Significance of animal health products steadily increasing

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In principle, the growing acceptance of dogs and cats as pets in the countries of southern and eastern Europe is one of the main reasons for the steadily rising demand for care products and food supplements. In central and northern Europe, on the other hand, where the integration of dogs and cats into the family has happened much sooner, demand is now increasing for protective garments, shoes for paws, goggles etc. Coat care products and food supplement ranges have long since become a permanent feature of the speciality trade here. Coat care ranges in particular are increasingly popular in southern and eastern Europe. At the Spanish trade show Sizoo, many manufacturers offered a wide selection of shampoos, creams etc., often alongside a selection of fashionable dog apparel. And one pet supplies dealer from Barcelona told PET in Europe: "Many families live with their pets in big cities, where big city living takes its toll on the sensitive coat and paws of their pet. They no longer have as much time to head for the country with their pets at weekends or on public holidays, and so dog owners come to us increasingly looking for care products and creams for coat and paws to keep their pet healthy and handsome." The same story can be heard from pet shops with grooming studios attached. Huge growth potential is being predicted for the segment as a whole especially in southern and eastern Europe at present, because the awareness of owners regarding the physical care of their dogs and cats and grooming of their coats has advanced in urban areas in particular. In rural areas, dogs and cats spend most of their time outdoors and therefore not in such direct proximity to the family. Healthy eating A slightly newer, but no less significant trend observed by many pet product dealers in southern and eastern Europe is the demand for food supplements. Building up strong bones and joints and keeping them healthy is at the top of the wish list in this regard. Mars Pet Care has recently carried out extensive research on this subject and the company makes reference in this connection to the steadily growing life expectancy of dogs, especially in central Europe. "Trade and industry have to gear themselves to a completely new circle of customers, namely aging dogs," says Wolfgang Fuchs, a specialist veterinary consultant at Mars Pet Care. He says that the speciality trade above all has a duty in this…