New research from Sainsbury’s Bank indicates that obesity is a serious problem affecting over a third (34%) of the UK’s combined cat and dog population. Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance estimates that around 2.72 million dogs and 2.87 million cats are suffering from obesity.

Professionals in the petfood industry need address to the most up-to-date research and technical information. Alltech addressed this need and organised their 2nd European petfood seminar: “novel nutritional strategies – delivering the petfood future”.

Changes in demand for pet food, as a result of the increasing humanisation of pets and an increasing interest in the nutritional and health requirements of animals, are creating significant opportunities for manufacturers to develop higher value products. The days when owners fed all dogs the same dog food and all cats the same cat food are long gone.

A recent study by Deakin University scientists has uncovered some revealing facts. Giovanni Turchini and Professor Sena De Silva in a report published in the prestigious Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics  has revealed that the world’s domestic cats are fed nearly 2.5 million tonnes of so called trash fish which are used by the pet food industry as cat food.