Dog and cat treat trends follow human snacking trends

Many pet owners, as we know, like to pamper their pets by feeding dog or cat treats – and increasingly, as they are aware of health and wellness, with treats that offer health or functional benefits. A new study from Mintel reveals that for US consumers, these behaviors may mimic their own snacking habits. The top reason these American consumers gave for snacking is to treat themselves; 50 percent said so. And while 28 percent ranked taste over health in choosing a snack, 32 percent claimed that most snacks they eat are healthy, and another 28 percent said their snacks now are healthier than what they ate in 2016. In addition, 37 percent said they snack as a way to take a break during the day, 24 percent to relieve stress and 17 percent to control their weight. (That latter reason has increased from 10 percent in 2015, when the study was last done.) Other research shows that consumers worldwide are snacking more, with 72 percent noshing at least occasionally between meals, according to GlobalData. Interestingly, that behavior is higher among pet owners, at 82 percent.