Last month Tree Top participated in a community event supporting the Yakima, Wash., Police Department K-9 unit. It was a great opportunity to mix and mingle with our neighbors and four-footed friends. While the event was focused on raising funds to replace one of the K9 –dogs due to retire, it got me thinking about feeding dogs.
It’s no secret that pet food is a thriving market segment in the U.S. Pets are commonly treated as humans and valued family members, which is propelling innovation and segment growth. For the record, the U.S. pet food market is expected to top $30 billion by 2020, according to Zion Market Research.
Stroll down a pet food aisle in a grocery store, and you’ll notice many of the same label callouts, you see in other parts of the store—gluten free, non-GMO, locally sourced, antioxidants, helps digestion, etc. This means it’s no surprise that ingredients used in human foods are becoming commonplace in pet foods, things like fruit, vegetables and grains.
People love fruit, and we know fruit is good for us, but did you know fruit is good for your dog, too? Take apples, for instance–dogs love apples and other fruits as much as people. In fact, many of the same fruits found in children’s snacks are the exact same ingredients used in dog treats. It’s true, and you’ll love that your dog will get the same benefits fruits provide people, including digestion support, healthier skin and hair, antioxidants, immunity boosts and better eyesight. Apples are a great source for potassium, fiber, phytonutrients, flavonoids and vitamin C.
Snack time
There are many treats and kibbles on the market that contain dried fruit and fruit powders (some even with Tree Top fruits,) but if you decide to share fresh fruit with man’s best friend remember to:
• Give your dog only small portions of fruit, especially the first time feeding fruit to your dog. (Half an apple slice is a good size treat.)
• Even though fruit is good for dogs, fruit is not calorie free.
• Be cautious—you don’t know whether your dog will have an allergic or other adverse reaction, such as gas or an upset stomach.
NOTE: Never give dogs the core or seeds of apples
For more info on Tree Top fruit ingredients for pet food formulators, see our white paper “Fruit Adds A- Peel to Pet Food Formulators”
or explore our pet food ingredients page.
