Novel pet food ingredients made from leguminous plants, such as peas, chickpeas or lentils, have risen in popularity in cat and dog foods, both dry and wet.
Many plant-based proteins have been widely used in human and animal nutrition for years, while others are just now starting to become popular and widely available.
Raw pet food sales grew from US$117 million to US$393 million between 2012 and 2016 in the United States, according to Maria Lange, business group director for market research firm GfK.
Worldwide, more than 80 percent of pet food launches recorded by Innova Market Insights from September 2015 to 2016 were marketed with a focus on health aspects.
Examine how pet food sales have been influenced by the rising rate of dog and cat obesity, and how specialty pet food formulations address obesity-related health problems in pets.
Millions of potential pet owners may have been lost in Generation X, which has much lower dog and cat ownership rates than baby boomers and millennials.
Pet owners want a lot from their pet food brands. They want primary proteins that suit what they believe is best for their animal. They want grains or they don't. They want something customized, but it has to be easy to understand.