The Good, The Bad, and The Unseen in the Dog Food Industry
September 2024, by Matias
The debate of dogs versus cats is a highly contested topic, with many people leaning strongly towards one side. Even the most hardcore cat lovers should be able to appreciate the world’s favourite furry friends. Here at MM-Eye, we are surrounded by pets at home, and we are heavily split over this debate. But regardless of our standing on the debate, we all agree that all pets have to eat…
Pet food is a massive market in the UK, with the market worth a whopping £4 billion in the UK alone. This is covered by massive corporations such as Mars and Nestle, alongside a plethora of smaller businesses. Unfortunately, a large amount of pet food you will find in your local supermarket is not ideal for your pets, as they are filled with unnecessary carbs and can contain unsafe ingredients. Legislation exists for what can be in pet food. However, this legislation still allows many potentially harmful ingredients, such as artificial preservatives/colourings and propylene glycol, which all have shown links to health issues, including Cancer.
Aside from just the health issues, there is always a sustainability concern in the current age. Using by-products from meat that is being farmed for human consumption is a great way to keep dog food sustainable. However, the quality of by-products can vary greatly, with some containing diseased meats that can harm your beloved friends. Even if you read the ingredients to find a product suitable for your pet, you still have no idea about where the ingredients come from. There is nothing to tell you whether the salmon in your pet’s food is caught from wild fishing or from an overloaded fish farm.
All of this has led to many people’s lack of trust in large companies that produce pet food, and we pet owners are turning to smaller farm-based companies that feel more trustworthy. Many of these companies have sustainable practices that cater to the vast amount of environmentally conscious pet owners who want to try their best to make positive change. A great example of one of the companies that cater to this is Laughing Dog Food, a farm bakery that produces grain-free natural dog food, from wet food to dog treats. The company is proud to be sustainable, using solar power to power their farm and recyclable packaging.
So, if you’re a dog owner looking for the best food for your dog, luckily, there are plenty of tools around to help you decide what to feed your dog. I would personally recommend AllAboutDogFood, a website that will help you choose your pet’s food based on its size, breed and budget.
At MM-Eye, we understand the growing importance of sustainability, especially for consumers who are increasingly prioritising eco-friendly and transparent practices in every sector, including pet food. Our Say Do Sustainability Study (SDSS) has shown that consumer trust is heavily influenced by the alignment between a company’s sustainability claims and its actual practices. This is particularly true for environmentally-conscious pet owners, who want assurance that the products they buy not only benefit their pets but also reflect their values around sustainability. Brands that take active steps to communicate their sustainability efforts effectively can build stronger, long-term relationships with their consumers, ensuring loyalty in an increasingly competitive market.
If you are in the industry looking for ways to become more sustainable and trustworthy as a company, then I would recommend getting in contact with our team and receiving some insights that could power your positive change. If you’re interested in learning more about how MM-Eye can help you improve how consumers see your business, contact us today at info@mm-eye.com or use the form below to book a consultation.