Pet Food Mania Continues

The blueberry pet food trend continues in 2015 and a recent visit to the US Global Pet Expo (GPE) in Orlando, indicates that blueberry use will continue to grow.   As of the end of May 2015, more than 60 new pet food products have been launched this year.   This includes, dogs, cats and all sorts of critter food ranging from rabbits to reptiles!  

Why?  Marketers attribute the ultra-premium pet food phenomena as a result of the "humanization" of pets.   They are part of the family and we will do anything for the health and well being of our pet.   Research indicates that pet owners do seek out healthy and nutrition ingredients in pet foods and also tend to look for ingredients such as blueberry, kale and pumpkin -- which have the all important health halo.  Major pet food companies conduct research on pet health.

Observations from GPE:

International Pet Foods.   The USA is the trendsetter, but we are seeing new blueberry-containing products in Europe, Latin America and Asia.   China is an emerging mega-market for pet foods and pet owners look for the safety assurance of US produced pet foods and blueberries.

Specialty Pet Foods.   Seems that everyone has an old dog at home and manufactures developing new products specifically for seniors.   Many include blueberry ingredients.   We also see pet food obese pets young and old.

Products for dog and master!  Here is the latest trend -- bars, cookies muffin to share with the pet!