Market Trends and Reports: Page 330

Market Trends and Reports

WellPet recalls canned cat food due to possible thiamine deficiencies

WellPet, maker of Wellness natural petfood, has voluntarily recalled certain lots of its canned cat food due to potentially insufficient amounts of thiamine (vitamin B1). The issue was discovered during independent testing conducted with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Market Trends and Reports

Nature's Valley offers limited-ingredient diets for multiple protein allergies

Nature’s Variety has developed three new grain-free, gluten-free, potato-free limited ingredient diets for 2011, under its Instinct family of products. “We always recommend that if a pet parent suspects a food allergy, that they consult their veterinarian for an official confirmation, but we have heard many great consumer testimonials about how our foods have helped relieve symptoms through a grain-free diet," said Jill Gainer, director of communications at Nature’s Variety.

Market Trends and Reports

Selenium balance in the adult cat

The response of cats to dietary sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) and organically bound selenium was studied in two separate studies with four cats per treatment and three levels of selenium supplementation (targets 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 μg/g DM) for each Se source. Whole blood and plasma selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were determined at seven points across the 32-day study.

Market Trends and Reports

Increasing water to reduce energy density

Caloric restriction induces body mass loss that is often regained when restriction ends. This study aimed to determine if dietary energy density modulates the extent of post-restriction body mass regain.

Market Trends and Reports

Research finds cats prefer food similar to their natural prey

According to research carried out in collaboration with Professor Steve Simpson at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia, and Professor David Raubenheimer at the Institute of Natural Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand, healthy pet cats regulate their protein, fat and carbohydrate intake to mimic the types of food they would eat in the wild. The research, carried out over a two-year period at the Waltham, demonstrated that cats have an intake target that equates to approximately 52% of their daily calorie intake from protein, 36% from fat and 12% from carbohydrate.

Market Trends and Reports

Del Monte reports increase in pet product sales for 2011

US petfood manufacturer Del Monte reported net sales of US$940.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011, a decrease of 5.3% compared with US$958.9 million during the same time in 2010. Despite this drop, net sales of pet products were up 2.6% from 2010 levels to US$433.2 million, according to the company.

Fast Market Research, Snapdata offer 'Snapshots Italy Pet Food' report

Fast Market Research published a new report from Snapdata, entitled "Snapshots Italy Pet Food 2010." The report provides 2009 year-end market size data, with five years of historical data and five-year market forecasts

Market Trends and Reports

Purina launches search for 'Purina Cat Chow Correspondent'

Purina has launched a search for the "Purina Cat Chow Correspondent" as part of a plan to connect with cat owners all over the US. The person chosen for the role will travel the country and connect with fellow cat owners about how they nurture well-being in their cats.

Market Trends and Reports

Pet Industry Distributors Association elects 2011 officers, directors

The Pet Industry Distributors Association elected its 2011 officers and directors during the organization's 43rd Management Conference and Annual Meeting in Coronado, California, USA. At the conference, held January 26-29, PIDA members elected Fred Schober, chief operating officer of Phillips Feed & Pet Supply, as chairman.

Market Trends and Reports

The Nutro Co. donates one million cat meals to the Petco Foundation

In February, the Nutro Co. donated more than one million meals of its Natural Choice cat food to the Petco Foundation's petfood bank program via collection bins in Petco stores nationwide. "It's important to the Nutro Co. to give back and support a healthy lifestyle for all pets, which starts with a well-balanced diet," said Kent Cunningham, vice president of marketing.

Market Trends and Reports

Petfood maker Freshpet selects Darling as agency of record

Petfood maker Freshpet selected Darling Agency of New York, USA, as its first agency of record. Freshpet previously handled advertising in-house on a project basis, but will now dedicate a US$16 million budget toward television, print, digital and outdoor advertising.

Market Trends and Reports

Nature's Logic donates over US$50,000 in petfood to animal non-profits

Nature’s Logic announced the company donated more than US$50,000 worth of free petfood to non-profit organizations dedicated to the health and welfare of animals in the past three years. “We believe that all pets deserve the best, including those not yet lucky enough to be in a forever home with a loving family,” said Scott Freeman, owner of Nature’s Logic.

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