Nutritional management of dogs and cats and trends in the pet food market: Review

Abstract

In recent years, dogs and cats have started to participate in the monthly budget in Brazilian homes making them part of the family, where tutors increasingly have a greater number of domestic animals, where Brazil is the second largest in population of dogs and cats, 52 million dogs and 22 million cats, obtaining clear demand from the food industry. Given this context, the present study aimed to assess in the literature the nutritional management of dogs and cats and trends in the pet food market. This market specialized in feed and used marketing “affection between humans and dogs”, convincing even veterinarians to indicate to tutor’s pet food as a safe, complete and balanced source for animals. Dogs and cats are anatomically carnivorous animals, they have well-developed canines, their stomach is extremely acidic with no salivary amylase. Food and ingredients to nourish dogs and cats must meet their basic requirements when ingested, making the animal's health good. According to the studies evaluated, the reason for the considerable increase in demand for natural food is due to the benefits that this diet offers, they are: health, satisfaction and safety to animals. The awareness of the guardians of dogs and cats about the need for correct food handling is of great importance in the lives of pets, as the inadequate supply of food can cause diseases, obesity and malnutrition in these small animals.