News & Newsletters: Page 774

Compy petfood allegedly linked to kidney failure in Spain pets

Spanish petfood brand Compy has removed its products from some Mercadona supermarket shelves in Spain after complaints that the petfood is allegedly linked to kidney failure in pets, according to a report. The petfood products are being tested by Compy's technicians to determine whether or not the petfood is connected to the kidney failure reports in dogs.

Evermore Pet Food earns top dog food review, expands retail network

Evermore Pet Food announced that since partnering with Rhode Island, USA-based distributor Pet Food Experts in May 2011, the petfood company has quadrupled its accounts. Evermore says its network now includes retailers in Maine, USA, and Pet Sage in Virginia, USA.

Team meets to discuss petfood safety at GFSI conference

Members of a food safety validation team met at the 2012 edition of the Global Food Safety Initiative's Global Food Safety Conference, February 14-17, in Orlando, Florida, USA, to give a presentation on food safety of low-moisture foods, including petfood. The Food Safety Validation team presented to the GFSI board, including representatives from Yum! Brands, Walmart, petfood manufacturer Cargill, Danone, Kroger, COFCO Corp. (China), Tyson Foods and others.

Pet Food Institute urged state Senate committee to strip petfood tax provisions from bill

The Pet Food Institute expressed its appreciation to the West Virginia, USA, Senate Agriculture Committee for amending a bill to remove petfood tax provisions. The Senate Agriculture Committee passed an amended version of S.B. 479 that removed the petfood tax provisions, which would have funded a spay and neuter assistance program with supplemental money from the fee increase on petfood retailers and distributors, the group says.

Obese dogs may have lower vitality, more pain, UK study shows

Researchers at the University of Liverpool in the UK recently conducted a study to determine the effect of weight loss on obese dogs. The study enrolled 50 obese dogs of various breeds and genders at the University's Royal Canin Weight Management Clinic.

Interzoo cautions exhibitors of EU petfood importation requirements

Interzoo show organizers are encouraging exhibitors for the pet product show to check in well ahead of the May event to ensure the petfood from their country is allowed to be imported into the EU and Germany and avoid problems with Border Inspection Posts. According to show organizers, in principle, food for pets and ornamental fish that contains animal by-products may only be imported from third countries that meet requirements of the valid version of Chapter II Section 1, Table 2, No. 12 of Regulation (EC) 142/2011.

Pets live longer as veterinary care advances

Since 2001, nearly 1,000 people have applied to Guinness World Records with claims to have the oldest pet for its species, says a recent FT Magazine article that looks into the growing obsession with pets' ages. With overall pet spending in the US of more than US$50 billion in 2011, according to the American Pet Products Association, pets are being treated to better veterinary care as owners become more attached to their pets and try to keep them alive as long as possible.

Food company Mispol looks to invest in Poland’s petfood market

Reports estimate the value of Poland's petfood market for cat and dog food products surpassed PLN1 billion (US$3.15 billion) in 2011, an increase of 7% year-on-year, which has one petfood manufacturer looking to capture a largest market share. Currently, petfood manufacturers Mars and Nestle are the largest in the Polish market.

Natural petfood company, pet advice center launched in Bahrain

Bahrain's first all-natural petfood brand, Tails, was recently launched by co-founders Ahmed Al Sharaf and Najat Tarradah, who also offer petfood delivery and animal nutrition advice. The company says it aims to provide healthy petfood, which is free of preservatives, added colors and flavors, and uses 100 percent natural ingredients consisting of fruit, vegetables, meat and fresh chicken.

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.

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.

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