Grain Journal | IFEEDER Report: 600+ Ingredients Drive $51.7B Pet…
How to Understand the Economic and Nutritional Impact of Pet Food Ingredients: A Step-by-Step Guide
Discover the findings of a groundbreaking report by IFEEDER, in collaboration with AFIA, FPRF, and PFI, which quantifies the hundreds of safe ingredients used in dog and cat food. This guide breaks down the report's insights on ingredient use, upcycled ingredients, and the economic contributions of the pet food supply chain.
Step-by-Step Guide to Breaking Down the Report
- Quantify Pet Food Market Impact: Learn that pet food sales reached $51.7 billion in 2024, with 9.8 million tons of dog and cat food produced using over 600 plant- and animal-based ingredients.
- Understand Ingredient Trends: Discover which ingredients dominate by weight—chicken-based ingredients—and by value—marine ingredients like salmon and cod—and how their popularity has shifted since the previous report.
- Recognize Sustainable Practices: Explore the innovative use of upcycled ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, highlighting the industry's commitment to environmental sustainability.
- Examine Economic Contributions: Follow the supply chain data showing that manufacturers across 43 U.S. states generated significant economic value by purchasing billions in farm products and supporting local economies in states like Missouri, Kansas, and Pennsylvania.
- Explore Data Methodologies: Understand that Decision Innovation Solutions used a recipe reverse engineering model combining UPC codes, nutrition labels, sales data, and product weights to provide a comprehensive view without compromising proprietary data.
- Access Additional Resources: Find interactive infographics and a multimedia map that allow you to search by species, state, or ingredient on ifeeder.org/pet-food-report.
Key Takeaways & Call to Action
This report not only reveals the vast nutritional diversity of pet food ingredients but also underscores the economic importance of the industry in supporting agriculture and rural communities. Leverage these insights to make informed choices as a pet owner or advocate, and share this information to help others understand the value and sustainability of modern pet diets.