Splintek

The food industry pet has undergone several major changes in 2007. Over 5,000 products - about 60 million individual packages of food - at all price levels have been recalled. Wheat gluten in wet foods produced by major manufacturers of dangerous chemicals such as melamine.

Consumers and animal lovers have learned more about the lack of regulation in the food industry for companion animals, they became outraged. Sales of pet food have dropped after the recall, because many pet owners feel safer feeding their pets with food people "before knowing the alternatives were to shelter.

The consumer response has led to changes in the industry. Major retailers have increased their oversight process, and many stopped buying contaminated food from China. Some manufacturers have even developed plans to build their own dedicated facilities.

But many Americans are not satisfied. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. households own at least one pet, and these households are often started by switching to organic or natural foods for pets. This may be due in part to "humanize" a term that refers to the process of thinking of your pet as a member of the family. Recent surveys have revealed that consumers want food for pets that makes their pets seems thus more human.

The dog chew treats Pegetables by Splintek, are an example of natural food for pets. They contain many vitamins and minerals, as well as the balance of essential fatty acids and proteins. They also contain vegetables like carrots, celery and corn, which maintain body functions in good health. Pet owners can even treat their friends to luxuries like chicken tenders or Doggie Dance biscotti that tastes like liver.

The food industry pet is responding and to use "natural" ingredients and preservatives, such as vitamins, oils and spices. These new practices are closely monitored: all products labeled "organic" must contain at least 95% of ingredients that meet the standards for organic food products for human use.

Some manufacturers, like Newman's Own Organics, California, have their full range of certified organic products. They use only U.S. ingredients and avoid potential problems, such as wheat gluten. Instead, they use healthy ingredients like chicken fat and fish meal (sources of essential fatty acids), soy flour and flax seed meal protein, brown rice, barley, oats and energy, and a variety of vegetables to keep your pet healthy.

The humanization "trend has affected Purina, which has launched a new product in its range Beneful. These meals ready-to-eat food is packaged in sets of eight years, as the dinners in the microwave for humans. You can choose from dishes like beef stew with vegetables and barley, chicken with rice and vegetables, meat mixture and turkey, roasted chicken and pasta with vegetables, rice and lamb stew ... the possibilities are endless!

All these new products are designed to maximize a healthy life for the animals containing the proper balance of nutrients and vitamins. As people live longer, they want their pets to be there with them, and "humanize" the trend makes this desire even stronger. Specially formulated feed can be purchased for each stage of the life of a dog, and for every size and breed of dog.

But good health is only part of the equation. Consumers are concerned by the idea of "fantasy" or "premium" foods, and they begin to seek the same qualities in the foods they buy for their pets. Owning a pet is now also have a friend and family member who deserves the quality that you made, which may explain why consumers have doubled the amount of money they spend on pets in the last decade.