Pet Product Marketing Retailer Recommended Awards 2023

We asked our readers — independent pet retailers from all over the country — what they thought are the best pet products and services on the market. I am now delighted to be able to announce the winners of the Pet Product Marketing Retailer Recommended Awards 2023. The relationship between brands and retailers is absolutely paramount to a thriving pet industry

in this country. It creates businesses and livelihoods while also providing the essential resources pet owners need to care for their cherished animals. So, to win one of these awards is a real honour and I want to extend my congratulations to all the winning brands.

To our readers who are pet shop retailers, in these pages you will see brands you work with but there may also be an opportunity to add to your best-selling lines too. It is an incredible line-up of winners and we’re proud to reveal it to you here…

Your votes have been counted and the results are in!

inside? What’s

4 Manufacturer of the year: Supreme Petfoods

6 Wholesaler of the Year: Pedigree Wholesale

8 Product Innovation of the Year: Catit PIXI Smart range and Cat Accesory of the Year: Catit PIXI Fountain

10 Must Stock Product of the Year: Yakers

12 Eco Brand of the Year: Burns

14 Wet Dog Food of the Year: Forthglade

16 Reptile Product of the Year: Tortoise Life Bio

18 Small Animal Product of the Year: Supreme Science Selective Range

20 Grooming Product of the Year: Animology Dog

Shampoos

22 Dry Dog Food of the Year: Canagan

Cat Food of the Year: Canagan

Sales Rep of the Year: Symply Pet Foods

24 Dog Treat of the Year: Fish4Dogs Dental Sea

Jerky Range

26 Cat Treat of the Year: Arden

Grange premium liver paste

28 Raw Dog Food of the Year: Nutriment Support Range

Awards

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR: Supreme Petfoods

Supreme Petfoods: experts in small pets, award-winning excellence

As the small pet population continues its upwards trajectory, Supreme Petfoods is proud to be the recipient of the 2023 PPM Retailer Recommended Manufacturer of the Year Award. The award is testament to Supreme’s unwavering commitment to excellence and their longstanding reputation as experts in small pets.

From their humble beginnings on a farm in Hadleigh, Suffolk in the 1990s, where they initially focused on producing hay and straw products, Supreme has blossomed into one of the best-known small pet food and treat manufacturers with its Science Selective and Tiny Friends Farm brands. At the heart of Supreme’s success lies their founding ethos of always doing the very best for small pets, enhancing their well-being and quality of life. The company now has a comprehensive range of species-specific small pet diets, and continues to go from strength to strength.

Supreme’s farming roots remain deeply ingrained in their values today, just as they were over 30 years ago. They

maintain a strong focus on caring for the environment, using recycled and recyclable materials whenever possible and striving to source ingredients locally wherever possible, helping to both reduce CO2 emissions caused by transportation and also support local businesses. This commitment to the environment also extends further afield; all Supreme’s products are palm oil free, helping to stop deforestation and protect the natural habitats of orangutans and other native species in Borneo and Sumatra.

As a leader in the small pet category, Supreme works closely with veterinary specialists and nutrition experts to ensure they always put the health of small pets first. This is combined with regular investment in market research to ensure they maintain a deep understanding of the category and remain at the forefront of industry knowledge. By sharing these insights with their retail partners,

Supreme supports them in providing the best products and services to pet owners.

Supreme’s dedication to customer satisfaction extends beyond their product ranges. They also provide comprehensive support to retailers including in-store marketing materials, free samples and money off next purchase coupons, as well as expert health and welfare information, product training and exclusive monthly offers for retail partners. This commitment to service and support across all channels, from wholesalers to retailers, vets and pet owners, is integral to the Supreme way of working.

Passion and dedication are the driving forces behind everything Supreme does. A commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and consistency across all products has set the company in good stead, and ensures that they never let their customers down. With an unwavering focus on integrity, every member of the team is passionate about delivering fantastic products and exceptional customer service, all working towards a common goal of promoting a long and healthy life for small pets. Supreme would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who voted for them. They are excited to continue building strong relationships with retailers, pet owners and, of course, small pets, for many years to come. With fixed formula recipes, a growing product range and a clear brand and marketing strategy, retailers can rely on Supreme to provide award-winning excellence.

For more information, contact Supreme Petfoods on experts@supremepetfoods.com or visit https://supremepetfoods.com/products/

EXPERTS IN SMALL PETS

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We were the first to create high-quality specialist small pet food, because we believe all pets deserve the best, even the small ones.

Our foods never contain added sugars, we use natural ingredients, and have a vegetarian, traceable process from beginning all the way to tiny bowl. We champion animal health and welfare, using fixed formulas for our best-loved recipes, and ensuring our knowledge, resources and products can reach pet owners everywhere.

We are Supreme Petfoods, experts in small pets. Because some of the best things come in small packages.

Retailer Recommended Awards

As a leading pet food and accessories wholesaler distributing products to Pet Specialist retailers across the UK, there is no doubt that Pedigree Wholesale are passionate about pets. This drives them to offer pet owners the highest quality, best value products through great retailers who care. This passion extends to their experienced team of 8 Business Development Managers who cover all regions of the UK, as well as their Customer Services team based at Nottingham. Their Business Development Managers are their customers’ trusted advisors, bringing them new products, special offers, training, category advice, in-store Point of Sale and merchandising solutions, all with the aim of improving their in-store offering to delight their customers’ pets and improving commercial returns. If you don’t yet trade with Pedigree Wholesale, get in touch as they’d love to help.

Kevin Hayes-Heath, one of Pedigree Wholesale’s Business Development Managers says

“For over 8 years I’ve worked with family-owned pet businesses covering the central area of the UK to help them grow. I work with the Owners to select products that are right for them, then I merchandise these using our selection of POS and FSDUs. Our deals are based on sensible quantities that won’t break the bank which allow the customer to give the brands a go. I have a great range of Customers across my area, and they always love the continuous range of products that I bring to them and their businesses.”

On top of the dedicated, personalised support that Pedigree Wholesale Business Development Managers provide to Pet

Specialist Retailers, Pedigree Wholesale provide other great benefits and services to businesses like yours.

● A selection of 10,000 great products

● New products launched every month

● Nationwide next-day delivery*

● Customer Services team support for every account

● Monthly Magazine containing over 50 pages of special offers

● Great monthly deals, flash sales and exclusive offers

● Regular emails showcasing deals, new products, and much more

● Ranging advice, Point of Sale and Marketing support

● Flexible ordering options - online, phone and email

● Credit terms available

● Minimum order value of £350 (depending on price group) *Some exclusions apply i.e Scotland, Channel Islands, West Wales

Want to open a new account?

If you would like to open an account with us, contact Nel Plunkett, our New Accounts Manager. Nel can answer any questions you might have and help you through the new account application & onboarding process. Phone: 07519377102

Email: nel.plunkett@petproducts.co.uk

HOME OF GREAT BRANDS

Our mission is to be your wholesaler of choice. That’s why we make sure everything we do is centred around you, supporting your business by providing the best service and bringing you the best products and brands that are right for your customers and their pets.

My Business Development Manager assigned to my store (Kevin) is always very helpful and keeps in regular contact with me regarding both prod- uct offers and checking in to see how we are doing and if there’s anything he can do to help.

My Business Development Manager, Dave, popped in on a day when I was feeling under the weather and overwhelmed with running my brand-new store and putting away a huge delivery. He saw I wasn’t my usual self and helped me plough on through the delivery whilst we chatted new products, orders & FSDUs. In the time that Dave gave me, he gave me a lifeline, and by the time he left, my store had regained some order!

You offer a wide variety of pet supplies; when I receive requests from my customers, I am confident that you will stock the products. My Business Development Manager and the accounts team are really helpful, if I have any problems I know they will be able to resolve it straight away.

Dean Jackson, Tollerton Pets

Katie Parker, Pickles Pet Pantry

Leanne O’Hagan, Tight Line Tackle & Pet Supplies Ltd

The Leaders in Cat Drinking Fountains Keep Delivering!

With cat owners increasingly looking for innovative ways to take the hassle out of pet ownership whilst providing the best of care for their feline, Catit has hit a home run with their PIXI range of cat accessories.

Responsible cat owners realise the importance of proper feline hydration and drinking fountains are becoming increasingly popular in UK homes. We all know how much cats love drinking from running taps and drinking fountains tap into this natural instinct by providing fresh clean, filtered, running water 24/7, encouraging cats to drink more which helps maintain optimum health.

of the fountain, is suspended within the water which eliminates vibration and makes PIXI practically silent! With other nifty features such as adaptable water flow options, 3 stage filtration, a stainless-steel top model and coming in a range of subtle pastel shades, PIXI is fast becoming cat owners’ fountain of choice.

Technology To Help Owners Look After Their Cat

purifying UV steriliser. It not only alerts owners to refill the fountain but tells them when to replace the filter, clean the pump and provides additional power options including an energy saving mode and downtime scheduling, all through the free Catit PIXI app!

App-controlled wet and dry food feeders are also available to allow owners to schedule their meals so their cat can continue with their daily routine without worrying about it being disrupted or having to change their own plans so that they are home to feed them.

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Catit have led the way in the drinking fountain market for many years, with their insanely popular and much imitated Flower Fountain now a must-have accessory in millions of cat owner’s homes around the world. A new Catit fountain therefore had a lot to live up to… and Catit’s PIXI Fountain certainly does! Named after the rescue cat adopted by Catit’s product development team, the PIXI fountain has a super cute design, featuring a nose and whiskers motif that runs throughout the wider PIXI range. This transparent motif is also functional, allowing owners to easily view the water level thanks to the inbuilt LED light illuminating it from within. PIXI even communicates with pet parents, flashing red when the water level is low and automatically stopping the pump when the water drops further, preventing potential pump damage. Should the pump stop whilst the owner is not around, the cleverly shaped fountain top retains a pool of water, ensuring their cat won’t go thirsty.

The pump, rather than sitting on the raised base

After the success of the PIXI fountains, the Catit team realised that there was more of a desire from pet owners to have useful cat accessories that not only helped them to take care of their pet in the most effective way but looked aesthetically pleasing as well.

Catit PIXI Smart range includes a hitech ‘smart’ Wi-Fi connected fountain which is available with a built-in water

The PIXI fountain is at the heart of the growing PIXI range, but it doesn’t stop there! The range also includes funky motion activated toys and a cute mouseshaped Wi-Fi connected pet camera, with many more fun and innovative products coming later this year.

Catit would like to send a huge thank you to everyone that voted for Catit PIXI Smart Range as PPM’s Product Innovation of the Year and for the second year running Catit PIXI Fountain is PPM’s Cat Accessory of the Year.

100% natural dog chew and occupier range expands with four delicious new flavours.

YAKERS are thrilled to present the latest addition to the popular occupier treat range - the brand-new YAKERS flavours dog chews. Building upon the resounding success of the Original 100% natural YAKERS chew, a range of new recipes have been crafted, incorporating different natural flavours, each offering unique benefits for dogs.

The new YAKERS flavours retain all the advantages of the original chew. Helping fight plaque and tartar, contributing to excellent dental hygiene and are rich in protein and calcium, ensuring optimal muscle growth and healthy bones.

The extra long-lasting chews are also preservative and gluten-free, making them suitable for sensitive dogs. Plus, the low fat content (only 5.2%) makes YAKERS chews a guilt-free indulgence for pet parents to offer their dogs.

Made to an ancient Himalayan recipe, perfected over hundreds of years from the not-so-secret 100% natural ingredient, yak milk. A small amount of cow’s milk, lime juice and a pinch of salt is added before smoke drying for 28 days. With no artificial flavours, colours, or additives, these occupier chews provide exceptional value while remaining a wholesome and extra long-lasting treat for dogs.

Responding to the overwhelming demand from consumers, four new flavours were added to the range: strawberry, mint, apple, and turmeric and ashwagandha.

● The Apple flavour is packed with vitamin C, bolstering a dog’s immune system and the high fibre content promotes efficient digestion, ensuring a happy and healthy tummy. The apply flavour also contains Quercetin to help alleviate allergies.

● The Turmeric & Ashwagandha flavour harnesses the power of nature to provide a multitude of benefits for dogs. With natural anti-inflammatory properties, it supports joint health and acts as a natural calmer, helping dogs relax during stressful situations.

Suitable for dogs aged four months and over, the new YAKERS flavours are the

ultimate combination of taste, nutrition, and extra long-lasting entertainment.

The are in ex sizes and can be sold separately There are also two new which contai the chew, or th health which includes the mint chews.

The YAKERS flavours so that have been voted th s out 2023.

The fruity strawberry or refreshing mint are both available in medium and extralarge sizes and can be sold separately. There are also two new multipack options, the fruity pack which contains the strawberry and apple chew, or the health pack which includes the mint and turmeric-ashwagandha chews. avours proved so popular that they have been voted the Must Stock Product of the Year and sold out completely at Crufts 2023.

Not only are the YAKERS fl irresistible, but they also deliver a ts that go beyond avour treat and a powerhouse of nutrition for healthy gut. The omega-3 fatty acids present contribute to a shiny coat and radiant skin.

The Strawberry flavour is a tantal dogs. Rich in vitamin C, it supports their immune system, while the high fibre content aids digestion and promotes a hlthtTh3fttid

● The Mint flavour not only naturally freshens breath, but is also with vitamin C, giving their immune system a boost. The high fibre content aids digestion and the natural antihistamine Quercetin, helps reduce allergic reactions.

For more information on stocking the new YAKERS flavours and the wider YAKERS range, visit Yakers.co.uk or e-mail sales@ kennelpak.co.uk. Free digital and instore POS is available for the whole YAKERS range.

Not flavou also delive range of benefits go beyon their taste.

BURNS IS OUR ECO BRAND OF THE YEAR!

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at Burns. As a business, the pet food supplier is always looking to reduce their environmental pawprint wherever they can to change the pet industry for the better. Here are some of the ways that Burns are keeping on top of their sustainability mission.

Carbon Negative Food Supplier

In 2022, Burns changed to a new manufacturer, based in the UK, that has a wealth of knowledge, high quality production and a high regard for sustainability practices. The supplier is carbon negative, meaning Burns can lower their environmental impact on a wider scale.

Recyclable Packaging

Several years ago, Burns changed their dry food and treats packaging to be 100% recyclable. Making small changes to everyday products can make a big impact to the environment, and that begins with the industry itself.

In 2021, Burns Wet Food packaging was changed to become 99% recyclable, including a recyclable plastic tray, paper sleeve and box.

Green Energy at Burns

Energy at Burns is also as green as possible. Their headquarters produce 100 kw of solar heating panels and many staff have electric or hybrid company cars. In a major project, Burns installed a biomass plant for heating and hot water at Burns Parc y Bocs Farm Shop and Burns Foundation HQ, both in Kidwelly. The biomass wood chip comes from their own woodlands which is managed sustainably by replanting.

Natural and Wholesome Ingredients

The entire concept of Burns Pet Nutrition is based on promoting health and wellbeing of pets through natural, wholesome food at an economical and affordable cost. Burns foods are highly

means that the amount of faeces (poo) produced is reduced, thereby resulting in a clear environmental benefit also.

Team Burns

To look after the environment and local communities, the pet food company believes it is important to first prioritise Burns staff members. Burns Pet Nutrition was the first in the pet industry to sign up to the Living Wage Foundation commitment to pay the Real Living Wage to all staff. All employees receive benefits which exceed statutory guidelines on holidays, free time, and major company contribution to employee pension scheme.

Local Communities

It is increasingly competitive and difficult to be a small business owner in a modern market. To maintain local communities, Burns drives the “Shop Local” initiative by incentivising pet owners through the Burns Loyalty Scheme. This allows customers to receive their 6th, 7th or 8th bag of Burns for free (depending on the stockist).

The John Burns Foundation also provides support to local communities such the elderly, isolated and those with learning difficulties. This involves local activity classes in the John Burns Foundation Centre, as well as transport to local amenities.

To find out more about Burns and their products, please contact sales@burnspet.co.uk or 0800 018 1890.

gy at Burns

digestible which

A HAT-TRICK WIN FOR FORTHGLADE NATURAL DOGS DINNERS FROM DEVON

Forthglade, leaders in natural dog food have once again won the coveted title of Wet Dog Food of the Year, with their ever-popular grain free complete meals. With over 50 year’s expertise in pet nutrition, Forthglade remain passionate about nourishing the relationship between people and their dogs, with good nutrition at the heart.

No nasties

The natural meals, made at Forthglade’s state-of-the-art Devon factory, are a firm favourite with pet owners for good reason, packed with high-quality ingredients, gently cooked to lock in all the goodness and free from any junk or fillers. With an impressive 75% named protein, recipes include lamb, duck, turkey, chicken, chicken with liver, beef, sardines and salmon. Designed for the most sensitive tummies, fibre-rich vegetables like butternut squash and sweet potato are added, with vitamins, minerals, herbs and probiotics for a complete nutritionally balanced meal.

For pups through to seniors

The range of meals are specially tailored to suit a dog’s lifestage. To ensure the best start in life, recipes for puppies contain salmon oil, a great source of omega 3 to help brain development, chicory root extract to help with a healthy digestion, chondroitin and glucosamine to aid bone development and good joint health and sweet potato for its high energy density – ideal for lively pups. Meals for

senior dogs aged 7yrs+ include omega 3 to help maintain cognitive function, a lower protein level of 60% for a lighter fat recipe, butternut squash for its low energy density and high antioxidants for good digestion. Chondroitin and glucosamine are also added to support healthy joints and bones. In between these tailored lifestage recipes are the nutritious meals suited for dogs aged 1yr+. All meals are available in convenient 395g trays, as single recipes or variety cases.

Learn more about Forthglade’s wide selection of natural wet meals, natural dry cold pressed recipes and natural treats at forthglade.com. For stockist information contact the team trade@forthglade.com.

Life

Following a flurry of votes from specialist reptile shops and general pet stores across the UK, the innovative tortoise substrate has been heralded as the “Reptile Product of the Year”.

The team of herpetological experts at ProRep, a subsidiary of Peregrine Livefoods, carefully crafted the formula to replicate the natural habitats of Mediterranean tortoises with acute consideration for practicality.

The substrate is comprised of loam, fine sand and coir. These ingredients form a natural texture that holds moisture and gives the keeper freedom to create important microclimates across the enclosure. Carapace “pyramiding” is a major veterinary concern that occurs when a tortoise is kept in suboptimal conditions and provided with an inappropriate diet. This can be combatted by creating humidity gradients throughout the enclosure, which is easily achieved with the use of Tortoise Life Bio. The substrate should be sprayed with a light misting of water 2 – 3 times a week. It will then retain and release this moisture into the environment gradually and at different rates across the surface, allowing the animal to hydroregulate.

The combination of loam and sand is excellent for digging. In the wild, Mediterranean tortoises will dig shallow burrows to feel secure and

to take refuge from harsh conditions. Tortoise Life Bio offers a playground of opportunity for tortoises to enact natural behaviours within the enclosure. This versatile substrate is favoured by keepers of various taxa, including burrowing snakes and Mediterranean lizards.

The addition of soil means keepers can even sprinkle ProRep Tortoise Seeds into the substrate to grow natural forage. Not only is this an excellent food source, but it creates a dynamic setting that changes over time.

Chris Jones, Managing Director at Peregrine Livefoods said “We would like to thank our customers and retailers for voting for ProRep in the 2023 PPM Awards. Our Life series substrates are famed for their representation of the wild but are clearly loved by customers for their practical use. ProRep makes it possible for every keeper to introduce a slice of the wild into their animals’ enclosure in an affordable and easy-to-apply way.”

The ProRep “Life” range is inspired by nature and offers a spectrum of substrates that mirror specific habitats from Australian desert to the Amazonian rainforest. The specialists at ProRep

understand the importance of speciesspecific products when catering for exotic animals and each product is carefully formulated to mirror the wild.

● More information on ProRep’s Life series can be found at www.peregrine-livefoods.co.uk.

For more information please contact sales@peregrine-livefoods.co.uk

Tortoise

Bio has been awarded “Reptile Product of the Year” at the PPM Awards 2023.

Other substrates in the ProRep Life series

SMALL ANIMAL PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: Science Selective Range

Supreme excellence with Science Selective Supreme’s Science Selective range continues to dominate the small pet market, winning the coveted Small Animal Product of the Year at the PPM Retailer Recommended Awards for an unprecedented sixth year in a row! This incredible achievement speaks volumes about the consistent high quality of Science Selective small pet diets and the unwavering commitment to retail partner support.

Backed by years of science-based nutritional expertise, Science Selective offers the widest range of veterinaryrecommended species-specific food, treats and hay for small pets, including rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus. With an emphasis on high quality nutrition that respects the natural diet, the range for herbivores contains the highest levels of fibre, natural prebiotics, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and has no added sugar. The herbivore diets are also manufactured in dedicated vegetarian factories where no meat is processed. Science Selective diets are formulated to promote a long, happy and healthy life for all lifestyles and life stages. From Science Selective Junior Rabbit and Junior Guinea Pig, to Science Selective Rabbit Four+ for seniors, tailored nutrition ensures that changing needs are met throughout life, and as small pet life expectancies increase, diets tailored

for senior years are becoming ever more important. As with the rest of the range, the diets are all fixed formula, ensuring the consistent high quality that Supreme is renowned for.

Of course, there is nothing more important than taste and as well as strong nutritional credentials, Science Selective has excellent palatability, making it a hit with pets and owners alike. Consumer reviews are second to none, with many rabbit owners reporting that their pets are so enamoured with Science Selective that it is as if they are addicted!

In addition, substantial marketing investment has helped to position Science Selective at the forefront of the small pet category. Specialist pack design helps the range stand out from competitor brands on store shelves, simplifying brand choice and helping to foster brand loyalty. Supreme’s retail partners also benefit from comprehensive in-store support, with free samples and MONP coupons for Science Selective Junior, Adult and Four+ Rabbit Food and Science Selective Adult Guinea Pig Food, plus traditional point of sale, product training, and loyalty schemes. With highly palatable brands like Science Selective, free samples have proven to be

particularly effective and in 2023 alone, Supreme has distributed nearly 300,000 of them.

Supreme is dedicated to maintaining the Science Selective success story, and ongoing investments in market research ensure that they stay ahead of the game. Recent insights reveal that Science Selective ranks highest amongst rabbit and guinea pig owners as being the most pet-centric small pet brand, as well as being the brand most associated with being ‘veterinary recommended’. Further afield, the Food For Life advertising campaign has successfully raised brand awareness and spread the Food for Life message. Launched in 2022, the campaign is targeted across social media platforms and has reached a global audience.

Supreme extends their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who voted for them. Science Selective remains the flagship brand in the small pet category and Supreme is committed to supporting its success and that of the retail partners who sell it.

For more information, contact Supreme Petfoods on experts@supremepetfoods.com or visit https://supremepetfoods.com/products/

FOOD FOR LIFE.

RECOMMENDED BY VETS

You want your customers’ pets to live a long and happy life, so choose to stock Selective, tailored nutrition to help support small pets’ digestive health and vitality for all life stages and lifestyles.

• HIGH IN FIBRE

• NATURAL PREBIOTICS

• NO ADDED SUGARS

• OMEGA 3 & 6

SELECTIVE. FOR EVERY STAGE IN LIFE

CONNECT WITH OUR FANS @supremepetfoods

Retailer Recommended Awards Advertising feature

ANIMOLOGY DOG SHAMPOOS VOTED THE BEST GROOMING PRODUCTS IN THE UK

Since 2010, Animology have been impacting shelves around the world with their bold branding and even bolder product names like Fox Poo, Stink Bomb and Dirty Dawg!

They’ve been loved by retailers, pets and pet parents since their inception and maintain their position as the number 1 selling pet care brand in major pet retailers in the UK*, so it’s no surprise that they’ve taken the top spot for this year’s Retailer Recommended Awards. Their range of pet care products includes shampoos and deodorising sprays for dogs and cats, fragrance sprays and functional grooming products that are must-haves for pet owning households. Formulated, tested and manufactured in North West England,

manufactured in North West Animology leads the way as a top-seelling brand in the UK and export to over 50 countries, and d counting, around the world.

The safety of animals is of top importance to the team at Animology and they prioritise working within

the law for animal safety.

Pet care products in the UK and EU are controlled, by law, under a regulation known as CLP, which limits the quantity certain ingredients can feature in a pet product (or whether they can feature at all) before being considered hazardous. There are also labelling requirements under the Detergent Regulations which denote how the ingredients must be displayed on pack and a number of symbols that must be displayed should ingredients go above the defined levels which mark the product as hazardous.

Animology and their parent company, Group55, have made it their mission to

help educate brands and retailers on the importance of these regulations and the risks that may come from selling illegal products.

Unfortunately, you may be surprised to learn that there are many brands that have entered the market in recent years, that are being sold in major retailers, that do not comply with these regulations and retailers are selling illegal products that should be marked as hazardous to pets. The impact of this could be catastrophic for pet owners, brands and retailers alike.

Julie Butcher, Sales & Marketing Director at Animology comments “One thing we have always loved about working with independent pet retailers is their values surrounding pet safety and the desire to offer their loyal customers the best selection of products for their pets. This aligns very closely with our own values at Animology, we only want to produce the best products that are legal, safe and effective for pets. Being awarded the Retailer Recommended Award for Best Grooming Products means a great deal to us and we would like to thank everyone for taking the time to vote.”

“Animology has been a pet care staple in pet specialist retailers for well over a decade and the products continue to be some of the best performing on the market! We have some very exciting new products in development to enhance our core range further which will be launching later this year and exhibited at PATS Telford. Come and visit us at Stand E60.”

For more information about Animology email info@animology.co.uk or to set up a trade account visit animologytrade.co.uk

Retailer Recommended Awards Advertising feature

SYMPLY PET FOODS: honoured with three awards

The Symply Pet Foods team are thrilled and humbled to announce that Canagan has been honoured with not just one, or two, but three prestigious awards this year: Best Dog Food Brand of the Year 2023, Best Cat Food Brand of the Year 2023 and Sales Rep of the Year 2023.

These successes are down to the incredible support and recognition from the pet shops who voted in their droves, an achievement which would not have been possible without their dedication to providing the very best for our furry friends. As a brand that is passionate about pets’ health and well-being, all at Symply Pet Foods are committed to producing the highest quality pet food, using only the finest ingredients. Recipes are meticulously crafted to be biologically appropriate and grain-free, ensuring that pets receive the nutrition they need for optimal health. By stocking Canagan, retailers can offer their customers a top-tier pet food brand known for its quality and commitment to excellence.

“We would like to thank every single one of you for voting for Canagan as your favourite brand of the year; your support means the world to us,” says James

Milbourne CEO.

In addition to the two prestigious brand awards, Symply Pet Foods are very proud to announce that their Southwest regional sales manager, Ben Stockley, has been awarded the accolade of Sales Rep of the Year 2023. This is the second time Ben’s dedication to his customers has been recognised, previously being the 2019 winner of this award. Well done, Ben!

Symply Pet Foods is committed to supporting the independent pet trade. They say, “We value the incredibly important relationship between us and the retailer as we know the expertise and knowledge provided to the consumer is second to none. Our brands are not available in supermarkets or onlineonly stores, making them exclusive to independent pet stores. By stocking Canagan and Symply, you set your store apart as a premium destination that offers unique and sought-after products. It is this exclusivity that encourages customers to return to your store time and time again”.

James Milbourne CEO says, “We continue a path of innovation by pushing the boundaries of nutrition to drive

our standards ever higher. The last six months have seen the launch of Canagan Insect for Dogs and Canagan Softies

Semi-Moist Treats. We are very proud of these innovative products and leading the way to a more sustainable future of pet foods.”

Canagan Insect is a product with a novel protein that is perfect for dogs suffering with intolerances or allergies. Canagan Softies semi-moist treats, launched earlier this year, have quickly become Canagan’s fastest selling pet food treat. The dog range consists of 4 varieties: Chicken, Duck, Salmon and Quail, suitable for both puppies and adult dogs.

The cat range has 2 varieties: Chicken and Salmon, suitable for kittens and adult cats.

All varieties are enriched with natural collagen to support healthy skin, stronger bones and to help keep joints flexible.

BRITAIN’S FINEST MULTI AWARD WINNING PET FOODS

We are honoured to receive both Dog & Cat Food of the Year awards through the votes of our valued customers. We have a commitment to making the best foods available and delivering exceptional service, so we are proud that our team member Ben Stockley has been voted Sales Rep of the Year. Thank you to everyone for your support.

Sea Jerky treats triumph with consumers and retailers

Fish4Pets®, owners of the brand Fish4Dogs®, are delighted to win Pet Product Marketing’s Best Dog Treat 2023 Award for its Dental Sea Jerky as voted by you, the UK pet retailers.

And if that wasn’t a compelling enough reason to want to stock this 100% natural dog treat, it was also voted by consumers as Best Treat 2023 by the readers of Your Dog Magazine for the seventh time in the competitions 16-year history.

So, what’s behind the products popularity with dogs and their owners?

Fish4Dogs Sea Jerky is a highly palatable, white fish skin treat, naturally abrasive in texture which can support dental health. Available in six different shapes – tiddlers, squares, knots, twists, strips

and whoppers, there is a size and shape to suit dogs of all ages and breeds. Made from 100% dried fish skin with nothing added, it’s naturally lower in calories than many other treats.

Treats to support dental health

When a dog eats, the food, his saliva and bacteria all combine to form plaque. Gum disease occurs five times more often in dogs than in people, this is down to a lack of brushing and the fact that dogs’ mouths are more alkaline which promotes the formation of plaque. Unfortunately, it’s not just the health of your dog’s teeth and gums that could be at risk. If tartar is left to build up, it can lead to gingivitis which if left untreated can cause periodontitis. This

can bring abscess formation, loss of teeth and severe infections. These infections can enter the blood stream and cause problems in the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Fish4Dogs Dental Sea Jerky treats provide a reassuring solution for those dog owners seeking natural, effective dental support. First introduced by the brand in 2004, today, the original product is sold globally in over 34 countries. Not only has the product received numerous awards in the pet industry over the years, but the range also has an average score of 4.93 out of 5 from verified customers on their website. One customer wrote:

‘Bestthingonthemarketforpreventing tartarbuildup......believemeI’vetried themall.It’sthemostnaturalwayto cleaningadog’steeth&theyjustlove ‘em!Mydogscan’tgripthetoothbrush’ Grain free and containing no poultry or red meat derivatives they are even perfect for dogs with sensitive tummies.

Available in approximately 100g bags with an RRP of £4.50 and 500g bags retailing at £20.00. Whoppers only available only in the 500g version.

Retailer Recommended Awards Advertising feature

Cat Treat of the Year 2023 Award

About Arden Grange

Arden Grange is a British pet food brand that has been a pioneer in pet nutrition for over 25 years. Built on their core philosophy of ‘nutrition without compromise’ all of their dog and cat diets are based on no-nonsense, naturally hypoallergenic formulations. Their foods are gently digested and highly palatable with no added artificial flavours or sugar.

Their recipes contain exceptional ingredients, carefully sourced and included for their nutritional value. They combine these with powerful natural supplements to promote optimum health and wellbeing. It’s their mission to fill every dog and cat bowl with goodness, in the UK and beyond.

The must have treat for fussy felines!

Irresistible, naturally hypoallergenic and high in meat content, the Your Cat Treat of the Year Winner 2023, Tasty Liver

Treat, is a delicious paste suitable for cats of all ages.

This handy tube is a highly palatable, grain free, treat which makes for the perfect reward or training aid. It is also a great way of giving medication, either mixed in with a crushed tablet or with liquid medications on a dish and is an essential aid when grooming.

Not only is it a firm favourite amongst our feline friends, but it is also suitable for our canine companions. There is a reason it is a best-seller!

Nutrition without compromise

Along with this tasty snack, Arden Grange also provides grain free dry food recipes for kittens, adult cats, sensitive cats and less active cats. They each contain generous amounts of fresh chicken or fish, making the kibble irresistible to even the fussiest of felines. They also benefit from joint care supplements to aid mobility, prebiotics to support digestion and immunity and cranberry extract to aid in maintaining oral and urinary tract health.

Of course, we can’t forget our canine

friends and Arden Grange provides a wide range of delicious, complete dog diets also made with exceptional ingredients and no-nonsense formulations. From puppies to adults, to seniors – to small dogs, big dogs and even extra sensitive dogs, there is a recipe for all life stages and lifestyles. Whether you are looking for wholesome dry foods, wet foods, grain free diets, or recipes with gentle or novel proteins, Arden Grange have got it covered.

You’re in for a treat

Arden Grange also provides a variety of other healthy and delicious treats for dogs that are made with nutritious ingredients and bursting with flavour. Their much-loved Crunchy Bites range includes joint care supplements, as well as green tea extract to support the immune system, and their brand new, soft snack Training Treats contain potent natural supplements to support the joints and digestion, and a nutrient-rich superfood blend of ingredients which have been selected for their excellent antioxidant properties. With grain free and Sensitive options available in the ranges, their naturally hypoallergenic treats are all made to the same high-quality standards as all Arden Grange foods.

For further information check out ardengrange.co.uk. For any sales enquiries or to simply find out more about any of the Arden Grange products, call 01273 833390.

The award-winning Support range from Nutriment — for dogs that need a little extra support to live happy and healthy lives!

Nutriment’s innovative and award-winning Support range consists of six carefully formulated recipes designed specifically to target common ailments prevalent in today’s dogs. With varieties to support liver, pancreas, and kidney health, recovery after illness, and weight and digestive concerns, health-conscious owners can feed their dogs with high-quality nutrition that they know will provide additional support in their area(s) of concern.

As is standard with all Nutriment premium raw dog and cat food products, the Support range contains high-quality, biologically appropriate ingredients chosen especially for their nutritional content and proven suitability for health support. Doting dog owners will be familiar with the ingredients they find on Nutriment Support packaging, including 100% British Beef Green Tripe, Whole Sardines, Fresh British Turkey with Bone, Salmon Oil, Fresh Butternut Squash, Fresh Broccoli, Organic Coconut Oil, Spirulina, Turmeric, and Dandelion Root Powder, to name just a few.

Thank you to the independent retailers for voting for Nutriment Support Range. At Nutriment, we are dedicated to the independent pet trade, and Ann Legg (B2B Sales Specialist at Nutriment) explains more about our commitment to our trade partners:

How easy is it to be a raw food stockists?

In my experience, having passion of raw feeding (and the health of dogs and cats in general) is the bed rock of a successful business. From an end user point of view, the experience of changing to raw food has many benefits and, in some cases, owners attribute this feeding style to saving their pet’s life.

Due to these benefits, the category creates loyalty, generating strong repeat business. Customers tend to have a high order frequency too, as home freezer storage is limited, which increases footfall, builds customer rapport and therefore presents retailers with more opportunity to upsell.

What support does Nutriment provide?

to build customer rapport, whilst opportunities with raw food

In addition to its functional approach to supportive nutrition, the Support range is the perfect introduction to raw feeding for those new to biologically appropriate raw food (BARF). As such, stocking the range provides the unique opportunity to build customer loyalty and rapport, whilst leveraging multiple upsell opportunities with complementary raw food products.

and category stan environment h pressures categor

Of course, there are limitations with stocking frozen, such as the need for freezers. For retailers beginning to incorporate a raw frozen range into their existing pet business, there are a ranges of freezers to suit the all store sizes and maximise the space and category standout. The economic environment has placed specific pressures on the raw food category due to its reliance on energy, however at Nutriment we pride ourselves on supplying the most efficient, reliable models –sourcing good quality freezers with good energy efficiency ratings will reduce the volume of product needed to be sold to cover those costs, for example only 5 chicken chubbs per week will cover running cost of our chest freezers, as it stands today.

stands to

At Nutriment we believe that in today’s climate it’s even more important to support our retailers. We are also focusing on new, impactful POS to be made widely available, and our Managing Director and senior team are also visiting our network to gain a real understanding of today’s challenges, so we can support with overcoming them, as a key brand player instore.

Since since starting my role in January, I’ve increased how many stores I am visiting on a weekly basis, offering advice, providing opportunities, and actively supporting our new and existing trade partners with growing their sales – even some simple changes in the range and layout is growing sales in stores. One store increased sales by 200% with a simple remerchandise.

If you would like some support with stocking this category please reach out. I’d love to chat to all retailers out there who are considering, or already are stocking frozen!