Eco Dog Tuesdays
It is amazing how much of a business everything is, and how marketing works to break connections form bad associations to mislead the consumer into thinking a certain product is different from the rest and much better than its competitors' because of the packaging.
We see this all the time with dog food manufacturers. A simple change in packaging or colour of packaging impacts the consumers decision making. For example, we all have heard how great glucosamine and chondritin is for joints. So, if I have an older dog who is suffering from arthritis or hip issues lets say, I may be very likely to pick up the bag of food that says in big print " With added Glucosamine and Chondritin" or if my dog suffers from a digestion problems, I may be inclined to pick up the bag that says " For Sensitive Stomachs."
What the consumer does not know is that the amount of glucosamine and chondritin in that particular bag of food is most of the time, so minimal that it does not even have and effect on the dog. But, because there is a minuscule amount of it in the food, it gives the manufacturer the right to use that in their marketing.
The other aspect of the dog food manufacturing I find fascinating is this. Many, many pet owners do not know where their dogs' food is made. We all cringe if we find out its made in China... but that's not what I am trying to get at. Do you know that one company may be the maker of all kinds of dog food, from the lowest quality to what the consumer recognizes as being a good food?
Who are the makers of Purina dog food? Do you know?
What else do the manufacturers or Purina make? Do you know?
Here are the answers:
Purina is made by Menu Foods. Menu foods are the makers of a lot of pet foods.... and the ones that were hit biggest during the pet food recall.
Purina is the maker of Alpo, Mighty Dog, Beneful, Fit and Trim, Dog Chow, HiPro, Kibbles and Chinks, Little Bites Indoor Complete, Moist and Meaty, Pro Plan, Puppy Chow, Purina One, Purina Veterinary Diets, Cat Chow, Deli-Cat, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Kit'N Kaboodle, Kitten Chow, Pro Plan for cats, Purina One for cats, and Purina Veterinary Diets for cats.
Take a look at the list. If you are not already familiar with the price of these foods, shop around to become familiar with them. Notice where they are stocked in stores, and they types of stores that carry them. For example: visualize PetsMart.... they don't tell you this, but I think this is how their store is stocked.
If I am standing at the front of the dog food section of the PetsMart in Waterford Lakes, to my right will be all the lowest premium dog food, and then to my left are all "their" higher quality foods. In the middle are the mid range foods, but also those that are heavily endorsed.
Where do you find most of what Purina makes? How can one plant make so many different grade foods? In my opinion, this is how..... with a nothing goes to waste philosophy!
I am not a big fan of commercial grade foods, and not that I prefer Eukanuba or Science Diet of Purina... I just happened to use Purina as an example.
I think it is very important for pet owners to research where their dogs' food is made, and what else that plant manufacturers. Here is a website that will help you with that information:
The Pet Food List
Feed Responsibly Pet Parents.....University of Doglando
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