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Taking everything into consideration and despite the “recession”
that is currently taking place in the U.S., the pet food industry
continues to rise above the rest. An article written on NBC.com (San
Diego, CA edition), entitled In Tough Times, Pets Come Before People
reported that the American Pet Product Association (APPA) indicated
$18 billion in sales for pet food, an increase of 4.5 percent this
year. When it comes to substituting a human diet with cheaper alternatives,
there are more opportunities for humans than animals, not to mention
safer possibilities.
According to research conducted by the APPA, the 2009/2010
National Pet Owners Survey focused on various key factors such as
pet ownership in the U.S., pet spending and other applicable market
figures. The report also listed pet ownership at 62 percent in U.S.
households equating this figure to over 70 million homes nationwide.
| Pet Type |
U.S. Pet Owner (mill.) |
| Dog |
45.6 |
| Cat |
38.2 |
| Freshwater Fish |
13.3 |
| Bird/Small Animal |
5.3 |
|
Breakdown
|
Est. U.S. 2009 Sales Market
(bill.) |
| Food |
$16.8 |
| Vet Care |
$11.1 |
| Supplies/OTC Medicine |
$10.0 |
| Pet Services |
$3.2 |
| Live animal purchases |
$2.1 |
Source: 2009/2010 APPA National
Pet Owners Survey
Functionality is the name of the game when it comes to pet food
for cats and dogs. The pet food industry is filled with “humanized”
products for weight management, probiotics, senior health and joint
health. The description of these products read similar to those
for humans. Leucine, Glutamine and Methionine promote digestive
health and lean muscles in dogs, while L-Carnitine has been proven
to support healthy cardiac function, improve muscle force and optimum
energy metabolism for all stages of both cats and dogs. Tryptophan
may decrease canine aggression and fearfulness, and Vitamin A is
known to promote eye health in cats.
More and more research is being done about the use
of dietary supplements for pet health. This has helped this industry
thrive each year. The pet food industry has been called resistant,
due to the fact that it survived a massive recall in 2007 that resulted
in the sickening and deaths of cats and dogs from food contaminated
with melamine, in addition to the strenuous financial recession
that many manufacturers and ingredient distributors have had and
continue to endure within the same amount of time.
Upgrading the raw materials used in creating products
for an industry that is filled with consumers who are specifically
loyal to brands and the pets they feed, is the important matter
at hand. In a report provided by Aarkstore Enterprise, Pet Food
in the U.S.: Health Humanization and High Quality Ingredients in
an Increasingly Value-Driven Global Market, 8th Edition, discusses
how the pet food industry’s manufacturers and marketers have
new opportunities to not only restore their brand, but also strengthen
the relationship with their consumers.
Providing ingredients that are natural, organic and
non-allergic are some of the ways manufacturers have redeemed themselves
in the eyes of the consumers. Human-grade ingredients are also showing
up in an industry that has been plagued with food recalls over the
years. Lowering the risk of harming animals and pets has been on
the mind of the industry. From antioxidants to probiotics, the U.S.
pet food market has aimed for a higher position in the industry
with well engineered products that feature ingredients of value
and safety for pets and the people who adore them.
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