Hill’s Science Diet launches Youthful Vitality food for older dogs and cats

April 18, 2017

The following is a press release from Hill’s Science Diet:

Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality is a new line of food for dogs and cats aged seven and older to fight the effects of aging. These new products were scientifically formulated with the changing biology of aging pets in mind to best support their ongoing vitality through increased activity, family interaction and mobility.

Pet parents with older pets have built a lifetime of bonding and emotional connections. Just as with people, age can creep up slowly on pets, often going unnoticed. Despite every pet parents’ best intentions, nearly half of pet parents do not feed their pet age-appropriate food. With the introduction of Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality, pet parents can feel confident they are feeding their pets aged seven and older a food that helps get the most out of life and unlock that ageless spirit.

“As pets grow older, aging occurs inside every cell in their body and Hill’s studies these changes down to the gene level,” said Kathy Gross, Director of Clinical Nutrition at Hill’s Science Diet. “Our research shows that gene expression and activity are different in pets aged seven and older compared to their younger counterparts and this knowledge served as the foundation for the Youthful Vitality formula development.”

The Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality formula contains ingredients that provide key nutrients important for aging pets. The unique formulas have been scientifically developed for a seven and older pet’s biology and incorporate ingredients that support:

  •     Brain Function: Powerful antioxidants for a healthy brain to support desire for family interaction
  •     Energy and Vitality: Protein and L-carnitine support improved ability to run and play
  •     Healthy Digestive System: High quality, easy-to-digest ingredients with great taste
  •     Luxurious Fur/Coat: Essential fatty acids increase shininess and softness
  •     Healthy Kidneys & Bladder (cats): Controlled minerals maintain healthy kidneys and bladder
  •     Healthy Immune System (dogs): Vitamins C and E help bolster a strong immune system

Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality not only contains proper nutrition, but pet parents are also recognizing significant positive changes. In fact, after feeding their older pets Youthful Vitality with all of its nutritional benefits, pet parents saw improvements in their pet’s behavior and appearance. Some of the positive benefits noticed in dogs include increased vitality, frequency in attention (and affection!) seeking behaviors, improved ability to rise from rest, less stiffness and a softer and shinier coat. The positive benefits noticed in cats include increased vitality, frequency in attention seeking from family members, improved ability to run and play and softer fur with less matting.

Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality is available through veterinarians and pet specialty retailers nationwide. The dog food is available in Chicken & Rice Recipe for dry food in both Original and Small & Toy breed varieties, and Chicken & Vegetables Stew in both large and small can sizes. The cat food is available in Chicken & Rice Recipe for dry food and tasty canned varieties in Chicken, Tuna and Salmon.

 

2017 Global Pet Expo: New Product Showcase winners, Retail Excellence winners and other highlights

March 24, 2017

The Global Pet Expo (presented by the American Pet Products Association and the Pet Industry Distributors Association) was held March 22 to March 24, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

Here are the winners of the trade show’s awards and other highlights of the three-day event.

New Products Showcase Winners

AQUATICS 

Best In Show

Seriphos Drop Off Aquarium
Elive, LLC

Second Place
Jelly Cylinder 5
Jellyfish Art LLC

Third Place
Brio 35 Urban Eco Garden
Deep Water Aquatics

BIRD

Best In Show
USA Happy Beaks Toys
A&E Cage Co., LLC

Second Place
Bird Temp – Digital Infrared Thermometer
Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Third Place
Eco- Friendly Bird Nest
Le Sharma Trading, Inc.

BOUTIQUE 

Best In Show
Bake-at-Home Birthday Cake Mix for Dogs
The Lazy Dog Cookie Co., Inc.

Second Place
Dodo Bird Family: Baz the Dad, Barb the Mom & Billy the Baby Dodo Birds
Merito Industries dba THINK OUTSIDE

Third Place
PetCakes Frozen Yogurt Treats
PetCakes by Lucky Paws, LLC

CAT 

Best In Show
Catysmile Backpack Cat Carrier
Primetime Petz LLC

Second Place
The Bridge
Molly and Friends Cat Furniture Company

Third Place
Side Table Cat Bed
Sauder Woodworking Co.

DOG 

Best In Show
Qwizl
West Paw Design

Second Place
PAW5 Wooly
PAW5

Third Place
TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick
TropiClean Pet Products

NATURAL PET 

Best In Show
NO-HIDE DOG CHEWS – PORK
Earth Animal

Second Place
Ruff Bone
Himalayan Corporation

Third Place
CannaBoost (TM) CDB/Hemp full spectrum extract
PawFlex, Inc.

REPTILE

Best In Show
Exo Terra Gecko Food
Hagen Group

Second Place
Exo Terra Tall Terrarium
Hagen Group

Third Place
Zilla Front Opening Terrarium
Central Garden & Pet

SMALL ANIMAL

Best In Show
Kaytee Run-About Ball LED Light Rainbow 7 inch
Central Garden & Pet

Second Place
Walkin’ Wheels Mini Wheelchair
Walkin’ Pets by Handicappedpets.com

Third Place
Kaytee Critterhome 30 x 18 Deluxe Habitat Large
Central Garden & Pet

POINT OF PURCHASE 

Best In Show
Meowijuana – Retail Display Box (Large)
Meowijuana LLC

Second Place
Earth Rated 2017 Collection
Earth Rated

Third Place
Kaytee Crittertrail Building Station
Central Garden & Pet

Global Pet Expo Retailer Excellence Awards

Here are the winners of the Sixth Annual Global Pet Expo Retailer Excellence Awards. The award ceremony took place at the Show’s Pet Industry Breakfast on March 23, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center.

The Retailer Excellence Awards are designed to honor outstanding independent pet stores in a variety of categories. The following retailers received designated awards in each of the 10 different categories:

1. Paw’s Natural Pet Emporium of Richland, WA
Best Overall Single-Store Retailer: This award recognizes a single-store retailer for excelling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.

2. Yarn & Bone Pet Supply Co. of Camden, DE
Best Overall Retailer (2 – 10 stores): This award recognizes multi-unit retailers with less than 10 stores for excelling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.

3. CountryMax Stores of Victor, NY
Best Overall Retailer (10 or more stores): This award recognizes multi-unit retailers with more than 10 stores for excelling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.

4. Most Valuable Pets, Inc. of Nicholasville, KY
Best Live Animal Retailer: This award recognizes a retailer that excels in sales, promotion, display and knowledge of the dedicated live-animal category.

5. Pet Pantry Warehouse of Rye, NY
Best Merchandising: This award recognizes their outstanding creative techniques to promote sales and services.

6. The Green K9 of Mount Dora, FL
Multi-Service Excellence: This award recognizes their effective offering of a broad spectrum of services including grooming, training, boarding, etc.

7. Bark Out Loud Doggie Boutique & Café of Mansfield, TX
Best Marketing: 
This award honors effective execution in sales and promotional techniques to increase sales and customers including the use of advertising, public relations, social media and more.

8. Natural Pet Enrichment Center of North Royalton, OH
Best Customer Service: This award recognizes an unmatched level of customer service, demonstrates familiarity with products and services, etc.

9. Pet Express of Saugus, MA
Best Store Design: This award honors excellence in overall store design including merchandising displays, store layout, curb appeal and more.

10. Petsway of Springfield, MO
Best Community Service: This honor recognizes fellowship, integrity and a clear demonstration that the store is committed to giving back to the community.

Entries were judged by a committee consisting of Global Pet Expo and Pet Business Media staff members.

New Product Launches

Here are a few of the new products that launched at the 2017 Global Pet Expo.

The following information are excerpts from press releases:

(Photo courtesy of Le Petit Treat)

Le Cordon Bleu trained chef Gigi Samandari, the founder of Le Petit Treat, announced the release of new premium dog biscuits that are inspired by the flavors of France and use all-natural, non-allergenic, grain-free ingredients which are 100 percent made in the USA. The treats are made in small batches, using only grain-free, premium food-grade ingredients. The flavors are inspired by classic French dishes like Quiche Lorraine and Coq au Vin with new packaging that has a sophisticated yet vintage look.

Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet (Photo courtesy of Merrick Pet Care)

Merrick Pet Care is expanding its partnership with K9s For Warriors with the launch of Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet recipes, a new lineup of natural dog food & treats to raise awareness for K9s For Warriors’ work pairing service dogs with military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disability (PTSD).

Introduced at Global Pet Expo, the world’s largest pet food trade show, the new Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet recipes build on Merrick’s million dollar partnership by giving pet parents a way to support K9s For Warriors while feeding a nutritious, ancestral canine diet to their dogs. Beyond the new recipes, Merrick provides all the food and treats for K9s for Warriors and has since 2015. Last year, Merrick also committed $250,000 to complete clinical research showing the effective role service dogs play in the treatment of PTSD among American military veterans.

Three new Hero’s Banquet recipes will be part of Merrick’s Backcountry line, which was introduced in 2015 and continues to be the fastest-growing ancestral canine diet in pet specialty. The Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet recipes include a protein-packed kibble infused with freeze-dried raw meat; a complementary wet food; and a meaty soft & chewy dog treat. Recipes are making their ways to stores this spring. In a special K9s For Warriors promotion this July, Merrick will make a donation to K9s For Warriors for every Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet item sold.

Wellness CORE RawRev (Photo courtesy of Wellness Natural Pet Food)

Wellness Natural Pet Food unveiled its first line of grain-free, raw meals and treats for dogs, Wellness® CORE RawRev and Wellness CORE 100% Freeze-Dried Treats for dogs, marking the brand’s first foray into the quickly-growing category of raw nutrition for pets. Wellness CORE RawRev combines high-protein, grain-free kibble with 100 percent pure bites of freeze-dried meat for a delicious topper, snack or complete and balanced meal. Wellness CORE 100% Freeze Dried Treats are made with just a single raw ingredient to deliver high protein with delicious flavor. At just two calories per treat, they are grain, gluten and filler free.  Wellness CORE RawRev is available in three delicious flavors for dogs: Turkey, Lamb and Turkey Small Breed recipes,. Wellness CORE 100% Freeze-Dried Treats are available in four meaty flavors for dogs: Boar, Salmon, Turkey and Beef.

In addition, Wellness Natural Pet Food introduced 28 new and improved Wellness Complete Health recipes, giving cat parents more grain-free options to choose from in a variety of flavors, forms and textures. From smooth pates to fresh cuts of savory protein in rich gravies, the new recipes offer tantalizing flavors and textures, in complete and balanced meals for cats—without grains or fillers. By taking out the grains, cats are able to enjoy more protein-packed meals filled with nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and botanicals that keep them feeling satisfied and healthy, meal after meal and year after year.

Wellness Complete Health Gravies (Photo courtesy of Wellness Natural Pet Food)

The new recipes include Wellness Complete Health Gravies, which feature delectable bits of high quality meats in ample gravy without fillers. Available in delicious flavors such as tuna, chicken or salmon, Gravies provide tasty nutrition with plenty of hydration your cats will love. Wellness also ensured cats have a crunchy, grain-free option by introducing new Wellness Complete Heath Grain-Free dry food for cats, available in three flavors for cats: Deboned Chicken (Kitten), Salmon & Whitefish Meal (Indoor) and Deboned Chicken (Adult) recipes.

Existing Wellness Complete Health wet cat recipes have also been enhanced, featuring new and improved packaging, lower pricing and are now Carrageenan free.

Purina Pro Plan launches New Prime Plus Adult 7+ Formula

March 8, 2017

Purina Pro Plan
(Photo courtesy of Purina)

Purina Pro Plan has launched New Prime Plus Adult 7+ to help cats ages 7 and older live long and healthy lives. Here is an excerpt from a Purina press release with more details:

Backed by a pioneering nine-year study, the nutrient blend, found in the new Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Adult 7+, was shown to improve and extend the life of cats seven and older. Findings were based on cats exclusively fed a complete diet with the proprietary blend vs. cats fed the complete and balanced diet alone. Prime Plus Adult 7+ is another life-changing innovation in the Pro Plan healthy aging product portfolio, alongside the breakthrough Bright Mind Adult 7+ formulas that support brain health in senior dogs.

To help introduce Prime Plus Adult 7+ and educate pet owners about the importance of healthy aging in their pets and the role nutrition can play, Purina Pro Plan is partnering with pet aging expert and co-founder of the University of Washington’s Dog Aging Project, Matt Kaeberlein, Ph.D. Dr. Kaeberlein’s groundbreaking research has led to a deeper understanding of the mechanism of aging in pets, and how science and preventative care can be used to intervene in the aging process.

Prescription pet food companies hit with class-action lawsuit

February 2, 2017

Photo courtesy of Pope McGlamry
(Photo courtesy of Pope McGlamry)

Several major companies that sell “prescription” pet food have been hit with a class-action lawsuit that claims consumers were overcharged for four food brands: Hill’s Prescription Diet, Purina’s Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet; and Iams’ Veterinary Formula.

The defendant pet food manufacturers in the case are Mars Petcare US, Inc. , which sells prescription pet food under the brand names Royal Canin and Iams; Nestle Purina Petcare, Co. ; and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.

Additional defendants include PetSmart, Inc.; Medical Management International, Inc.; and BluePearl Vet, LLC.  PetSmart is a major retail seller of prescription pet foods.  Banfield Pet Hospital is the largest chain of veterinary clinics in the United States, and typically operates out of PetSmart.  BluePearl Vet Hospital is the largest chain of veterinary emergency care clinics in the United States.  Pet food manufacturer Mars has a majority ownership stake in Banfield Pet Hospital and wholly owns BluePearl Vet Hospital.

The law firms Pope McGlamry, Ward and Smith, Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger and Gray Plant Mooty filed the lawsuit in December 2016.

According to a press release issued by Pop McGlamry:

“Prescription pet food is dog and cat food that is sold to the consumer with a prescription from a veterinarian.  However, the prescription requirement comes from the manufacturers and sellers and is not mandated by federal or any other law.  There is no legal mandate for a prescription from the FDA or any other government agency.  Furthermore, there is no significant difference between pet food sold by prescription and regular pet food sold without a prescription, other than a significant price differential.  There are no drugs or medicines in prescription pet food, and the FDA has made no assessments of these products.

“Counsel for the class members assert that pet food manufacturers, and their affiliates, have deceptively marketed this pet food as requiring a prescription, and have colluded to create a market for prescription pet food and to sell this food at prices higher than the prices of regular pet food.

“Consumers who have purchased any of these prescription pet foods over the past three years are urged to be part of this class action lawsuit to recover the money they overpaid, along with additional damages. ”

The lawsuit documents can be viewed as a PDF file here.

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