Sunday, February 17, 2013

Why Pet Shop Advice is Less Reliable Than the Internet


The novice fish keeper often has no previous experience with caring for fish. A few facts may have been picked up over the years, hearsay that may or may not be true, but that is all the knowledge the novice may have upon walking into a pet store to begin the fish-keeping hobby for the first time. More often than not, the first choice of a fish is one that is easiest to care for and/or requires little expense in comparison to the rest. This typically narrows down the beginner hobbyist’s choice to one of two starting fish species: goldfish and Betta splendens.

Unfortunately, neither species is well represented for their true needs. Both are commonly misunderstood and have a variety of rumors surrounding their care that are endorse by popular culture, word-of-mouth, and inappropriate products pushed onto the consumer. There are many choices for the novice aquarist and when the choices become confusing or overwhelming, who is better to turn to than the friendly pet store employee?

The answer: the internet.

Photo from Flickr.com

It may seem surprising to some but a quick internet search with essential keywords is often more reliable than the knowledge passed along from a pet shop worker. This is because the average pet shop employee typically knows as much as the consumer does. Yes, the employee has gone through training and probably has read a care or two relating to the animals in his or her department. However, the information provided through training by pet shops such as Petco or PetSmart is often based on the incorrect myths of fish keeping in order to sell more products. Petco, for example, cites on its care guide that Betta splendens can thrive in 0.4 gallon (1.51 liters) tank. This is untrue for a variety of reasons. In short, Betta splendens require no less than 1 gallon (3.78 liters) with regular, twice-weekly, water changes.
 
Why would pet stores purposely provide in correct information to their employees and consumers? To sell more products. More often than not, the novice fish keeper is not willing to pay the true cost of owning a Betta fish. These fish are thought of as cheap, costing no more than $20 with supplies. Even then, many beginners are not willing to pay such an amount of money for what they see as no more than a colorful piece of interactive décor. And the employee, knowing this and having been trained to take advantage of this, will push the idea that these animals are cheap and do not require a lot of work or dedication. This results in an easier sale. There are more people willing to spend a few dollars on the aquarium hobby than there are people who are willing to spend a lot of money for it. Quick, cheap, sales end up as a larger profit than rare, expensive, sales.

It is not uncommon, as a result, to be told that Betta splendens are more likely to thrive in low water volumes, do not need heaters, and do not need to be fed that often. The beginner fish keeper may not even be told about the necessity of water conditioners or even what the differences between them are. The pet fish industry relies on the selling and reselling of fish species. It is a sad cycle of death and/or pain for the living creatures involved because business is telling consumers that these animals do not need what is required for their care and that they live shorter lives than their actual potentials.

Novice fish keepers would be better off finding reliable sources on the internet. Although correct information is hard to come by in a world full of fish myths, more often than not it is easier to find life-saving information through online communities, forums, and websites. Even better is when information from multiple, non-related, sites begins to match up and when trust worthy sources are cited in claims. Benefits of researching online are greater than the risk of following pet store advice blindly. While some websites are better than others for advice, there is a lot of correct information out there. Many of those websites or official sources are cited on this blog and its Facebook page.

True facts are out there. It may take some time, and some research, but all animals deserve to be cared for in a way that will allow them to thrive. Taking the time to fact-check pet store employees can vastly improve the quality of life for Betta splendens at the least and save their lives at best.

24 comments:

  1. "True facts are out there. It may take some time, and some research, but all animals deserve to be cared for in a way that will allow them to thrive." Agreed.

    Living Jungle Sunshine

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very nice post, Thank you so much for sharing this post. Benefits of researching online are greater than the risk of following pet store advice blindly.
    _____________________________________________________________
    http://www.dogbazar.org/

    ReplyDelete
  3. betta fish tank
    I was looking for something like this Why Pet Shop Advice is Less Reliable Than the Internet ,Thank you for posting the great content……I found it quiet interesting, hopefully you will keep posting such blogs.keep it up

    ReplyDelete
  4. wow. amazing you have some good work on this blog. I just say best of luck..
    Pet classified

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much! I will be updating regularly again. Please stay tuned.

      Delete
  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for great information about fish aquarium. I am very lucky to get this information from you.

    Fish aquarium home products

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a problem. Feel free to email BettaFishAwarenessDay@gmail.com if you have any questions or to take a look at our facebook page.

      Delete
  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for sharing informative post! I really appreciate this posting. You have made my day! You can have a look on my Online Pet store website, I would be waiting for your valuable response. Thank you again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to know that you are aware of the problem many pet stores face when providing advice in favor of products rather than the animal's best interests. Please take this information to heart when running your store!

      Delete
  10. Learn how to heal dog’s hyperkeratosis and other skin conditions with Paw Soother and Pawtection, all natural products recommended by vets. hyperkeratotic skin conditions

    ReplyDelete
  11. Giving me Best Advice from Your Blog. For Pet http://www.asiapets.in/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Giving me Best Advice from Your Blog. For Pet Maltese Best Price in Delhi. Beagle breeders

    ReplyDelete
  13. Giving me Best Advice from Your Blog. For Pet Beagle pup for sale. Beagle breeders

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very good information is given in this blog...Everyone likes to have pets, if you want to keep it,
    then we are the best pet's shop and best breeders in Dehradun,Uttarakhand(India).

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very good information is given in this blog...Everyone likes to have pets
    Online Pet Shop in delhi
    http://www.asiapets.in/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Online Pet Store in Delhi | Buy Online Dogs and Cats
    Maltese Best Price in Delhi
    Online Pet Store in Delhi | Buy Online Dogs and Cats
    Pet shop in delhi
    Thank you For Giving me Best Advice from Your Blog. For Pet
    Maltese Best Price in Delhi
    We Deal Dogs and cats

    ReplyDelete
  17. It has been essentially unfathomably liberal with you to give transparently what precisely numerous people would've promoted for an eBook to finish up making some money for their end, fundamentally given that you could have attempted it in the occasion you needed.

    dogs for sale near me
    Adopt Pets
    Adopt dogs near me
    Adopt cat near me

    ReplyDelete