Dog Food
Dog Food Analysis & Brand Reviews
An Introduction to the Industry, Overall Market, and Current Trends
The pet food industry is an incredible facet of the American economy: last year America spent over fifty billion dollars on their pets alone! More importantly than this, though, is how the market for dog food affects your pet’s health and quality of life. Fortunately, advances in pet food nutrition and ingredients ensure excellent dog food options for owners who do the research to make the best choice for their “best friend.”
Overall Market - While dog food production might be considered a business sector hit hard by the recent economic downfalls, buying trends may actually indicate otherwise. Pet food sales have steadily increased every year since 1994, according to the American Pet Product Association. While many buyers shop more prudently now than a few years ago, pet food is still integral in the market. Since over 40% of individuals (in a 2011 poll) indicate that they own a dog, the dog food business appears to continue as an integral market sector. Some of largest growth in the entire pet food industry are in dog food: Packaged Facts reports that sales of premium dog foods are among the fastest growing pet food sectors. Interestingly, natural pet food more than doubled since 2005!
Industry Trends - What are current trends in dog food industry? Many dog food providers appear to cater to a specific audience. Where dog food companies may have formerly provided homogeneous products, major brands today often focus on one genre of buyer or another. Some companies only use natural products, only buy regional produce, and only operate from an environmental perspective. These selling points often cater to higher-end customers, and present the image of the best possible dog food for pets. On the other hand, some companies focus on price. While they may sell a good product, these companies often advertise value over quality.
Consumer Concerns - Do recent economic developments worry you that pet foods may be skimping on food ingredient quality to survive economic difficulties? While this may be possible in certain circumstances, many dog food producers continue to maintain only the highest standards for all-natural, locally-grown, environmentally-conscious ingredients in their products. Because consumers have expressed significant concern for high quality food by how they spend, some dog food producers have responded by continuing to provide excellent dog food.
However, some pet owners are less interested in all-natural or environmentally representative dog food than they are in value. Some dog owners must make do with their limited resources: value is critical. For these consumers, national retailers vie to provide the best prices. Major convenience chains often compete to provide the lowest prices for consumers seeking value in dog food.
Americans love their dogs. Whether comparing brands to find the best deal, searching to find the highest standards of dog food quality, or studying to find the perfect balance of the two, dog-lovers nationwide are sure to find the perfect fit for their pet and their wallet!