While pet owners want to enjoy special moments of joy with their companion animals, too many treats can contribute to the pet obesity epidemic. Humans, too, must balance fun and nutrition in their diets. Too much ice cream or beer doesn’t help a person maintain their waistline. Flavored water brands counter calorie-heavy human treats by providing a healthy indulgence.
Ice cream, beer and infused water have all made their way into the pet space. However, pet versions of frozen dairy delights and frosty brews tend to be healthier than the human products they mimic. These unconventional pet treats offer a novel way for pet owners to bond with their dogs and cats.
Like a spilled can of flavored water, human food trends often flow quickly into the pet space. As we ate Thanksgiving dinner, I contemplated a few human foods that could be transformed into pet foods. I don’t know if these are actually possible, but maybe a formulator can run with these ideas.
For example, could humans’ whipped dairy topping morph into a can of spray-on whipped toppers for pet foods? How about a DIY pumpkin pie kit for pets that pet owners could make at home, marketed alongside human holiday desserts? The whipped topper would be a natural accompaniment. Freeze-dried turkey legs with the bone removed and replaced with a dog chew: these could be a hit at Thanksgiving or Renaissance Festivals.
Those are just some blue-sky ideas, but here are some examples of how pet food and treat makers have adapted human indulgences into pet foods. These products appear in Petfood Industry’s Consumer Product Database.
Beer for dogs
Busch Pumpkin Spice Dog Brew
- Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Busch Dog Brew: Natural, fresh ingredients including vegetables, spices and water.
- Nutritious and tasty snack for your furry companion; alcohol-free and safe.
- Sold in 4 Packs of 12oz cans.
- No alcohol content.
Busch Dog Brew is an alcohol-free bone broth treat for dogs that gives every Busch drinker an opportunity they never knew they needed — a chance to crack a cold one with their favorite canine companion. Busch Dog Brew is made with vegetables, herbs, spices, water and pork broth for a nutritious and tasty snack that helps to promote a healthy digestive system. The brew can be served cold or room temperature by itself or over food. It meets Association of American Feed Control Officials approved definitions.
BarkTender Brands On Tap Treats for dogs
The BarkTender Brands On Tap Treats are beer brewed, all natural treats for dogs and they are free of hops and alcohol. The On Tap Treats are made with healthy spent, beer grain from the beer brewing process. The spent grain is comprised of barley and rye and is collected through partnerships with craft breweries throughout the country. The flavors include Black Pumpkin Stout, The “King” Lager (peanut butter, banana, bacon) and Rosemary Bacon IPA.
Ice Cream for pets
Dogsters Pumpkin Flavored Ice Cream
· Dogsters introduces pumpkin flavored ice cream style treats for dogs.
· Developed by J&J Snack Foods, these treats are dairy-free.
· Made with real pumpkin and added probiotics for gut health.
· Available in multiple flavors, low in fat and calories, with no artificial colors or flavors.
Ollie Van Leeuwen Dog Ice Cream
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream collaborates with Ollie to introduce their first-ever ice cream for dogs, available at Van Leeuwen shops, Petco locations, and online. The non-dairy, dog-safe ice cream features a signature peanut butter and banana recipe with premium ingredients, ensuring a tasty and safe treat for pups.
Buddy Custard frozen treat for dogs
Buddy Custard is a frozen treat made for dogs as part of a canine health and wellness program, available in two flavors. The original flavor consists of cottage cheese and flaxseed oil in a specially blended formula based on technology called the “Budwig Protocol.” The peanut butter flavor has the same core formula as the original and consists of only four ingredients: cottage cheese, flax seed oil, stevia and peanut butter flavoring.
Flavored water for Cats and Dogs
Mollibrands Inc. Molli's Choice flavored water
Mollibrands has introduced a way to hydrate cats with Molli's Choice flavored water for cats. Molli's Choice is a chlorine-free, non-carbonated, purified drinking water with vitamins, minerals and taurine. It comes in five flavors: Roasted Turkey, Original, Beef Tenderloin, Bacon Delight and Roasted Chicken.
The Lazy Dog Cookie Co. Pup-POP Birthday Water
- The Lazy Dog Cookie Co. introduces Pup-POP, an all-natural hydration solution for dogs.
- This dog-safe beverage features a light vanilla flavor, offering a hydrating, non-carbonated option.
- Pup-POP can be used as a water mix in Bake-at-Home cakes or Make-at-Home ice cream recipes.
