Protecting your pet: is organic actually better?
Shannon Sanders
Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: Life & Style
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"I try to get food with less meat byproducts," Joyce, an Ozark Natural Foods shopper, said. "Good nutrition is my main concern and this is what my vet recommended."
Joyce has been buying organic pet food for her dog and cats for about two years because the formulas have fewer grains and cereals than non-organic foods.
Another area pet store, PETCO, provides organic options and was the first chain to carry the new Organix kit from pet-food producer Castor & Pollux. The kit, released in September, includes a variety of organic products such as canned and dry food and treats so that owners can get an idea of the organic line.
Castor & Pollux was one of the first companies to introduce organic pet food. The organic line was started in 2003 shortly after the national organic program was initiated.PETCO also carries Natural Balance organic formulas and Bellyrubs organic treats.
Not all pet owners are as supportive of organic foods, though. Some local shoppers thought that the trend was just that - a trend. The higher cost of organic food was a concern of some local shoppers. Others thought that the non-organic brand they normally used was "fine" for their pet.
There has been a steady growth of organic pet food sales in recent years, and leaders in the industry predict that the future will be no different.
"I do see the organic industry continuing to grow, and Castor & Pollux plans on growing with the market by making more organic products, flavors and formulas in response to our customers' needs," Gunton said.
However, cost efficiency will continue to be a problem for organic manufacturers. Since certification of fields to grow organic products takes at least three years, organic costs might get worse before they get better. It is going to be difficult for manufacturers to keep up with the consumer demand as new companies try to obtain organic certification, Gunton said.
"In the end, we just want to do what's good for our pets," Kelso said, "But we just don't have enough information to know yet if organic is better."
Joyce has been buying organic pet food for her dog and cats for about two years because the formulas have fewer grains and cereals than non-organic foods.
Another area pet store, PETCO, provides organic options and was the first chain to carry the new Organix kit from pet-food producer Castor & Pollux. The kit, released in September, includes a variety of organic products such as canned and dry food and treats so that owners can get an idea of the organic line.
Castor & Pollux was one of the first companies to introduce organic pet food. The organic line was started in 2003 shortly after the national organic program was initiated.PETCO also carries Natural Balance organic formulas and Bellyrubs organic treats.
Not all pet owners are as supportive of organic foods, though. Some local shoppers thought that the trend was just that - a trend. The higher cost of organic food was a concern of some local shoppers. Others thought that the non-organic brand they normally used was "fine" for their pet.
There has been a steady growth of organic pet food sales in recent years, and leaders in the industry predict that the future will be no different.
"I do see the organic industry continuing to grow, and Castor & Pollux plans on growing with the market by making more organic products, flavors and formulas in response to our customers' needs," Gunton said.
However, cost efficiency will continue to be a problem for organic manufacturers. Since certification of fields to grow organic products takes at least three years, organic costs might get worse before they get better. It is going to be difficult for manufacturers to keep up with the consumer demand as new companies try to obtain organic certification, Gunton said.
"In the end, we just want to do what's good for our pets," Kelso said, "But we just don't have enough information to know yet if organic is better."
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