Gourmet dog food a rising trend

It seems like kismet that one of the inspirationsbehind Planet Pup, a Winnipeg dog bakery, was a pooch named Biscuit.

Deb Kurdydyk, who runs the business from her kitchen, said theidea came to her after she started cooking hot organic meals for herShepherd-Rottweiler mix and wondered, why not start baking cookiesand cakes too?

"When I started doing it, people thought I was crazy," laughedthe 50-year-old.

"I had to explain to people that this was a thing. People dobake and cook for their dogs. I'm just a dog lover and a foodie andit just seemed like a perfect marriage."

• University of Saskatchewan developing healthy dog foodfrom from pulse crops

Planet Pup specializes in bone-shaped dog biscuits and birthdaycakes. The treats, which are sold online and at some select localretailers, come in a variety of flavours including Wild Pacificsalmon and smoked gouda, and elk, apple and blue cheese.

Niche growing

The niche business and others like it are hoping to corner amarket that may be poised to grow in the future.

According to market researcher Euromonitor, pet owners in Canadaare still opting for prepared food due to convenience, but a risingnumber are turning to organic and raw pet food.

A Euromonitor report released in June says while prepared dogfood accounted for an 87 per cent share of total dog foodconsumption last year, that is expected to decrease this year.

"Consistent and pervasive consumer focus on natural or organicingredients in dog food is a natural outcome and extension from ageneral trend in health and wellness in Canadian society as a wholeand that has helped shape the growing humanization trend in petfood," said the report, titled "Dog Food in Canada."

"As Canadians become more aware of the health impact of theirdiets and lifestyles so too are they paying greater attention to thediets and lifestyles of their pets."

Last month, J.M. Smucker Co., a U.S. manufacturer of pet food,jams and other products, reported that sales in its pet fooddivision declined six per cent due to a growing popularity ofpremium brands.

The company, known for its Kibbles 'n Bits brand, said it stillbelieves pet food is a growth area, with the pet population expectedto rise as more millennials and baby boomers adopt pets.

The issue, said J.M. Smucker, is that more pet owners are lookingto feed their animals food with higher protein levels and simpleringredient lists.

Proper portions

Karen Schiavone has been selling raw dog food at Barkside Bistroin Toronto's east end for three years after her two dogs died on thesame night, both from cancer.

"I realized it was probably the food," said Schiavone, who alsooffers a delivery subscription service.

"Even if it didn't cause them to be sick, it likely contributedto it. It had to be an environmental cause."

Barkside sells a variety of bones and meats, including beef,duck, elk, buffalo and kangaroo. She said the difference betweenbuying raw dog food versus going to a butcher is being able toportion out the right amounts of bone, meat and organs for eachmeal.

The idea behind feeding dogs raw meat is that nutritional valueis better retained because the food is not cooked.

Others do itbecause they believe it's closer to the diet the animals would havehad in the wild.

Meghan Elenbaas, president of Lucky Dog Cuisine Canada, saidpeople want to know exactly goes into their dog's food and are nowmore willing to pay for it.

"We were brought up to believe that this is dog food and that'swhat we should be feeding our pets," she said.

"It's like if you ate Cheerios for the rest of your life. It'snot necessarily bad, but you won't do well if that's the best food
you ever ate."

'Into food'

Lucky Dog Cuisine makes natural, human-grade food for dogs out ofmeat from high-end butcher shops and local produce. Elenbaas likenedit to a "gourmet stir-fry" for dogs, one that owners can alsoenjoy.

"A lot of people who do feed our food are into foodthemselves," she said. "Their dogs have become part of the family.

They love food and they want their dog to love food too."

Deb Kurdydyk has since adopted another mutt she found on the sideof the road after Biscuit died at the age of 16.

She credits Biscuit's long life, and the health of her new pup,to her decision to ditch the store-bought kibble and only cook"people food."

"They really are our kids and should eat food of goodnutritional quality and good sourcing as well," said Kurdydyk.