Jessica TaylorFrom the Author - Page 5Market Trends and ReportsThe green effort: Petfood companies support sustainabilityStaying sustainable may be a topical trend in the media or a consumer-driven marketing tool according to some, but I applaud petfood companies who go out of their way to make their production and facilities more eco-friendly. Shrinking your carbon footprint also significantly reduces costs-something even the staunchest cynic can't argue with.Market Trends and ReportsUpdate: Pet treat market round-upThe pet treat market is often the place where bold marketing strategies, experimental blends of ingredients and clever packaging first meet the rest of the petfood and pet care sector. Petfood lines, loyal customers and overnight success stories can also sprout up from this fertile ground, so it’s important to keep abreast of the most novel, on-trend treats being introduced to the marketplace.PackagingFreeHand rescues dogs with foodFreeHand launched its superpremium dog food diets in June 2012. “[We] developed what we believe to be the best, complete, balanced, natural and holistic ingredient panel in the superpremium petfood category,” Tom Bagamane, co-founder and managing director of FreeHand, declares when asked about what sets his company apart from other brands.Market Trends and ReportsThe manufacturing line: Sustainable packaging systemsPMMI’s “Pet Food Market Assessment 2013” describes a competitive market, where brands are striving to set themselves apart. By and large, however, petfood is generally in traditional formats—60% in multi-walled bags, for example.NutritionNutrition update: The latest probiotics for petfoodsProbiotics are crucial to our digestive health by providing “friendly bacteria” to our bodies—they help flush away toxins and other harmful waste left behind after digestion. Consumers of pet products now know to look for these digestive aids on ingredient lists when searching out a petfood for a dog with a finicky stomach.PackagingNutrition Update: Functional fatty acidsOmega-3 fatty acids are proven to have numerous health benefits for pets, just like they do for humans. Numerous clinical studies have proven the health benefits of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, vital components in every cell membrane supporting cell survival, growth, renewal and other critical functions.PackagingPetfood safety: Update on the Food Safety Modernization ActAs of January 4, 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released for public comment a proposed rule on Preventive Controls for Human Food and a proposed rule on Standards for Produce Safety. These rules are two of the proposed rules that are key to the preventive food safety approach established by the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), according to Bob McDonald of Food Safety Validation.NutritionSpring Naturals blooms with unique petfood recipesSpring Naturals has burst onto the petfood market in a big way. Launched by Performance Pet Products as a US Department of Agriculture-certified line of dog food using only real meat, and now preparing to launch a full line of grain-free cat food, the brand has already made a splash on retail shelves and across social media, seemingly overnight. Though Spring Naturals has been on store shelves for just over a year, the young brand's retail sales have been accelerating (double-digit growth in their first year) and they have received recognition from Pet Business, Pet Product News and The Whole Dog Journal.NutritionUnveiling innovation: Petfood companies get growing in 2012The top petfood companies around the globe aren't just pulling in impressive figures and extended space on retail shelves. Industry giants are constantly innovating by breaking new ground for facilities, expanding the market with new products and ingredients, and building business partnerships that strengthen investments.NutritionNutrition focus: Combating pet obesityObesity is an important disease with a growing incidence in the companion animal population. In the past decade, petfood companies have been formulating diets that are low-carb, high fiber, all protein, lean protein or calorie conscious, in hopes of wooing pet parents struggling to help their pets shed those extra pounds.NutritionQ&A with Robert Downey, founder and CEO of Annamaet Pet FoodsLearn more about the philosophy of this functional dog food's founder and find out just why you never mess with a moose from Robert Downey, CEO and founder of Annamaet Pet Foods.NutritionProduct trends: Small animal and bird food marketAccording to Melissa Ross, marketing operations manager for Oxbow Animal Health, the future for the bird and small animal petfood and treat market will continue to be focused on natural, wholesome ingredients with an emphasis on functional, wellness-based formulas. As the popularity of small animals as pets has grown, so too have the demands of their owners.Previous PagePage 5 of 13Next Page