Pet food innovation mimicking human trends of snacking and clean eating, says GlobalData
The majority of pet owners tend to liken their animals’ needs to their own, meaning recent consumer developments such as ‘clean eating’ and snacking trends are being integrated into the diets of cats, dogs, and other popular pets, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.
The company’s latest report highlights how humanization is creating an exciting innovation platform from which to launch products better targeted towards pet owners, providing brands with new routes to premiumization which evolve in line with human trends.
Melanie Felgate, Senior Consumer Analyst for GlobalData, comments: “Owners are seeking out pet products which they identify with. For example, if a pet owner’s consumption habits feature lots of snacks, they will buy lots of snacking treats for their animal, or if the owner eats only gluten-free food, the same goes for their furry friend.”
Considering two-thirds of consumers globally now own a pet, according to GlobalData’s 2016 Q4 survey, brands must respond to the evolving lifestyle choices and habits of their owners to capitalize on this lucrative market.
Pet snacking, for example, presents a key opportunity for pet food brands. Humans no longer rely on the traditional three meals a day, with 72% snacking at least occasionally between meals, according to GlobalData’s 2015 Q4 global consumer survey. This sentiment rises to 82% among pet owners specifically, with the main motivation to snack cited as being to treat or reward oneself.
Felgate explains: “Snacking habits are being passed on, as owners look to treat their pets while also indulging themselves. Given snacking levels vary by day-part, there is a chance to broaden consumption occasions by targeting pet snacks towards specific times of day. Breakfast biscuits explicitly target morning consumption, for example; a concept which could also work in the pet food space to target morning dog walks.”
Another humanized trend identified by GlobalData is clean eating. The clean movement is growing as consumers seek natural products, free from artificial ingredients, chemicals and toxins. With almost half of pet owners surveyed by GlobalData in Q1 2017 highly attentive to the ingredients used in pet products, an opportunity exists for brands to utilize clean messaging and cues to capitalize on the trend, and address the needs of growing numbers of consumers seeking a cleaner lifestyle for themselves and their pets.
Felgate comments: “Pet food brands are moving into the clean space by using natural ingredients, promoting the use of single protein sources, and using more plant-based ingredients in formulations. Purina Beyond puree in the US, for example, contains only natural, human-grade ingredients, with fruit and vegetable based flavors such as beef and berry, and chicken and carrot.”
ENDS
Editor’s notes
- Comments provided by Melanie Felgate, Senior Consumer Analyst for GlobalData
- Information based on GlobalData’s report: CountryFocus: Top Trends in Pet Products 2017: Exploring latest innovation trends in pet food and pet care.
- This report was built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData’s team of industry experts.
About GlobalData
4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.
For more information
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