3 Superfoods Growing Fast as Cat Food Trends

Superfood ingredients in cat food

Restivo from Nielsen noted that cranberries are a fast growing trend in cat food. Currently, two percent of cat foods sales are of products containing cranberries, according to Nielsen’s Product Insider report. In the 52 weeks leading up to March 3, 2018, cat foods containing cranberries saw 54 percent sales dollar growth.

Another fast growing trend in cat food is sweet potato, Restivo said. Cat foods made with sweet potatoes also make up two percent of total cat food sales. In the 52 weeks leading up to March 3, 2018, cat foods containing sweet potatoes had 19 percent dollar growth.

A third superfood Restivo pointed out was kale. Only .2 percent of cat food sales are currently of products formulated with kale. However, kale-containing cat foods enjoyed sales dollar growth of 36 percent.

Finding new rising pet food trends

Today’s rising trends may soon be established trends. Pet food companies can benefit from staying ahead of the competition in identifying the next hot pet food ingredient or style. To find innovative pet food trends, Restivo recommended looking to human food. The next foodie darling may be today’s decoration.

“Twenty years ago, I worked in a hotel banquet hall, and we used to set up a salad bar,” said Restivo. “And around the salad bar, pieces that people would actually eat, we would line kale as a garnish. Nobody would actually eat it, it's interesting that you walk down the marketplace today, just about everywhere has a kale salad.

“I would implore each and every one of you as you look for inspiration on pet food or pet food manufacturing or ingredients, look to the human side because those same humans feel if it's good enough for me, let me think about moving it to the pet side.”