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December 31, 2022

one of ecommerce’s most resilient food categories?

The case for ordering pet food online is clear: it’s a bulky, heavy product and the end consumer doesn’t benefit from an in-store shopping experience (unless, perhaps, there is something to sample).

A lack of incentive to switch food combined with the convenience of online ordering, particularly through subscriptions, has meant direct-to-consumer (D2C) pet food has remained resilient post-pandemic when other e-commerce categories have slumped.

But looking forward, perhaps it is the additional benefit of data collection that could see D2C brands’ long-term success. Having consumer insights allows pet-food brands to personalise their service, develop relevant products and combine regular deliveries with a wider array of healthcare services.

The global pet care market was worth approximately US$121bn last year. Of this, $24.8bn came from online retailers. By 2026, this figure is estimated to shoot to $36.4bn, according to research from GlobalData. Another study predicted that online pet food sales in the US would outpace sales through bricks-and-mortar stores by 2025*.

“There are purchases that are very efficient online,” says Maria Castroviejo, a senior Rabobank analyst who focuses on the consumer foods sector in Europe. “Where you don’t need to browse because you know what you’re going to buy, and where the advantage of having them delivered at home is very big. And this is clearly the case with pet food.

“Despite the general trend to slow down on e-commerce purchases, pet food is likely to be very resilient because the drivers and the benefits of buying it online are very significant and the incentive to switch back to bricks and mortar are relatively low.”

Data, data, data…

The ability to harvest data puts D2C brand owners at a significant advantage over those purely in retail, the companies suggest.

Mark Scott, CEO and co-founder of Scotland-headquartered raw pet-food company Bella and Duke, says data is essential in validating the quality and benefits of his product. Scott and co-founder Tony Ottley set up Bella and Duke in 2017 after both lost young dogs to cancer, and they are on a mission to improve pet health.

Raw pet food is made, as it sounds, with raw ingredients and is usually purchased frozen. Advocates say the diet improves animals’ overall health, energy levels, coat and mess, though there is not yet substantial scientific research on the category.

Bella and Duke co-founders Tony Ottley, left, and Mark Scott, right (Image credit: Bella and Duke // Facebook)

“Raw feeding was on the peripheries when we first started,” Scott says. “People would come to it as a last resort – 70{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of our customers are new to raw, so the market is growing.” Five years after launching Bella and Duke, Scott has seen a shift from owners of sick dogs signing up to try raw food, to 50{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of new customers owning puppies.

“Over time, I want to see these puppies have lower vet bills and that they’re living longer because we’re feeding them the right thing from the start,” Scott says. “The D2C model allows me to track all these things… Over the course of the next ten to 15 years, we will have so much rich data that will prove what we’re seeing already.”

One of the UK’s largest pet-food subscription brands, Bella and Duke wants to expand into broader health and wellness and is working on a pet-tracking device. “[Health and wellness] is the next stage of evolution and that’s why D2C is so important because I wouldn’t be able to do any of this stuff if I just did retail,” he adds.

Another pet food brand with big data ambitions is India-based e-commerce platform Supertails.com, where its founders recently won funding for D2C pet food brand Henlo. Co-founders Varun Sadana and Vineet Khanna say India is “absolutely nascent when it comes to pet care”, and so they created Supertails.com to support nutrition, healthcare and training. But the “ultimate goal”, they say, is to be a data company.

“When we think about Mars, it doesn’t know which consumer is buying, when are they repeating. We have all the data,” says Sadana. “We feel at the end of the day, we will be a data company more than a pet care company.

“Because we have that leverage, then brands like Mars or Purina will come and say, ‘Hey, I want to advertise on your platform.’ So suddenly there’s a large advertising revenue too.”

Three pet food company co founders in India stand side by side smiling — Left to right: Supertails.com co-founders Vineet Khanna, Varun Sadana and Aman Tekriwal (Image credit: Supertails.com)

Personalisation

Proponents say data allows brands to send refill reminders, suggest products based on a specific animal – considering factors like their weight, breed and activity levels – and make recommendations based on goals such as weight loss.

US-based pet-food delivery service Ollie was founded in 2016 with the intention to provide healthy pet food conveniently across the country. The food is human grade and “fresh” – although it has recently launched a shelf-stable baked product. CEO Nick Stafford says the company’s mission is “all around driving pet health and longevity”, which comes hand-in-hand with granular pet data.

Stafford says: “We believe it’s really critically important to get calories right so the dog is carrying the right weight for their lives, so that really lends itself to D2C. A D2C relationship has data as part of it, and that data is driving the recommendations.

“Data is a huge part of our business model. It’s where the journey starts. We marry that customer data with the products being provided. So we are building that direct relationship right from the get-go. We know the name of every pet parent, every pet, their weight, their breed, their allergies. We really have some really rich data on those customers.”

Ollie has an app where owners can update pets’ details such as weight, interact with customer services through a live chat function and track deliveries. “The app is helping deliver that personal experience as well. It’s a slightly different form of data but it’s an easier way for a customer to interact with us,” he says.

But he caveats: “Data is an integral part of what we do but we are a nutritional products company so we will use data in very beneficial ways for the customer. It’s always going to be about their health and longevity.”

A delivery cardboard box with packets of pet food and a dog eyeing them up — US-based pet food brand Ollie delivers fresh, human grade food (Image credit: Ollie // Facebook)

Informing product development

For Hong Kong’s first D2C subscription-based pet food brand, Buddy Bites, data has been invaluable in figuring out consumer needs and developing products. Overall D2C penetration is lower in Hong Kong than in other parts of the world, largely due to the size of the city, and Amazon has no presence there. But co-founder Ryan Black said since starting the company in 2019 online dog food sales have grown from approximately 5{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} to around 16{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} in most recent figures.

“[Through D2C] we get some invaluable data about what people like about the product or people don’t like about the product, why people are skipping subscriptions or any sort of issues with the actual subscription model. That data enables us in this early stage of our business to ensure that our product portfolio is right. And you lose that data as soon as you go into retail to some extent.”

Buddy Bites found many pet owners in Hong Kong believed their animals would have a chicken allergy, despite never having been diagnosed with one. It has used this knowledge to inform NPD, bringing out alternative-protein products.

“We need to marry our nutritional expertise and advice with perception… Hong Kong pet owners and dog owners seem to be convinced to a pretty high degree – about 40{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} – that chicken was the highest allergen within dog food. However, that is not the case. And that’s kind of data that you wouldn’t have if you just purely did research through anywhere else in the world. It has to be specific to your customer base,” Black says.

Subscriptions and loyalty

The lifespan of pets makes long-term D2C food purchasing options enticing for owners and practical for businesses.

Castroviejo is positive about the future of pet-food subscription services but says they are more alluring to new pet owners. “People who are not in a subscription are less likely to change into a subscription,” she says. “But people who take on a new pet or decide to change food may start directly from subscriptions. Subscriptions have a future.”

Stafford says encouraging loyalty by delivering a consistent, quality service is key. “There’s a financial logic to it. We’re a for-profit business and recurring revenue is a really good financial model for a D2C business. We’re less about one-time purchase. That’s a tough business. I really regard ourselves as in the pet-food space but also in the loyalty space. The subscription model and making sure we deliver for the customer every time is a really important part of what we do.”

Prescription diets

One area less accessible to D2C businesses is prescription plans, historically bought through a veterinary practice. Prescription pet food has added ingredients to help with specific ailments or nutrient deficiencies and needs to be medically prescribed.

But e-commerce platforms are finding ways to bridge the gap between medical care and D2C services too. “Longevity” is a buzzword at pet-food companies and many have a pet care element within their brand, whether it involves medical professionals or more generic advice.

Varun Sadana with his pet ginger cat on his shoulder — Varun Sadana and his cat Nifty (Image credit: Supertails.com)

Over the last decade or so animals have shifted from “functional” to “companions” in the Indian psyche, Khanna and Sadana say. The average age of pet owners has dropped and people outside of “top tier” cities (those with a population of more than 100,000) are also getting pets, including in villages. Covid-19 accelerated pet ownership as people searched for companionship amid lockdowns.

But the number of veterinary practices in India is still “very low”, they say. Supertails.com has around 20 vets and ten trainers that work on the platform. The vets issue and renew prescriptions following a virtual assessment, which pet owners use to buy food through the website. Supertails.com is building an online pet pharmacy where customers can book one-to-one video appointments with vets, during which prescriptions can be issued.

“The beauty of it is, whether in the most remote city or somebody sitting in a very high tower in Bombay, everyone gets a very similar service,” Sadana explains. He says of almost 22,000 consultations, more than 93{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of issues were solved virtually.

Inflationary pressures

While some categories are seeing consumers trade down in the face of soaring inflation, analysts believe pet food brands will weather well. “Loyalty comes from convenience and lack of incentive to change,” says Castroviejo. “With regard to private label, we may see an increase but it is likely to be very moderate. If you are a unique brand, then they will stay loyal to you. If it’s a mainstream brand, then the pricing has to be competitive,” she adds.

Stafford says: “I think there are there are mixed signs on retail and the recession. We’ve seen no evidence of people moving from an e-commerce channel to a retail channel. I think they offer different values still. I fundamentally believe that there are some purchases that make a lot more sense buying in a retail space than others. I happen to think pet [food] is really great through e-commerce channels.

“I don’t want to downplay retail, as it is still the majority of purchases. It’s still an important part of any brand strategy. Even if you take the most optimistic views of how important D2C and e-commerce is going to be, pet retail is still going to be the majority of the space for the foreseeable future.”

The challenges of switching pet food drive brand loyalty. The risk of an animal rejecting or being allergic to new food could also put people off buying cheaper products, preferring the convenience the extra cost provides.

Stafford says he is “bullish” on the resilience of the D2C channel in the US and e-commerce as a whole. “Pet food is not discretionary, it’s a required purchase. And the thing that’s a little bit different from humans is that if you have food that works for your dog you’re actually less likely to change it. It’s actually quite a transition to change the food,” he says.

D2C businesses are also innovating in logistics and product development to try and bring down costs for consumers. For example, Ollie’s recently launched shelf-stable baked pet food – although not developed in direct response to inflation – allows the brand to offer choice and flexible pricing. “I’ve always felt that you need to offer customers different price points to enjoy an experience,” says Stafford. The baked product is 75{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of the cost of fresh, and the two can be mixed and matched when ordering to bring overall cost down.

With the shift to pet ownership being fairly recent in India, so too is the idea – and related household expenditure – of pet food. Around 93{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of Indian pet owners feed their animals scraps and leftovers. With this in mind, Henlo’s first product was a “nutrition topper”, a powder that can be added to home-cooked food and bridges the gap between scraps and pet food – also decreasing costs.

Despite the category’s predicted resilience, Bella and Duke’s Scott says he would not want to be setting up a company in the current economic climate. “I think we were fortunate – timing is everything. When we came out of lockdown, a lot of companies lost a lot of business but we didn’t… I think it’s going to be more expensive to recruit customers for the next couple of years. The beauty of where we are is we can flex our marketing spend where we need to. I think having that ability to respond allows us to move quicker than maybe a traditional business.”

Allure of retail

Although still the biggest channel, some D2C-only brands do not seem to be eyeing up retail in the near future.

Scott notes that selling through retail puts added costs on the producer, which can lead to shrinkflation or downgrading ingredients to maintain margins and remain competitive on the shelves. “I think if I was retail-only, I’d have to put my prices up. But because we’re subscription we don’t need to do that. We can manage our costs and still get amazing-quality food because I’m not giving normal margin away.

“What happens is over time is people get squeezed and then they just have to keep making the product lesser quality… We would never do that.”

Buddy Bites pet food bags stacked up in a dog shelter in Hong Kong — Buddy Bites also donates (and delivers!) meals to dog shelters in Hong Kong (Image credit: Buddy Bites // Facebook)

Black, who used to work in real estate, says launching Buddy Bites as a D2C brand avoided “eyewatering” retail rental costs in Hong Kong. “The way we see it, D2C, when you’re a young brand, is a fantastic opportunity to go above and beyond for customers.” He says the long-term vision will be to find one or two large retail partners to reach a broader audience – but for the moment the company still sees a lot of opportunity for growth in e-commerce.

In India, Sadana said new businesses are increasingly entering the market through e-commerce. “The strategy of new-age D2C brands in India is actually online first, then go to offline,” he says. “Offline is still the largest mediu, but e-commerce is the fastest-growing medium.”

He said in 2015 approximately 4-5{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of packaged pet food purchases were D2C in India, which has leapt to 25{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} in 2022. “All the tailwinds in this category talk about e-commerce’s share growing to more than 50{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} in the next five years.” But Khanna adds “never say never” when it comes to entering retail someday.

Building a brand without retail

Ollie delivers to every mainland state in the US, with five “fulfillment centers” across the country from which food is shipped. But how difficult is it to build a brand without a presence in physical stores? “Our focus is being the best-regarded pet food when you research online,” says Stafford. “So a lot of the pre-purchase work happens in, say, product review sites and comparison sites.” He said there is a “paid advertising component” but reviews and referrals are equally important.

“At the end of the day, pet parents are very sociable, whether it’s down at the dog park or wherever it might be online, and people share good solutions. There’s also a new generation of pet parents, often referred to as the furbaby generation, and that group is not as active in the retail channel. It is looking for new solutions and is very digitally native. And so that’s a great audience to engage in a non-retail context.”

Scott says it took “a lot of money” to build the Bella and Duke brand, including educating people on raw food. “We built a community – we spent a lot of money on marketing. But we knew that’s what we had to do,” he said. “And that’s without any retail! So if we did decide to go to retail and then you did see Bella and Duke you’d go ‘Wow, I’ve seen this company so many times and I want to try it.’”

Our unwaning affection for animals coupled with busier lives and quest for convenience places D2C pet food brands in a competitive position.

Analysts predict the category will remain resilient in the face of inflation, with pet owners even sacrificing their own comfort for the sake of their pets.

With basic practicalities aside, there is huge potential for growth thanks to the data e-commerce and subscriptions gather. Looking forward, D2C brands will be able to use their data to personalize the pet food experience in a way near impossible in retail. The question is, which market could see online purchases surpass retail first?

“Humanisation” in pet food bounds along amid premium-led growth

*According to Packaged Facts report: U.S. Pet Market Update: Pet Food Focus, 2021

December 29, 2022

How To Make Every Meal More Nutritious? Follow These Tips To Make Your Food Healthier With Fewer Efforts

You can make your food stuff healthier by opting for healthier fats

You can reduce continual health conditions and preserve outstanding well being by having a variety of healthful meals. Healthful taking in does not require you to give up your favorite dishes. You can make prolonged-long lasting, healthful improvements to your food plan with a handful of simple modifications and some forward arranging.

It might look challenging in the commencing but little by little and slowly you can make the proper ways toward enhancing the excellent of your diet plan and lifetime. Enable us recognize methods in which you may be capable to make these constructive improvements toward a superior diet program.

In this article are recommendations to assistance you make your diet program healthier:

1. Decide for more healthy fats

To reduce hidden fats, look at lean meats, and very low-unwanted fat dairy items, and stay clear of processed meals. Because they contain the essential prolonged-chain fatty acids and other beneficial factors, nuts, seeds, seafood, soy, olives, and avocados are all greater options. Use more healthy oils, such as olive and canola oil, if you determine to add fats to your cooking.

2. Don’t overcook and get rid of nutrients

Nutritional vitamins that are water-soluble are sensitive and commonly missing for the duration of preparing and cooking. Vegetables should really be scrubbed fairly than peeled because several vitamins and minerals are contained in the vicinity of the skin. Instead of boiling veggies, steam or microwave them. Use a modest quantity of water when boiling veggies and be watchful not to overcook them. Improve your usage of stir-fry recipes. Veggies that are stir-fried are cooked speedy to maintain their crispness and critical vitamins and minerals.

3. Cut down salt intake

Several of our meals involve salt that is concealed, but feeding on a large amount of salt can result in a range of wellness difficulties, including hypertension. Since canned and pickled veggies usually incorporate salt in the packaging, choose contemporary or frozen vegetables alternatively. Limit your consumption of processed meats that are large in salts, this sort of as ham and salami. Numerous sauces and condiments might also be higher in sodium and should really be prevented.

4. Try to eat much more herbs & spices

With out making use of salt or oil, good flavours can be included by working with herbs and spices. Refreshing herbs have a sensitive flavour, so incorporate them to your meals just ahead of serving. Bread, mustard, salad dressing, vinegar, sweets, and beverages can all advantage from the addition of herbs and spices. Make a quick, healthy, and mouth watering stir-fry with vegetables by introducing coriander, ginger, garlic, chilli, and lemongrass.

5. Try to eat more refreshing make

The greater part of men and women commonly skip the veggie at breakfast in favour of fruit. They will also eat veggies at meal and lunch but under no circumstances for breakfast. To make guaranteed you get your encouraged day by day servings, it really is a good idea to include both options at every single meal and snack. Fruit possibilities incorporate a couple of berries or 50 {35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} an apple. A delicious option to include a vegetable in your breakfast is to insert some spinach to your eggs or breakfast sandwich.

6. Eat total food items as a substitute of refined

Pick out entire grains as an alternative of the traditional white choices whether deciding upon breakfast cereal, tortillas for a wrap, or bread for a sandwich. White bread and flours are less nutrient-dense and much less productive sources of fibre than total grains. You may get a healthy dosage of vitamins and minerals when remaining content for more time.

7. Eat at household

You have a lot far more affect in excess of what you happen to be consuming in your system when you prepare your personal foodstuff at household. It may possibly be demanding to recognize the healthiest menu alternatives at restaurants. A cafe salad that would seem wholesome to you may possibly be packed with sodium and have extra calories than you have to have from the dressing.

Next these recommendations will assure you have a healthier diet program which can gradually direct to a wholesome lifestyle and overall wellness.

Disclaimer: This articles like suggestions delivers generic data only. It is in no way a substitute for a capable clinical viewpoint. Often check with a professional or your personal health care provider for additional info. NDTV does not assert obligation for this details.

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December 25, 2022

7 Tips for Overcoming Food Guilt This Holiday Season

When the holidays roll about, you can count on paying loads of time with relatives and (most likely) eating tons of foods. It is really widespread to knowledge food items guilt about the holidays, especially if you consider treatment to try to eat a well balanced food plan. In reality, a 2020 examine identified 63{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of People seasoned meals guilt through the getaway season.

This getaway time, give on your own grace when it comes to sharing foods with family members and good friends. This is what you have to have to know about food stuff guilt so you can have a pleased vacation period.

What is foodstuff guilt?

Foods guilt is when you experience terrible about anything you’ve got eaten, like you are experience guilty for what you’ve got preferred to consume. Foods guilt can quickly spiral into deeper inner thoughts of shame, primarily for persons with disordered eating.

If you happen to be particularly really hard on you with eating healthy food items, you may close up feeling food items guilt if you eat a thing you look at as harmful.

Why do we come to feel meals guilt?

Food stuff guilt is frequently connected to your romantic relationship with foodstuff. If you continue to keep oneself on a arduous eating plan and “slip,” you might be inclined to come to feel guilty about what you’ve got eaten. This can be a outcome of too significantly tension on on your own to take in in a particular way.

7 strategies for working with meals guilt throughout the holiday seasons

The vacations can be specifically challenging with food stuff guilt. This time of yr brings its very own brand name of pressure — in between family and funds, there’s a ton to offer with. Moreover, you may possibly be sitting down down for meals that are outdoors your nutritional comfort zone, so it can be essential to go into the season outfitted with strategies for managing meals guilt.

Woman feeling guilty for eating less nutritious foods — bymuratdeniz/Getty Illustrations or photos

1. Check out having a lot less wholesome foodstuff as aspect of a balanced diet

The US Division of Wellbeing and Human Services outlines a “healthy” food plan for individuals to adhere to, breaking down how significantly protein, carbs and many vitamins and minerals you require to eat in a working day. It really is important to harmony “balanced” foodstuff and “harmful” food items, because in moderation, there is certainly almost nothing completely wrong with having stereotypically much less nutrient-rich food items. When you absolutely lower out meals — specially pleasurable treats like ice cream or potato chips — you may possibly locate that you crave them even far more. If you enable yourself to take in these treats once in a when in moderate amounts, eating the healthy foodstuff the relaxation of the time would not come to feel fairly so undesirable.

2. Follow mindful taking in

Aware ingesting is the act of having to pay attention to what you eat and appreciating every chunk. With this observe, you might be equipped to expend a lot more time and energy thinking of your food, according to Harvard’s University of General public Wellbeing. This includes chewing carefully and feeding on bit by bit so you can experience every single bite of foods. Investigate all-around ingesting mindfully has demonstrated that it can minimize nervousness similar to eating, as very well as overeating.

3. Focus on how you really feel soon after ingesting certain foods

Occasionally foods guilt is unavoidable, but what you can do when it occurs is detect that it is really happening. This way, you can actually contemplate why you’re sensation that way. From time to time persons will not even recognize that the responsible sensation is tied to a specified foodstuff or food and why it’s occurring. If you’ve begun a food journal (which we are going to get to soon), you can also compose down these inner thoughts so you can see if there are patterns tied to what thoughts are transpiring and when.

4. Start off a foodstuff journal

Keeping a meals journal can have a constructive result on how you consume. According to Harvard Clinical School, a food stuff journal can assist keep monitor of what you’re feeding on, how considerably you’re ingesting and how you come to feel immediately after. If you might be hunting to strengthen your partnership with food stuff, you can also include why you’re consuming. Nevertheless, it is critical not to develop into way too caught up in checking each and every one thing you happen to be feeding on, as this can flip into obsessive conduct and even disordered taking in. Some investigation has also revealed that when people mature tired of maintaining a meals journal, they give it up and go again to prior meals patterns.

Close up of food diary — Daniele Mezzadri/Getty Photographs

5. Stay clear of acquiring way too caught up in nutritional mandates

In the exact same way that trying to keep a demanding food journal can switch detrimental, focusing also much on what makes a “healthy” diet regime, on fad eating plans and on everything similar to these stringent ingesting strategies can also have a damaging outcome on you. Diet plans this kind of as keto or Atkins, aren’t always weight loss plans that can be taken care of in the long run — unless proposed if not by your medical doctor. And while counting energy or macros can support you eliminate bodyweight, if that is what you might be aiming for, carrying out this for a prolonged period of time can induce disordered consuming, in accordance to Duke Overall health. Spending far too a great deal notice to these figures can absolutely make you sense guilty if you “go about” what you consider to be the ideal, which can push you even further into sensation responsible about what you might be ingesting.

6. Honor your hunger

Your physique sends indicators to your brain when it feels hungry, and you feel those people pangs when your overall body needs foodstuff. It truly is critical to hear to your body. When it tells you it truly is hungry, you really should feed it. When it tells you it is really full, you need to quit having. Listening to what your physique is telling you is crucial for knowing when and how a great deal to take in.

7. Accept that you ought to have to eat without having punishing on your own after

Give on your own grace when you feel like you’ve got “slipped” due to the fact when it will come to a well balanced food plan, you have not basically slipped at all. You ought to have to have treats when you want them and when it helps make you joyful — and that won’t necessarily mean you require to go to the gym for 2 several hours or skip a food later. Every single day is a new working day, and as prolonged as you might be taking in a nutritious diet plan most of the time, owning a several treats and entertaining foods is completely fantastic. If you are not joyful with what you ate today, remind your self that you can eat one thing else tomorrow — you can find no want to sense guilty.

The information and facts contained in this report is for educational and informational purposes only and is not supposed as wellness or professional medical suggestions. Normally talk to a doctor or other skilled wellness provider about any questions you could have about a professional medical problem or health and fitness targets.

December 22, 2022

Tips to beat ‘food guilt’ and make peace with what you eat this festive season

SINGAPORE — With social events back in swing during the festive season, eating more than usual is a given. However, food guilt can add negativity and stress to an otherwise joyful occasion.

If you feel bad after a meal and think, “I shouldn’t have eaten that” or “Why did I indulge so much today”, you may be experiencing food guilt.

This is the feeling of having done something wrong over what you have consumed, particularly if the food is deemed unhealthy.

Principal dietitian Bibi Chia from Raffles Diabetes and Endocrine Centre believes that such negative feelings about food is prevalent among adults in Singapore.

Citing a study on disordered eating patterns done here on almost 800 adults aged 21 to 77, Ms Chia said that around 6 per cent of the adults screened positive for a current clinical eating disorder and more than a third (37 per cent) had other feeding or eating disorders.

About a fifth (19.5 per cent) were at high risk of developing one.

The study was published last year in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

“Our relationship with food is complicated and it is built from a young age,” Ms Chia said.

Childhood experiences of food can shape how people think and feel about food and what they eat.

For example, research published in the Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2010 found that when parents restricted children’s access to palatable snack foods, they are more likely to consume those restricted foods even if they were not hungry but also experience negative feelings about it.

This holiday season, manage food guilt and be at peace when sharing meals with loved ones.

Check out the following tips from Ms Chia, as well as Ms Melody Chong, a health coach in private practice.

WHY FOOD GUILT IMPAIRS YOUR HEALTH GOALS

Feeling guilty about eating that extra slice of cake or serving of pudding is unlikely to motivate you to eat better.

It is more likely to do the opposite.

For example, people who associate chocolate cake with guilt rather than celebration were more likely to feel that their eating was out of control and were less confident about eating healthier in the future.

This was from a study published in Appetite, an international research journal specialising in cultural, social, psychological, sensory and physiological influences on food.

Those who reported having food guilt were also less likely to lose weight over a three-month period. They had difficulty maintaining weight over 18 months.

HOW TO BEAT FOOD GUILT

Even if you are on a healthy diet plan, there is no reason why you cannot enjoy festive treats or snacks without feeling bad about it.

Just eat them less frequently and in smaller quantities.

Or simply buy less of these foods so that there are fewer visual cues reminding you to snack — out of sight, out of mind.

Eating a bag of chips may seem “unhealthy” to some people, but there are chips made of healthier oils, Ms Chia said.

When eating or snacking, it can be done healthily when you take into account “what”, “when” and “how much”.

This is better than restricting yourself and then later indulging in greater amounts when temptations arise.

A snack under 100 to 150 calories between meals should suffice.

You should also try to limit intake of processed food.

December 13, 2022

Best Dog Food Delivery for 2022

We love spoiling our dogs with treats, toys, a fluffy new bed and much more, but one thing that’s more important than anything is making sure your dog is a healthy pooch. A healthy, nutritious diet is one of the best ways to do that, and dog food delivery services offer a wide range of healthy meals for your best friend. Many even let you customize a plan based on your dog’s specific needs.

Beyond fresh food, these services curate organic dry food, canned wet food and even specialty and diet dog food if your pet has strict nutrition or meal plan requirements. There’s also cost to consider and the best dog food delivery service is one that marries the right type of dog food at a price that doesn’t throw your monthly budget out of whack. Ordering pet food online — even the high-quality stuff — doesn’t need to be expensive. With so many options for ordering dog food and pet supplies over the web, it’s good to go into your search armed with some information about what each subscription service or dog food supplier offers and why it might make sense for you — and that’s exactly what we’re here to do.

Below is an outline of the burgeoning category along with some of the best dog food delivery options to try for 2022. Most of these dog chow subscription services let you try it out risk-free for a short stint and cancel if it’s not a good fit.

Why dog food delivery has become so popular

If you shop online for dog supplies, you’ve likely noticed a serious spike in the number of internet vendors, including ones that sell pet supplies and dog food. Chewy.com is still the largest of them all. No, seriously, you can buy just about anything for your pooch via this Amazon-esque pet marketplace from traditional dog food to dog food subscriptions. But there are also some really wonderful, small startups that offer exceptional, prepared dog chow — fresh and otherwise — along with other various offerings for Fido.

Dog food delivery has become very popular over the past couple of years and especially during the pandemic, for reasons that may be obvious. When you order dog food online, you’ll get more choices than at most brick-and-mortar stores. You also have the convenience of not having to lug that heavy kibble to the car and home. You can also do a bit more price comparison when you use online dog food delivery since there are dozens of online retailers and many of them carry the most popular brands.

From the menu options and ingredients to pricing, available accessories and add-ons, these dog food delivery outfits run the gamut, which is why we’re here to help you find the very best dog food delivery service for 2022.

Read more: Best Gourmet Dog Treats to Buy Online

Different types of dog food delivery

Before we doggy paddle into the deep end of pet food delivery services, you should know that your subscription options for 2022 go far beyond dry kibble or canned chow. There are custom blends, organic pet food, fresh dog food, raw dog food and even cook-at-home dog food — like meal kits but for making kibble. Basically, there’s a dog food delivery company out there that can meet any canine’s dietary demands. That said, it’s good to know what you’re looking for and what’s best for your dog given its breed, age and other factors. If you’re not sure, have a chat with your vet and let them know some of the dog food subscriptions you’ve been considering and what you’re leaning towards.

Do you want to serve your furry pal raw food or fresh dog food, for instance? Try the Farmer’s Dog. Perhaps grain-free, wet dog food or dry kibble makes the most sense. There are plenty of options for those too. Do you need food for a puppy or a special recipe for an adult dog? Maybe you want to feed them homemade dog food, or maybe canned food is better for your schedule. It goes even deeper than that: If your dog prefers chicken, beef, fish flavors or fresh dog food made with brown rice and sweet potato, you can find it. Some dogs have allergies or a sensitive stomach, so there are dog meal delivery services that will account for that too. All these factors can be addressed by dog food subscription services for a nutrition-focused pet parent looking to get the absolute best quality dog food delivered at home.

Specialty dog food delivery

Most of the fresh dog food delivery services use natural ingredients, and many can be tailored to your pup’s dietary needs. In many cases, you can buy dog food online that’s developed with the input of a veterinary nutritionist and without “anti-nutrition” fillers like corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives. There are plenty of fresh, unprocessed dog food options and even raw dog food options for the pickiest of pets and those keeping their canine companion on a special diet.

We’re certainly not here to make sweeping statements on what type of dog food is best — we’ll leave that to the experts — but rather to relay your options for buying dog food online. When you do determine which type of chow is the best for your best friend, you can find the delivery service that will best match your needs.

The best dog food delivery is one that fits your budget

If you’re a pet owner who’s concerned about dog food delivery costs, you can choose a food delivery that suits your budget. As you may have guessed, some of these custom, gourmet dog food services get mighty expensive, but there are also some cheap dog food delivery services that will still deliver quality chow — some starting at as little as $1 a day. There are some big deals on dog food delivery too if you know where to look (don’t worry, we do). So read over these fresh dog food delivery service options carefully as many, including Spot and Tango, Chewy and NomNomNow, have big first-time order discounts — some as much as 50{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} off your total cart or first order.

So then, for picky eater dogs, dieting dogs, older dogs, young dogs, big dogs and your little dog, too: These are the best dog food delivery and pet food subscription services. Note that we haven’t personally used all of the services listed; our determinations are based on the differences outlined below and the specific offerings of each. With that in mind, these are the suggestions we’d make to our family and friends, based on our research. We continue to update this list periodically.

Read more: Best Dog Toys, According to the Experts: Our Dogs

Gary Gerard Otten/Spot and Tango

This dog food delivery service is for the discerning dog owner who’s all about those farm-to-table meals and the health and well-being of their doggo. Spot and Tango’s human-grade fresh dog food is made from locally farmed ingredients in New York, in small batches with no artificial additives, preservatives or fillers in the chow. With those standards, it’s no wonder it landed on our list of best dog food delivery for 2022.

The fresh dog food recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and come in preportioned packages (determined by your pup’s weight, age and lifestyle) that are vacuum-sealed for freshness. The dog food arrives frozen and just needs to be defrosted before serving. Every pet parent gets 50{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} off their first order of dog food and has a two-week trial period to test whether this meal delivery service works. If you decide to cancel in that time period, you’ll get your money back.

Frequency and pricing: Weekly delivery; $0.85 per meal and up, depending on your dog’s weight, age and breed. You can snag 50{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} off your first box of fresh dog food with promo code CNET50.

The Farmer’s Dog

Another fresh dog food delivery service, this popular startup was an easy pick for our list of best pet food to order online.

Dogs have unique dietary needs and The Farmer’s Dog gets that: You wouldn’t feed a Chihuahua the same amount of dog food as you would a Newfoundland, for instance, which is why The Farmer’s Dog creates a personalized profile and diet for your dog based on breed, age, activity level, ideal weight and sensitivities. The service also makes adjustments to your dog food plan as needed. The Farmer’s Dog uses human-grade fresh ingredients to create easy, ready-to-serve meals for your dog — all you have to do for a fresh meal is open the package and let your pooch dig in.

Frequency and pricing: Choose your ideal frequency of food delivery anywhere between every two and 12 weeks; $2 to $12 per day based on dog size. Farmer’s Dog is offering 60{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} off your first purchase, too.

Nom Nom

It’s pretty universally accepted that fresh food is better for you than processed food and many pet owners believe the same holds true for pet food. If you prefer to feed your furry friends fresh meals, Nom Nom is the closest you can get to homemade dog food delivered to your door. The company sends you perfectly portioned, fresh pet food made from restaurant-quality ingredients and tailored to your dog’s size, age and weight making it a solid pick as one of the best dog food delivery services for 2022.

Nom Nom currently offers four fresh pet food recipes for dogs and two cat food options, as well as supplements and treats. Other fresh dog food companies send meals in bulk containers, which can be messy, but Nom Nom packs them individually for less fuss at mealtime.

Frequency and pricing: Weekly, biweekly or monthly deliveries; $49 to $328 per month for dogs, depending on dog size. For cats, food plans range between $245 to $256. Sign up now and you’ll save 50{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} on your first order.

Pet Plate

If you’re looking for affordable dog food that’s still a cut above the kibble you’ll find in the grocery store, Pet Plate is worthy of a closer look. With plans starting at as little as $1 per day, Pet Plate offers balanced fresh dog food recipes with all the right nutrients for a good diet, designed by vets.

The company uses USDA meat and fresh food to create precooked, preportioned meals for feeding your pup, so all pet parents have to do is open the container and plate up the food for their dog. There are four different fresh dog food recipes available — chicken, beef, turkey and lamb — and you can even heat the food up in a microwave if your dog prefers their chow warm.

Frequency and pricing: Weekly dog food plans start at just $1 to $18 per day, depending on your dog’s health, age, weight and breed. Right now you can save 61{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} off your first order of meals and treats at checkout.

Chewy

If it’s the largest selection of dog food to have delivered you’re looking for, Chewy is essentially the Amazon of pet products. This online retailer carries a huge variety of chow such as quality dry dog food, human-grade puppy eats, doggy treats and other supplies for all types of animals — not just dogs. With automatic shipments and subscriptions of your go-to pet food and supplies, there’s no more worrying about running out of kibble — or potty pads or heartworm medicine or whatever, and you’ll save 5{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} to 10{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} on select brands when you opt in. Chewy is also known for its top-notch customer service, which is available online 24/7. If you need pet supplies of any kind, there’s a good chance it’s available on Chewy.

Frequency and pricing: Choose your own frequency; pricing depends on what products you order. Take 35{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} off your first order with autoship, and free shipping on any order over $49.

PetFlow

Like Chewy, PetFlow is an online marketplace dedicated to all things pets, not just pet food. It caters to cats and dogs, and you can choose to have products, including fresh, dry or canned dog food, automatically shipped to you on a recurring schedule so that you never run low on food, treats or other supplies for Fido. Get all your favorite brands of dry food, canned food and other pet products. Plus, for every order shipped, PetFlow donates a bowl of food to animal shelters, so it’s a purchase you and your dog can feel good about.

Frequency and pricing: Choose your ideal frequency anywhere from every two to 16 weeks; the price depends on the products you choose. You can save 10{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} on your autoship order for life when you use the promo code AUTO10 at checkout.

Ollie

Ollie is another popular option for fresh dog food delivery that caters to your dog’s diet and individual needs. It’ll provide you with recommended doggie meals and portions based on your pup’s age, weight and health. You’ll get deliveries of four vet-formulated recipes made with fresh, human-grade meat, vegetables and supplements. Oh, and Ollie offers healthy dog treats, too.

Frequency and pricing: Biweekly or monthly; $9 to $42 per week. Receive 50{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} off your first box of dog food and treats.

BarkBox

Like to treat your pup? This monthly themed collection of toys and treats is a fun surprise for both of you. In each box, you’ll get two toys, two full-size bags of treats and a chew, all made in the US or Canada. None of the treats contain wheat, corn or soy, and if your dog has food allergies, you can choose a box that’s free of turkey, chicken and beef. Further customization is available if you chat with a customer service rep. If your dog is tough on toys, you might want to upgrade to the Super Chewer option, but in either case, another fun bonus is that the company will send your buddy a birthday present — because you truly cannot spoil your dog too much.

Frequency and pricing: Monthly delivery; $23 to $35 a month, depending on length of subscription.

BoxDog

Think of BoxDog as a subscription of fun treats and accessories for your four-legged pal. The boxes, which come every three months, contain four bins of curated, handmade dog snacks (cookies, chews and more), one vegan skincare item and two items of your choosing from a list of dog gear, gadgets and toys. Choose from a selection of squeaky rubber or plush toys, warm dog jackets or stylish bandanas. You can also buy unique dog treats and toys a la carte including dog cigars or “puparillos,” peanut butter bacon dog cookies or a doggie backpack.

Frequency and pricing: Boxes come either monthly or quarterly and start at $40 each depending on your subscription period, and you can add an extra toy or piece of dog apparel for just $10 per box. You can also get a free travel water bottle right now when you use the promo code WATER at checkout.

Sundays Food for Dogs

We know, we know. This sounds like, well, a lot. Perhaps it is but if you’re looking to really spoil Spot at mealtime, this brand of vet-developed dog food is the way to do it. Sundays is made like jerky, using USDA meats that are dried to preserve nutrients and with no added fillers like wheat, corn, soy or gluten of any sort. A 40-ounce bag costs $75, which isn’t cheap, but if you subscribe for monthly shipments you’ll save 20{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}. And you can save 50{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} off your order right now when you use the promo code EASY50 at checkout.

More delivery and pet recommendations

December 7, 2022

State of the US pet food and treat industry, 2022

This article was published in the 2022 Buyers Guide issue of Pet Food Processing. Read it and other articles from this issue in our Buyers Guide digital edition.

Growth in the pet care industry shows no signs of stopping. In 2020, sales for the US pet care industry reached over $100 billion for the first time ever, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). After reaching that milestone, the industry expected continued growth, but the $123.6 billion in sales in 2021 exceeded expectations. APPA estimated growth would be around 6{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} for 2021, but it ended up at 13.5{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} by year’s end.

“The numbers don’t lie: The pet industry has shown itself to be incredibly strong and resilient with a record-breaking two years,” said Anne Ferrante, APPA’s senior vice president of member relations and business development, following the release of the association’s 2021 State of the Industry data. “We expect continued growth as we look toward the remainder of 2022, although we anticipate it may be at a more moderate pace given the impact of volatile factors like inflation, supply chain issues and global relations.”

Globally, pet food sales grew to $123.6 billion, according to year-end estimates by market research provider Euromonitor International. In the United States, pet food and treat sales are expected to reach $45.4 billion by the end of 2022. Dog and cat food exports for 2021 set a record at $2.05 billion, which increased by 19.8{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} from 2020, according to the Department of Commerce.

If industry analysts are correct in their predictions, the industry’s growth won’t be slowing, but rather picking up speed through the rest of the decade. Analysts with Morgan Stanley Research and AlphaWise, the company’s survey and data group, believe the US pet industry may reach $275 billion by 2030.

“We think the US pet industry has reached an inflection point, taking topline compound annual growth rates to 8{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}, versus 3{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} for the last decade,” said Simeon Gutman, equity analyst covering hardline retail for Morgan Stanley Research.

Fueling these expectations is the anticipated growth in number of pet owners over the next five to 10 years. According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 70{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of US households own a pet, which equates to 90.5 million homes. The AlphaWise survey reported that 65{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of 18- to 34-year-olds plan to get a pet in the next five years, which will help drive the expected 14{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increase in pet ownership by 2030.

With the growing demand for pets comes a growing need for pet food and treats in a variety of formats to satisfy the cravings of the expanding population of pets. But, possibly more importantly, varying pet food and treat formats are needed to satisfy the changing demands of pet food purchasers — the pet parents.

While food and treats still top the list of where pet parents’ money is going, other pet-related products and services continue to make the list of necessary expenses. The APPA’s 2021 State of the Industry report showed:

$50 billion was spent on pet food and treats (a 13.6{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increase from 2020).
$34.3 billion was spent on veterinarian care and product sales (an 8.9{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increase over 2020).
$29.8 billion was spent on pet supplies, live animals and OTC medication (a 17.8{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increase from 2020).
$9.5 billion was spent on other services, including grooming, dog walking and boarding (a 17.3{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increase over 2020).

On the food side, all pet food formats saw growth between August 2021 and August 2022, according to Chicago-based market research firm IRI.

Dry dog food had a better year after declining sales of 3.5{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} between August 2020 and August 2021. In the 52 weeks ended Aug. 7, 2022, dry dog food sales increased 12.3{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}. Dry cat food stayed more or less even between 2020 and 2021, but saw a 13.2{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increase between 2021 and 2022. Wet dog and cat food saw 14.2{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} and 14.4{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increases, respectively, compared to the year prior.

The refrigerated/frozen category in both dog and cat food led the way in category sales growth with a 35.8{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increase in dog food and a 22.5{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increase on the cat side. The category had also seen solid sales growth between 2020 and 2021, though not quite as substantial.

On the treat side, dog treat sales continue to rise with a 9.6{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} increase from $3.21 billion in 2021 to $3.54 billion in 2022. Cat treats saw slightly higher growth from $969 million in 2021 to $1.1 billion in 2022, an increase of 14.9{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}.

Food and treat innovation

As pet parents shop for pet food and treats at their favorite pet retailer or online direct-to-consumer distributor, they’re looking for more than just the basics to feed their four-legged family members. While complete-and-balanced food options are always on the menu, pet parents are looking for more from the pet food formats they choose.

During a presentation at SuperZoo 2022 in Las Vegas, market research firm NielsenIQ shared its latest pet industry data shedding some light on the pet food innovations available on the market today.

Pet food sales with specific functional attributes are growing rapidly. According to NielsenIQ, sales of products offering mental health, mood and stress relief are up 34{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} from August 2021 to July 2022; those offering performance support are up 32{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}; urinary health are up 27{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}; kidney health are up 22{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}; and heart health are up 19{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}. Those offering skin and coat health and cellular function support are both up 18{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}; and products boasting immune system, digestive and joint health are all up 15{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} from 2021 to 2022.

Not only are there more products on the market touting these functional benefits, but online search volume growth across pet retail channels shows continued interest in specific product attributes. According to NielsenIQ, pet parents frequently search for products that specialize in dental health, hairball control and anxiety health. Between August 2021 and July 2022, the most-searched pet product attributes included calming, urinary health, sensitive stomach and weight control.

The pet supplement segment of the market continues to expand with probiotic ingredients, gut health, behavior assistance, joint health and stress relief being some of the trending attributes. In fact, pet supplement purchases are growing at a faster rate than the same category for humans — up 11{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} for pet supplements and only up 6{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} for human supplements, vitamins and minerals. Dollar sales for gut health pet supplements grew 213{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} from the second quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2022, and behavior assistance supplements were up 132{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}.

Products and supplements containing CBD have been growing rapidly year after year. On a three-year basis, CBD pet supplement sales were up 236{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}, while CBD pet food sales grew 377{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}, according to NielsenIQ.

“CBD is being included in pet treats and supplements for the same reason they are being produced for human consumers, for their purported health benefits,” said Hilary Brown, director of research and development, SōRSE Technology, Seattle. “Consumers are typically interested in using CBD for their animals’ general wellness.”

Pet parents are looking to CBD to help their pets with cancer, epilepsy and seizures, stress and anxiety, digestion and nausea, pain and inflammation due to joint problems, aging and degenerative diseases, and skin inflammation and allergies. Between August 2021 and July 2022, CBD-inclusive pet supplement sales were up 22{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} and CBD-inclusive pet food products grew 35{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}.

As long as pet parents continue to want the best for their pets, the pet nutrition space will continue to evolve. Pet product consumers will keep searching for the latest and greatest solution-based products to keep their furry companions happy and healthy, which will provide brands with plenty of opportunity to expand their product offerings to meet these changing needs.

Growth and challenges

Despite labor shortages, supply chain challenges and rising costs throughout the manufacturing industry, pet food processors show their optimism through continued plant expansions, capital improvements and even new plant construction. CRB, a provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting to the food and beverages and life sciences industries, took a close look at this ever-changing industry in its Horizons: Pet Food report. The Horizons study, conducted in November and December 2021, consists of responses to around 100 questions by 300 pet food manufacturing leaders.

“At stake is nothing less than a projected $275 billion, the expected annual value placed on the pet food industry by 2030,” wrote Tim Barba, CRB’s chief operating officer, Global Technical Operations, in the report’s opening passages. “To get their share, manufacturers are feverishly expanding and modernizing their production capacity, exploring new segments, and aligning their products with the qualities prized by ingredient-conscious consumers.”

Respondents listed their top production challenges, which included supply chain, labor availability and skilled workforce, and aging equipment and technology. Questions surrounding capital expense projects revealed that 22{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of respondents plan to spend less than $5 million over the next five years; 45{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} anticipate spending $5 million to $10 million; and 24{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} plan on spending $10 million to $50 million.

“One-third of producers are either planning a significant expansion to an existing facility or a new facility in the next five years and two-thirds are planning either routine maintenance or equipment or small additions to their lines in the next five years,” said Tony Moses, Ph.D., director of product innovation for CRB.

Sustainability is more than just a buzzword in the pet food industry — it’s a mission-oriented goal for many. During SuperZoo 2022, a group of processors made commitments to develop measurable progress toward the use of refillable, compostable and recyclable packaging by the end of 2025. Canidae, Earth Animal, Instinct, Petcurean and Primal Pet Foods publicly signed the Pet Sustainability Coalition’s (PSC) Packaging Pledge during the show, solidifying their commitment toward sustainability.

“The pet industry produces 300 million lbs of food and treats packaging that ends up in landfills each year, just in the United States,” said Stephie Volo, chief marketing officer at Earth Animal. “The PSC Packaging Pledge represents a powerful opportunity for us all to collaborate in significantly reducing the industry’s impact on the environment.”

According to PSC, with a collaborative effort from pet food manufacturers and packaging companies through programs such as the Packaging Pledge, “the pet industry can achieve rapid adoption by 2025 and near 80{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} transition of all pet food multi-laminate packaging by 2030.”

CRB’s report also revealed producers are taking sustainability quite seriously. A question about future plans for becoming carbon neutral showed that the majority of the respondents’ companies either have plans in the works for becoming carbon neutral, or they soon will. Fifty percent will have a plan in place within five years; 30{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} within 10 years; and 7{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} in 10 years or longer. Only 6{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of respondents reported that they have yet to start working toward this goal.

As the pet food industry continues its growth trajectory, processors undoubtedly have a lot on their plates. They face the ongoing task of meeting the demands of current and future pet parents as they search for more variety from the food and treats they feed their pets. Alongside this, the industry continues to battle the manufacturing challenges of labor shortages, supply chain logistics and rising ingredient costs, all the while working to keep sustainability and other environmental issues a priority. If the pet food industry can stay the course, innovating and expanding along the way, prognosticators might just be correct with their lofty growth predictions.

Keep up with the latest pet food trends on our Trends page.