Read to find out more about the vegan trends in the dog food market
The Pet Industry has expanded over the years so much so that it is exploring a holistic take on lifestyle for pets. From customised pet diets to eco-friendly accessories that are comfortable for dogs, the industry is exploring realms of maintenance in the area of pet care.
Pet Food is the strongest department in the pet industry and before the industry built into a diverse model incorporating a range of services, food was the department that predominantly dictated the industry. Even today, it is a primary stakeholder in the industry. Starting out from kibbles, the dog food industry has evolved over the many years owing to the growing health concerns in dogs. Recently, the evolution of the dog food industry has resulted in a conscious effort to meet the health requirements of dogs.
In the area of protein dog food market, there has been a recent trend that has made pet parents inclined towards plant-based protein. The protein derived from potatoes, corn, legumes, soy, and wheat are gaining popularity in the market. Pet parents prefer these sources of protein over animal-based protein. Meat-based protein comes with certain health risks and vegan protein includes all the essential amino acids a dog needs. As long as it meets the AAFCO standards, the vegan protein product is good to go.
Vegan-based protein is leading to heavy investments in biotechnological research and heavy investments. Certainly, the evidence to transition into this protein form is coming more into display and pet parents find themselves more drawn to this version.
Manufacturers use veganism and sustainability to draw the attention of pet parents as a brand strategy which has partly impacted this change. It provides a more holistic picture towards dog nutrition and that has led to a sense of curiosity towards plant-based protein sources in the dog food market.
The market for high-protein dog food is spread out in North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia, Oceania, and Middle East and Africa. About 1/3rd of the global market revenue comes from North America, a region with more awareness of plant-based protein alternatives. Asia Pacific region is also expected to exhibit positive growth prospects for high-quality dog food. China, India, and Japan are expected to be the lucrative markets in the region.
No doubt, this trend is exponentially growing and is being backed by more research-based evidence, and in a couple of years’ time, will carve out a stronger niche in the market. A lot of pet parents have started avoiding meat-based protein and as awareness and more concrete information develop, this might become the go-to protein product in the market.