UNITED STATES NEWS

Pet owners buy organic, raid fridge to feed Fido

Oct 27, 2013, 4:38 PM

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) – Organic kibble? All-natural chow? Fido and Fluffy don’t know it, but their owners want them to eat better _ and they are forking over big bucks to make it happen.

Marketed as a healthier, more nutritious alternative, some premium dog and cat cuisine has gone the Whole Foods route.

Nowhere is that more evident than in the new $25 million eastern Pennsylvania factory of upstart pet food maker Freshpet, where thousands of pounds of fresh meat and poultry are pasteurized, mixed with vegetables and then immediately chilled, packaged and sent to branded, refrigerated display cases in more than 10,000 stores across America.

The 7-year-old company, founded by former Purina executives, is trying to establish a new category in an industry long dominated by kibbles and cans: fresh, preservative-free food that requires refrigeration. With sales exceeding $100 million, executives say they’re on their way.

“People are trying to eat healthier, less processed, simpler foods, and I think they are applying that logic when they’re making pet food decisions,” said Scott Morris, Freshpet’s president and co-founder.

Major manufacturers like Nestle Purina and Del Monte Foods are also capitalizing on consumers’ willingness to spend more on food they perceive to be better for their furry friends.

Even through the Great Recession, premium dog and cat food _ the latest iteration of which is advertised as “natural” and “organic” _ has been claiming an ever-bigger share of the market. Sales of the more expensive brands jumped 68 percent from 2002 to 2012, compared with 19 percent for mid-priced brands and just 8 percent for economy brands, according to Euromonitor International.

Marketing experts say manufacturers are tapping into a number of powerful trends and emotions: Americans’ interest in healthy eating, the rising popularity of organic food, the tendency to humanize pets.

“People think of their pets not as pets, but as members of their family, and they want to treat the members of their family with the same respect as they treat themselves,” said Molly Maier, senior analyst at market research firm Mintel Group Ltd.

Nestle, the No. 1 pet food maker, has reported solid growth in its high-end, “made with natural ingredients” Beyond line. Del Monte, whose brands include Kibbles `n Bits and Meow Mix, purchased premium pet food maker Natural Balance in July. “Higher consumer spending on more premium pet products will continue to drive market expansion,” Del Monte said.

Despite its explosive growth, Secaucus, N.J.-based Freshpet remains a tiny player in the $17 billion dog and cat food market. Morris sees the company as fundamentally different, its new “Freshpet Kitchens” factory in Bethlehem using ingredients and processes adapted from human food production.

The company entered the market at an opportune time. A widespread pet food recall in early 2007 _ which followed U.S. dog and cat deaths linked to tainted ingredients from China _ jolted consumers and got them thinking about what they were feeding their pets.

But the jury’s still out on whether food marketed as “fresh,” “organic” or “natural” helps pets lead longer or healthier lives.

Theoretically, it’s hard to argue with the idea that minimally processed and preservative-free food like the kind Freshpet makes would be better for dogs and cats, said Amy Farcas, a veterinary clinical nutritionist at the University of Pennsylvania. But she said the research to prove it is lacking.

Farcas routinely advises her clients that as long as their dog is the appropriate weight, healthy and energetic, they probably don’t need a diet change.

“Nutritionally, most adult dog foods would be considered appropriate for most adult healthy dogs, though there are differences in ingredients, quality control, and other factors among products,” she said via email.

Freshpet has embarked on a long-term study to measure whether dogs on a Freshpet diet fare better than dogs fed a more conventional diet. Until then, company executives say, common sense, anecdotal evidence and customer feedback tell them they’re on to something.

Amy Eagle, 43, of Center Valley, Pa., stopped at a Freshpet display case at Target recently to pick up chow for her chocolate lab, Potroast. She said the dog turns up her nose at anything else.

“It feels like it’s closer to the farm,” Eagle said. “I don’t think I would go to the length of making fresh chicken or beef for her, but it feels like I’m almost doing that.”

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

United States News

Associated Press

As some universities negotiate with pro-Palestinian protesters, others quickly call the police

The students at Columbia University who inspired pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country dug in at their encampment for the 10th day Friday as administrators and police at campuses from California to Massachusetts wrestled with how to address protests that have seen scuffles with police and hundreds of arrests. Officials at Columbia and some other schools […]

9 hours ago

Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction is overturned by New York court....

Associated Press

Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction is overturned by New York’s top court

NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s highest court on Thursday threw out Harvey Weinstein ’s 2020 rape conviction with a ruling that shocked and disappointed women who celebrated historic gains during the #MeToo era and left those who testified in the case bracing for a retrial against the ex-movie mogul. The court found the trial […]

11 hours ago

Arizona doctors could soon give patients abortions in California...

Associated Press

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to let Arizona doctors provide abortions in California

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a proposal on Wednesday that could help Arizona doctors give their patients abortions in California.

12 hours ago

...

KTAR Video

Video: Are there any concerns about the 18 Arizona Republicans who were indicted for election fraud?

Bruce St. James and guest host Barry Markson were joined by former Arizona Congressman Matt Salmon to discuss the election fraud indictments and his concerns. Video: Jeremy Schnell and Felisa Cárdenas/KTAR News

13 hours ago

Associated Press

Alabama lawmakers advance bill that could lead to prosecution of librarians

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Thursday advanced legislation that could see librarians prosecuted under the state’s obscenity law for providing “harmful” materials to minors, the latest in a wave of bills in Republican-led states targeting library content and decisions. The Alabama House of Representatives voted 72-28 for the bill that now moves to […]

13 hours ago

Associated Press

Ukraine pulls US-provided Abrams tanks from the front lines over Russian drone threats

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its fight against Russia, in part because Russian drone warfare has made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack, two U.S. military officials told The Associated Press. The U.S. agreed to send 31 Abrams to […]

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Here’s 1 way to ensure your family is drinking safe water

Water is maybe one of the most important resources in our lives, and especially if you have kids, you want them to have access to safe water.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Day & Night is looking for the oldest AC in the Valley

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Avoid a potential emergency and get your home’s heating and furnace safety checked

With the weather getting colder throughout the Valley, the best time to make sure your heating is all up to date is now. 

Pet owners buy organic, raid fridge to feed Fido