5 March, 2019

Pet food supplements

Pet food supplements have seen an increase in sales in recent years according to the consultants TechNavio and Mordor Intelligence, who expect annual growth to continue rising in the coming years. Increasingly, vitamins are consumed for dogs.

Those businessmen of the food industry who are interested in expanding their product line should take into account that pet food supplements do not yet have their own legislation and, therefore, depend on the general legislation on animal feed linked to the Ministry of Farming.

But in addition, generally, in facilities where products intended for human consumption are made, animal feed cannot be made. This market is guided by another type of registration and has different procedures.

WHY IS THE SALE OF FOOD SUPPLEMENTS FOR PETS GROWING?

The bond with pets is becoming stronger. The owners have to humanize their pets and give them an increasingly optimal treatment. That is why the life expectancy of companion animals has grown, which means that health problems also increase due to aging. Due to the long life expectancy of companion animals, veterinarians are increasingly likely to recommend dietary supplements that relieve or prevent them from various health problems.

FOOD SUPPLEMENTS FOR MOST COMMON PETS

The products that have been most demanded in recent years to supply pets are related to: Bones and Joints. Arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most common diseases in the aging process of animals. That is why owners demand supplements that relieve joint pain and pathology, or even prevent them.  Glucosamine, chondroitin, methylsulfonylmethane, boswellia or cassava are the most requested ingredients in these cases. Weight control. The sterilization of pets and the multiple whims that their owners give them in an excessive way are causing problems of overweight and even obesity in animals. That is why the demand for supplements that improve this aspect is also increasing. Digestive system. Many pets have digestive problems, which is why products that contribute to improving gastrointestinal health are pointing strong. Prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes are the most requested products in these cases. Fur. Seasonal allergies, itchy skin or skin irritations are common problems among pets. In this case, it is Omega-3 fatty acids that are increasingly in demand.

WHAT ARE THE MARKET CHALLENGES?

The challenges facing the pet accessories market, in addition to the need to regulate the activity with its own legislation, are palatability and the use of natural ingredients and botanicals. Currently, there is no specific legislation for pet food supplements.

The basic regulations that regulate animal feeding are: – Regulation 183/2005 (complemented at national level by Royal Decree 821/2008) establishes the general rules on hygiene and traceability of animal feed, as well as the requirements of registration and authorization of animal feed operators – Regulation 1831/2003 regulating the use of additives in animal feed – Regulation 767/2009 (complemented nationally by Royal Decree 1002/2012) on marketing and use of animal feed – Directive 2002/32 (Royal Decree 465/2003) concerning undesirable substances and products in animal feed; As for the transposition of this Directive, it should be taken into account that since 2009 the annexes of the Directive are being modified by Regulations, and therefore they no longer transpose the Royal Decree (that is, the Royal Decree transposes the text of the Directive, but not the annexes). These regulations apply to: – the feeding of animals for food production (and sometimes non-food producing animals: pets, zoo, fur, experimentation, etc.) – activities of feed companies at all stages of the process, from primary feed production (including agricultural and livestock production) to its commercialization – feed imports and exports – however, in general, European agrifood regulations do not apply: – to feed animals intended for family self-consumption (in the rare cases that self-consumption is authorized, for example birds and rabbits in Spain) – to the direct supply (locally) of small quantities of raw materials by farmers, both directly to livestock farms, such as local retail establishments of raw materials for livestock.

Also, as humans increasingly appreciate a composition as natural as possible in the products they consume, they also claim for their pets with which they have a strong bond of affection and protection.