According to consumer research firm  Packaged Facts , the US petfood market grew 20.9% between 2004 and 2008,  Omaha.com  reported.

The 2007 recalls increased natural petfoods' sales as consumers related higher priced foods with safety, the company said. The trend continued into 2008. For the first 11 months of 2008, the top two claims of petfood manufacturers were for "natural" and "upscale" products.

The firm forecasts petfood sales to grow through at least 2011 despite the economic conditions, with natural product sales remaining an important driver.