PETS International Magazine December 2019

Bethowen is one of the biggest pet retail chains in Russia. PETS International arranged for its Russian agent Yulia Dolzhenkova to interview George Chkareuli, the new CEO, about his vision and ambitions for the company.

The Russian pet food market today is worth €3 billion ($3.3 billion) and
is expected to grow to €10 billion ($11 billion) in the coming years.

At the same time that the negative impacts of the US-China trade war are becoming manifest, China also offers huge potential for manufacturers of high-end European pet products.

As the trade war between the two heavyweights continues, we take a look at the scoreboard. What opportunities – and threats – are out there for the European pet industry?

The trade war between the US and China is now impacting many industry sectors. In the US also, the downside of protectionist measures is being felt by the pet industry. 

Move over dogs! Cats are cool 

New regulations, sustainability trends and trade wars are reshaping the litter segment. To find out the latest developments, PETS International conducted global research among 17 cat litter producers and interviewed expert Simon Luesing for in-depth insights.

Like all pet product categories, the litter market is not standing still. What is more, while conventional cat litter is the go-to choice for cat owners, the market is developing on many levels.

The growing importance of making environmentally sound choices impacts the entire pet industry. What will eco-conscious consumers look for in cat litter as sustainability becomes even more critical?

Pet litter has come a long way since people were advised to use old newspaper. But not all products meet the requirements of pets and their owners.

Pet Village is a large pet products importer and distributor to large chains, independent stores and grocery, located in Northern Italy. It has 20 years of experience helping world leading brands access the Italian market. 

Essential, but how?

Proteins are essential building blocks for the human and animal body, but the production of animal-based protein for both human and pet food consumption is under discussion today because of its environmental impact. Demand for plant-based protein is growing tremendously and will grow more as the global population increases. To make sure we do not exceed the planetary boundaries, it is of crucial importance to gain plant-based protein in a sustainable way.

The small furry market is an increasingly important sector for pet food manufacturers and covers a number of different animal species. But not all small furry animals are equal when it comes to nutrition. 

A growing appetite

Cultured meat, also sometimes known as ‘lab meat’ or ‘clean meat’, is essentially the in vitro cultivation of animal tissue from a few stem cells from an animal. 

Top pet food allergens

While the overall percentage of dogs and cats that have food allergies is low, there are some ingredients that are associated more with confirmed cases than others. The most commonly reported food allergens are: beef (34%), dairy (17%), chicken (15%), wheat (13%), soy (6%) and lamb (5%). 

The end of any pet’s life due to disease is difficult. The responses are with medication, abrupt nutritional change and lifestyle adjustments. Given our pets’ short lives, the true change must start in the beginning. We should have fed them differently, gone on walks together and kept them more fit.