Australia/Pacific: Page 7

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.

Pet Food Product Database

Newman’s Own Organics New Zealand Ranch Style dog treats

K9 Natural ranked among fastest growing New Zealand companies

K9 Natural was named one of the fastest growing petfood companies in New Zealand by the Deloitte Fast 50 ranking. The petfood company ranked eighth on the list of New Zealand's 50 fastest growing companies.

Petfood bank aids in New Zealand quake relief

A group in Auckland, New Zealand, is preparing to launch a petfood bank and has stepped up before it's opening to help those affected by the Canterbury, New Zealand, earthquake. Paw Justice Pet Food Bank will officially launch at the Champ Wag 'n' Walk dog walk and fun day in Auckland, Sept. 26, but co-founders Craig Dunn and Shaughan Campbell are distributing petfood from Heinz Wattie's Limited, with help from Mainfreight/Dailyfreight, to animal shelters in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Australia/Pacific

Effects of skullcap root in rabbits

We studied the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis root on blood parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet. Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups of eight animals each and fed one of four diets: standard (control), 1% pure cholesterol supplement (CH group), 1% pure cholesterol supplement and a 9% skullcap root supplement (CH + SR group) or just 9% skullcap root supplement (SR group).

Bravo moves lamb and beef production to New Zealand

Bravo made an agreement with Alpine Export Ltd. to manufacture the majority of its beef and lamb products, according to petproductnews.com.

Australian competitor buys Lovitt's NZ

Petfood factory Lovitt’s NZ in Tauranga, New Zealand, shut down after being sold to an Australian competitor, according to the Bay of Plenty Times.

Canidae adds Australian distributor

Canidae Pet Foods Inc. added Holistic Pet Foods of Australia to its list of international distributors.

FSA will not prosecute processing company

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (FSA) has decided not to take Gillard Meat Processors to court after it was accused of selling petfood made from horse meat for human consumption.

Vet recommends reduced-calorie diets for fat pets

Between 30 and 40% of New Zealand’s pets are now overweight, according to veterinarian Alex Melrose’s recent column.

Australia suspends irradiation of cat food

An outbreak in neurological disorders in cats has lead Australia to cease sterilization of cat food by irradiation.

Mars Petcare expands in New Zealand

Mars Petcare is expanding its work schedule at its New Zealand plant from three shifts into four to handle increased demands in Australia, according to an article by the Wanganui Chronicle.

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