Concern for pet nutrition has grown among owners, who increasingly seek information on ingredients and care. In this context, the Basque company Todo Piensos, headed by brothers Gorka and Xabi Llanos, promotes a model based on knowledge and personalized attention.
The philosophy of the company, with stores in Asua, Getxo, Iurreta, and Vitoria-Gasteiz, and with new openings planned in Barakaldo, is clear: every animal is unique, and so are its needs. Gorka Llanos, with a background in the canine world and training, explains that their approach is not to sell a product, but to offer the most suitable diet. "I like to call them diets, because if we were inside a factory, we would see the care they have for these products, always talking about good diets," he states.
The fundamental pillar of Todo Piensos is honesty in recommendations, even if it means a lower profit margin. Gorka Llanos is firm in stating that the absolute priority is the animal's well-being, above any economic interest of the company. This is the number one rule for his team.
“"We will never provide advice based on company profit; we think of the animal"
Llanos explains with complete transparency: "I have manufacturers with whom I have a greater economic margin than with others. In life, neither I nor my team will ever provide advice based on company profit. Never, never." He adds that when an animal's health depends on a specific product, they do not hesitate to communicate it. "First, for us, it's them, and from there, we give the relevant explanations to their owners," he emphasizes.
While acknowledging the crucial role of veterinarians, Gorka Llanos clarifies that, in the field of nutrition, specialists like them accumulate different experience through feedback from thousands of clients and work with 14 different manufacturers. This specialization allows them to know solutions that veterinarians sometimes do not handle, such as specific diets for dermatological problems with anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
In fact, this collaboration has become a reality. "I have several veterinarians in the Bizkaia area who recommend their patients go to Todo Piensos, and 'to get the dermatological diet' because the changes they have seen are exceptional," comments Llanos, insisting that experience and individualized recommendation are key to success.
Given the growing trend of seeking "natural" diets, Gorka Llanos urges caution and common sense. He explains that the term is very broad and not always synonymous with better. "Viper venom is natural, and of course, it is not beneficial," he exemplifies. For him, the most important thing is balanced and well-formulated diets, adapted to each case.
Llanos uses a strong analogy to demystify the desire for "something natural" when it may not be the most appropriate for an animal. "I always tell people, chemotherapy is not natural, but we need it. There are products that are not naturally based, but they will save your animal's life," he states. Therefore, his work also focuses on providing explanations to owners so they can make informed decisions and feel at ease.
Beyond sales, the company is committed to training, with classrooms in Asua and Vitoria-Gasteiz where they organize courses with external professionals, such as veterinarians or equine nutritionists. Furthermore, despite shipping products throughout Spain, they do not have online sales because they prefer direct "face-to-face" interaction. "It changes a lot when I call by phone and go much further, and they see how involved I am," concludes Gorka. Undoubtedly, the company of Xabi and Gorka Llanos is changing the lives of many animals.
