TRENDS IN THE

U.S. PET FOOD INDUSTRY:

THE POTENTIAL FOR ALASKA

SEAFOOD PRODUCTS

Deborah McBride, Principal Investigator

Office of Fisheries Development

January 3, 2003
Trends: Pet Food Industry

Potential for Alaska Seafood Products January 3, 2003

Office of Fisheries Development

Department of Community and Economic Development 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................................3

DOGGY DEMOGRAPHICS......................................................................................................................................4

UNITED STATES........................................................................................................................................................... 4

EXPORT MARKETS...................................................................................................................................................... 4

PET OWNER PERSPECTIVE..................................................................................................................................6

PET OWNERSHIP .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

INCOME......................................................................................................................................................................... 6

PET DIETS..................................................................................................................................................................... 7

PET SNACKS................................................................................................................................................................. 8

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS.............................................................................................................................................. 9

EXPORT MARKET....................................................................................................................................................10

EXPORT GROWTH...................................................................................................................................................... 10

JAPAN.......................................................................................................................................................................... 10

MEXICO ...................................................................................................................................................................... 11

CANADA ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11

CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................................13

REFERENCES:............................................................................................................................................................. 14
Trends: Pet Food Industry

Potential for Alaska Seafood Products January 3, 2003

Office of Fisheries Development

Department of Community and Economic Development 3

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. pet food industry is a $30 billion business. Bolstered by growing numbers of

domestic and foreign pet populations, industry figures place average annual growth from

1994 through 2003 at over 9%.1

Concerns among pet owners in the 1990s about the nutrition and health of their dogs and

cats led to a trend toward premium, healthy pet foods and treats. This has translated into a

growing market for specialty pet products in the U.S. and around the world.

Research indicates today’s pet owners are frustrated by the quality of many pet foods and

attracted by the benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils. Alaska seafood based

pet products may provide the type of alternative pet food sought by conscientious pet

owners. Alaska provides an abundance of seafood by-products ideal for pet food. The flesh

of chum salmon caught for roe, for example, is unpalatable to humans, but the State of

Alaska requires full utilization of the material once harvested. Such inexpensive protein

makes an ideal and abundant pet food ingredient. If properly developed and marketed,

Alaska seafood not directed towards human consumption may provide a healthy, valuable

pet food alternative.

1 American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc., 2002, www.appma.org.
Trends: Pet Food Industry

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Figure 1 American Veterinary Medical Ass.

DOGGYDEMOGRAPHICS

United States

The U.S. pet population is on the rise. In 1991, U.S. residents owned 52.5 million dogs; five

years later, the dog population had grown slightly to just under 53 million. By the end of the

decade, the number of dogs had risen to 60 million. Cat population levels climbed similarly

from 57 million in 1991 to 59.1 million in 1996 to nearly 70 million in 2002 (Figure 1).

Export Markets

Though few nations rival the

U.S. in pet ownership, large

numbers of dogs and cats are

kept as pets around the world,

as evidenced in Figure 2. By

2002, roughly 10 million pet

dogs inhabited Japan and

upwards of 7.5 million pet cats

lived in the U.K.

Another measure of the popularity and growth of pet ownership is the percent of

households that harbor them. According to American Pet Products Manufacturers

Association (APPMA) surveys, 56% of U.S. households owned at least one pet in 1988; by

2001, pet ownership grew

to include 62% of U.S.

households. About half

of Japanese households

own cats or dogs. More

than 25% of Canadian

households own dogs and

38% own cats. Australia

has one of the highest

incidences of pet

U.S. Pet Population

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

1991 1996 1999

('000)

Dogs

Cats

Estimated Pet Populations - Selected 

Countries in 2000

0

4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

Mexico

Japan

U.K.

Australia

Spain

('000)

Dogs

Cats

Figure 2 USDA/Japanese Market News/Petnet/PFMA
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Department of Community and Economic Development 5

ownership in the world with 64% of households owning pets in 2002; of those Australians

who did not own a pet when surveyed, 53% reported that they would like to do so in the

future (Figure 3).

With pet ownership on the rise, the pet food

industry must grow to accommodate the swelling

population of family animals. This provides an

excellent opportunity for pet food manufacturers

to enter the market or expand production.

Figure 3 Petnet/APPMA/Japanese Market News

Households with Pets By Country 

% of Households

Japan 50%

U.S. 2001 62%

Australia 64%
Trends: Pet Food Industry

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PETOWNER PERSPECTIVE

Pet Ownership

Dogs and cats make up the majority of pets

owned by U.S citizens. According to the

American Pet Product Manufacturers

Association, almost 40% of all homes owned

dogs and 35% owned cats in 2000. Marine and

fresh water fish reside in upwards of 20% of

U.S. homes. Birds, reptiles, and small animals

like rodents are each found in roughly 5% of

U.S. homes. (Figure 4).

Income

Research indicates only a slight difference in dog and cat ownership between income levels

of U.S. households. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 20% – 23% of all households

owned a cat in 1991, regardless of income level. Similarly, dog ownership ranged from 20%

- 24% in the same year. While these figures are somewhat lower than those supported by

other surveys, the results nevertheless suggest that pet ownership is popular across a wide

range of economic classes.

By 1996, pet ownership percentages did not change greatly, although shifts are notable. Cat

ownership by income level ranged between 20% - 24%. Dog ownership ranged from 20% –

25%. There was an increase in the number of animals kept by households with annual

incomes in excess of $60,000. Meanwhile, pet ownership in households with annual income

under $60,000 fell slightly in all classes (Figure 5). With increased numbers of pet owners in

top earning categories, more expensive premium pet foods and treats may more easily

penetrate the market. Additionally, though the popularity of pet ownership across

households fell slightly, the actual population of pet dogs and cats increased.

Some retailers claim that pet food producers enjoy relative immunity from economic

recessions in the U.S. According to the Central New York Business Journal, many pet

suppliers in Central New York maintain that pet food sales do not drop significantly during

Percentage of Pet Ownership among 

Total U.S. Households (2000)

Own Any Pet 62%

Dogs 39%

Cats 34%

Freshwater fish 12%

Birds 7%

Small animals 5%

Reptiles 4%

Saltwater fish 7%

Figure 4 APPMA
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recessions. Their explanation is that pet owners consider pet food an essential product and

continue to purchase it even while other spending is reduced.

Pet Diets

In addition to profiting from the rise in pet populations worldwide, the pet food industry

benefits from changing attitudes about the importance of pet care and nutrition. Many pet

owners become strongly attached to their pets and treat them as members of the family.

In the 1990s, U.S. residents became more concerned with human nutrition and many pet

owners transferred that concern onto their dog and cat companions, creating a greater

demand for specialty or premium pet food. These items include products that use natural

ingredients, lack preservatives, use real meat instead of meals or by-products, have low

sodium contents, and include popular nutritional ingredients such as beta carotene and

omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.

Media coverage of the pet food industry also contributes to the demand for quality

ingredients in pet foods. Many consumers are aware today that pet food manufacturers

routinely use undesirable ingredients in their products including euthanized pets and road

kill. Pet food producers using wild Alaska seafood for dog and cat food have the potential

to penetrate the premium pet food market at a time when owners are concerned about the

health of their animals and the quality of pet food. The Alaska company Budget Feed &

Farm, for example, produces a salmon-barley dog food that has gained the acceptance and

enthusiasm of many Alaskan dog owners that have traditionally used salmon as dog food.

Figure 5 U.S. Census Bureau

Dog and Cat Ownership by Annual Household Income 

between 1991 and 1996

$12,500-

$24,999

$25,000-

$39,999

$40,000-

$59,999

$60,000 and 

over

1991 - Cat 20% 23% 22% 20%

1996 - Cat 19.70% 21.50% 21.20% 23.70%

growth 0% -2% -1% 4%

1991 - Dog 20% 24% 22% 20%

1996 - Dog 19% 22% 22% 25%

growth -1% -2% -1% 5%
Trends: Pet Food Industry

Potential for Alaska Seafood Products January 3, 2003

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Department of Community and Economic Development 8

Dog and cat owners aren’t the only markets available for Alaska seafood pet products. Many

non-vegetarian dry fish foods utilize fish. Alaska manufacturer OmegaSea

{http://www.omegasea.net/} targets the aquarium market and produces a variety of flake

and pellet fish foods using salmon, black cod, halibut, krill, shrimp and other ingredients.

They claim to be the only fish food producer to use fresh seafood instead of fishmeal; this

may have growing market appeal if aquareists follow the same trends toward premium food

as dog and cat owners.

Pet Snacks

In addition to pet food, pet treats continue growing in popularity among U.S. dog and cat

owners. According to a recent survey by the American Pet Association, 28.5 million dog

owners bought Christmas gifts for their dogs in 1999 and 37 million cat owners bought

Christmas gifts for their cats. Additionally, 10 million dog owners and over 13 million cat

owners in the U.S. celebrated their pets’ birthdays. While not all gifts involve edible treats,

this indicates a substantial number of pet owners purchasing specialty products for their

animals.

“Healthy” pet treats are entering the market along with premium pet food. In 2000, Ralston

Purina Co. marketed a new line of dog and cat treats designed to increase overall health as

well as the health of teeth and bones, the immune system, skin and coat, and for the

elimination of hairballs. The Alaska company Arctic Paws {http://yummychummies.com/}

successfully markets a line of salmon based cat and dog treats by capturing the rugged image

of Alaska, the historic relationship between sled dogs and salmon and the health benefits of

salmon including its high omega-3 fatty acid content.

A number of non-Alaskan companies also produce salmon treats, some of which advertise

the use of wild Alaska salmon with its omega 3 content and natural appeal to dogs and cats.

Some companies market their salmon dog and cat treats as good for allergy sensitive animals,

targeting a niche market of pet owners with allergy-prone dogs and cats. Seafood pet treats

could take the form of dried skins, biscuits, jerky, dried bits, strips and even fins, tails and

collars. The variety of Alaska seafood pet treats is limited only by the imagination of

manufacturers. While salmon is established in the U.S. pet food/treat market, other

commercially caught Alaska species could well find a receptive market among today’s pet

owners.
Trends: Pet Food Industry

Potential for Alaska Seafood Products January 3, 2003

Office of Fisheries Development

Department of Community and Economic Development 9

Omega-3 fatty acids

One trend of particular interest to pet food/treat producers using seafood in their products

is the current interest in the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Found in fish oil, omega3 is commonly believed to benefit the skin and coats of dogs and cats by preventing

flakiness, dullness, excessive shedding and joint inflammation.

According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, omega-3 fatty

acids are also important, if not requisite, for prenatal and post-natal neurological

development in dogs and cats. It may also prevent retinal degeneration in developing

puppies and kittens and decrease deterioration in the eyes of adult animals. Including omega3 fatty acids in the diets of dogs and cats of all ages and reproductive phases could be of

significant benefit to those animals.

Seafood based dog and cat food could

naturally provide these important fatty acids

to aid the skin, coat, eyes, and neurological

development of pet dogs and cats.

According to a 2000 survey by Ralston

Purina, 33% of dog owners and 26% of cat

owners have either considered or used

nutritional supplements for their pets,

indicating that many pet owners feel a need

to amend the diets of their animals (Figure

5).

Figure 6 Purina

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Dog owners Cat owners

Pet Supplements

Percent of dog and cat owners who use or are 

interested in using nutritional supplements for their pets.
Trends: Pet Food Industry

Potential for Alaska Seafood Products January 3, 2003

Office of Fisheries Development

Department of Community and Economic Development 10

EXPORT MARKET

Export growth

Pet food export from the U.S. is a billion-dollar business. Export growth was particularly

strong at the end of the 1990s, increasing 30% in four years to reach $983 million by 2001.

Canada, Japan, and Mexico were the major destinations of exported U.S. pet food in the late

1990s (Figure 6).

Japan

Exports to Japan

jumped

significantly

between 1997 and

2000, overtaking

Canada as the

leading importer

of U.S. pet food.

According to the Japanese Market News, the Japanese pet population grew rapidly in the

1980s due to increases in leisure time, income, and the incidence of solitary lifestyles in

which pets offer companionship. The pet food trend in Japan is for healthy food with such

ingredients as green tea, (for the deodorization of pet wastes), avocado, and bio-flavinoids,

(for tooth decay), indicating that a market exists for premium, healthy pet food and treats.

Additionally, seafood pet food/treat producers may find a niche market among Japanese cat

owners who prefer fish flavored food to chicken, beef, or other pet food flavors.

The demand for pet food in Japan is expected to grow for several reasons:

• pet owners have fewer traditional leftovers available for pets;

• the variety of pet food is increasing for animals of different life stages;

• more owners are turning to commercial foods.

In 1998, the U.S. was Japan’s largest importer with 38.7% of the market share.

Figure 7 U.S. Census Bureau

Top Ten U.S. Pet Food Export Markets in 2001 Growth

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 1997-2001

Japan 138, 416 140, 484 151,385 248,620 263,624 90%

Canada 203,695 212,596 211,783 229,042 236,848 16%

Mexico 41,089 58,914 62,862 116,113 234,860 471%

Netherlands 17,428 12,465 16,546 25,014 20,526 18%

Belgium 26,016 16,014 6,922 11,402 16,007 38%

Australia 10,403 6,849 10,185 13,166 14,872 43%

Italy 32,031 31,349 17,502 15,298 14,391 -55%

U.K. 24,302 23,259 22,462 12,339 12,009 -51%

Taiwan 18,011 14,963 9,257 10,501 10,818 -40%

Korea 8,812 5,066 6,378 7,865 10,135 15%
Trends: Pet Food Industry

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Mexico

Exports of pet food to

Mexico also rose

precipitously after 1999.

USDA’s Foreign

Agricultural Service (FAS)

recognized Mexico’s pet

food market potential in the

late 1990s when the U.S.

captured an overwhelming

98% of the import market.

Mexican consumption of pet food doubled between 1997 and 1998, and the pet food market

there is likely to grow as owners continue to turn to commercial pet food.

Canada

In 2000, USDA’s Federal Agricultural Service (FAS) reported that trends in western Canada

made it a prime destination for U.S. pet food. With human population in the region

booming, the number of pets continue to grow; simultaneously, western Canadians are

becoming more concerned with health and nutrition, a trend which extends to the purchase

of dog and cat food. Increasingly, owners are turning to premium pet food/treats and to pet

foods that include specific ingredients for enhanced nutrition and/or dental health. The

same trends occur to a lesser degree in other parts of the country. In 1997, U.S. imports

comprised 25% of the total pet food market in Canada.

Spain: Spain is also turning to premium pet food. At the close of the 1990s, a strong

economy led to an increase in demand for quality pet products. Though domestic

production is on the rise and U.S. pet food exports to Spain have diminished in general the

FAS stated in 2002 that “significant opportunities remain for high quality U.S. pet food,

snacks, and treats.”

Japan Pet Food Imports 

1998

U.S.

38%

Thailand

28%

Australia

21%

Other

13%

Figure 8 Japanese Market News
Trends: Pet Food Industry

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Korea Pet Food Imports

2000

Australia

11%

Japan

9%

E.U.

11%

Other

5%

U.S.

64%

Korea: Another potential market identified by the FAS is Korea. Korean dog ownership is

swelling, prompting dog food imports to grow at an annual average rate of 67% from 1991

to 2000. Sixty-four percent of those imports originated in the United States (Figure 8). Sales

are expected to grow 10-15% annually

as Koreans become more attached to

their dogs, incomes increase and

commercial pet food becomes more

widely used. Koreans already believe

in the superior quality of U.S. pet food,

giving the U.S. an advantage over other

markets.

Others: Smaller potential markets, including Austria, Singapore and Russia, are also

increasing their premium pet food imports and/or experiencing growth in pet populations.

In the mid-1990s, Russian imports of U.S. pet food increased over 300% in four years.

Though currently supporting small markets, these nations are likely to follow trends toward

growing consumer interest in premium commercial pet food.

Figure 9 USDA
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CONCLUSION

Growing numbers of U.S. and foreign pet owners, (catering to a growing number of pets),

became increasingly concerned with their pets’ nutritional health in the 1990s, a trend which

led to increased sales of premium pet foods with pure ingredients and health benefits. Pet

food markets around the world grew during the same time and will likely continue to do so

as pet ownership increases and commercial foods become more popular, opening many

opportunities for pet food manufacturers. With an abundance of seafood waste and flesh

unfit for human consumption produced annually, Alaska’s seafood industry provides a rich

supply of raw seafood available to the pet food manufacturer.

Pet food products made with Alaska seafood might take advantage of current trends in the

pet food market in several ways. Premium pet foods made with “real meat” are increasing in

popularity among both dog and cat owners and fish owners. Foreign markets are importing

more and more premium U.S. pet foods, including the large Japanese market with its interest

in healthy pet food and fish flavored cat food. The popularity of omega-3 fatty acids and its

source in fish oil provides another boon for seafood pet food producers. The pet food treat

industry is already catching on to the market appeal of salmon treats, paving the way for new

and innovative Alaska products. With rising pet numbers and a growing export market, a

promising opportunity exists for the production of new pet foods and treats utilizing the

abundant seafood by-products of Alaska.
Trends: Pet Food Industry

Potential for Alaska Seafood Products January 3, 2003

Office of Fisheries Development

Department of Community and Economic Development 14

REFERENCES

Ø American Pet Association. Fun Pet Statistics. March, 1999.

<http://www.apapets.com/petstats2.htm>.

Ø American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. Pet Industry Facts.

http://www.appma.org/press/fact_sheets/fact_sheet_03.asp>.

Ø Galitskiy, Igor. “St. Petersburg Pet Food Market.” USDA Foreign Agricultural Service:

July, 1999.

Ø Kropf, Annemarie. “Recession’s bark is worse than its bit for pet-supply stores.” Central

New York Business Journal. 25 Jan. 2002: 1+.

Ø Kurcsay, Walter. “Austrian Pets Hunger for U.S. Pet Foods.” USDA Foreign

Agricultural Service: 1997.

Ø Moran, Diego Pazos. “Spain Product Brief: Pet Food Market.” USDA Foreign

Agricultural Service: 2000.

Ø Myles, George and Bailey, Marilyn. “In Canada, a New Competitive Edge.” USDA

Foreign Agricultural Service: 1999.

Ø OH, Young Sook. “Korea Market Brief on Pet Food.” USDA Foreign Agricultural

Service: Sept. 12, 2001.

Ø “Pet Food 1999.” Japanese Market News, Osaka Business Partner City Council: 2001.

Ø Pet Food Manufacturers Association. Pet Ownership: Demographics.

<http://www.pfma.com/petownership.htm>.

Ø Petcare. Pet Ownership Statistics in Australia. < http://www.petnet.com.au/statistics.html>.

Ø Purina Pet Institute. The State of the American Pet: A Study Among Pet Owners. 2000.

Ø Thompson, Stephanie. “Ralston Treats Pets to Functional Food.” Advertising Age. Vol.

71, issue 37 (2000): 8.

Ø Tilford, Gregory L., and Mary Wulff-Tilford. “Pet Peeves.” Better Nutrition. Vol. 62, issue

5 (2000): 38-42.

Ø United States. Census Bureau. Household Pet Ownership and by Selected Characteristics.
Trends: Pet Food Industry

Potential for Alaska Seafood Products January 3, 2003

Office of Fisheries Development

Department of Community and Economic Development 15

Ø United States. Census Bureau. Statistics for Industry Groups and Industries: 2000 and Earlier

Years. Feb. 11, 2002.

Ø United States. Department of Agriculture. U.S. Exports of Pet Foods (Dog & Cat Food) CY

1997 – 2001 and Year-to-Date Comparisons.

Ø Waldron, Mark K., Angela L. Spencer, and John E. Bauer. “Role of long-chain

polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids in the development of the nervous system of dogs and

cats.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Vol. 213, no. 5 (1998): 619-22.

Ø Woodcock, Brian. “Translating Western Canadian Trends into U.S. Export Sales.”

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service: 2000.