When thinking about which products to stock, think first about what makes you different from most supermarkets. It's simple, you have a wealth of experience which makes you far better placed to judge which are good products, and which are not. And the quality of the advice you can give about products is far superior to that a client is ever likely get at the till of a supermarket.

So that's a good place to start: only stock those products which you know are the best in their price bracket, and tailor your range to suite the average income of your clientele. Make sure that all practice staff know what is in the range, and why - it is so much easier to recommend products when you have the conviction that they're the best in their class.

A complete range should include:

• Canine & feline life stage diets.
   
• Feeding bowls and bottles.
   
• Collars, identity discs/tags, leads, harnesses, head collars and muzzles.
   
• Grooming equipment (claw cutters, brushes, combs, shampoos).
   
• Home dental care products (tooth brushes, finger brushes, tooth paste, Dental Kongs, Dentarasks, Hills T/D diet).
   
• Toys (Kongs, Raggers, catnip mice).
   
• Pet carriers.
   
• Hygiene products (pet odour and stain remover, environmental flea spray, cat litter trays, cat litter, Worthy Bags).
   
• Complete pelleted rabbit food and small hay bales.
   
• Treats.

Try and stock products that offer a real point of difference over alternatives in the supermarket. With cat collars, dog leads, dog collars, beds and bowls in particular, there's a chance to source something 'a bit different' to the usual plain stuff clients might find elsewhere. There's no need to go overboard here, but if you stock something aesthetically pleasing, there's a better chance your clients are going to remember when it comes to replacing them.

Also make sure that your range of products is coordinated with the advice being given the other side of the consulting room door. A cat recovering from a general anaesthetic will need to be kept indoors - it will therefore need a litter tray and cat litter. The vet recommends that a rabbit should be fed a complete pelleted food and hay - why then are we stocking rabbit mix? With diets, ensure that all life stages are catered for. Take it one step further, and establish which products are recommended during nurses clinics for puppies, obese pets and older pets.

If, as it so often is, space is a limiting factor, then display samples of products that you can order for your clients. There's no need to display an entire showroom of dog beds and cat scratching posts, for example. Just display the one that you think your clients will like most, and which is, in your opinion, the best value and best for the animal.

Finally, survey your clients and monitor product sales to make sure that you are meeting their needs. Adjust your range accordingly. Never be afraid to try new lines. After all - if stock doesn't sell, it can always be returned to the supplier (providing it is in date and undamaged, so keep on top with your stock control!).