The global pet food market was profitable in 2015, with many pet food companies holding their spots as top earners and mergers and acquisitions boosting profitability for others.

Petfood Industry’s Top Pet Food Companies issue profiles the world’s leading pet food manufacturers with exclusive revenue data and analysis.

Packaging is an important part of pet food and can be a useful tool in attracting consumers to a product and telling a brand’s story.

A gentle extrusion process followed by high-temperature baking can help to improve product quality, lower energy costs.

Pet food companies and retailers need to provide incentive for pet owners to engage with their products and become loyal brand consumers.

Novel proteins should have an increasing role in pet food and treats, but using more novel protein ingredients will only be successful if the industry properly educates consumers.

Overall pet food market growth is slowing in the mass market channel, but one area expected to see continued growth within the specialty products market is pet food and treats with novel meat proteins, said David Sprinkle, research director, Packaged Facts.

As pet ownership continues to rise, the pet food industry must work with academia to recruit new talent.