Arnold's Pick of the Month - Si's Pet Pantry

This month here at Pooch Portrait Studio, we are featuring Si’s Pet Pantry. Arnold and the pack have tried almost everything in their shop! Our favorites are the Bone Broth, Rawhide Rolls and Turkey Legs (also known as Dino Legs!). We chatted with the owner and creator, Denise, and our interview is below.

How'd you come up with the idea to start Osiris Pet Pantry?

I came up with Si's Pet Pantry when i started learning more and more about pet nutrition/whole foods, and how pet's can benefit greatly from them.

It was so hard finding treats & chews i felt comfortable giving my pets. All the ones at the stores were full of stuff i didn't know how to pronounce, had grain, or were just unhealthy in general. I started drying my own treats at home and that is when i had other pet owners ask me if they could buy some off of me. That is when it really hit me that it was not just me or my friends struggling to find treats they were comfortable feeding but the majority of pet owners. I wanted to build a company pet parents could trust.

How many dogs do you personally have, what types and where'd you get them?

I only have 1 dog! Osiris, who is a 2 yr old GSD who i got off of craigslist believe it or not. lol He is my very first dog and has completely changed our lives for the better. I also have 3 cats who i cannot forget to mention. Atilla who is 8 Vladamir who is 8 as well and Ares who is 7. They moved with us from California!

What is the hardest part about owning your own small business?

The hardest part for me, is finding balance. Even though i work from home, i still need to make time to spend with my family, take Si out to exercise, take my son to school/therapy and still get dinner/housework done. Its hard because i don't ever really leave the "office'' so i can't just leave work at work. But! I am glad to say i have been getting better about not working 24/7.

What is one thing you really want people who purchase from you to understand?

Please trust me. I know some of our products are weird/scary to some & I know some people look at them and get offended by them. But please, trust me. Your pets can eat them(and will probably love them), I am not trying to be "cruel", I help reduce waste so that every part of the animal is used when processed. I know you see the cow noses, pig tails and cow ears and get upset. But you should be getting upset at how much the food industry wastes, Not that i have found an alternative use for these items.

What inspired you to become a badass girl boss?

Pet health! It may have not inspired me to be a boss per say, but i became very passionate about wanting to help other pet parents find nutritious and delicious alternatives for their pets, hence starting the Pet Pantry.

Our pets depend on us to give them their best life & that starts with what we put into their bodies. I want my customers to feel confidence in what they are feeding their pets. That drive is what inspires me to make the Pet Pantry the most badass company it can be.

Where do you get your new product ideas from? ie how do you pick which meat etc?

Honestly, i am always coming up with new ideas. I literally always carry a notepad and pen, so when an idea strikes i can write it down. I get a lot of inspiration from people's raw meals though! I am also always looking to add new proteins or new products. I have a general rule of thumb, that if i get excited about feeding it to Si, it will probably make a great addition to the shop.

THIS IS NOT SPONSORED.