FAQs

I've never heard of this brand of pet food before. Is it safe for my pet to eat?

Yes! While the brand name itself is new, the manufacturer of our food has been a safe, trusted producer of quality pet foods for three generations. They are committed to quality, safety, and reliability, and they have never had a recall in the history of their business. This is not by luck; raw ingredients and finished products go through multiple levels of testing to ensure safety for your pets. The manufacturing facility is APHIS EU-certified, and their management team is also HACCP and HARPC certified.

My vet warned me against using “boutique” brands of pet food. Is Bo's considered a “boutique” brand?

Your vet has every reason to be concerned. The pet food industry is not tightly regulated in the United States. There is no actual definition for "boutique" pet foods, but the term alludes to small companies that ride recent trends in pet food and don't have a proven track record for producing healthy, safe products for pets. Our manufacturer has been producing healthy pet foods for over forty years. Their nutritionists work closely with industry experts to develop formulations that will ensure proper nutrients for your pets. All of our pet food formulas are reviewed regularly and, if necessary, changes are made to keep up with current research. All of our products are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO. If your veterinarian has any concerns, we're happy to provide you with the extended nutrition facts for his/her review.

 

I've been feeding puppy food. When should I switch?

 

There isn't a "one size fits all" answer to this question. The answer will vary depending on your dog's breed, age, and weight. We have several "All Life Stages" formulas that meet the AAFCO nutrient profile for all life stages for dogs, including growth for puppies. The only exception is our Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula. This formula is appropriate the growth stage for most puppies, but not for large breed puppies (expected to be 70 lbs or more as an adult). Please note that those formulas have separate feeding guidelines for puppies and adults. Generally speaking, most puppies are ready to transition to an adult formula around one year. However, some large breed dogs may benefit from eating puppy food for a longer period of time. Also, if you notice that your puppy is packing on the pounds before one year, it may be time to make the transition. If you have any questions about your dog specifically, it's best to consult your vet. Also, as is always suggested, food transitions should take place slowly to avoid stomach upset.

 

Do you have a store where I can shop in person?

 

Our store is located at 1141 Kenmore Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217.  If you'd like to shop in person or if you'd like curbside pick-up, please give us a call and we'll be happy to make arrangements for you. We also participate in vendor events throughout the area, and you can find information on our events on our Facebook page.

When do you make deliveries? Can I place an order and receive it the same day?

We deliver throughout the area Monday – Friday.  Our delivery guarantee is within two business days, but we always try to deliver as soon as possible (sometimes even the same day). We try to combine deliveries by location as much as possible and generally will do Northtowns deliveries one day and Southtowns deliveries the next day. We often deliver on weekends to get a head start on the week ahead, but weekend deliveries are not guaranteed.

 

Please try to place your order at least two days before you need food. If there is a travel ban in place due to the weather, we may not be able to fulfill our usual two-day delivery guarantee. If you forget to re-order in time, please call or text us at (716) 393-7616. We're almost always able to accommodate last-minute orders.

 

Order on	Receive delivery on or before
Monday	Wednesday
Tuesday	Thursday
Wednesday	Friday
Thursday	Saturday
Friday	Monday
Saturday	Monday
Sunday	Tuesday

 

Do you offer recurring deliveries?

 

Yes! We offer a 5% discount for subscription pet food orders. Feel free to reach out if you need help setting up a delivery schedule. There are approximately four cups per pound of food. If you sign up for a pet food subscription, you'll receive an email notification before your order processes so that you have time to make changes or cancellations prior to delivery. The above delivery schedule also applies to subscription renewals (i.e., if your payment is processed on Monday, you will receive the delivery on or before Wednesday).

 

Do I need to be home to accept my delivery?

 

No. Unless otherwise instructed, we'll leave your order at your front door. We don't even ring the doorbell because dogs bark. If you want the food left elsewhere or if there are any other specific instructions such as a gate/door entry code or if your house is unmarked or difficult to find using GPS, please include that information in your order notes. In poor weather conditions, your order will be wrapped in a dry cleaning bag for protection.

 

Do I have to buy pet food in order to get free delivery? 

 

No! We have many customers who order treats and chews only. We just request a minimum order of $25 to qualify for free delivery. 

 

I'm really loyal to another brand, but I love the idea of free delivery and supporting  a local small business. Do you sell other brands of food?

 

We have the ability to special order a wide variety of products, including other pet food brands. Please contact us by phone at (716) 393-7616 or email at info@nickelcitypetpantry.com for information on pricing and availability for other brands of pet food.