Nestlé Q1 pet sales up, overall sales drop

Nestlé's first-quarter 2014 pet product sales increased to CHF2.74 billion (US$3.11 billion) even as the company's overall sales saw a 5.1% downturn (to CHF20.8 billion—US$23.62 billion). 

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The boost in pet product sales was fueled in North America above all by the market launch of Lightweight and Glade cat litter along with Waggin' Train. In Latin America, the Dog Chow and Pro Plan brands were the primary factors behind the company’s gain in market share, according to the company. In Europe, said Nestlé, the pet brands Felix and Purina One Dry Cat were the main contributors. 

Ernie Ward, Marion Nestle: Pets fat from treats

With recent studies showing that pets’ bellies are growing faster than ever, owners may be contributing to their pets’ obesity without even knowing it, according to The Associated Press.
Owners can overfeed their animals by as much as 25% a day, said Ernie Ward, a veterinarian and founder of the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention. “It seems so innocent. You overfeed and you don’t even know it,” he said.
However, Ward doesn’t place the blame on petfood, but on treats, calling them “kibble crack” and “calorie grenades.”
Marion Nestle, a professor and co-author of Feed Your Pet Right, agreed with Ward, saying the worst offense may be the “guilt treat” — those dropped by the handful when pets have to be left alone.