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Month: September 2013

Continued Growth at Pet Fair Asia

Pet Fair Asia saw a 12.3 percent increase in attendance this year, and featured 602 international and domestic exhibitors.

The event, held Aug. 22-25 in Shanghai, China covered 37,000-square-meters of space and attracted a total of 15,173 professional visitors.

As officially announced by Euromonitor International during the International Pet Industry Summit, held one day before the show opening, pet care sales volumes certified in China in the past months of 2013 were $1.4 billion, an increase of 9.2 percent from 2012.

The show itself launched an original marketing campaign focused precisely on the new pet products on the market. The InnovAction Campaign  helped visitors find the newest products by using floor maps, free show guides and booth signs highlighting the participating companies.

“Exhibitors and visitors found in the show organizers strong supporters to their business and are happily satisfied with the results from their show attendance,” David Zhong, president of VNU Exhibitions Asia, said. “Smiles are certainly not a scientific way to quantify the success of a show, but to see many happy faces among professional people is a first positive indicator of attendees’ satisfaction.”

The organizers welcome the world to the next year edition of the show on Aug. 22-25, 2014 at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre.

Book Series Highlights Animal Companionship

The American Veterinary Medical Association  and the Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative are collaborating with Purdue University Press to make essential health information freely available online.

Every day researchers gain new insights into the dynamic relationship between people and animals, discovering, for example, how dog ownership improves heart health or how interaction with guinea pigs may help socialize autistic children. However, up-to-date summaries of this evidence are difficult to access for the wide range of health professionals who could apply it to improve clinical practice, such as veterinarians, nurses, social workers and therapists.

This is the challenge that a new book series, “Pets and People,” will engage with, providing syntheses of the latest research and examples of best practice in the field. Topics and contributors will be selected by the AVMA’s Steering Committee on Human-Animal Interactions, which will also be responsible for managing the review and selection process.

“There is a thirst for knowledge about how our daily interactions with companion animals impact health, but a lot of misinformation exists,” Dr. Emily Paterson-Kane, animal welfare scientist in the AVMA’s Animal Welfare Division, said. “Authoritative research is too often hidden in learned journals spread across many different disciplines, and most people don’t have access. This new series will bring together the latest science with great examples of applications in the field and make these overviews openly accessible to all.”

The sections will be made available online through the “Pets and People” series website as they are finished. This immediate availability, free-of-charge to all readers, is made possible by the HABRI Foundation, which is subsidizing the production costs of the series as part of its commitment to stimulating innovation in the field.

“We know that the companionship of an animal is often good for us, and this book series will tell us why,” HABRI President Bob Vetere, said. “These volumes will provide an essential guide to the tens of thousands of information resources now cataloged by HABRI Central, the community’s online information hub.”

When all sections are completed, final books will be published by Purdue University Press in affordable print and e-book formats. Contributions to the first volumes will start to appear online in 2014 and will focus on cardiovascular health, healthy aging and depression and anxiety.

Dr. Alan Beck, professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and principal investigator on the HABRI Central project, is looking forward to the new partnership.

“The evidence that pets may improve health is strong enough to justify implementation of carefully designed and monitored pet placement programs and for basic research on the nature of the human-animal bond,” he said. “HABRI Central is a way to foster the collaboration necessary to address this diverse and growing area of study, and the expansion of the publishing component of the project through this new book series promises to substantially extend the impact of research in this area.”

Aquaculture Industry Grows In Indiana

The business of raising fish may still be relatively small in Indiana, but it is a growing part of the state’s agricultural economy, according to a Purdue Extension report.

Estimated sales from Indiana fish farms amounted to more than $15 million in 2012, an increase from $3.5 million in 2006, according to the publication Economic Importance of the Aquaculture Industry in Indiana. There are about 50 fish producers in Indiana, compared with 18,  7 years ago.

“While aquaculture is not the most well-known industry in Indiana’s agriculture sector, it is definitely present and very important to the state’s economy,” Kwamena K. Quagrainie, aquaculture marketing specialist in Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, said in the report. He conducted the study with graduate student Megan C. Broughton. “The industry has seen steady growth over the past few years, and it is important to know exactly how much economic activity is associated with aquaculture in Indiana.”

Indiana’s aquaculture industry ranges from small-scale producers raising fish in their backyards to large-scale producers growing fish to sell in national and international markets, the report says. The industry includes production of fish for human food, ornamental fish for aquariums and recreational fish that are stocked in private and public ponds and lakes.

The study measured the significance of the industry in 2012 in several ways, including the total income of $3.7 million earned by 169 people employed in aquaculture, their $101,506 in income taxes and $877,908 in sales taxes the industry generated for Indiana.

The study was funded by Purdue Extension, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the Indiana Soybean Alliance and was conducted in cooperation with the Indiana Aquaculture Association.

The soybean alliance has recognized aquaculture as “the next major new market for soybeans” and has an initiative to help the industry continue its growth in Indiana, according to the report. It says that 1 percent of the U.S. soybean crop is used in aquaculture as fish feed.

Indiana soybean and corn farmers could benefit from a growing aquaculture industry, the report notes. They likely would see increased demand for soybeans and corn as well as higher prices for them.

“Even though the farmers would continue to produce their products if the aquaculture industry were not present, the advantage of having a local marketing opportunity is very important,” the report says.

The entire report is available online at http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/EC/EC-770-W.pdf.

Total Pet Expo’s Product Innovation Awards

Pet Age will be sponsoring the Product Innovation Awards during Backer’s Total Pet Expo Sept. 20-22, in Chicago.

The awards will be handed out Sept. 22 during an awards ceremony at 12:15 p.m. in the Product Innovations Area.

This year’s show will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago (Rosemont), Ill., will showcase exhibitors on two floors.

In addition, there will be various educational and training seminars, as well as networking opportunities for retailers and other pet industry professionals.

Environmentally Clean

For many pet owners, natural or organic grooming shampoos seem like the right choice for a dog or cat’s skin, which is more sensitive than a human’s.

The natural ingredients clean without drying out their skin, and many products have ingredients that can help reduce itching and even brighten coats. But on top of all of those benefits, choosing natural shampoos is also helping out the environment by putting fewer synthetic chemicals into the  water supply.

It is important for retailers to have a good selection of grooming products available to help meet the demands of customers who are looking for good, safe products for their pets whose coats range from dry to oily and everywhere in between.

For many people who seek out natural and organic products, they’re also mindful of the impact these products have on the environment during the manufacturing process. But with soaps and shampoos, where the impact keeps on going even after the product is made, it makes for a second great selling point for this category: They’re better for the environment.

Wash That Coat

With ingredients like oatmeal, yogurt and peppermint oil, the variety in natural and organic shampoos can leave a pet not just clean just also smelling good.

You will find oatmeal in a lot of shampoos because it’s great for moisturizing and calming itchy skin. Earthbath’s Oatmeal & Aloe shampoo has 3 percent colloidal oatmeal, along with coconut oil and purified water for cleansing purposes.

Other options in their line include Eucalyptus and Peppermint, Green Tea Leaf, Mango Tango and Orange Peel Oil.

“Soap is not good for pets for a variety of reasons: It can dry skin, it leaves residue that irritates skin and it might even wash off topical flea treatments,” Paul Armstrong, president of Earthbath and Sheapet, said. “We use coconut, sugar and vegetable-based cleansers which are ultra-mild and sourced from renewable resources, yet still effective at cleaning away dirt, dander and drool.”

Eco Well Dog’s Happy Tails Canine Spa line also has a colloidal oatmeal shampoo, Comfy Dog, which also includes herbs like comfrey, calendula and botsellia serrata that help alleviate itchy skin.

One thing about natural and organic shampoos is that they will not foam up as much as products with surfactants, but less foam doesn’t mean you’re not getting as clean.

“I like to think of it like you would organic foods,” Dr. Harvey, owner of Dr. Harvey’s Fine Health Foods for Companion Animals, which manufactures an organic herbal shampoo, said.

“Your apple might not look perfect, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste just as good or better than the non-organic apple. So if your shampoo doesn’t foam up, it doesn’t mean it’s not as good as the ones that do.”

His organic Herbal Shampoo uses organic coconut oil for a cleansing agent and calendula and aloe vera for soothing skin, all while getting dogs and cats clean.

Eco Well Dog has found an innovative way to make sure all of their great ingredients have time to do their magic.

Their Bubbles n Beads shampoo has microbeads packed with conditioning vitamins that are released against the skin.

“This ensures the nutrients are right at the follicle where they’re needed, rather than washed down the drain,” Lorna Ladd, marketing director for Eco Well Dog, said.

Aroma Paws offers chemical-free grooming and lifestyle products for pets, including vegan conditioners.

TheirFur Conditioning Treatment is 100 percent vegan, and blended with avocado oil, organic aloe vera juice and all natural refined shea and mango butters to fully condition and restore shine to a dog’s skin & coat.

This luxurious treatment is a leave in deep conditioner and is meant to be used on a dry coat daily or anytime a coat lacks shine. They have formulated this conditioner to be non-greasy and to easily absorb into skin and coat.

Developed in a licensing partnership between Burt’s Bees Licensing and Fetch … for Pet! Burt’s Bees Natural Pet Care features a range of grooming and oral care products that uphold the rigorous natural standards of Burt’s Bees consumer products, but now for pets.

The products are pH balanced for pets and contain no parabans, phthalates, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances or sulfates.

Waterless Clean

Let’s face it, most dogs and cats don’t enjoy getting a bath. But it’s important for their skin and coat to stay clean and get needed nutrients. Pets and their owners will enjoy the ease of getting clean with one of the waterless products available for both dogs and cats.

Happy Tails has its Dry Dog waterless shampoo and Earthbath offers two products, a hypo-allergenic, fragrance free formula as well as its Green Tea Leaf Grooming Foam.

“These products are very popular because they are easy to use,” Armstrong said. “They’re a great alternative to a bath because they require less time and effort, plus the added bonus of no water for cats. They help with allergy issues by cleaning off dander and residual saliva.”

Wipe Away Dirt and Odor

An even more convenient way to clean pets is with wipes. Whether they’re used to clean paws after a trip outside or to wipe down the whole body for a quick clean between baths, they’re easy to use and help keep cats and dogs looking their best.

All-natural and organic options with wipes can give pet owners the confidence the need that the products they’re rubbing on their pets won’t harm their skin.

Earthbath has a line of grooming wipes that complement its shampoos, with Green Tea, Mango Tango, Hypo-Allergenic and Especially for Puppies varieties.

Organic Oscar recently introduced grooming wipes to its brand as well.

Added Benefits

Birds are not your typical “easy keepers.” They require a strict diet and a diligent eye to ensure they are happy and healthy. More and more retailers, across the country, are recognizing the benefits of supplementation in avian diets and providing customers with a wide variety to choose from.

Most commonly, supplements are used to fix nutritional deficiencies. Typically, these supplements contain vitamins and minerals to round out the bird’s diet.

Serving a Purpose

Nutrients like calcium and phosphorus are important for breeding health in female birds to ensure accurate eggshell and bone density, while protein is needed during molting periods.

Vitamin A aids in eye health, Vitamin C boosts the immune system, iron keeps muscles strong and zinc prevents stunted growth and keeps the reproductive systems healthy.

Pelleted bird foods have substantially improved in quality over the past few years. Commercial production companies now have more extensive information of which ingredients, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients captive birds require in order to sustain their health has become more complete, leading to a significantly more complete diet.

However, supplements remain an essential when providing a balanced seed diet.

Supplements will help the bird thought the diet transition and are also supportive to birds in times of stress or nervousness, illness or injury.

Curbing Deficiencies

Birds are not able to process dairy products like humans do, so typically birds’ diets are deficient in an adequate amount of calcium.

Cuttlebones and mineral blocks can he hung in cages for birds and allows absorption of calcium by chewing. Otherwise, retailers may find powder or liquid calcium to be a better choice for their customers.

During periods of stress, birds may begin feather-plucking as a way of coping with their anxiety.

Janelle Crandell, president of Avitech recommends two of the company’s most popular products, AviCalm and Featheriffic!, to help with this issue.

Featheriffic! is a powdered supplement that aids in feather regrowth.  It contains coarsely-ground corn which attracts the birds to the taste.

AviCalm is an additive that can be given to anxious, nervous or aggressive birds. Natural Green Tea acts as the calming agent in this product which makes it appealing to customers since it does not use chemicals or medical sedatives. For the best results, Crandell recommends using the two products together.

“AviCalm and Featheriffic address a very common problem in parrots, which is feather-picking and screaming,” Crandell said. “Everyone wants their birds to look good and stop screaming and be happy.”

Use Caution

Donna Garrou, owner of Bird Stuff advised that although supplements are a great way to keep birds in top shape, but they should only be used under strict supervision to avoid haphazard supplementation.

As a retailer, offering a wide variety of complete pelleted diets, along with a few options for essential supplements can be beneficial to customers who are looking to switch their birds from seed to pelleted diets.

The supplements that Garou has had success with in her store are Eggfood, Sunshine Factor and Missing Link.

Eggfood brand supplements provide additional protein along with multiple vitamins. It is most beneficial for molting or chick-rearing birds who are fed a seed diet. Garrou recommends that because of the high fat and vitamin content of this product, it should not be used year round to avoid an overdose of vitamins.

“Many birds absolutely love this product, so we recommend it as a vehicle to assist in conversion to pellets,” Garrou said.

Sunshine Factor and Missing Link both provide additional sources of Omega 3 and 6 oils which improve skin and feather health, as well as strengthen the eyes and immune system.

Missing Link is a powdered supplement and can be added to seeds or fruits and vegetables.

Sunshine Factor contains organic omega oils extracted from red palm fruit. This oil supplement is easily added to pellets, seeds or even baked into treats and birds tend to enjoy the taste.

One company experiencing success with supplements is VetaFarm, located in Australia.

Ben Mintern, VetaFarm’s marketing manager, has been working towards improving the business-ethics of companion bird healthcare for ten years.

“The only major difference in providing for companion birds over their larger furry counterparts is that while the physical quantity of products you shift may be less, the right bird products have the potential to generate your business much healthier profit margins,” Mintern said.

If retailers offer customers the correct supplement, the will undoubtedly return.

VetaFarm offers multiple supplemental products for a wide variety of needs. D Nutrical, which is a powered vitamin, mineral and calcium supplement. This combination is perfect for birds who are being fed a seed diet.

Soluvite contains Vitamin D3, which assists birds who housed indoors and are not able to be exposed to natural sunlight. ADEC Liquid is a vitamin supplement which can be given to bird who are undergoing stress or have an injury and quick recovery is necessary.

“The key here is to course a reliable brand that has done their homework on the nutritional requirements of birds,” Mintern said.

– Erin Salley

Shell Game

Slow and steady wins the race,” may be the adage that turtles and tortoises live by, but smart pet retailers who aim to beat their competitors in the sales game may want to move quickly in stocking the newest foods and supplies for these animals.

Float-Friendly Food

One increasingly popular category is extruded foods for tortoises and turtles, which continue to be offered in greater variety from manufacturers. These edibles allow the feed to float on the water’s surface for aquatic species and generally increase palatability and digestibility compared to pelleted diets.

The newest example is a low starch tortoise diet by Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition, expected to launch in January 2014. This complete diet requires no additional supplementation and is designed using natural preservatives and vitamin E. The grass hay-based food provides high fiber and low starch—making it ideal for plant-eating land-dwelling tortoises of all species.

“Most other tortoise diets on the market are not extruded—they’re only pelleted. Using a combination of hot steam and pressure to cook the particle gelatinizes the starch component of the feed,” Carrie Kuball, Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition technical support and national sales professional based in Arden Hills, Minn., said. “This is helpful for animals who typically do not consume starch because they lack the proper enzymes required to digest it.”

Dr. Troy Tollefson, a Tampa, Fla.-based PhD nutritionist for Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition, has noticed a disturbing trend lately related to tortoise diets: The habit of many owners offering their pets mixed salads without complete pellets or extruded particles.

“Unless you have a very good grasp of nutrition or get lucky, this could easily cause a nutritional deficiency,” Tollefson said. “(This) could lead to a lowered immune system and unthriftiness, or even more serious problems like metabolic bone disease.”

Pet retailers can make a difference here by recommending a well-balanced tortoise or turtle diet, one, for example, that is rich in fiber for omnivorous type species and high in protein for  animals that consume more insect-based or carnivorous diets in their native environments.

Filtering Out Better Options

When it comes to the health of aquatic turtles in particular, another important consideration that retailers should stress to consumers is water quality. Stocking higher-end filters can make a good impression.

Zoo Med offers two relatively new filters, the Turtle Clean 50 and 75 models (for 50- and 75-gallon tanks, respectively), that combine cutting-edge mechanical, biological and chemical filtration technology.

The filters’ double filtering system with internal biological recirculation increases efficiency of the biological filtration, and the included spray bar helps to increase oxygenation. The slimline design also allows the filter to fit into tight spaces, and the easy priming feature makes it user-friendly and simple to use.

Play Spaces

Turtle and tortoise owners are also continually on the lookout for distinctive and exciting habitats for hardback herps, according to Ashley Rademacher, animal care and education coordinator for Zoo Med Labs Inc. in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

“Some owners like to move their turtles and tortoises outside during the day and back inside at night,” Rademacher said. “In these cases, you need an enclosure that is versatile and gives the (pet) the experience of natural sunlight and weather while still being protected.”

Portable habitats are the ideal answer. Zoo Med makes a Tortoise House, featuring sturdy wood siding for privacy and security, a private weatherproof sleeping area, lockable wire safety cover and modular design that allows for expansion.

Other notable products in this subcategory include Zoo Med’s Tortoise Play Pen, a lightweight enclosure with an open bottom that can be placed on your lawn, enabling the pet to feed on grass, as well as Penn Plax’s Reptology Life Science Turtle Topper above-tank basking platform, which fits most standard tanks up to 55 gallons.

This tank topper features a see-through cover for easy visibility, basking platform and underwater resting platform with an easy access ramp with a maximum water level indicator.

High ROI

Ron Soucy, manager for Pet Kingdom, a pet retailer in San Diego, sells up to 40 different turtle and tortoise species, ranging from $15 to $1,700. He says these animals hold their value better than almost any other reptiles he carries.

“They offer a tremendous return on investment for retailers,” Soucy said. “Your initial $5 to $10 investment in a (less expensive species) can yield a couple hundred dollars by the time a customer buys it and all the accessories.They’re also very low-maintenance, kid-friendly animals with a lot of personality  that make great family pets, so you can feel good and confident recommending them.”

Aquacultured Clarion Angel Becomes Available in West Hemisphere

Quality Marine announced the first Aquacultured Clarion Angel (Holacanthus clarionensis) is now available for sale in North America.

This fish was produced from a captive breeding at Bali Aquarich, where it was reared to a salable size.

It was then shipped to the United Kingdom for a brief period and now it is beginning its North American tour in Southern California, starting at Quality Marine.

The Clarion Angel is a gorgeous fish that adapts very well to aquarium environments.

They are hardy and are “personable” tank inhabitants.

Though they can be pugnacious with tank mates, they generally learn to recognize people as feeders and will interact with them.

This is a fish with a very limited distribution, coming only from shallow water tropical reef locations from the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico down to Clipperton Island. The majority of the species can be found in the Revillagigedo Islands.

The population size, distribution and habitat that this fish prefers is so limited that it could easily be over exploited. It is currently listed as “vulnerable” by the IUCN Red List.

Quality Marine does not import or stock wild Clarion Angels.

Juveniles of this species are generally solitary and territorial and occasionally have been seen acting as cleaner fish.

Adults are generally also observed singly, and have also been observed acting as cleaners for very large rays.

They also occasionally form large groups which some literature suggests is for breeding.

H. Clarionensis has a fairly small adult size at 7.8 inches.

Like most fish in their genus, a large portion of their wild diet consists of sponge matter, with some aquarists reporting that coloration fades if food containing sponges is not offered.

The blue barring of this juvenile fish will fade and it will end up being a brilliant gold coloration.

Quality Marine works to support responsible operators that collect in a sustainable manner.

Hunt, Eat, Sleep

While indoor cats don’t have to “hunt” for food, the instinct is still ingrained in their DNA.

For this reason, the importance of playtime for indoor cats cannot be overestimated. Cats are natural predators and in a domestic situation, regular playtime should be substituted for the rigorous, “hunt, eat, sleep” schedule they would normally experience in the wild. 

“Many behavioral problems can be eliminated through a program of purposeful play and activity,” Kate Benjamin, owner of Hauspanther, said. “By fostering a cat’s instinctual activities, we enable them to live in a way that is natural to them, eliminating anxiety.”

A cat’s hunt revolves around a four-step process, observe, stalk, chase and pounce. A simulated hunt can be easily created with realistic toys and activities. But remember that felines can be as finicky about playtime as they are about their diets.

“No one toy will appeal to all cats,” Benjamin said. “Manufacturers understand this and have created toys for cats that will appeal to any different personalities and play styles.”

Stocking a wide variety of cat toys is to a retailer’s advantage, and companies like Worldwise, OurPet’s  and Petmate make stocking multiple toys a simple matter.

With clear packaging that enables consumers to select a specific type of toy addressing a characteristic of play, manufacturers continue to prove they understand not only the instinctual needs of pets, but the educational needs of retailers and consumers.

Plush, Rollers and Catnip Toys

“We’re seeing a big increase in interactive toys that contain catnip this year,” Kristen Le, from Petsport USA, said. “Toys like our Kitty freak Ladybug, Mouse Ball and motion-activated Kitty Flash toys are gaining in popularity.”

From crinkle balls to sisal rollers, simple toys are always a feline favorite.

Companies like OurPet’s and Kong offer fun toys that are packed with catnip and include a crinkle or realistic sound, such as a bird call or mouse squeak, to help stimulate play. Made from ultra-soft plush fabric, these are great for low-activity level cats that prefer a good roll and cuddle.

Recently, Petmate unveiled its new line of interactive toys, which include plush birds, butterflies and pom-poms filled with high quality catnip.  The Cataction cat toy line will be available in September, 2013.

“The Cataction cat toy line is designed to exercise a cat’s body and mind,” Chad Lee, JW product manager for Petmate, said. “Cat guardians are more in tune with the primal needs of their cats, and at JW it is our goal to develop innovative toys that activate a cat’s natural instinct to play. Intelligent ideas. Happy pets.”

Wands, Tech and More

Popular wands toys include daBird and Neko Flies, both of which are fishing pole style toys that can be “baited” with realistic lures ranging from a fancy fur mouse that can be made to realistically scamper across a room, to lifelike insects that are guaranteed to get cats jumping.

These interactive toys are a perfect selection for high energy cats.

“When I created the Neko Flies toy, my goal was to create a toy that could simulate a realistic hunting experience,” Ellen Tsyuaki, owner of Nekochan Enterprises, said. “Our toy encourages all elements of a hunt – such as stalking, chasing and jumping – and has improved the lives of cats around the world.”

If your cat prefers to hunt when you’re not at home, there are many battery-operated toys that function on their own. Lasers have fascinated cats since their invention, and the FroliCat DART and BOLT both offer automatic rotating lasers that be set up on a timer to keep cats on their toes while a pet owner is away.

Other fun, automated toys include the Crazy Tail Spinning String cat toy from PetLinks and the FlingAma String cat toy. Both are designed to simulate the movement of prey, encouraging cats to observe and stalk.

Foraging toys are increasing in popularity by focusing felines on scavenging, a natural occurring trait in cats.

The Aikiou Feeding Station from Stimulo encourages the cat to “hunt” for their kibble by fostering this instinct. Cats must identify, and then reach into, tube-like holes to retrieve their kibble. Each tube can be easily interchanged and lengthened or shortened.

BPA-free, this product uses only human-food grade plastics to make their feeding stations.

Other popular foraging toys include the Nina Ottoson Treat Maze, the Trixie Snack Box and various treat balls and puzzle boxes. Each of them caters to a cat’s natural instinct to forage for food, while keeping them entertained and providing them with extra exercise.

Track toys focus on activity and movement, encouraging a cat’s natural response to observe and chase.

Bergan Turbo Scratcher toys offer scratcher replacement pads made from recycled material, while the Turbo Track can be easily reshaped for cats that prefer new shapes and designs on a regular basis.

Thrill of the Chase is a classic in the Play n’ Squeak line from OurPet’s, and CatIt now offers a Play Circuit and a Speed Circuit in their popular line of track toys.

Activity Centers

For the easily bored cat, an appeal to all of their senses is the best enrichment exercise. Catit’s Senses Comfort Zone is the latest in the Senses modules, which combine water, grass, and a variety of textures, sounds and movement that is guaranteed to provide the ultimate in enrichment experiences.

“Cat products have skyrocketed in the past several years,” Abby Bishop, manager of Only Natural Pet Store in Boulder, Colo., said. “The selection has increased and guardians of even the pickiest of cats can now find toys that appeal to them.”

Whichever brands of toys a retailer chooses to carry, be certain they carrying a wide selection that appeals to cats of all personalities.

California Natural Introduces New Packaging, Grain-Free Formula

The Natura Pet Products brand California Natural introduced new packaging throughout its base line that highlights its Pure & Simple philosophy of a limited ingredient diet.

In addition, California Natural also launched new Grain Free Pork Meal & Sweet Potatoes Formula Adult Dog Food.

The new packaging boasts a refreshing, modern design, and provides additional information related to the number of key ingredients, feeding guidelines and nutritional purposes of its products.

All base line formulas have eight or less key ingredients, which are easily recognized by icons displayed on the packaging.

To use the fewest possible ingredients and deliver superior nutrition, California Natural selects ingredients that are nutrient-rich, easily digestible and meet exceptional quality standards. With the exception of its weight management products, all California Natural formulas feature premium-quality protein as the first ingredient.

The California Natural Grain Free family of products is designed with carefully selected ingredients and consistent fat and fiber levels to ease sensitivities associated with diet transitions, enabling pet owners to feed more variety and rotate with confidence.

The new California Natural Grain Free Pork Meal and Sweet Potatoes Formula joins five other grain free dog food recipes that enable pet owners to provide their pet a range of protein sources, each with a unique profile of naturally occurring amino acids.

Pork is a unique protein, and the combination of pork and sweet potato is a flavorful alternative for pets sensitive to common ingredients such as chicken or grains.

Hi-Tek Rations Introduces New Formula

Hi-Tek Rations introduced a new dog food formula called Leonard Powell Signature, during a breakfast at SuperZoo.

The new food is expected to be available in independent retail stores soon, and includes the Signature Series Exotics, Signature Series Classics and Signature Series Baked.

The exotics line offers Grain Free Prairie Formula With Bison and Grain Free wetlands Formula With Duck, while the Classics over Sunday Dinner With Chicken and Center Chops with Pork. The Baked offers Oven-Baked Dinner With Chicken and Oven-Baked Dinner With Lamb.

“Our vision has always been about making a difference in peoples lives,” Powell said.