Pet Food News: Page 515

Pet industry grows by engaging in digital marketing, social media

The Internet has not only helped the pet industry grow online among consumers looking for pet-related news and entertainment, but also has provided new marketing channels for petfood and pet product retailers. A recent article, "[Four] Ways the Pet Industry has Gone Digitial," says one way the pet industry has been following digital trends is in it its adoption of subscription models.

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Bakers petfood brand airs TV ad aimed at dogs in UK

A new petfood commercial recently aired in the UK featuring high-pitched tones that only dogs can hear, which the petfood company hopes will make dogs bark and make pet owners pay attention to the dog food product being advertised. The commercial, by Nestle Purina's Bakers pet food brand, airs tones above 18,000 Hz that are inaudible to humans, but sound like a dog whistle to dogs.

Purina replaces Pedigree as 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show sponsor

Petfood manufacturer Pedigree was replaced by Nestle Purina as the sponsor of the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, partially because the club's previous longtime sponsor aired commercials featuring sad, homeless pets. Westminster Kennel Club says the Pedigree ads, featuring shaking, abused pets up for adoption, did not represent the dog show's atmosphere.

Natural Balance petfood dog featured on new Animal Planet TV show

A new reality TV show, Who Let the Dogs Out, recently premiered on Animal Planet channel featuring a cross-country search for America's most talented dog. The show follows petfood manufacturer Natural Balance's Tillman, "The World's Fastest Skateboarding Bulldog," and a group of other canines as they attend casting calls across the country and travel to find the most talented dog.

Horizon Pet Nutrition launches fish dog food formulation

Horizon Pet Nutrition introduced a new fish formulation to its super-premium dog food line, Legacy. The company says this new grain-free dog food formulation does not include potato or tapioca, and includes peas as the main carbohydrate.

New food safety alliance to aid petfood manufacturers in FSMA compliance

The US Food and Drug Administration in cooperation with the Illinois, USA, Institute of Technology’s Institute for Food Safety and Health created the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance to develop training courses and materials on preventing contamination for both human and animal food during production. The alliance was created to prepare for new rules, expected to be proposed by the administration in early 2012, which would require petfood manufacturing facilities to implement measures to help prevent foodborne illness.

Dogtrekker.com releases new study on dog-friendly travel

A study by DogTrekker.com, an online resource for dog-friendly travel, found that eight out of 10 people who bring their dogs with them when traveling say that a hotel's policies and amenities are important when selecting accommodations. According to Dave Kendrick, co-founder of DogTrekker.com, more than 40 percent of people said it was difficult to find dog-friendly accommodations, a third of people said their dog's safety was a concern in traveling with them, and more than 30 percent said it was difficult to find dog-friendly activities.

Halo advised to stop certain petfood advertisement claims

The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus has recommended that petfood manufacturer Halo, Purely for Pets modify or discontinue certain Internet advertising claims that state or suggest competing petfoods are unsafe, unhealthy or made with unsafe ingredients. Competing petfood manufacturer Hill's Pet Nutrition challenged Halo’s advertising claims before the National Advertising Division.

Format Foundation launched to support higher animal science education

Formulation software manufacturer Format International has launched a new foundation to support higher education in animal science and nutrition, especially formulation. Launched during Victam Asia 2012, February 15 in Bangkok, Thailand, along with a new formulation software, Indigo, the Format Foundation will partner universities with students and industry to develop more professionals with formulation backgrounds, according to Dan Evans, marketing manager for Format.

SPF launches new odor program for pleasant-smelling petfood

SPF, the palatability company, launched a new Feel Good Program that allows petfood manufacturers to create products that smell pleasing to pet owners while tasting good to pets, the company says. The program debuted at Victam Asia 2012, occurring February 15-17 in Bangkok, Thailand.

During Victam Asia 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand, a dog mascot directs visitors to the SPF stand to learn about the new Feel Good Program.

AIB plans March food safety webinars for petfood manufacturers

AIB International offers a number of food safety webinar training courses for petfood manufacturers, including two taking place in March. AIB's SQF 2000 Systems Overview webinar training will be held March 16, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT.

Pet product retailer Fressnapf's 2011 sales rise to US$1.7 billion

European pet product retailer Fressnapf's 2011 sales rose by 5.2 percent over 2010 sales, to €1.36 billion (US$1.7 billion), in 11 European countries. In Germany, Fressnapf's 2011 sales increased 3.4 percent to €913.5 million (US$1.2 billion), which comes after the petfood and accessory retailer opened 23 of its 56 new stores there in 2011.

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