NorthPoint Pets’ Cammack Invited to Speak About Pet Food Safety at International Conference

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August 10, 2022

 

CHESHIRE, Conn. — Nicole Cammack, animal nutrition researcher, doctoral candidate, and owner of NorthPoint Pets & Company, has been invited to speak at the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society (RFVS) annual conference in Barcelona, Spain.

 

Cammack will present “Evolving the Narrative: Known & Unknowns About Pet Food Safety” at the prestigious event on September 24. 

 

The annual RFVS conference has garnered a reputation as a key meeting among some of the world’s top veterinarians and veterinary nurses pursuing science-based research on raw and fresh feeding for pets. 

 

“I am honored to have been invited to speak at such a prestigious conference,” said Cammack. “Sharing my research and insights on pet food safety, whether that food is raw or processed, will hopefully add to our shared knowledge of improving the quality of food we provide to our pets.”   

 

The 2022 conference, “How Safe Is Their Food,” will be held in Barcelona and can also be available online. More information about the event and affordable tickets for the virtual conference can be found at https://rfvs.info/conference-2022/.

 

Nicole Cammack is the founder & owner of multiple-award-winning NorthPoint Pets & Company. She has completed undergraduate work in biological sciences and business. She earned an M.S. in nutrition and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in comparative biomedical sciences (canine nutrition/metabolomics) at the University of Georgia. 

 

As a consultant, Cammack has worked on multiple R&D projects for the pharmaceutical industry and has been heavily involved in police canine nutrition to improve care and feeding. 

 

Her research interests include working dog nutrition, raw feeding, pathogens, metabolomics, and nutrition’s relationship to disease in humans and canines. Her current research explores the canine urinary metabolome and the connection to diet.

 

ABOUT NORTHPOINT PETS & COMPANY (NPP)

NPP provides premium pet food with unbiased, honest, and science-backed information regarding the care, feeding, and behavioral drivers of dogs and cats. Locat in Cheshire, Conn., the national award-winning NPP team has earned a well-deserved reputation as industry leaders in independent pet retail and advocates of improving pet nutrition, health, and food safety. Learn more at https://northpointpets.com/.

Q & A Session with Morgan

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What brought you to NPP?

I joined NPP with an eagerness to learn more about pet nutrition and to use that knowledge to help people and pets who need it most. I started out at Branford Veterinary Hospital in 2018 with no previous experience in veterinary medicine and by 2021 I was a certified veterinary technician. Both of my dogs (Tyson and Pongo) are what built my strong interest in nutrition on top of already working in the field as well. When you have pets that need preventative care to avoid future costs- you do what you have to do. And in my case, that was learning and educating myself on behalf of each of their nutritional needs.

Tell us about your pets!

In 2016, my boyfriend and I adopted Tyson our pit mix from a rescue in Waterbury. Just like any other pit or pit mix, he came with the upset belly, itchy skin, picky eater – you name it he has it. I originally thought back then that the things I was doing for him were everything I could be doing but, I just gave him the best off-the-shelf dog food I could afford.

After feeding Tyson like that for 18 months, I realized something needed to change to improve his health so I started looking at ways to improve his diet. I was referred to NPP (Thomaston Feed at the time) and that is when I received the help that I needed all along. Food and treat trials you name it. We got him on a kibble that suited his needs best and I learned along the way the information a pet owner would need to know about how to pick the right food.

Then came Pongo, our Dalmatian, in 2018. Dalmatians are a unique breed and of course, a very cool breed to say the least. But after owning and taking care of this breed, I can say hands down, if someone were to get a Dalmatian, they MUST do their research (that goes for any specific breed). Pongo at about 8 ½ weeks old was urinating almost a milky substance. Dalmatians are prone to forming stones through genetic mutation in their breed. They carry a certain crystal in their urine- ammonium biurates- which is normal in dals and a couple of other breeds but if seen in any other breed this would be abnormal. Seeing the presence of these crystals is okay to see in dals but the whole point is to maintain a healthy diet by paying close attention to their purine intake which will help prevent the forming of stones. After the endless (to this day) research and discussion with Nicci in depth about Pongo and what I can do for him to avoid anything down the road- we came to an agreement and that is when we started him on half raw half kibble diet with supplements included. Both of my dogs are my babies, and I would do anything for them!!!

What do you enjoy most about working at NPP?

I enjoy my team. The team here at NPP is like no other. Talking from education down to personalities. Everyone here at NPP makes each day different and I constantly can learn something new every day. We are here to help educate and watching the team do this every day during the shift is amazing. Each case handed to us is so different and I enjoy learning how to handle a different case each time. 

What is your pet’s favorite treat/toy from NPP?

Both Tyson and Pongo LOVE the frozen raw duck or turkey necks. Especially in the summer where they can just go in the yard and enjoy their snack. Now, I love the frozen raw duck/turkey necks as it is a super beneficial way of helping their dental health and keeping their mind occupied. 

What is your favorite product to recommend and why?

There are 2 products that are favorites of mine, not necessarily by name but in general. I love to discuss with customers hip & joint products and omega-3’s. It is super beneficial for each patient (especially those prone to certain health issues) to be on a joint aid and an omega-3 supplement lifelong. Both products are super preventative for long-term health. Joint supplements are great for the joints and help keep them strong and steady. Omega-3’s have a ton of great benefits: brain health, heart health, anti-inflammatory, vision health, and growth. Just like in humans, you do not want something getting to a point where medicine is your only route to take. If it can be prevented, why not try as early as possible to prevent it? 

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I like to spend it with my dogs and boyfriend either hiking/walking/or just hanging around in the backyard. If I am not spending my time with my little family, I am either with my family (I have a good amount of nieces and nephews ☺), attending my boyfriend’s softball games on Thursday nights, and/or laying out by the pool enjoying time in the sun!

What is something you have learned while working at NPP?

Ask questions!!! If there is one thing I can take away from my career with NPP, it is to tell our customers to always ask questions. Everyone should know why their beloved pet would need a certain recommendation, what is it for, how it should be used, etc. 

Yes, we can be told after our pet’s annual bloodwork results that a certain vitamin, supplement, kibble, and/or wet food is recommended but why? I want to know why each and every recommendation is necessary and its purpose for my pets. [vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”8293″ img_size=”full”]Tyson & Pongo[vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”8294″ img_size=”full”]Tyson[vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”8291″ img_size=”full”]Pongo

Five Things I’ve Learned at NPP

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Since I started working at NorthPoint Pets and Company I have learned many things from customer service, social media, marketing, retail displays, dog nutrition, dog gut health, etc. As I mark five months of working at NorthPoint thus far I wanted to share with you five things I’ve learned while working here! 

1. Hydrating kibble and any protein given to your dog is KEY for adding hydration to your dog’s diet. A lot of people think that adding human broth like chicken soup broth is OK, but I learned that this is way too high in sodium for our pets. The best way to add hydration to your pet’s diet is with bone broth. 

2. When it comes to your dog’s diet, rotational feeding is great. Rotational feeding is highly encouraged to enhance your pet’s diet. I learned that it’s good to have 2 or 3 protein options to rotate between so that the pets don’t get bored. I also learned that when you diversify the diet this way, it boosts gut health and the immune system.

3. Social media is time-consuming but also very fun when creativity comes to mind. I knew that I would enjoy my role here managing the social media pages, but I underestimated just how much time and organization goes into the management of a professional social media page. 

4. Behind the bi-folding doors is where the magic truly happens. Back-end work is very important to keep inventory high and sales afloat: event planning, team education seminars, and so many meetings! A lot goes into running a store that you never see as a customer! 

5. When feeding raw you do not need to feed it 100%. You can add in supplements or toppers. Even 20% raw is a significant amount and is highly encouraged. There’s a ton of research showing that even that small amount of fresh food makes a huge difference in their health! 

Here is only a small glimpse at what I’ve learned thus far being on The NorthPoint Pets team! I am very excited to enhance my knowledge of all the educational benefits that come out of working at NorthPoint!

You can read my Q & A here!

kittens sleeping together

4 Lessons I Learned from Adopting Two Kittens

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After our senior cat Timmy passed away in April of 2021, I decided to adopt two female kittens from a local rescue to join our family. That July, we adopted 14 week old Kiwi and Nala. We were only going to adopt one kitten, but the rescue said we had to take both. Of course I couldn’t say no! Caring for these little ones has been quite the trip for me and my family as we all had to adjust to having not one but two tiny fuzzy troublemakers rambling around the house. Here are some things we learned through the last few months! 

The Lessons I Learned from my Kittens

1. Kittens are constantly with each other and absolutely inseparable! If Kiwi can’t find Nala, she will cry out for her until they find each other. Every time I see them, they are either grooming each other, cuddled up sleeping together, or finding mischief together. They even use the litter box one right after the other!

Lesson Learned: Cats create incredibly strong social bonds! I’m so glad we chose to adopt Nala and Kiwi together so they can keep each other company.

2. Nala and Kiwi have a ton of kitten energy, but they burn off most of it around 3 am! We were completely surprised to hear them running laps around the house in the middle of the night – like it’s the Indy 500 – every night! They chase each other, galloping full speed up and down the hallway, occasionally knocking over picture frames and two cats on counterglassware from tables and counters.

Lesson Learned: If you want to sleep at night, engage cats in playtime during the day to let them burn off some energy! We knew cats are naturally nocturnal, but I really underestimated exactly how much energy they would burn off in the early morning hours without daytime play sessions.

3. Both kittens LOVE to hunt! I first noticed this behavior when I saw them watching the birds and bugs outside our window. They sit on the back of the couch and make a ‘chittering’ noise whenever they see something move outside. Then we saw them do it again when we played with the red laser toy! They really do look like their stalking and hunting prey, like a wild cat!

Lesson Learned: Cats – even kittens and indoor cats – are hunters at heart. They have strong natural instincts to stalk, chase, hunt, and catch their ‘prey’, even if it is just the little red laser dot. 

4. We really weren’t expecting the kittens to have such voracious appetites. We feed them small meals several times a day, but they are always hungry! We’ve caught them stealing food from our plates right in front of us. When they eat they shake the food with their mouth, like wild cats!

Lesson Learned: With high-activity kittens comes a high food drive and ravenous appetites. Kittens need many small meals each day – more than an adult cat – to stay satiated. Watch out because they’ll eat your dinner, too! 

Get to Know Our Nail Trimmer Vet Tech Jessica!

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If you’ve had an opportunity to bring your pet to have their nails trimmed, you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jessica! We talked with Jessica to get to know a little bit more about her. My name is Jessica Sambiase and I’ve been a veterinary technician at Stone Veterinary for 17 years. I started off in Vet Med as a receptionist with an extremely strong clerical background, and from there I worked my way up the ladder from receptionist to Veterinary Technician in about 7 years. I have worked in general practice with small animals, exotics, and wildlife but also spent 3 years in Houston doing Specialty and Emergency medicine as well. I have also completed Cold Laser Therapy and Fear Free certifications which have just added to my knowledge.

1. Tell us about your background. How did you get into the field of veterinary care?

I actually started in human medicine but learned quickly that it was not for me.

2. You have a ton of notable qualifications to boast about! Can you tell us about them and why they’re important?

I am Fear Free and Cold Laser Therapy certified.

Fear Free is a program that trains professionals to prioritize an animal’s physical and emotional wellbeing. This training is especially important in instances of nail trimming, which can be a stressful event for any pet. This training just benefits me by adding to my skill level as a technician. I love knowing as much as I can and more!

3. What’s the most challenging part of your job as a vet tech?

That is so hard to answer because there are many challenges that range from mental and physical to emotional. Veterinary medicine isn’t always puppies and kittens. Every day something happens to make you question your choice of profession, but the work is rewarding and fills a space in my heart.

4. What is the most FAQ that you get while at NPP?

LOL “What can I do to stop the licking and chewing my dog does constantly?”

5. What is something that surprised you about NPP?

How large the store actually was and also how knowledgeable the entire staff was too.

6. Tell us about your pets!

Right now my family has 6 cats: Nova and Blu are Siamese mixes and Sheba, Smokey, Sage and Jasper are all domestic short hairs. (Smokey made her appearance first then brought us her 3 kittens as well.)[vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7345″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7344″ img_size=”full”]

Q & A Session with Caitlyn

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What brought you to NPP/tell us your background?

I was previously working at a different pet store. I realized I found joy working with the customers and their pets, and wanted to do more. NPP really goes the extra mile and I am excited to be a part of it.

What is your super power with NPP?

Versatility. I work equally out in the front with customers, as well as behind the scenes stocking, receiving deliveries, and etc.

Tell us about your pets!

I grew up with a border collie and a black cat. I currently have an almost 2 year old Syrian hamster, named Bugsy. His favorite treat is cheese balls (meant for small pets)!

What do you enjoy most about working at NPP?

The genuine care we have about pet health. Also getting to meet everyone’s pet of course!

Tell us your must-have item from NPP.

A kong knots toy. It’s a great 2 in 1 toy! Starts as a stuffed animal, and on the inside is a rope skeleton.

What is your favorite product to recommend and why?

Bixbi bark pops. They are low-calorie and practically cheese puffs for dogs!

What question do you get asked the most?

“What should I be feeding?” Customers ask this often, whether it’s what food to get or how much of it they should be feeding. It could be because of health reasons for their pet or someone just recommends us! We always get as much information as we can, to provide the best nutritional options.

What is your proudest/most memorable moment since working at NPP?

I’ve already learned so much in a short time. But one thing that immediately stuck with me, is how much a dog should eat per day if eating dry food. Most people tend to overfeed their dogs, sometimes by a lot. A proper diet increases the overall health of the pet.

Adriana Q & A

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1. What brought you to NPP/tell us about your background.

I always had a passion and love for animals especially our companion pets. My sister is a Veterinary Technician Assistant at a vet hospital, and I was intrigued every day by what she was learning. I knew I wanted to work with animals but not the medicine aspect. That’s when I stumbled across NPP. Once I discovered that the main focus here is preventative care and the power of nutrition, I just had to become a part of the movement! With such a knowledgeable and passionate staff, I knew I would be in the best of hands to learn the other side of the spectrum.

2. Tell us about your pets!

While I don’t currently have my own fur babies, I am one proud auntie to two amazing little pugs! My nephew Oscar Louis is 9 years old and my niece Hazel Grace is 3 years old. Although Oscar has slowed down some with age, he tries his best to keep up with his little sister. Hazel makes sure to keep him on his toes! They both love walks on the beach or down the street, snacks, their nap time, and lots of cuddles.

3. What do you enjoy most about working at NPP?

I love being able to help/educate pet owners on common issues they may be experiencing with their pets and show them products to guide them to make the best decision for their situation. Being able to give customers proper information is so important in an industry with many different one-sided opinions. Northpoint Pets is all about the facts and studies to back it up and that is something I myself look for, honesty.

4. Tell us your must-have item from NPP.

My must-have item is definitely goat whip. We then mix it with some pumpkin, stuff it in a Kong, and put in the freezer. It makes for a great nighttime snack for the dogs to calm down and relax.

5. What is your favorite toy/treat from NPP?

My favorite toy is Fluff and Tuff! They are very durable but still soft enough for pets to hold/cuddle and also super cute!

6. What is your favorite product to recommend and why?

My favorite product is bone broth. It’s great to use for a picky eater or one who needs to gain an appetite, promotes healthy skin and coat, and aids in gut health and digestion. It also contains collagen which is an amino acid awesome for repairing tissues throughout the body; that includes the lining of the stomach that can become compromised, thus the gut health and joint support. You can add it to kibble for rehydration or serve it by itself![vc_single_image image=”6774″ img_size=”full”]Oscar Louis[vc_single_image image=”6801″ img_size=”full”]Oscar Louis & Hazel Grace[vc_single_image image=”6777″ img_size=”full”]Hazel Grace

NorthPoint Pets team

Our Team Answers Your Top 3 Questions About Pet Nutrition

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At NPP, we’re passionate about the health and wellness of all your pets. Just for fun, we sat down with each team member individually and asked the same 3 questions, without sharing their answers with the rest of the team. Here are their answers!

If you could give ONE piece of advice to someone feeding kibble, what would it be?

Jenna: Add some fresh food to the bowl.

Beth: Hydrate it.

Savannah: At least hydrate it, always. Kibble is so dehydrating.

Tina: Add SOMETHING fresh.

Nikki: Feed the BEST you can afford, and always add moisture with fresh fruits and veggies.

Nicci: Add SOME fresh food to the bowl.

Caitlyn: Kibble should always be hydrated.

Adriana:  Always hydrate your kibble even if it’s just something as simple as water.

Morgan: Hydrate it.

Mercedes: Hydrate it.

What ONE piece of information do you find yourself repeating most often to pet owners?

Jenna: A little bit of fresh food in the bowl goes a long way!

Beth: You’re overfeeding.

Savannah: At least consider the benefits of a raw diet.

dog fresh food bowlTina: You’re feeding too much.

Nikki: You’re feeding too much.

Nicci: Your dog isn’t allergic to chicken.

Cailtyn: Rotation of flavors/proteins is highly recommended.

Adriana: You’re overfeeding.

Morgan: You’re overfeeding.

Mercedes: Wash your food and water bowls!

What’s the #1 reason you would recommend a fresh food diet to pet owners?

Jenna: Your pet’s health will improve ten-fold by replacing any processed kibble with fresh food. 

Beth: It’s the cleanest way to feed your pet.

Savannah: Because it’s so much better for them – it improves EVERYTHING for your pet.

Tina: For the same reason WE need fresh food in our diet.

Nikki: It’s healthier, for a fuller enriched life.

Nicci: Decreased inflammation.

Caitlyn: A fresh/raw diet is more biologically appropriate for dogs and cats.

Adriana: For their pet’s overall wellbeing and to tackle common health conditions.

Morgan: Fresh food benefits your pet’s whole body – starting with their organs.

Mercedes: It’s super low in carbohydrates.

Q & A Session with Savannah

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Read more

Q & A with Caitlin

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What brought you to NPP?

I was brought to NPP by my father, who was previously working with Nicci for his dog, Roko. Through conversation with Nicci, he found out she needed help at the store and I was interested!

What is your role at NPP?

I’m a sales associate, so I help customers with any questions they have, I help them find the right food and supplements for their pets. My favorite thing to do is to recommend treats because I use a wide variety at home so I have personal experience with them!

Tell us about your pets!

I have 3 pets: Roko, a Malinois-Shepherd Mix, Pixie, a chihuahua mix, and my cat Jonas (named after the Jonas brothers). We adopted Pixie and Jonas from Cheshire Animal Control. Roko is a K9 unit for Cheshire Police Department.

What do you enjoy most about working at NPP?

Finding out more than I thought I knew about pet nutrition! There is so much to learn about health, diet, training, etc. that I’m always learning something new.

What is your pet’s favorite toy from NPP?

The Jolly Pets Soccer Ball! I’m amazed by it because it is impossible to deflate, even after my dog bites into it and carries it around. He pops every single ball that he gets a hold of and this toy has lasted months!

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to watch TikTok, go to the gym, and family activities like feeding the ducks at the park, day trips to NYC, and going on long walks with my best friend.

What is your proudest/most memorable moment since working at NPP?

The first time I helped a customer on my own! I recommended a Cloud Collar for a dog after he was neutered. I remember it really well because it was the day we had the Sip and Shop event in the store. I felt proud because I was able to use my training given to help other people.

What is something you have learned while working at NPP?

Working as a team and communicating with each other, regardless of what it’s about, is the most important thing to make sure everyone is on the same page. This also gives people the option to give their opinion about something.

Asking the important questions now…can we see some pictures of your pets?

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