Pet insurance provider Trupanion now covers theraputic pet food

Pet insurance provider Trupanion is expanding coverage for a variety of previously excluded treatment options such as therapeutic pet food, pet supplements, mobility devices, alternative therapies, feline kidney transplants and special disorders associated with working pets. 
Trupanion expanded its coverage for these treatment options, once considered unconventional, because of veterinary advancements making the treatments more common. “We always want to give the pet owner the freedom to pursue the best course of treatment for their pet.” said Darryl Rawlings, CEO at Trupanion. “So, we are happy to be able to expand our scope of coverage to include these new options that are becoming more commonplace.” Core Trupanion coverage now includes half the cost of therapeutic dog food and cat food  purchased through a veterinarian to assist in care of a pet for two months, as well as nutritional supplements purchased through a veterinarian for treatment of an illness or injury. Previously, these foods and supplements were an out-of-pocket expense for pet owners, but Trupanion says its policyholders will now be able to recover these costs in their core coverage. “Working pets often provide a great service to their owners and these owners want to protect them as best they can,” said Rawlings. “We are happy to now be able to offer these pet owners the peace of mind that if their pet becomes sick or injured, their treatment is covered.” 

Petfood not necessarily to blame for US pet obesity epidemic

A recent Chicago Tribune article focuses on the epidemic of overweight cats and dogs in the United States.

A 2011 survey, conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, found that more than half of the dogs and cats in the US are overweight or obese, which is defined as being at least 30% above normal body weight.

"It comes from the fact that they are beloved," says veterinarian Louise Murray, vice president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York, USA. "We see them as part of the family, and we feed them. (The obesity) comes from a good place because we love them. But we need to get it under control because it can cause health problems."
Many pet owners, however, do not see the problem of pet obesity. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has a chart to help pet owners determine whether or not their pet is overweight, though a veterinarian visit is still recommended. 
"There are medical conditions that can cause obesity and weight gain," says Thomas Graves, a professor of veterinary clinical medicine at the University of Illinois' College of Veterinary Medicine. "So any animal with a weight problem needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian. That way, a proper weight loss program can be designed by the veterinarian."
A good pet weight loss regiment usually involves a combination of diet and exercise. Graves does not recommend one brand over another, but advises consumers to select a premium-brand petfood, appropriate for the pet's lifestage, and check with a veterinarian for the appropriate feeding amount.
"The truth about petfood is that most pet foods are really good," Graves says. "The petfood companies spend lots of money researching proper nutrition. They want pets fed healthy food that keeps them alive a long time — and buying more food."
Murray says that most weight problems in dogs are the result of feeding too many leftovers, snacks and treats that are high in calories, not the dog's regular food.
In cats, Murray says weight problems come from a diet that is too high in carbohydrates. She recommends canned or moist cat foods.
"Cats are nature's pure carnivores," she says. "They were never meant to eat carbohydrates. Their bodies are not designed to handle them at all. Unfortunately, a lot of the cat foods on the market are high in carbs, especially dry foods. It's easy for us to leave a bowl out all day, but then they're snacking on carbohydrates all day."
Exercising your pet is another important part of keeping it at a healthy weight. For dogs, Murray suggests long walks, three or four times a day, or playing active games like fetch. For cats, she says exercise can consist of waving a simple toy around or getting the cat to chase a laser pointer.
"Any kind of exercise for them is good," Graves explains. "And it's really important that they get mental stimulation too. One way to keep dogs' brains in better shape as they age is to expose them to new things. Don't take them on the same route on the walk every day. Vary it. Go a different way. Let them use their brains more."

Latin America pet care market grows

Pet care in emerging markets is booming as pet ownership rises among the middle class, an article in the Economist says. Specifically, Latin America’s spending on petfood and pet products increased 44% in the last five years to US$11 billion, according to Euromonitor.

The market research firm estimated that Chile has more pet dogs per person than in any other country. Rising incomes allow Latinos to treat dogs as members of the family because more of these young people are living alone, opting for pets as company and delaying marriage. These pet owners treat their animals as children, according to Euromonitor’s Emily Woon, who said that Latin America has become the “star market” in recent years. Despite their higher cost, Latinos choose dogs more often than cats, evident in the fact that dog food outsells cat food by almost six to one in this market.
However, there is room for further expansion in Latin America’s pet care market, as nearly three-quarters of Mexican dogs eat leftovers from burritos, the article says. Advertising campaigns like park billboards in Mexico City urge pet owners to switch to name-brand, packaged petfoods instead. The article also says that pet superstores make up more than one-fifth of pet product sales in America and Canada, but are seldom found in Latin America. The most popular stores in Latin America are still the small, independent pet shops, which retain customers by offering credit.

Vet answers common pet food questions from consumers

With so many petfood choices on store shelves, consumers may be confused about what type of pet food to purchase for their dog or cat. In a USA Today article, Denise Elliott, a veterinarian who is also certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, answers some of the most common questions she hears about choosing a petfood.
Elliot says when choosing between wet or dry food, consumers should consider their pet's age, lifestyle and other factors. She recommends wet pet food if weight is a problem because it is easier to control portions with a can instead of pouring in extra dry food. She also said that cats with urinary tract issues do better on wet petfood. Dry food, however, is more cost-effective, Elliot says, and it does not spoil if unteaten for a long time, unlike wet food which can grow bacteria.
Treats should only be given for training and are often given out of guilt, says Elliot, who encourages pet owners to reward their pet with interaction time or toys instead of extra calories in a treat.
Another question Elliot frequently receives is whether it is necessary to purchase premium petfoods as opposed to mid-priced supermarket brands.
"There are very good brands sold in supermarkets," Elliot says. "For the majority of animals, we can find something good that will provide complete nutrition at the lower price point."
Consumers can tell if their pet may be eating the wrong food by visual signs, such as dry, flaky skin or a coat that is not shiny, as well as gastrointestinal problems. Elliot urges consumers to talk to their veterinarian about selecting a petfood.

Hill's Science Diet responds to criticism regarding top petfood claim

Hill's Science Diet has released a statement responding to the negative criticism aimed at a GoodGuide.com study that dubbed Science Diet as the number one dog and cat food brand.
The primary consumer concern revolves around the belief that grain-based petfoods, of which Science Diet is one, are bad for animals. "Corn and other grains used in Hill's products, rather than serve as filler, are carefully selected by our veterinary nutritionists," said Hill's statement. "They help deliver the precise balance of nutrients in each product that our research shows provides the optimal level for wellness." Corn, the statement continues, provides highly digestible carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin E, lutein and quality proteins, all of which are important for animal health.
Another concern addressed by Hill's statement questions the quality of the company's ingredients. "We only use high-quality ingredients in the production of our petfood, and we carefully source all ingredients to ensure they meet that standard of quality," said Hill's. "Our ingredients include by-products, which are common ingredients found in both human [food] and petfood. Chicken by-product meal is a high quality, very palatable, concentrated source of protein. The chickens are sourced from human grade processing plants. Meat by-products consist of the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat from slaughtered mammals."
The company ended its statement by defending its integrity, which also came under question. "Reckless statements online about our use of ingredients are false and suggest behavior at Hill's that is contrary to our values as an organization of people dedicated to enhancing and lengthening the bond between people and their pets, and who also love our own pets," said Hill's.

GoodGuide: Rates the top 5 dog, cat food brands

GoodGuide studied 1,500 products in 50 brands of dog and cat food to rate the top products in dry and wet petfood, and Science Diet took the number one spot for both dog and cat food brand.
Ratings take into account things like concern for the environment, personal health and social responsibility to come up with scores in the categories of health, environment and society. The top-five rated brands, according to Good Guide, are:

Top 5 Cat Food Brands 
1. Science Diet
2. Eukanuba
3. Evo
4. Innova
5. Eagle Pack

Top 5 Dog Food Brands 
1. Science Diet
2. California Natural
3. Innova
4. Evo
5. Karma
In addition, GoodGuide provides consumer tips on buying the right petfood. Pet owners should look for products that show transparency by revealing such information as calories to better monitor pets' health. They should also choose foods that have undergone real-life tests, not just lab tests, which will be represented by a phrase like "Animal feeding tests using AFFCO procedures substantiate that (name of product) provides complete and balanced nutrition." Finally, consumers should pay close attention to marketing claims and verify them through other sources if possible.

US bipartisan committee reaches compromise on food safety

A US Senate bipartisan committee reached a compromise on the groundwork of a new food safety bill that sets the stage for the full Senate to fill in the details later this year.
The bill would give the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to order a food recall, as opposed to just requesting one. FDA is also looking to increase the frequency of inspections at processing plants and other facilities. And, in a move possibly linked to the 2007 melamine contamination of dog and cat food that sickened and killed thousands of pets, the bill includes the stipulation that importers must verify the safety of their foreign suppliers, and businesses that manufacture and process food must have plans in place to prevent adulteration.
No date for a full Senate vote has been set.

Canine Caviar opens petfood superstore in New York

Holistic petfood manufacturer Canine Caviar opened its first healthy petfood superstore in New York.
The petfood store was created as a partnership between Jeff Baker, the nutritionist founder of Canine Caviar, and Gunnar Larson, of Virtu New York fitness apparel and NetworkGlobal.tv. The store will carry the complete Canine Caviar and Feline Caviar lines of dog and cat foods, treats, bones, chews and supplements. Dogs and cats are also welcome to visit the store.

Natura donates petfood to SPCALA

Natura Pet Products donated over 4,000 cases of dog and cat food to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (SPCALA), USA. The donation will go toward helping SPCALA feed homeless and needy pets in southern California.
“We are proud to have been able to share more than 4,000 cases of our healthful Innova dog and cat food cans with the SPCALA. This exceptional animal welfare organization has shown unsurpassed dedication to the care of thousands of animals and its mission provides an extension of Natura’s philosophy for animal health and wellbeing,” said Don Scott, president of Natura.

HSUS donates 12 tons of Mars, own petfood to Louisiana

The Humane Society of the United States HSUS donated 12 tons of dog and cat food to Louisiana to help families struggling to feed their pets due to the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.The donation included 24,000 pounds of food given by Mars Petcare US and 700 pounds of HSUS's own Humane Choice brand. The donation came after a request from the Plaquemines Parish Animal Welfare Society, which reported that the number of pets given up to local shelters after the oil spill has been on the rise.

Petco, Blue Buffalo raise pet cancer awareness

During Pet Cancer Awareness month (May), Petco and Blue Buffalo will be partnering to raise awareness and funds to fight pet cancer.
Pet owners can make donations to the cause by rounding up their in-store Petco purchases to the next dollar at the register, or by making a donation in an amount of their choice. Blue Buffalo will also donate up to US$1 for every bag of Blue dog or cat food purchased during May.

The Pet Chef wins Life Enriching Discoveries award

Brother International Philippines awarded Naomi Charmaine Quimpo with Life Enriching Discoveries with her business concept, The Pet Chef – Gourmet Home Cooked Dog Food.
According to Quimpo, the inspiration was to provide her dog a tasteful, healthy and nutritional food option.

Pantries join forces to collect petfood

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry announced teaming up with the Northland Pet Pantry in Missouri, USA, and Central Florida Animal Pantry to hold the first ever Pet Pantry Partners’ “Furr-ever Home” National Pet Food Drive, starting November 21 through January 1.
All of the organizations involved hope to gather at least 5,000 pounds each, or 15,000 or more combined pounds of dog and cat food, as well as food for other pets, to help local families keep their pets.
The pantries also hope to bring national awareness to the importance of petfood assistance.