Birth of an Industry
The UK pet food industry's birth, just before the turn of the twentieth century, is attributed to James Spratt of Cincinnati, Ohio, who travelled to London to sell lightening conductors. After watching dogs eating discarded ship's biscuits on the quayside on his arrival, he turned his attention to producing biscuits especially for dogs.

A Developing Industry
The first canned foods for dogs were produced in the USA. Commercial production in the UK began in the 1930s when the Chappel Brothers began canning a meat and cereal food for dogs. The broadening knowledge about pet animal nutrition and food technology enabled the industry to develop and diversify in leaps and bounds. Today, with the industry nourishing a large pet population and with around 90% of all pet owners feeding prepared pet food at least once a week, pet food is one of the most significant market sectors. The market for prepared pet food was worth just under £1.5 billion in 2002. Pet food offers the total daily calorie requirements for a pet in a product which is easy to use and enjoyed by your pet.

Growth of the market
Over the years, pet food sales have consistently increased. This trend is accounted for by increases in the pet population, a growing use of pet food as part of the overall diet, a greater variety of diets and the benefits and value for money that pet foods offer. However, prepared pet food accounts only for approximately 60% of the dog's, and 65% of the cat's regular calorific intake.