatly [again], «I need your name.» So I gave her my name. I didn’t really want to do that, since I’d already told her my husband had one started and also I knew the bag I was getting was going to be free with the voucher we’d won, so it didn’t make sense to start a new envelope. Given the nature of the interactions we’d had thus far I was trying not to engage her poor behavior, (which I’d never experienced from her in any of my, maybe five – previous visits, to be fair), and the fact that I didn’t want to embarrass my niece, I complied. I hadn’t had time to mention that the bag was going to be free with the voucher I was holding in my hand, which of course, had she given me a moment to speak, and not been so hostile, we may have gotten to that conclusion sooner. So she first crossed out the purchase information she put on the envelope, then after a moment’s consideration, she got a new envelope for the reward tracking and wrote my name on it anew, stating I wouldn’t get credit towards a free bag because it was free.
I was completely stunned by the entire experience. Stunned.
The other lady behind the counter had by this time, finished with transaction ahead of me and went to ring up my transaction. She said, «Just the dog food, today?» I said, «And these two samples, not sure if you charge for these or not.»
The owner immediately jumped in, «Yes we do! They’re $.25 each.» With tax they came out to $.53. Between the three of them they could not find the button in the computer to ring up the sample purchase, and spent a couple minutes trying different options. That indicates to me they don’t frequently ring up samples.
So, sadly, for a mistaken identity and 53 cents, they’ve lost our sweet dog as a customer for life. I WOULD NOT RETURN IF IT WAS THE LAST PET STORE ON EARTH. Very disappointed.
I wonder how she’ll react if my doppelgaanger returns?

Good stuff but very pricy. I appreciate what they’re trying to do here but I can only afford so much. I try to support indy stores but considering my income I have a hard time going here. I visit about once a month for a product I can’t find anywhere else. They don’t carry a «local» kibble I feed so I go elsewhere for my food. Generally 20−30% higher than many other locations for the same products. I don’t like big box stores but have to get kibble from one. Also, chicken based food is about the only thing that doesn’t cause ear infections in my dog and this place seems to avoid it because it is a common allergy for other dogs. I also feed raw on occasion but it’s half as costly to go to the butcher for poultry than it is to buy from here. They do hold workshops from time to time which is a plus for those just learning about feeding healthy products.

Not only is the staff very knowledgable about their products, they are friendly, helpful and inviting. I love that they have samples for you to take to your pet for a «test run» and encourage natural, chemical free diets. The workshops and seminars they host are fun and informative. I love that this is a locally run business filling a very much needed niche in Milwaukee!

I LOVE Natural Pet. I own a pet sitting business and rely on them to provide healthy, natural treats to make sure all pets in my care don’t have adverse reactions to anything. We also have a special needs dog and cat. With their guidance we’ve helped eliminate a lot of their symptoms.
There is a wide variety. Pricing is higher due to quality control, but the guidance they give is worth the extra bucks.