Pet owners are turning to pet food to boost their pets’ health and wellness, writes David Sprinkle. His takeaways from the January 2026 Packaged Facts survey data show the priority of pet food as a pet health product rises up the generational ladder, tied to a greater likelihood of populations owning more senior pets than ever before. Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 11, 2026. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 21, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 14, 2026. Link. Most read posts from May 14, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Words + Action = Trust. Link. 1 common skin bacteria, 2 outcomes. Link. These pet brands dominate ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. Link. Turn feline visits into lasting relationships. Link. Vesicular stomatitis … [Read more...]
Postbiotics may calm dogs via the gut-brain axis
Research centered on postbiotics suggests they may support stress management indirectly through gut health modulation rather than direct behavioral changes in dogs. The gut-brain axis links intestinal health to neurological responses, according to Erik Eckhardt, PhD, who emphasized, “it is a direct line, literally, between intestine and the brain.” Source: PETFOOD Industry, … [Read more...]
NASC proposes Animal Health Supplement Act for regulatory clarity
The National Animal Supplement Council has proposed a federal law that would establish a statutory category for animal health supplements. Named the Animal Health Supplement Act it would formally define animal health supplements as products intended for structure/function use only; meaning disease claims would remain prohibited. Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 6, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet brands get embedded into hotels, apartments and stores as pet-friendly trends grow
Commentary Tim Wall’s article on partnerships that embed products into experiences is a good read for marketing and brand managers. It also emphasized tactics related to Rick Purnell’s article last week about local visibility, community engagement and the value of showing up where a need exists. <Link>. In many communities, seasonal events bring pets into town, such … [Read more...]
NASC quality seal now available for treat products + Clean Label Project*
NASC officially launched its Treat Program, extending the organization’s compliance requirements and coveted Quality Seal to treat products for dogs, cats and horses. The program addresses a long-standing source of regulatory confusion in one of the pet industry’s fastest-growing and most valuable segments. Source: Pets+. Link. The NASC Quality Seal on a treat product … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 12, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 5, 2026. Link. Most read posts from February 5, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Pet humanization predicted to double global pet care market by 2035. Link. Why Ro is spending $233,000 per second on a Super Bowl ad. Link. The pro/con list – useless. Link. Dental revenue remains behind; 90 percent of … [Read more...]
Understanding the gut-organ axes in companion animals [White Paper]
Sponsored Content Diet-driven modulation of the gut microbiome supports improved pet health and longevity. However, the science is often confusing to pet owners and many animal health pros alike. In the white paper linked below, Jess Jarett, PhD, R&D principal pet scientist at Cargill, explains how specific macronutrient compositions of diets, as well as moisture … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 17, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 11, 2025. Link. Most read posts from December 11th AHD Bulletin – Don’t get caught at TSA! NEW carry-on rules for 2026. Link. “We” mode in the practice. Link. Pet playbook: Four pillars redefining the future of pet. Link. Leading when employees are concerned about job security. Link. 10 … [Read more...]
4 consumer packaged goods giants dominate pet food market share across price points
The pet food segment is noisy as the continued evolution of pet owner preferences toward premium, science-backed and fresh offerings creates opportunities for emerging brands. Still, Nestlé, Mars, General Mills and Colgate-Palmolive dominate the pet food industry, having captured significant market share in nearly every category of pet food. These CPG companies outperform … [Read more...]
What value do pet owners place on sustainable pet food?
Sharing data from recent research, Debbie Phillips-Donalds concludes that sustainability features have an impact on pet food purchasing, but which features and to what degree they affect purchasing matter a lot. She notes the challenges with defining sustainability and animal welfare in the context of product education and marketing. Source: PETFOOD Industry, September 17, … [Read more...]
Turmeric a promising yet under-researched functional ingredient
Commentary If it hasn’t happened already, a pet owner is going to ask questions about turmeric or curcumin, a key compound in turmeric. Used historically in folk medicine, the compounds have a renewed modern appeal. Tim Wall shares essential information for pet food professionals about turmeric’s role in formulations. Turmeric is a promising yet under-researched functional … [Read more...]
Pet dental care: Evolving for convenience and better health
Includes Commercial Content The pet dental and oral care segment is expanding beyond the traditional bone-type products for dogs, writes Lindsey Beaton. She says dog and cat owners are more educated on the importance of oral care and are interested in making dental care more convenient. The trends are giving rise to supplement chews, powders and functional foods. Science … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 26, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 19, 2025. Link. Most read posts from June 19, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Avoid confusion about pinkeye in cattle. Link. Calf vaccinations: You won’t find all the answers in a bottle. Link. Consumer sentiment rebounds sharply in June. Link. Sounds that can trigger aggressive behavior in cats. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 1, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 25, 2024. Link. Most read posts from April 25, 2025 AHD Bulletin – New guide to choosing a pet boarding facility. Link. April 25th. National hairball awareness day. Link. Selling the emotion. Link. MAVT Veterinary Technician licensure bill passed. Link. Environmental management key; … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 10, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 3, 2024. Link. Most read posts from April 3, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Top 7 drug classes to be tapered before discontinuation. Link. Bird flu expert discusses how H5N1 affects wild, domestic animals. Link. Orthobiologics in an equine veterinarian’s day-to-day practice. Link. Association for Pet … [Read more...]
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention releases new communication guidelines
APOP has released its Guidelines for Pet Obesity Communication: Promoting Respectful Communication about Animal Obesity. These new guidelines seek to reshape how the community talks about pet obesity by emphasizing pet-first language and promoting the term “clinical obesity.” Saying “a dog with clinical obesity” reframes obesity as a modifiable health condition and encourages … [Read more...]
Omnichannel shopping evolution: “use whatever’s most convenient”
Omnichannel shopping for pets has taken hold among all generations in the U.S., according to survey responses, shares Packaged Facts’ David Sprinkle in an analysis of pet food and pet product sourcing choices made by multiple generations of pet owners. Sprinkle also explains the cross-shopping dynamics, summarizing shopping trends as a competitive reality in the pet product … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 23, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January, 16, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 16, 2025 AHD Bulletin Managing your own expectations. Link. Reminder: Wood sugar, birch sugar, birch bark are the same as xylitol. Link. Cost of cow-calf production significantly influenced by operation size. … [Read more...]
Survey: 62 percent of puppy owners overwhelmed by pet food choices
Commercial Content Differentiating pet food choices is increasingly difficult. Royal Canin’s recent survey found that more than half of puppy owners feel overwhelmed by the number of choices in puppy food and, more importantly, struggle to figure out what ingredients are important. Commentary The survey results are familiar, as is the challenge of leading pet owners to … [Read more...]
What do all those ‘biotics’ do?
Microbiome researchers have learned that microbiome health likely plays a key role in the overall health of pets. Veterinarians and pet owners can choose a probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic or postbiotic, but knowing which bug or brand is a good choice is difficult. The GI microbiome is a complex ecosystem, writes Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM, in this article. She shares some of … [Read more...]
Organ meat in dog diets. It’s not as offal as it sounds.
There is growing interest in the health benefits of organ meats, even labeling them as superfoods for both humans and pets. Organs are frequently the first choice of wild canids that attack and kill livestock. The authors share facts about offal use in diets, including raw diets, in this article. They note liver, kidney and heart as the most common organ meats in … [Read more...]
3 reasons pet owners stop feeding raw meat-based dog food
Research on why pet owners stop feeding raw diets revealed these main reasons: Gastrointestinal intolerance The onset of disease Lack of interest from the dog in eating raw food Source: PETFOOD Industry, October 16, 2024. Link. Upon discontinuing RMBDs, 65 percent of owners switched to dry food, followed by wet food (44 percent) and home-cooked diets (26 percent). … [Read more...]
Russian scientists claim world’s first anti-aging pet food
Russian researchers have developed a pet food said to support longevity and combat age-related issues in pets. “The pet food is comprised of a combination of geroprotective substances such as epigallocatechin gallate, silymarin, curcumin, resveratrol and naringenin. Geroprotectors act by regulating some signaling pathways and molecular markers associated with aging and life … [Read more...]
The rise of the small animal pet market
Commentary The popularity of small pets continues to grow. In pet retail, this growth opens up many opportunities to cater to these feathered, furred and scaled animals, writes Lindsay Beaton. However, for veterinary and pet services businesses, specialty pets may prove challenging. Regardless, the metrics are worthy of review. They may generate some questions about … [Read more...]
Show me the money in pet food
With a nod to Jerry McGuire, we’re sharing Tim Wall’s review of the U.S. pet food companies with $100 million in sales for 2023. The 22 companies combined for almost 40 percent of the $147 billion U.S. pet owners spent on pet food, treats and other products. Source: PETFOOD Industry, August 2, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Veterinarians as pet care influencers are on a more crowded stage
There’s no question that veterinarians remain queens of the hill regarding authority on pet care, writes David Sprinkle. However, other sources of information are gaining ground among millennials and Gen Zers as specialty pet shops and the internet have gained influence in recent years. Source: PETFOOD Industry, June 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Royal Canin and American Kennel Club renew multi-year agreement to sponsor the AKC National Championship
A five-year renewal of its multi-year agreement ensures Royal Canin will serve as the title and exclusive pet food sponsor of the AKC National Championship, the largest dog show in North America featuring thousands of dogs competing for the coveted title of America’s National Champion. The sponsorship will extend across several AKC programs as well. Source: PETFOOD Industry, … [Read more...]
Cultivated meat, microbial protein enter the pet food conversation
The potential for alternative proteins is gaining steam as cultivated meat and other novel proteins begin appearing as actualities in pet food formulas, rather than as hypotheticals, writes Lisa Cleaver. Source: PETFOOD Industry, July 2024. Link. With increasing pressure on the supply chain of animal-derived protein ingredients, <cultivated products> differentiate the … [Read more...]
Reminder: Salmonella outbreaks associated with pig ear dog chews
Tim Wall shares the outcomes of research on Salmonella cases related to pig ear dog chews from 2015 to 2019. While retrospective, the article and results serve as a reminder to animal health pros and pet owners who choose pig ears as treats. Source: PETFOOD Industry, June 21, 2024. Link. Also see: Are pig ears safe? Canine Journal, November 2, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]