Royal Canin conducts New Zealand survey of cat owners

Royal Canin conducted a New Zealand-wide survey asking cat owners to help shed light on the relationship they have with their pets. The survey uncovered some commonly held myths, as well as revealing insights into the eating, sleeping and other daily habits of pet cats, according to the company.

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Royal Canin Veterinary Technical Consultant Mark Edwards said that while New Zealanders really do care a lot for their cats, with almost half of owners thinking about their cats’ level of happiness on a weekly basis, there were some common misconceptions around cats, especially when it comes to what to feed them. Some key survey findings included:

• 69% of New Zealand cat owners surveyed consider flavor to be the most important factor when buying food for cats
• 90% of cat owners don’t consider their cat’s lifestyle when selecting food
• 94% of cat owners surveyed said breed isn’t an important factor when choosing a diet
"While cat owners’ hearts are in the right place, cats have less than 500 taste buds, as opposed to 10,000 in humans, so while the taste of food is important to humans, it’s just not the case for cats," said Edwards. The survey results also revealed that 49% of New Zealand’s multiple cat owners fed their cats the same food because it’s easier; however, Edwards said that this approach could be detrimental to the health of pets. "Pet food companies like ours have been producing tailor-made products for pets for decades, as it is a well-researched fact that the lifestyle, breed, age, neutering status and health of cats should determine what they are fed," he said.

• 58% of New Zealand cat owners surveyed don’t measure the portion of food they serve their cat for each meal
• Over half of owners believe a cat tends to be overweight due to not being fed the right type of food
• 23% of cat owners surveyed said they make sure their cat gets exercise on a daily basis
When it comes to thinking about the behaviors of pet cats, 76% of New Zealand's cat owners think their cats spend most of their time eating. While some cats can sleep for 15–18 hours a day, other cats have a natural tendency to be more social and spend a great deal of their time playing—and if they get the chance, socializing either with their owners or other cats. Other insights uncovered in the survey around people’s perception of cat behavior include:

• On a daily basis, 88% of cat owners are most likely to pet their cats
• On average, New Zealand cat owners believe their cats are sleeping 14.51 hours in a typical 24-hour period
• Almost all owners think their cats spend the most time sleeping during the day
• On average, New Zealand cat owners believe their cats are snacking/nibbling 4.07 times a day
"Our cats are complex creatures, and are often considered the heart of the family home," said Edwards. "We hope the results of this survey, and by looking into what our cats get up to on a daily basis when no one’s home, helps to shed light on the curious life of our cats so people can be sure they get the optional conditions for health, growth, development and contentment."

Royal Canin to exhibit at Interzoo

Royal Canin says it intends to take part in Interzoo 2014, despite a press release issued in 2013 that said it would not appear as an exhibitor at the pet supplies fair.

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Royal Canin will be a co-exhibitor with BTG Beteiligungs GmbH.
In discussions with BTG the opportunity arose for the company to be represented on a comparatively small show area. "We viewed this offer as an opportunity to demonstrate our close cooperation with BTG," says sales and marketing manager Steven Sagrodnik. Interzoo will also provide a platform for unveiling a completely new product line.

Royal Canin survey finds pet owners lack knowledge on cat health

Royal Canin recently released the results of its nationwide US survey of cat owners to dispel myths and better understand the relationship between cats and their owners. The survey found that many pet owners lack knowledge on their cat's health, as nearly 50 percent said they think about their cat's health daily.
In fact, nearly three-quarters of cat owners (72 percent) don't consider their cat's health when selecting food for their pet. The survey also found others don't factor their cat's breed (93 percent), weight (65 percent) or age (52 percent) into their petfood decision-making process.
"Many cat owners don't consider about key health factors when selecting their cat's food, because they aren't sure which factors they should be considering," said Dr. Brent Mayabb, veterinarian and director of corporate affairs at Royal Canin. "Feeding cats a food suited to their age, lifestyle, specific sensitivities and breed contributes to the overall health and well-being of the cat."
Tastes were found to play a big role in cat food selection. Nearly two in five cat owners believe that cats have a strong sense of taste (38 percent). Royal Canin says this is likely why so many consider flavor (42 percent) when choosing a cat food, and 15 percent of owners admit to taste testing their cat's food.
"In truth, a cat's ability to taste isn't nearly as powerful as a human's ability, and aroma and texture play a much bigger role in how cats choose their food," said Dr. Mayabb. "It's important to consider the kibble texture, shape and size and especially food aromas when trying to pick a food your cat will like."
Although nearly all cat owners (95 percent) said they are confident that they are doing the best they can for their pet, nearly half (49 percent) did not gather any information or research before they brought their cat home.
"We understand the strong bond pet owners have with their cats, and one of the best ways to enhance that relationship is to learn more about them," said Dr. Mayabb. "Understanding a cat's physical and physiological traits is critical to not only finding the right fit for your family, but also in doing what's best for the cat's well-being once they are brought home."
Nearly 61 percent of cat owners selected a cat because it easily adapts to the owner's lifestyle, 60 percent chose a cat because they don't have to be walked or taken outside to go the bathroom, and 55 percent because cats can be left alone for longer periods of time.
However, the survey found many cat owners are uninformed of the typical cat lifestyle. A majority of cat owners were unaware that cats spend time each day marking their territory (73 percent), hunting (68 percent) and hiding (62 percent).
"By understanding how cats spend their day, we can enrich our cat's environment," said Steve Dale, certified animal behavior consultant and host of Steve Dale's Pet World radio show. "Simple things like creating lots of places for your cat to climb and scratch, or hiding food in toys throughout the house, allow your cat to 'hunt'-all improving the overall health and happiness of your pet."

Petfood manufacturer Royal Canin not exhibiting at Interzoo 2014

Petfood manufacturer Royal Canin and pet supplies company American Spectrum Brands Group announced the companies will not be exhibiting at the Interzoo fair in Nuremberg, Germany, in 2014. Both companies cited high costs as the reason for their decisions.
"We have invested a large amount of money in Interzoo in recent years. We have asked ourselves whether this investment goes down well with our partners in the pet supplies trade and is therefore justified," said Steven Sagrodnik, responsible for sales and marketing POS at Royal Canin. "In spite of these considerations, we will of course be available at Interzoo for scheduled discussions, but not on the previous scale." 
The company said it will use the money instead to target potential partners in the German pet supplies market. Royal Canin is also planning to hold a pet supplies retailers' forum in April for its partners.

Royal Canin develops new dog food formula using feathermeal as protein

Royal Canin is making a new type of petfood formula designed for dogs with intense allergic reactions to certain proteins, using chicken feathers as the main source of protein instead.
The new Anallergenic dog food formula was developed over 10 years for dogs that do not respond to limited-ingredient diets because it uses a new source of protein: feather meal. Royal Canin USA President Keith Levy says the feather meal is nutritious and can be made very palatable. 
"Feathers are broken down to an amino acid level and don't have much of a taste. Then we add palatizers for taste. In this case, we have to be very careful not to provoke an allergic reaction. That's why it took so long to develop this particular food. We're looking for lots of different sources of protein for our foods: hydrolyzed soy; we are currently researching worm meal as a potential protein source for some of our foods in China. I tried some kibble made with worm meal once - it tasted very good. So our approach goes way beyond feathers," he says.
Levy says one of the benefits to using feather meal is that it supports the company's efforts in sustainability. 
"Ultimately we'll have an issue with finding protein for the human food chain. By using alternative sources of protein, we're using something that would otherwise end up in a landfill," says Levy. "It's the best of both worlds: You're not competing with the human food chain, reducing waste and providing an incredibly nutritious protein."

Royal Canin survey looks at factors influencing petfood, pet choice

In a recent survey, petfood manufacturer Royal Canin set out to determine America's favorite breeds, uncover how "dog people" differ from "cat people," factors that come into play when choosing a pet and what influences pet owners' petfood choices. 
The survey found that more than 55 percent of cat owners rank appearance as the most important factor when choosing a feline friend, while nearly 62 percent of dog owners look at size when choosing a dog. The survey found that cat and dog owners are similar in that nearly half (40 percent) of cat owners and a third (28 percent) of dog owners say a "mixed-breed" pet is their favorite type of cat or dog. 
“It’s interesting to learn how different cat and dog owners can be when choosing, and making decisions for, their pets,” said Dr. Brent Mayabb, veterinarian and manager of education and development at Royal Canin. “Whatever factors come into play, understanding an animal’s physical and physiological traits is critical to providing the best care.” 
When asked how they select a petfood, more than half of dog owners (56 percent) and cat owners (53 percent) said nutritional factors were most important. 
“This is encouraging, as it shows that owners understand the importance of feeding pets according to their unique nutritional needs,” said Mayabb. “Whether they own a pure breed or a mixed-breed, owners should always aim to provide the most precise care and nutrition for their four-legged friends.”

Royal Canin builds wastewater pre-treatment facility

Petfood manufacturer Royal Canin USA has built a US$5 million wastewater pre-treatment facility in North Siox City, South Dakota, USA. 
The plant will be the sole production site for Royal Canin's domestically sold wet dog and cat foods. Domestic dry petfoods are manufactured in Rolla, Missouri, USA. 

Pet food retailer Fressnapf Switzerland cuts prices

Pet food retailer Fressnapf Switzerland cut the price of premium pet food for all customers with the company's loyalty card.
Applicable to pet food brands such as Royal Canin, Iams, Eukanuba, Hill’s, Happy Dog/Happy Cat, Pro Plan, Select Gold, Iso Dog/Iso Cat, Nutro Choice, Almo Nature and Schweizer, the 10 percent discount applies immediately in stores and in the company’s online shop. The price-drop campaign is also supported by new Facebook ads, online banners and customer flyers. 

Royal Canin offers new pet food to relieve stress in dogs, cats

Royal Canin has introduced a new Veterinary Diet Calm pet food with three ingredients designed to help relieve stress in small dogs and cats under 33 pounds.
The Calm pet food formula combines three ingredients: L-tryptophan, the amino acid found in turkey and other meats that creates a sense of well-being by creating more serotonin; alpha-casozepine, a peptide found in the protein in milk that calms nerve receptors; and nicotinimide, also known as niacin or vitamin B3, which has the same calming effects as alpha-casozepine. Calm also has a skin complex that helps skin retain moisture, helps heal any skin trauma and helps prevent infections, along with prebiotics and extra fiber as a gastrointestinal support for more normal bowel movements. 

Royal Canin launches feline spay/neuter Facebook campaign

Pet food manufacturer Royal Canin launched a new feline spay/neuter campaign that rewards cat owners with free petfood for sharing a Facebook infographic.
The “You Share, We Give” campaign began to celebrate the launch of the company’s new Spayed/Neutered cat food formulas. In addition to canned formulas, the Spayed/Neutered cat diets also include four dry formulas: Kitten, Appetite Control, Appetite Control 7+ and Spayed/Neutered 12+.
Facebook users who share Royal Canin's Facebook infographic with another Facebook user will receive a downloadable coupon good for a free sample of the Spayed/Neutered canned formula, with up to 25,000 cans total given away. The company will also donate US$25,000 to the American Humane Association in support of feline health research.

Royal Canin expands petfood offerings with X-SMALL dog food line

Pet food company Royal Canin is launching a new Royal Canin X-SMALL canine nutrition line, formulated for the needs of very small dogs.
The new line, introduced at the recently held Global Pet Expo, includes four formulas: Puppy, Adult, Mature +8 and Aging +12. To celebrate the new line's launch, the company is kicking off "The Royal Canin Treatment" sweepstakes, which runs through June 1. Royal Canin says the sweepstakes will award a winning pet parent with free dog food and grooming for life, along with an accessory shopping spree. Pet owners can also participate in "The Royal Canin Treatment Instant Win Game" for a chance to win one of more than 500 other prizes.
Royal Canin is expanding the formulas in its MINI dog food line, for dog weighing 9 to 22 pounds, with the new MINI +8 and MINI Aging +12, MINI Indoor formulas and MINI Spayed/Neutered formula.

Royal Canin pet food focuses on cat, dog breed-specific nutrition

French-based pet food manufacturer, Royal Canin, has found its way into the petfood market with a focus on specially formulated pet food diets for specific dog and cat breeds, as well as for pets of different ages and sizes. 
Through the Royal Canin pet food brand, parent company Mars Inc. has been able to gain market share with pet food manufacturer Nestle Purina, according to analysts. In 2006, market researcher packaged facts estimated that Mars held 12 percent market share compared to Nestle Purina's 32 percent market share; Mars has since increased its market share to an estimated 17 percent compared to Nestle's 35 percent market share. Royal Canin petfood is distributed through three channels: animal breeders, veterinary offices and specialty pet retailers, such as Petco and PetSmart, while Nestle Purina petfood is also available at grocery stores.
"There's been a huge trend of customers scaling up to premium products, not just out of indulgence, but a lot of the products have functional angles, and that jives well with what Royal Canin has always done," said David Lummis, senior pet market analyst at Packaged Facts. Royal Canin also offers training classes for both its employees and its customers, including petfood store buyers, veterinarians and breeders, at its St. Charles, Missouri, USA headquarters. "We want an educated recommender," said Ann Hudson, Royal Canin's corporate affairs director. The company does not use marketing studies to decide where to invest in new product development, but rather its employees focus on the needs of pets and how to respond to those needs, according to Joe Flanigan, general manager of Royal Canin US. "We know we want to care for the 200 million pets in the US, and our goal simply is to care for more of them," Flanigan said.  "The health angle has become more important," Lummis said. "What it means is, if a company's marketing can convey the health benefits of their product, that's a way of making these foods less of a discretionary expense. Consumers may cut back on (pet) toys, but not on food." 

Royal Canin's Russian pet food subsidiary announces 2010 profit increase

JSC Roskan, the Russian subsidiary of Mars' pet food brand Royal Canin, increased its net profit by 33% in 2010. JSC Roskan's net profit in 2010 was 290.9 million rubles (US$10 million), an increase from 2009's net profit of 218.6 million rubles (US$7.5 million), according to Spark-Interfax.
The company's 2010 revenue also increased from 2.4 billion rubles (US$82.5 million) in 2009 to 3.1 billion rubles (106.5 million) in 2010. Profit from sales rose to 596.4 million rubles (US$20.5 million) in 2010, from 491.8 million rubles (US$16.9 million) in 2009.

Royal Canin to host 'Week of the Cat' celebration

Royal Canin will host a national celebratory "Week of the Cat" campaign November 13-20, ending with the Supreme Cat Show in Birmingham, England.
Consumers will be able to sample pet products at Birmingham’s Martineau Place, and the Feline Advisory Bureau will be at Royal Canin's cat show stand, hosting seminars and answering questions. Photographic and display competitions will be held for retailers to compete for prizes, including a two-day trip to the South of France or a 32-inch flat screen TV for the national winner.

UK pet insurance company gives away year’s supply of petfood

M&S Money, based in the United Kingdom, is giving pet owners a chance to win a year's supply of petfood.
Anyone who takes out or renews an M&S Pet Insurance policy before December 31, 2009, will be entered into the prize drawing. There will be six prizes of Royal Canin dry petfood for one cat or one dog for one calendar year.

Royal Canin studies strategies for feline weight loss

Royal Canin has conducted a study to find diets and strategies to help obese cats lose weight, according to a news report.
Three dietary strategies were evaluated.
Strategy A used a novel dry, high fiber ration;
strategy B used ready-prepared portions of dry and moist food;
strategy C used an existing commercial dry, high fiber ration fed with a measuring cup.
Cats were assessed at 4, 12 and 20 weeks, and adjustments to the energy allocation made if required.
Mean weight loss at 20 weeks (A: 11+/-1.3%, B: 10.9+/-1.2%, C: 11.9+/-1.7%) was similar among strategies. Owners' subjective hunger score was significantly higher with strategy C while their satisfaction was lowest with the same strategy.
This research was published August 12, 2009 in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

Royal Canin launches special diet for Pugs

Royal Canin has launched Pug 25, which is formulated exclusively for Pugs over 10 months of age, according to a news report.
The product is easy for Pugs to grasp and chew, Royal Canin says, and has balanced protein and fat content to help maintain a healthy body weight. It also has nutrients that limit irritation in the Pugs’ loose, folded skin, according to the company.
Pug 25, along with Royal Canin's other breed-specific diets, is "Intelligent Nutrition for the Purebred Dog," the company says. It is available in 2.5 and 10 lb. bags at pet specialty retailers.