Report: Animal Nutrition Market Poised For Growth

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) estimates in 2013, total U.S. spending on pet food and treats will hit approximately US$21.26 billion. A free SupplySide Animal Nutrition Insights Report, "Animal Nutrition Market Poised for Growth," details how ingredient suppliers and pet food and feed manufacturers have been hustling to stay ahead of the burgeoning market. Prinova, for instance, acquired Crest Feed Flavors in 2009, and committed to manufacture palatability enhancement compounds for the livestock, equine and pet markets. Other companies such as Kemin, DuPont and Novus International have extended their existing reach from the feed industry into the pet market.

Melinda Culver, Ph.D., DVM, scientific affairs manager - biosciences, Abitec Corp., noted pet owners are applying lessons learned from their own health to their pets, mirroring the human supplement/nutrition market. For example, Paul Dijkstra, CEO of InterHealth Nutraceuticals, sees promise in joint health; whereas Ingmar Middelbos, companion animal research manager at Stratum Nutrition, suggested urinary tract health and skin and coat conditions are prevalent conditions to address. Guy Miller, Ph.D., president of BioMatrix International, is doing a lot of business with prebiotics, but stated the future will be probiotics, omega-3s and products containing a mixture of ingredients with a synergistic effect.

Johnny Lopez, Ph.D., business and technical manager in Lonza's Companion Animal Group pointed out an interesting dichotomyan estimated 40% of dogs and cats in the United States are obese, and there's also a growing market for performance dogs. As such, ingredients that support energy metabolism but also offer cardiovascular health, muscle integrity and antioxidant applications are gaining in popularity.

Despite the market growth, experts acknowledge limitations, including regulatory guidelines and raw material availability. After the 2007 melamine situation, suppliers had to look closely at quality-control practices.

Whatever steps companies are taking to ensure ingredient quality, suppliers are seeing great opportunity ahead, and are aiming to partner with innovative companies to deliver solutions to consumers.