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Evolution Dog Food & Dog Food Trends
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Tamara Hamilton
Jan 8, 2010, 3:14:19 PM1/8/10
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Nutritional Research Boosts Development of Dog Food
Evolution in dog food has come a long way and new dog food trends
emerge every year. As knowledge about dog nutrition increases more and
more specific dog foods hit the market place. Veterinary nutrition has
become a mature science that strives at discovering the essential food
nutrients and their optimum dosage.
It is believed that the life span of our beloved pets has increased
due to the revolution in cat and dog food. Estimates are that the life
expectancy of dogs has increased by 3 years in the last 15 years
because of the developments in dog food.
Nowadays we have breed specific dog food, health stage specific dog
food, prescription dog food and natural and holistic dog food. Dog
food history shows us the evolution from table scraps to ultra-premium
dog food based on the dog's personal DNA profile (the latest
addition).
Objectives of Dog Food Change in Time
The very basic objective of dog food is to sustain and maintain your
dog's body. Dog food should contain at least contain the minimum
amounts of amino acids, minerals, vitamins and fats to comply with
this objective. To also deliver energy to your dog so he can run and
play there must be sufficient amounts of carbohydrates and fats
present. The very first commercial dog food (beginning 19th century)
did nothing more than that as it was high in sugar and starch.
In the nineties dog food was developed based on physiological
differences between the different dog breeds. Also size, age and
activity level was taken into account. In this century dog food has
become more advanced. The dog genome has been sequenced and more
knowledge is gained about the relation between food nutrients and
disease or between calorie restriction and life span. More knowledge
is gained about breed specific diseases and nutritional requirements.
And as we also see in the human food business, health food is big
business. Health and wellness is a dog food trend driver in itself.
Nutraceuticals gain more attention and the development of these has
not stopped.
On top of the basic objectives (sustain the body + deliver energy) we
want dog food nowadays to help prevent certain diseases. Manufacturers
enrich dog food with supplements such as anti oxidants, prebiotics for
dogs, probiotics for dogs, glucosamine, omega-3 and omega-6.
Marketing Tactics Come Into Play and Drive Dog Food Trends
As more and more different dog food products hit the market,
competition grows and marketing becomes very important for a food
manufacturer. Buzz words and health claims are printed on dog food
bags, with beautiful pictures of healthy happy dogs running in the
woods towards a bowl of dog food with fresh peas and risotto. Dog food
has become big business. The millions of dollars are to be divided by
the top dog food companies whereas niche players are trying to get a
bite of this by delivering super premium dog food or specialized dog
food for dogs with health problems.
The marketing department is greatly inspired by the trend of pet
humanization or anthropomorphism. Dog owners start calling themselves
pet parents and are treating their canine companion as little humans
with fur. This is all fine of course as long as everybody's happy.
Though there are risks involved. Amongst others: Dogs will be dogs and
they have different nutritional needs than humans. That pizza that you
love is certainly not the best meal for your furry friend. So ignore
dog food names such as 'Chinese take out with vegetables and chicken'
and turn around the bag to read the dog food label.
Dog Food Trends where Science is the Driver The most recent step in
dog food evolution is the approach to speed up recovery from specific
illnesses. Certain nutrients are now added or removed from the dog
food recipe. So with prescription dog food and curative dog food, the
evolution of dog food has progressed one step further since we got
from feeding to prevention.
Dog Food Trends where 'Back to Nature' is the Driver Another recent
trend in commercial dog food is the development of natural dog food
and holistic dog food. A lot of emphasis is displayed for the human-
grade ingredients that are used. Holistic dog food is about looking
after the well-being of the whole animal and not just the individual
parts.
Perhaps the biggest competitor for commercial dog food is home made
diets. In emerging markets most dogs are still fed table scraps as
their main diet. However, in developed markets the food penetration
levels are between 50 and 75% when one looks at the proportion of
calories that are coming from commercial dog food. This means that
there is still growing potential for ready made dog food as
convenience is also a big market driver. Home-cooked meals and
leftovers will continue to compete against commercial dog food
especially with the big recall of March 2007 in mind. A lot of
concerned dog owners turned to the art of canine cuisine and even dog
food cooking classes emerged.
And we will probably continue to see new dog food trends. Science
continues, the market changes, new dog food ingredients are developed
and dog food recalls and environmental awareness change the dog food
landscape.
Evolution in dog food has come a long way and new dog food trends
emerge every year. As knowledge about dog nutrition increases more and
more specific dog foods hit the market place. Veterinary nutrition has
become a mature science that strives at discovering the essential food
nutrients and their optimum dosage.
It is believed that the life span of our beloved pets has increased
due to the revolution in cat and dog food. Estimates are that the life
expectancy of dogs has increased by 3 years in the last 15 years
because of the developments in dog food.
Nowadays we have breed specific dog food, health stage specific dog
food, prescription dog food and natural and holistic dog food. Dog
food history shows us the evolution from table scraps to ultra-premium
dog food based on the dog's personal DNA profile (the latest
addition).
Objectives of Dog Food Change in Time
The very basic objective of dog food is to sustain and maintain your
dog's body. Dog food should contain at least contain the minimum
amounts of amino acids, minerals, vitamins and fats to comply with
this objective. To also deliver energy to your dog so he can run and
play there must be sufficient amounts of carbohydrates and fats
present. The very first commercial dog food (beginning 19th century)
did nothing more than that as it was high in sugar and starch.
In the nineties dog food was developed based on physiological
differences between the different dog breeds. Also size, age and
activity level was taken into account. In this century dog food has
become more advanced. The dog genome has been sequenced and more
knowledge is gained about the relation between food nutrients and
disease or between calorie restriction and life span. More knowledge
is gained about breed specific diseases and nutritional requirements.
And as we also see in the human food business, health food is big
business. Health and wellness is a dog food trend driver in itself.
Nutraceuticals gain more attention and the development of these has
not stopped.
On top of the basic objectives (sustain the body + deliver energy) we
want dog food nowadays to help prevent certain diseases. Manufacturers
enrich dog food with supplements such as anti oxidants, prebiotics for
dogs, probiotics for dogs, glucosamine, omega-3 and omega-6.
Marketing Tactics Come Into Play and Drive Dog Food Trends
As more and more different dog food products hit the market,
competition grows and marketing becomes very important for a food
manufacturer. Buzz words and health claims are printed on dog food
bags, with beautiful pictures of healthy happy dogs running in the
woods towards a bowl of dog food with fresh peas and risotto. Dog food
has become big business. The millions of dollars are to be divided by
the top dog food companies whereas niche players are trying to get a
bite of this by delivering super premium dog food or specialized dog
food for dogs with health problems.
The marketing department is greatly inspired by the trend of pet
humanization or anthropomorphism. Dog owners start calling themselves
pet parents and are treating their canine companion as little humans
with fur. This is all fine of course as long as everybody's happy.
Though there are risks involved. Amongst others: Dogs will be dogs and
they have different nutritional needs than humans. That pizza that you
love is certainly not the best meal for your furry friend. So ignore
dog food names such as 'Chinese take out with vegetables and chicken'
and turn around the bag to read the dog food label.
Dog Food Trends where Science is the Driver The most recent step in
dog food evolution is the approach to speed up recovery from specific
illnesses. Certain nutrients are now added or removed from the dog
food recipe. So with prescription dog food and curative dog food, the
evolution of dog food has progressed one step further since we got
from feeding to prevention.
Dog Food Trends where 'Back to Nature' is the Driver Another recent
trend in commercial dog food is the development of natural dog food
and holistic dog food. A lot of emphasis is displayed for the human-
grade ingredients that are used. Holistic dog food is about looking
after the well-being of the whole animal and not just the individual
parts.
Perhaps the biggest competitor for commercial dog food is home made
diets. In emerging markets most dogs are still fed table scraps as
their main diet. However, in developed markets the food penetration
levels are between 50 and 75% when one looks at the proportion of
calories that are coming from commercial dog food. This means that
there is still growing potential for ready made dog food as
convenience is also a big market driver. Home-cooked meals and
leftovers will continue to compete against commercial dog food
especially with the big recall of March 2007 in mind. A lot of
concerned dog owners turned to the art of canine cuisine and even dog
food cooking classes emerged.
And we will probably continue to see new dog food trends. Science
continues, the market changes, new dog food ingredients are developed
and dog food recalls and environmental awareness change the dog food
landscape.
Dog Food Secrets: http://www.dogfoodfxqq.tk/
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