Rumor has it that sales in the pet industry are increasing in Peru. This is true as well for sales of specialty foods. I’ve written a lot about how people treat their pets here is changing, that it’s possible to see different strata of pet care, from those that keep their dogs on the roof to those who buy harnesses and let them share a bed.
I also think I’m seeing the very early beginnings of a food revolution. I see it mostly with the dog owners because I don’t know as many cats here, but I also think some dog stereotypes work in their favor – which is that dogs will and can eat anything. Thus when a dog isn’t eating its food, people are more ready with their concern.
Additionally, it seems more people are recognizing the symptoms when a dog isn’t doing well. For example, my friend with the Briard realized his dog was getting upset stomachs from the premium Purina he was eating. Eventually the Briard stopped eating his food altogether. Now, he’s eating Taste of the Wild – which is apparently here in Peru at an exorbitant price, but it’s here, the dog loves it, and is no longer getting sick. On top of that, he loves boiled sweet potato and is eating it for his digestion.
Another friend rescued a beagle from the street who turned out to have pretty severe food allergies. At first they were feeding her Acana and Orijen – also available in Peru at a crazy price – but she was still having reactions. Then they were making her meals from scratch, usually with chicken, then beef, and now alpaca. They grumble about how expensive it is to feed her, but ultimately their decision is that paying more money or spending more time to have a healthy dog is more important than saving either.
It reminds me of what we see happening in the United States, where people do or buy what is conventional until they realize that it’s not working. Sometimes it’s by choice, when they see their dog with hotspots or their cat getting a bit too chubby. Other times it’s by sheer necessity, like when an animal refuses to eat anymore or develops a chronic illness. It happens with our own food as well, like when my dad realized the amount of sugar he was eating clogged five arteries and literally gave him a heart attack – in spite of how much he exercised. After a much changed diet, his health numbers are much better, and he’s lost a ton of weight.
As more Peruvians treat their animals like family, I expect we’ll be seeing increases in sales of specialty pet food, and maybe even some Peruvian brands stepping in to create more healthful foods at a more affordable price. I also predict that we’ll be seeing more of these trends with dog owners rather than cat owners, as certain health research frequently takes longer to reach the market for cats than it does for dogs. Overall, It’s another area of flux in South America that is fascinating to watch progress.
Do any readers have friends or family abroad who are transitioning what their pets eat? What kind of novel proteins have you seen available around the world?