Colgate-Palmolive has also been buffered by the dominant market position of its Hill Science Diet pet food, a high-end product found in specialty retail stores like Petco and Petsmart.
But the Swiss food giant, Nestlé S.A., is fast learning that consumers of almost every ilk can get riled over at least one staple in the American diet: pet food.
The company, which makes Colgate toothpaste, Palmolive dishwashing liquid and Hill's Science Diet pet food, reported net income of $287.2 million, or 47 cents a share, compared with $261.9 million, or 42 cents a share, in the period a year earlier.
Colgate, maker of its namesake toothpaste, Hill's Science Diet pet food and Tom's of Maine personal care items, said that its second-quarter profit rose 19percentt on strong sales worldwide, as the price increases helped offset rising input costs.
Similarly, Colgate-Palmolive, the maker of products such as Irish Spring, Ajax, Fab and Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet pet foods, sought to reassure investors today when it said earnings are still on track for 43 cents per share for the first quarter and $1.93 for the year.
Dr. Buffington said that while he does not necessarily discourage raw diets, pet owners should look for products – raw or otherwise – that meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or A.A.F.C.O., which establishes nutritional requirements for complete and balanced pet foods.
Many vets won't recommend a home-cooked diet for pets simply because they know that busy owners may stray from fulfilling recommended recipes aimed at providing optimal nutrition due to time constraints.
"The new research is showing instead that we should design diets for pets that are based more on their natural metabolisms," said Dr. James Pogrel, a veterinarian at the Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center in San Ramon, Calif.
Rats were housed in pairs in standard cages in a 12 12 h light/dark cycle with access to water and Agribrands powdered lab chow diet (Leis Pet Distribution, Inc. Wellesley, Ontario) ad libidum.
This may include eating a vegan or vegetarian diet, not owning pets (or only keeping rescue pets), or taking care that animal products you consume are from animals who were treated humanely while alive.
