As pet owners expand their nutritional knowledge and competition di-versifies, demand for organic and humanely raised sourcing of pet food
will continue to increase, said Vanessa Quick, co-founder of Purpose Pet
Food in New York.
“Organic and humanely raised is a movement reflected in industry
trends over the last few years, and we are so excited to be on the front
lines,” Quick said.
Isaac Langleben, co-founder of Toronto-based Open Farm, sees
significant growth on the horizon.
“It is inspiring to see pet parents who are excited by the positive social impact their purchase dollars can make, particularly when it relates
to ethical sourcing, animal welfare and sustainability,” Langleben said.
As a result of the consumer-to-pet trend, Annabelle Immega, trade
marketing manager for Petcurean Pet Nutrition in Chilliwack, British
Columbia, Canada, said she expects the call for organic and ethically
sourced pet foods to persevere.
“We are focused on helping our retailers understand and adapt to
this market change,” she said. “These recipes offer a unique opportunity
for retailers to differentiate themselves from mass competition.”
Moreover, these ethical values resonate with animal lovers of all
types, Quick said.
“A number of vegan and vegetarian pet owners have made a point
of letting us know that while they do not consume meat or animal products, they understand that dogs and cats are carnivorous, and therefore
require meat biologically,” she said.
However, Stephanie Volo, vice president of brand and communications for Earth Animal in Southport, Conn., cautioned that while growth
potential in the category should shadow the human food market, a
large portion of the limited organic raw materials available are
funneled into the human food chain, restricting supplies to pet food
manufacturers.
“So sourcing is going to be a challenge in terms of both availability
and pricing,” Volo said.
SOURCING A MOVEMENT
ANJOY presents the Handy Dog Paw Sponge, designed
exclusively for cleaning dog paws after dirty walks and play. It
is a soft, durable sponge that slips over the paw and cleans it
when users gently squeeze the product and rotate it around.
The sponge absorbs moisture and can be used wet or dry. A
compact, convenient POP counter display is available for consumer impulse purchases. The sponge can be made available
in multiple colors and custom imprints.
pawsponge.com
BLUE- 9 PET PRODUCTS offers The Klimb
Canine Conditioning Kit. It includes a DVD
that is 8 minutes in length and provides tips
on exercises to teach body awareness and
increase strength and flexibility. It gives dogs
the activity they need on a daily basis by working their body and mind. The kit can be used
indoors or outdoors.
blue-9.com
COASTAL PET PRODUCTS
presents its Coastal Reflective
Control Handle Harness,
which offers quick control of the dog. The harness is easy to put on
and has adjustable girth and neck for a perfect fit. The harness is
available in three sizes in black, blue, pink and red.
coastalpet.com
GAMMA2 presents the Vittles Vault
Wall-Mount dry pet food container. The
back-friendly container is constructed from
a durable, heavy-duty food-grade plastic,
making it perfect for use in a garage, barn or
shed. It includes an easy-to-install wall bracket
and a unique design that is simple to place or
remove from the wall, freeing up valuable floor
space. The product features an easy-to-open
spin-on, spin-off lid with a patented gasket
seal that keeps air out so that food stays fresh
and pest-free.
gamma2.net
HIGH5DOGS’
Clic Leash allows
for hands-free dog
walking and convenient tethering
with just one hand
in a single motion.
In one leash, users
get four adjustable
ways to lead, and
the product is easy
to shorten. The leash
is made with only
high-end materials
and craftsmanship.
high5dogs.com