Pet Owners' Growing Demand Drives Sustainable Pet Food Study
The Pet Sustainability Coalition, in collaboration with Iowa State University, launched a study in 2018 to explore the sustainability of pet food protein sources. This initiative comes as consumers, including pet owners, show growing concern for environmental issues.
The demand for sustainable pet food has surged. From September 2017 to September 2018, products claiming to use grass-fed ingredients saw a 156% increase in U.S. pet food sales. This trend reflects pet owners' interest in eco-friendly production, clear labeling, and sustainable protein sources.
Pet owners now seek explanations about sustainability on pet food labels. They prefer products with regional ingredients, organic certification, and transparency about ingredient origin. They also consider animal welfare and aim for minimal packaging. This shift is part of a broader consumer trend, with 85% of U.S. consumers believing individuals should reduce their environmental impact.
Despite this, only 2% of U.S. dog and cat owners were drawn to purchase products with 'sustainable/eco-friendly' claims in 2017. However, products with cage-free or free-range claims, though small at 0.08% of U.S. sales, grew by 46% in the same period. Using byproducts instead of human-grade protein sources can also provide significant environmental benefits.
The Pet Sustainability Coalition's research project underscores the growing interest in sustainable pet food. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, pet food manufacturers are adapting to meet these demands. However, there's still room for growth, with only a small percentage of pet owners currently drawn to eco-friendly claims. As awareness increases, it's likely that sustainable practices will become more prevalent in the pet food industry.
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