Pet Food scandal - beware of lethal pet food brands!

Noodle · Apr 22nd, 2007, 01:29

This is the summary of Euromonitor's 2007 Pet Food And Pet Care Products in India report - the report costs something like $1000 otherwise I would be happy to buy it cause the table of contents looks very interesting!

Executive summary

Strong growth but low sales

Pet food and pet care products saw strong growth in 2006 over the previous year. Sales growth was supported by strong manufacturer promotions and widening distribution, particularly from leading player Effem. Growth was also assisted by the increasing affluence of the mid-income group, growing awareness of pet nutrition and the benefits of packaged food and an increasing number of pets being kept as companions.

However, sales remain low. Poverty is widespread in India and the majority of consumers would be unable to afford a pet. In addition, religious and cultural considerations exclude many consumers. The Muslim population is forbidden contact with dogs, while cats are widely regarded as bad luck omens. Meanwhile, a large share of the population is vegetarian and thus unwilling to purchase meat-based pet food. Consequently, pet ownership remains low.

Dog and cat food most dynamic

Dog and cat food proved most dynamic in 2006, with growth still benefiting in part from the lifting of the ban on pet food imports at the close of 2004. Imported brands such as Midwestern’s Pro Pac boosted sales while rebuilding their distribution presence and regaining customer loyalty. Dog food saw the strongest absolute growth in value sales, with Effem’s 30-Day Challenge for Pedigree boosting awareness in 2005 and 2006. However, cat food saw the strongest growth in percentage terms, with an increase in cat ownership amongst affluent urban apartment-dwellers.

Effem enjoys dynamic lead

Effem began to produce its Pedigree range in India in 2002, which resulted in a dramatic drop in the brand’s prices and a strong growth in the company’s share. By 2005, Effem had a strong lead in overall pet food and pet care products, despite only being present in dog and cat food. The company has the strongest distribution and is the only player to use television, billboard and radio advertising.

Consumers seek advice with purchases

Specialist channels dominate pet food and pet care products, with veterinary clinics and pet shops together accounting for 91% of value sales in 2006. Many consumers remain uncertain when choosing pet food and pet care products, particularly given the huge range of products available catering to specific breeds, age ranges, sizes and activity levels. Consequently, they prefer to seek advice when selecting products. However, the share of supermarkets/hypermarkets continued to rise during the review period, with this assisted by the simple and affordable proposition offered by Effem’s Pedigree.

Strong growth in forecast period

Pet food and pet care products is expected to see continued strong growth during the forecast period. Volume growth will slow in percentage terms, mainly due to a higher base. However, constant value growth is expected to reach a higher level during the forecast period. This will result from consumers trading up within pet food and pet care products, whether to specialist premium products or simply to leading brand Pedigree. This will result in dog and cat food seeing the most dynamic constant value growth during the forecast period. Within pet care products, meanwhile, there will be a shift from products designed to treat specific conditions to those designed to improve the quality of life, such as general nutritional supplements and grooming products.

Source: http://www.euromonitor.com/Pet_food_...cts _in_India

birds · Apr 22nd, 2007, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodle

Wanted to come back once more to this concern. I don't think that we do have to worry about this too much as most recalled foods are wet foods - hard to repack, if at all possible! There is one recalled dry food but I can't remember the name ... And Royal Canin only took theirs back as a precaution (so they say).

Not yet to India but within their own country!

The FDA also were investigating whether some pet food was diverted for use as hog feed after it was found unsuitable for pet consumption. They believe the melamine at the quarantined hog farm came from rice protein concentrate imported from China by Diamond Pet Food's Lathrop facility, which produces products under the Natural Balance brand and sold salvage pet food to the farm for pig feed.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireSto...3058360&page=2

How do you like the company name 'Natural Balance'

Noodle · Apr 22nd, 2007, 17:48

Bastards! Are the mad or what?

pundabee · Apr 22nd, 2007, 20:04

A few additions:

It is possible get cruelty free cat and dog food from Veggipets in the UK.

On Tuesday the 24th of April it is World Day For Laboratory Animals (recognised by the United Nations).

To read about the plight of laboratory animals go to, for instance, Animal Experiments: Bad Ethics, Bad Science (Warning: disturbing photos).

Noodle · Apr 22nd, 2007, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by pundabee

It is possible get cruelty free cat and dog food from Veggipets in the UK.

I'm not pro vegetarian diet for carnivores. That's another hot topic though!

And anyway, this current pet food scandal is about wheat gluten, so feeding veg doesn't help in this instance. The poisonous stuff might be in there too!

pundabee · Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodle

I'm not pro vegetarian diet for carnivores.

And anyway, this current pet food scandal is about wheat gluten, so feeding veg doesn't help in this instance. The poisonous stuff might be in there too!

The point of my post was to provide additional information to people who are concerned about what they feed their pets.

Most pet people don't think about the consequences for other animals when they feed their pets. Feeding pets animals, that are likely to have suffered for the entirety of their lives, isn't exactly necessary, and most pets will survive on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

If a person is concerned about the well being of their pet there is a chance that this person is also concerned about the well being of other animals, so I think there is a justification in pointing to an alternative to the traditional cat/dog diet.

In addition, dogs are omnivores.

Noodle · Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:07

I said it's a hot topic. I respect your point of view.

But cats do suffer from a veg diet.

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:23

What are you crazy kids up to???

Suggest that you read a book by an Australian vet called "Give Your Dog a Bone". Basically, dogs and cats should both have raw (NEVER COOKED as it shatters into splinters and can pierce the ...well...anything) bones. Any bones with meat for dogs and cats love chicken wings and necks.

(I need to say at this point that I am a seafood eating vegetarian but that the animals look at me as though I am crazy when I suggest it for them.)

Cook extra veges for the animals when you are cooking and roll them into some mince. Even half/half.

My old cat used to love frozen peas

Google for the book and you should get enough info on the diet.

Noodle · Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:33

I know the book. But mine won't touch anything raw either

Cooked veggies with meat for the dogs, plus some dry food. The more fussy kitties will only eat dry food (Whiskas, they love it

). Sometimes tuna or other fish.

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:43

I raised most of my cats on occasional dry food and they loved it but it does cause urinary tract problems, stones etc..

Cats kidneys are particularly vulnerable. In older age, the kidneys are the thing that will let them down (to put it gently).

The more that you can move them away from dry food, the better.

Noodle · Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:54

I know, Gaja, and you're totally correct. And one of my cats does have bladder infections frequently (but they started before we started with dry food, that time I wasn't aware of the possible connection). And now they won't touch anything else! I mean, sometimes a piece of chicken (chota chota only!) and a little tuna or wet Whiskas (tins). But always just small amounts and then they want the dry stuff. We now have four bowls of water scattered around the house so that they drink more, and I think they do. The one with the bladder problem also gets Himalaya Nefrotec for kidney and bladder once in a while.

Are you a vet? You talk like mine!

capt_mahajan · Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:58

The problem is that the vet and everybody else tells us that wet food is very hard to make balanced or nutritious.

And, so far, our cat has refused wet food, at least out of the can we bought. Never tried to make it at home, though.

Noodle · Apr 22nd, 2007, 23:05

Maybe a mixture of both dry and wet would be best.

As for cooking, we cook chicken sometimes for the cats, they like that (but not as much as the commercial food), and get fresh fish ('Bombay Duck'). They would look at me as if I've gone bonkers if I served them cooked veggies or such stuff.

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 22nd, 2007, 23:11

Not not a vet, Noodle - nothing so useful.

But I was a vet nurse 24 hours a day for six years when i was going out with a vet (pre Mrs G and never to be mentioned in her presence).

There are a couple of brands of dry food made specifically to get around that problem but they are way too expensive. You can check the internet for them.

My Donald hated the move across to anything. I had to resist the temptation to react to his looks of deprivation and hunger eventually led to him eating. I would feed him small amounts of different things up to five times a day.

Noodle · Apr 22nd, 2007, 23:14

You're not only funny (even though not a vet) but also stronger than me! My Tommy rules with an iron hand, excuse me, paw here, he would never let me get away with wrong food!

I know there are wonderful dry foods especially for my Noodle and her bladder, but available here in India?? Nooooo! And ordering them online and having them shipped here is really expensive.

Apr 22nd, 2007, 01:29	#31
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	This is the summary of Euromonitor's 2007 Pet Food And Pet Care Products in India report - the report costs something like $1000 otherwise I would be happy to buy it cause the table of contents looks very interesting! Executive summary Strong growth but low sales Pet food and pet care products saw strong growth in 2006 over the previous year. Sales growth was supported by strong manufacturer promotions and widening distribution, particularly from leading player Effem. Growth was also assisted by the increasing affluence of the mid-income group, growing awareness of pet nutrition and the benefits of packaged food and an increasing number of pets being kept as companions. However, sales remain low. Poverty is widespread in India and the majority of consumers would be unable to afford a pet. In addition, religious and cultural considerations exclude many consumers. The Muslim population is forbidden contact with dogs, while cats are widely regarded as bad luck omens. Meanwhile, a large share of the population is vegetarian and thus unwilling to purchase meat-based pet food. Consequently, pet ownership remains low. Dog and cat food most dynamic Dog and cat food proved most dynamic in 2006, with growth still benefiting in part from the lifting of the ban on pet food imports at the close of 2004. Imported brands such as Midwestern’s Pro Pac boosted sales while rebuilding their distribution presence and regaining customer loyalty. Dog food saw the strongest absolute growth in value sales, with Effem’s 30-Day Challenge for Pedigree boosting awareness in 2005 and 2006. However, cat food saw the strongest growth in percentage terms, with an increase in cat ownership amongst affluent urban apartment-dwellers. Effem enjoys dynamic lead Effem began to produce its Pedigree range in India in 2002, which resulted in a dramatic drop in the brand’s prices and a strong growth in the company’s share. By 2005, Effem had a strong lead in overall pet food and pet care products, despite only being present in dog and cat food. The company has the strongest distribution and is the only player to use television, billboard and radio advertising. Consumers seek advice with purchases Specialist channels dominate pet food and pet care products, with veterinary clinics and pet shops together accounting for 91% of value sales in 2006. Many consumers remain uncertain when choosing pet food and pet care products, particularly given the huge range of products available catering to specific breeds, age ranges, sizes and activity levels. Consequently, they prefer to seek advice when selecting products. However, the share of supermarkets/hypermarkets continued to rise during the review period, with this assisted by the simple and affordable proposition offered by Effem’s Pedigree. Strong growth in forecast period Pet food and pet care products is expected to see continued strong growth during the forecast period. Volume growth will slow in percentage terms, mainly due to a higher base. However, constant value growth is expected to reach a higher level during the forecast period. This will result from consumers trading up within pet food and pet care products, whether to specialist premium products or simply to leading brand Pedigree. This will result in dog and cat food seeing the most dynamic constant value growth during the forecast period. Within pet care products, meanwhile, there will be a shift from products designed to treat specific conditions to those designed to improve the quality of life, such as general nutritional supplements and grooming products. Source: http://www.euromonitor.com/Pet_food_...cts _in_India __________________ If in hole stop digging. Indian saying

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Apr 22nd, 2007, 17:48	#33
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	Bastards! Are the mad or what?

Apr 22nd, 2007, 20:04	#34
pundabee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: kerala Posts: 305	A few additions: It is possible get cruelty free cat and dog food from Veggipets in the UK. On Tuesday the 24th of April it is World Day For Laboratory Animals (recognised by the United Nations). To read about the plight of laboratory animals go to, for instance, Animal Experiments: Bad Ethics, Bad Science (Warning: disturbing photos).

Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:07	#37
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	I said it's a hot topic. I respect your point of view. But cats do suffer from a veg diet.

Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:23	#38
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	What are you crazy kids up to??? Suggest that you read a book by an Australian vet called "Give Your Dog a Bone". Basically, dogs and cats should both have raw (NEVER COOKED as it shatters into splinters and can pierce the ...well...anything) bones. Any bones with meat for dogs and cats love chicken wings and necks. (I need to say at this point that I am a seafood eating vegetarian but that the animals look at me as though I am crazy when I suggest it for them.) Cook extra veges for the animals when you are cooking and roll them into some mince. Even half/half. My old cat used to love frozen peas Google for the book and you should get enough info on the diet.

Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:33	#39
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	I know the book. But mine won't touch anything raw either Cooked veggies with meat for the dogs, plus some dry food. The more fussy kitties will only eat dry food (Whiskas, they love it ). Sometimes tuna or other fish.

Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:43	#40
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	I raised most of my cats on occasional dry food and they loved it but it does cause urinary tract problems, stones etc.. Cats kidneys are particularly vulnerable. In older age, the kidneys are the thing that will let them down (to put it gently). The more that you can move them away from dry food, the better.

Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:54	#41
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	I know, Gaja, and you're totally correct. And one of my cats does have bladder infections frequently (but they started before we started with dry food, that time I wasn't aware of the possible connection). And now they won't touch anything else! I mean, sometimes a piece of chicken (chota chota only!) and a little tuna or wet Whiskas (tins). But always just small amounts and then they want the dry stuff. We now have four bowls of water scattered around the house so that they drink more, and I think they do. The one with the bladder problem also gets Himalaya Nefrotec for kidney and bladder once in a while. Are you a vet? You talk like mine!

Apr 22nd, 2007, 22:58	#42
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,741	The problem is that the vet and everybody else tells us that wet food is very hard to make balanced or nutritious. And, so far, our cat has refused wet food, at least out of the can we bought. Never tried to make it at home, though.

Apr 22nd, 2007, 23:05	#43
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	Maybe a mixture of both dry and wet would be best. As for cooking, we cook chicken sometimes for the cats, they like that (but not as much as the commercial food), and get fresh fish ('Bombay Duck'). They would look at me as if I've gone bonkers if I served them cooked veggies or such stuff.

Apr 22nd, 2007, 23:11	#44
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	Not not a vet, Noodle - nothing so useful. But I was a vet nurse 24 hours a day for six years when i was going out with a vet (pre Mrs G and never to be mentioned in her presence). There are a couple of brands of dry food made specifically to get around that problem but they are way too expensive. You can check the internet for them. My Donald hated the move across to anything. I had to resist the temptation to react to his looks of deprivation and hunger eventually led to him eating. I would feed him small amounts of different things up to five times a day.

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Apr 22nd, 2007, 23:14	#45
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	You're not only funny (even though not a vet) but also stronger than me! My Tommy rules with an iron hand, excuse me, paw here, he would never let me get away with wrong food! I know there are wonderful dry foods especially for my Noodle and her bladder, but available here in India?? Nooooo! And ordering them online and having them shipped here is really expensive.