Around eight years of age, metabolic or physiological changes are occurring that are having impacts on cat health, according to Emma Bermingham, PhD. Her 11-year study of the same group of cats has focused on the long-term effects of commercially available diets on cats’ health. . . . at eight years the cats bodyweights started to diverge. Cats on the dry kibble diet started … [Read more...]
Pet food labeling. Who has the consumer’s ear?
Communication of pet food ingredients on labels is becoming more complex and marketing and regulatory pros must work together. It is much easier to communicate ingredient stories than nutrition and health when marketing pet food. Words matter and extra words add to the confusion, explains George Collings, PhD. If the goal in labeling is to help the consumer, all of us are … [Read more...]
3 values tell more about U.S. pet owners than demographics
Commentary Asserting that traditional demographics can be misleading, David Allison urged marketers to consider common values among pet owners. Three values provide more common ground than pet owners’ demographics and can reveal more meaningful ways to appeal to dog, cat and other pet owners: Personal responsibility Trustworthiness Experiences Source: PETFOOD … [Read more...]
Veterinarians and the pet food industry: Building bridges
Includes Commercial Content Strengthening the relationship and communication between the veterinary space and the pet food industry is a win for everyone, writes Lindsay Beaton. The challenge is to ensure veterinarians and veterinary technicians have relevant tools that support the nutrition discussions with clients. Beaton shares some of what companies are doing to bridge … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 16, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 9, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from February 9th AHD Bulletin – Studying PRRS virus and its ability to percolate through soils. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Zoetis provides perspective, resources to transition OTC antimicrobials … [Read more...]
Direct-to-consumer options increasing in pet food fulfillment
Pet foods consumption provides insights into the purchasing behaviors of animal owners. Much of the receptivity to novel fresh pet food formulations is likely a result of the inroads made by direct-to-consumer brands connecting with animal owners. Pet food manufacturers are taking notice of the growth in supplying pet food to consumers without involving the supply chain, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 21, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Happiness and meetings. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 15, 2022. Link. ==================================================================== U.S. warns of escalating ransomware attacks Source: Security Affairs, October 2022. Link. U.S. government agencies warned that the Daixin Team cybercrime … [Read more...]
Students turning meat processing co-products into potential pet treats
Graduate students at Auburn University have been conducting research to study various aspects of developing treats from poultry co-products such as wing tips, broiler carcass frames, woody breasts and organs, in addition to organs and other parts from beef and swine. Palatability and sensory trials along with economic production models will follow. Upcycling parts of livestock … [Read more...]
Dog, cat owners and veterinarians differ on pet obesity
A survey of dog and cat owners by the Association for Pet Obesity shows the challenges of pet obesity and owner education although most owners see obesity as a disease. Veterinary clinics remained the most frequent choice for pet dietary recommendations among pet owners at 41.4 percent Dog and cat owners second-most frequent choice for the best source of pet food advice … [Read more...]
Smart device syncs pet food formulation with dog behavior
Complimentary Commercial Content Artificial intelligence may be able to suggest what pet food formulations match a dog’s behaviors. A collaboration between two Mars divisions, IAMS dog food brand and Whistle pet activity trackers, resulted in a system that uses data on a dog’s behaviors to determine what diet may be best for that pet specifically. Source: PETFOOD Industry, … [Read more...]
Skin microbiome differs after kibble or fresh dog food
Commercial Content Results from a first-of-a kind study show diet type affects skin microflora. Microbe diversity was higher after dogs were fed a fresh diet compared to dry kibble. Skin and coat formulations remain among the most popular health claims made by therapeutic and prescription pet foods. . . . if we can affect the skin microbiome with a diet, that could provide … [Read more...]
New Pet Food Institute video features tips to keep pets’ weight in check
New and experienced pet owners need to be reminded of the importance of keeping dogs and cats at healthy weights, providing a complete and balanced diet and managing treat calories. The new 2-minute video, Feeding and Treating Tips for a Long and Healthy Life, is a good tool to share on social media, in newsletters and during consultations. Source: Petfood Industry, October … [Read more...]
Owners buy smaller pet food packages as inflation rises
Increasing pet food prices have changed one aspect of pet food buying behavior for some pet owners. They are buying smaller packages of their preferred brands, saving money in the short term while missing out on bulk savings, according to NielsenIQ analysts. Source: Petfood Industry, September 8, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: For inventory managers the shift to smaller package … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 1, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Stop the high turnover in the front office (video). Link. Wendy Hauser, DVM: Client trust, human-animal bond and meeting client concerns. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 25, 2022. Link. =================================== 28 pet food industry mergers and acquisitions 2022 Source: … [Read more...]
Pet food growth may outstrip animal protein supply
Demand from dog, cat and other pet food industries for animal proteins may surpass supply from the United States’ agricultural system, according to researchers from Kansas State University. The units of pet food produced in the U.S. have been growing at a faster rate than animals slaughtered for human consumption. This is significant because if these growth rates continue … [Read more...]
Obese owner is the most important factor in dog obesity
Just as vigorous people tend to choose active lifestyles for their pets, overweight and obese individuals may pass their eating patterns onto their pets. Physicians and veterinarians collaborated to use a One Health approach to study pet obesity emphasizing the importance of nutrition as one aspect of health. Being an overweight dog owner was found to be the most important … [Read more...]
Pet food inflation hits new high, with many reasons why
For the total pet care sector, inflation reached 8.1 percent year over year in May 2022 and is at 6.7 percent year to date. Fuel price increases are an obvious contributor, but Debbie Phillips-Donaldson shares other competitive factors creating imbalances in the supply chain. Source: Petfood Industry, June 15, 2022. Link. <Petfood> is having to compete with renewable … [Read more...]
Pet supplements evolving to accompany nutrition plans
The pet supplement category was benchmarked at $800 million in 2020 and some expect it to grow to more than $1 billion by 2025. At the same time, there is increased confusion about what a supplement is. Toppers, treats, pills and powders all get lumped into the category. Daniel Schaeffer, Native Pet, believes the category is evolving to an around-the-bowl nutrition category … [Read more...]
Avocado. Toxic for pets or not?
This new research may create confusion as avocado meal is used as a pet food component. Avocados contain a chemical called persin, a natural fungicide, which could be toxic to dogs that eat the fruit. However, in an experiment, persin seemed to be destroyed and inactivated during kibble production, leaving the resulting product safe for dogs. The Journal of Animal … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 31, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – we have a tie! It’s National Pet Poison Prevention Week. Link. Solutions to toxic situations. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 24, 2022. Link. =================================== Survey: 1 in 5 pet owners had pet recommended by health professional Source: Petfood Industry, … [Read more...]
Veterinarians’ prognosis as pet food sellers uncertain
Citing data from MRI-Simmons market research, David Sprinkle shares the veterinary hospital segment sales of pet diets has slipped from 9 percent in 2016 to 7 percent of dog/cat owners in 2021. He shares the dynamics of online and direct-to-consumer sales and the analysis of still strong veterinary influence in diet decisions. Source: Petfood Industry, March 2022, page … [Read more...]
Survey says: Younger pet owners plan to spend less, lose pets in 2022
Compared to Gen X and baby boomers, younger pet owners worry more that they may need to spend less on pet food and treats in 2022 or change to a less expensive brand. In a November 2021 survey by the American Pet Products Association, distinct generational differences arose related to economic issues. The percentage of millennials and Gen Z concerned how finances will affect … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 21, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post Grain-free? Grain-ful? The Chatfields discuss pet food choices. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Oct 14, 2021. Link. Label pea-protein cat food as not for ferrets, vet says Source: Petfood Industry, October 11, 2021. Link. Bladder stones in ferrets may be related to diets containing … [Read more...]
Nutrition tops cat owners’ topics for vet questions
Nutrition is the number-1 topic cat owners want to talk about with their vet, according to a survey of 1,001 cat owners by Royal Canin. The survey also found that three in five cat owners do not take their cat to the vet regularly. Encouraging cat owners to take their pets to the vet can help address diet-related medical conditions. Source: Petfood Industry, August 22, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 14, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post LED technology helps locate cows needing attention. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Oct 7, 2021. Link. 7 animals that can harm dogs Source: Outside Resource, July 28, 2021. Link. Good reminders for fall as food resources begin to diminish and young animals strike out on their … [Read more...]
Good consumer marketing is like dating
The goal of dating is to get someone to like you, to take a chance on you and to, hopefully, give you a second date. That’s exactly what we want when we’re trying to bring somebody into our brand, store (clinic) or service.” - Michael Johnson Source: Petfood Industry, September 29, 2021. Link. The things that most pet consumers have in common is that they are value-minded, … [Read more...]
Pet food modernization still a work in progress
Lindsay Beaton shares what is, what is being proposed and where confusion exists in the efforts to update pet food labeling. The idea of simplifying things for pet food customers is constantly evolving in the industry. Making it easier to understand pet nutrition has been a consistent demand heard from advocacy groups, veterinarians, customers and pet … [Read more...]
Optimal nutrition calculators for cats and dogs available
OPINION Pet owners are responsible for their pets’ proper nutrition. Too often we hear questions about specific brands of pet food wanting a yes or no answer. The same goes for treat brands and then there are table scraps. Bottom-line, daily Kcal (calorie) calculations are important before brand discussion, although a proper assessment may identify the need for … [Read more...]
E-Commerce leads 2020 channel growth in human, pet spaces
Before you label this post as more of the same, consider the information in the article. The top online searches related to pet products are: Calming products Digestive support Energy support Probiotics Source: Petfood Industry, February 2021. Link. Three pet food companies were among the top 10 e-commerce brands in 2020.” INSIGHTS: Whether you play in the … [Read more...]
Other small pets, an important segment to monitor
Pet ownership beyond cats and dogs may make up a small part of the industry’s focus, but trends in small pets mirror what’s happening in the marketplace. The popularity of reptiles and amphibians within the pet trade is simply on fire right now. . . ” - John Mack. founder and CEO of Reptiles by Mack Source: Petfood Industry, October 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Watch any two … [Read more...]