Page 155 - Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th Edition

Chapter
8

VetBooks.ir

Commercial

Pet Foods

Stephen W. Crane Edward A. Moser
Christopher S. Cowell Jerry Millican
Neil P. Stout Peter Romano, Jr.
Steven E. Crane

“The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance-it is the
illusion of knowledge.”
Daniel J. Boorstin

mercially prepared pet foods has proved successful and eco-
INTRODUCTION nomical for many years. Prepared pet foods account for 92.8%
of calories consumed by cats and 78.1% of calories consumed
According to a 2005 report, there are 63.0 million dogs and by dogs in North America (Euromonitor, 2006). In Japan,
81.4 million cats in the United States (Euromonitor, 2006; 70.3% of caloric needs of cats and dogs combined and 58.8% of
United States Census Data, 2006). In 2005, 34.8% of house- total caloric needs in Western Europe are being met by com-
holds had at least one dog (Euromonitor, 2006), a small decline mercial foods (Euromonitor, 2006). In other parts of Europe,
from 37.6% of households that had at least one dog in 1996 Latin America and the Pacific Rim, commercially prepared pet
(Maxwell, 1996). In 2005, 33.9% of all households had at least foods account for 35 to 50% of the calories consumed by dogs
one cat (Euromonitor, 2006), which reflects a small increase and cats (Corbin, 1995). In 2005, Central and Eastern Europe
from 1996 when 32.9% had at least one cat (Maxwell, 1996). lagged behind with just over 9% of pets’ caloric needs being met
Most pet owners in the United States feed commercially pre- by commercially prepared pet foods (Euromonitor, 2006).
pared pet foods daily (Box 8-1). In 2005, pet food sales in the The popularity of commercial pet foods and their potential
United States reportedly increased from $9.3 billion in 1995 to impact on pet wellness make understanding their features, ben-
$14.4 billion, up nearly 35% over a decade. In 1986, pet food efits and applications highly relevant to companion animal vet-
sales in the United States were $5.1 billion (Enterline, 1986); erinarians and their health care teams. In addition, foods for-
thus, pet food sales have increased phenomenally in the United mulated specifically for disease prevention and treatment are
States during each of the past two decades. important adjuncts to medicine and surgery in daily veterinary
European and Asian countries have followed this trend practice.
towards commercially prepared pet foods.North America is the Clients recognize veterinary practitioners and technicians as
largest market followed by Western Europe and Asia. In 2005, authorities on nutrition. Veterinarians have a strong influence
62.3% of the total caloric needs of pets in the United Kingdom on the foods clients choose to feed their pets. A 1995 study
were met by commercial pet foods (Euromonitor, 2006). Pet conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association
food sales totaled $13.2 billion in Western Europe, $1.5 billion found that 54% of pet owners interviewed sought veterinary
in Central and Eastern Europe and $2.8 billion in Japan dur- advice about pet foods at least once, and 43% had received a
ing 2005 (Euromonitor, 2006). recommendation from their veterinarian about which manu-
Fulfilling the nutrient requirements of pet animals with com- facturer’s pet food to feed their puppies or kittens (AAHA,