Debbie Phillips-Donaldson Debbie Phillips-Donaldson is editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry magazine and Petfood Forum.From the AuthorAdventures in Pet FoodIs ‘affordability anxiety’ hitting pet food?As a third of consumers worldwide say they’re worse off financially, and pet owners cite rising pet food prices as a challenge, how do pet food brands respond?Adventures in Pet FoodPrivate label pet care growth outpaces national brandsBrand loyalty still has its place in the pet food and care market, but private label sales are rising faster than those of name brands, even for premium products.Adventures in Pet FoodWhat makes a dog food ‘premium’ to US dog owners?According to a recent survey, U.S. dog owners prefer premium dog foods, even if they have some unrealistic ideas of what constitutes ‘premium.’Something to Chew onIs pet food entering a golden age for biotics?Pet owner interest in biotics in pet food and supplements continues to grow, as research increasingly shows the ingredients’ benefits to pet health.Adventures in Pet Food‘Ethical nutrition’: Rising in human food, also in pet food?Pet owners increasingly prioritize animal welfare and other ethical claims for the pet foods they seek, following similar trends in human food.Adventures in Pet FoodOwners using AI to research pet care: The good, bad and alarmingPet owners are increasingly turning to AI for information on their pets’ nutrition, health and behavior. A recent survey reveals promising and concerning insights.Adventures in Pet FoodTo reach pet owners, focus on outcomes, not ingredientsIn developed pet food markets like the U.S. and developing ones like Brazil, owners are paying attention to health outcomes for their pets, rather than formulations.Something to Chew onGlobal pet care market: Resilient, despite lower growthWhile pet care growth rates are slowing worldwide, sales numbers are substantial and still increasing, thanks to people prioritizing their pets.Adventures in Pet FoodIs pet food picking up the pace in adopting AI?Is AI adoption in pet food accelerating, and can it keep up as the technology advances? Should it? Distrust and fear of AI are receding but concerns remain.Adventures in Pet FoodHow similar are the US human and pet food markets?Reports show parallels in terms of growth rates, the influence of inflation and how health and wellness still factor into consumers’ purchasing decisions.Adventures in Pet FoodVets and MDs share lack of nutrition knowledgeA lack of nutrition education and training among health care professionals seems to be another close parallel between human food and pet food.Something to Chew onExploring the ‘cat multiverse’: What premiumization means nowU.S. cat owners are not a monolith; premium feeders especially buy multiple cat products across multiple channels and get information from multiple sources.Page 1 of 86Next Page
