Since prehistoric times, humans have domesticated many species of animals, both companion animals and those of economic importance. Among human companions, dogs and cats are the most popular, but ornamental birds, small mammals, including rodents, ornamental fish, and amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates, most often kept in terrariums, also constitute a very large group. The annual report of the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) published in 2024 shows that in 2022 there were approximately 129 million cats and 106 million dogs living in Europe, including 7.25 million and 8.109 million in Poland, respectively. FEDIAF is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, the important social role of pets, and respect for sustainable development.
The new role of dogs and cats in human life
Before dogs and cats became primarily human companions, they were mainly associated with a practical function, such as guarding the home or exterminating rodents. Today, the situation is completely different: pets have become full-fledged members of families, to whom attention, time, and quite large budgets are devoted, primarily in relation to caring for their health and proper nutrition.
Conscious choices made by pet owners
It is no surprise that the pet food market is undergoing a real revolution, as more and more conscious owners are choosing high-quality, balanced products tailored to the individual needs of their pets. The pace of life also influences the tendency to reach for ready-made products instead of preparing food for animals by hand. As a result, the pet food market is growing at an impressive rate, and forecasts indicate that it is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the consumer goods industry.
Today, consumers treat pet food not as a simple mass product, but as an investment in the health and well-being of their pets. This is why the premium and super-premium segments are seeing the greatest growth, where the quality of ingredients, transparency of recipes, and tailoring to specific needs are what count. High-protein foods and those inspired by human-grade diets are gaining popularity. At the same time, there is a growing demand for specialized solutions: veterinary foods, products that support immunity, and those tailored to the age and lifestyle of the animal.
Definition of pet food
Pet food is feed used to feed pets, which, according to the definition given in Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the placing on the market and use of feed, amending Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 and repealing Council Directive 79/373/EEC, Commission Directive 80/511/EEC, Council Directives 82/471/EEC, 83/228/EEC, 93/74/EEC, 93/113/EC and 96/25/EC and Commission Decision 2004/217/EC, as amended, means animals that are not used for food production, fed and kept by humans, but not customarily consumed in the Community. One of the FEDIAF guides clarifies this definition, taking into account cultural customs, and indicates the species that are considered pets. Dog chews made from animal by-products or derived products are also classified as feed.
FEDIAF guidelines provide support for pet food manufacturers
The production and distribution of pet food is regulated by numerous legal acts concerning feed quality and safety and is supervised by veterinary inspections. The European Pet Food Industry Federation has developed a number of guidelines and industry guides in accordance with applicable legislation. They are available in English on the FEDIAF website and in Polish on the website of the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate and the Polish Association of Pet Food Manufacturers POLKARMA, which is a member of FEDIAF. These documents include, among others:
- Guide to good practice for the manufacture of safe pet foods – supports manufacturers in developing a feed safety management system and meeting legal requirements related to the safety and hygiene of the production process;
- Code of good labelling practice for pet food – a guide to labeling, explaining the applicable legal provisions and providing practical examples. It specifies, among other things, the conditions for mandatory labeling of analytical constituents, which is related to the type of feed and/or the species of animal for which it is intended, and the acceptable tolerances for differences between the constituents declared on the label and the results of laboratory analyses obtained during official controls.
- Nutritional guidelines for complete and complementary pet food for cats and dogs – provide an overview of scientific data and indicate nutrient levels such as protein, amino acids, fat, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, taurine, choline, which are essential for meeting nutritional needs, depending on the species and age of the animal, and for some of them, the highest legally permissible levels or nutritional limits, i.e. the highest levels of nutrients that should not cause side effects. The recommended contents are presented in appropriate units per 100 g of dry matter and per 1000 kcal or MJ of metabolic energy;
- FEDIAF scientific advisory board carbohydrate expert review – defines the role of carbohydrates in pet food and the benefits of their consumption by animals;
- Nutritional guidelines for feeding pet rabbits – contain recommendations on the nutritional value of pet food for animals of different ages.
Feed testing performed at the J.S. Hamilton Poland Sp. z o.o. Laboratory
The J.S. Hamilton Poland Sp. z o.o. Laboratory performs tests on the content of analytical constituents declared on pet food labels as mandatory information, i.e.: moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fiber, hydrochloric acid-insoluble ash and minerals (calcium, sodium, phosphorus) required on the packaging of mineral complementary feed mixtures, as well as feed additives, e.g. vitamins and minerals. Other nutrients in feed, such as amino acids and fatty acids, are also determined. Various analytical techniques are used to analyze the above-mentioned parameters, including gravimetric, titrimetric, spectrometric, and chromatographic techniques. The laboratory also verifies the compliance of the test results with the requirements of applicable laws and FEDIAF documents.
If you have any questions or concerns, J.S. Hamilton Experts are at your disposal.