Pet Food Market: Growing Spotlight on Sustainability | Growth

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Pet Food Market Growing Spotlight on
Sustainability
With the growing concern of resource overuse
globally, consumers are becoming increasingly
aware of their purchases' social and
environmental impact. As a result, sustainability
is gaining prominence among most consumer goods
markets, with the pet food market being no
exception. According to Inkwood Research, the
global pet food market, valued at 114240.39
million in 2022, is expected to register a CAGR
of 7.72 during the forecast period, 2023-2032.

• Our blog briefly examines the pet food market
  sustainability through food production,
  environmental control, and food packaging.
• Sustainability through Food Production
• The environmental footprint of pet ownership and
  the provision of necessary food and supplies for
  pets in terms of emissions, waste, and natural
  resource use has increased. With regard to pet
  food production, sustainability is defined as the
  ability to produce pet food in adequate amounts
  with sufficient essential nutrients for optimum
  health in the present and future while accounting
  for the smallest environmental footprint. This
  has facilitated the launch of different
  plant-based products.
• Plant-based claims are among the many ways brands
  appeal to sustainability-conscious consumers.
  Moreover, formulators particularly focus on
  animals' nutrients and unique nutritional needs
  at every life

stage. Interestingly, blends are gaining
popularity as well.
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• "It is quite common for pet health and pet food
  ingredients, plant-based or not, to lack certain
  essential nutrients," says Maygane Ronsmans,
  product manager for animal nutrition, Beneo.
• Ronsmans further explains, "A great example is
  the combination of rice protein, which contains
  limited lysine, with faba protein concentrate."
• Faba is a legume protein with higher lysine
  content. The blend fulfills the basic requirement
  for this amino acid. Also, brands often add
  vitamin or mineral premixes to their formulations
  alongside ingredients like synthetic amino acids
  to complement the formula.
• At the same time, there is a budding trend of
  cell-based solutions. For instance, cell-cultured
  meat is on a fast growth trajectory, with
  consumers more inclined to these alternatives. As
  per the founders of Because, Animals and Bond Pet
  Foods, although pet food might seem an odd entry
  point for cultured meat and alternative proteins,
  it is an ideal starting place for cellular
  agriculture. This is because there are fewer
  barriers to acceptance in the pet food world.
• Because, Animals launched the world's first
  cultured meat product for pets in February 2022.
  The Harmless Hunt Mouse Cookies, designed for
  cats, contains directly grown meat from the cells
  of the cats' native protein source the mouse.
  The startup uses cellular agriculture to
  cultivate real mice meat from cells, eliminating
  the need for slaughter.
• Our analysis of the global pet food market by
  food type provides data insights on food type by
  content and animal.
• Sustainability through Environmental Control
• According to American Pet Products Association
  (APPA), two-thirds of US households own at least
  1 pet. Pet ownership has been associated with
  psychological benefits like reduced risks of
  depression, more social engagement and cohesion,
  and increased self-esteem in children. Companion
  animals enrich their owners' lives in several
  ways, such as minimizing the risks of certain
  heart diseases, increasing physical movements,
  and lowering blood pressure. However, pet
  ownership takes a toll on the environment.
• For instance, pets are served generous portions
  of treats and foods to facilitate a stimulating,
  comfortable, and nourishing environment. This is
  primarily driven by the pet humanization trend.
  In addition, pets participate in several social
  and vocational activities and receive regular
  veterinary care. According to the American Pet
  Products Association (APPA), in 2019, the
  cumulative pet industry expenditures in the
  United States reached 95.7 billion. Pet foods
  and treats constituted the largest sales segment,
  followed by veterinary care and product sales.
  Such aspects place a demand, indirectly or
  directly, on the consumption of energy and
  natural resources alongside waste generation.
• Sustainability through Food Packaging
• Food packaging serves numerous vital functions,
  including protecting food from nutritional
  degradation and spoilage, serving as an
  information source for pet owners and feed
  regulators, and enhancing distribution and
  storage efficiencies. Conventionally, pet food
  containers and bags are constructed from plastic
  layers, metals, and paperboard paper. Most
  packages are designed for single use and are non-

recyclable, leaving few options besides disposal.
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• At the same time, packaging developers face
  sustainability challenges. For sustainable
  packaging to be effective, it must minimize food
  waste, prevent food contamination, and preserve
  food quality.
• Additionally, it must address the issue of
  plastic waste accumulation in the environment.
  Moreover, the materials should be non-toxic and
  cost-effective for feasibility.
• Accordingly, the next generation of sustainable
  pet food packaging focuses on the use of
  renewable materials to develop biodegradable
  polymeric films. For instance, the Agricultural
  Research Service is exploring the use of
  dairy-based films as an alternative to
  petroleum-based packaging. Besides, biopolymers
  from chitosan, cellulose, cornstarch, carrot
  processing waste, and other agricultural products
  exhibit potential for biodegradable film
  construction in an effort to minimize plastic
  waste accumulation. At the same time, the cost
  and performance of lower-barrier and eco-friendly
  packaging in comparison to synthetic alternatives
  might hinder their widespread adoption.
• Sustainability in Pet Food Market calls for
  Collective efforts
• Sustainability in the pet food industry can be
  summed up into practices that can continue
  unhampered for future generations. The key areas
  for improvement in pet food sustainability
  include optimizing resource and waste management,
  avoiding nutritional and feeding excesses, and
  sustainable ingredient selection. Besides, pet
  owners' increasing awareness and interest in
  sustainability will help pet food companies
  respond accordingly. Nevertheless, the progress
  of sustainability in the global pet food market
  relies on the collective efforts of
  manufacturers, suppliers, consumer purchase
  choices, and ingredients availability.
• FAQs
• Which distribution channel shows promising growth
  in the global pet food market?
• A Veterinary shows promising growth in the
  global pet food market.
• Who are the prominent players in the global pet
  food market?
• A Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc, Inaba Foods Co Ltd,
  Mars Petcare Ltd, and Nestle Purina Petcare Ltd
  are among the prominent players in the global pet
  food market.