By Jackie Rive at www.brookbyherbs.co.nz
Helping horses and dogs live healthier and happier lives, naturally.
Increasing numbers of pet owners are paying more attention to what they are feeding their dogs, cats and horses, with many turning to organic, natural and herbal alternatives.
According to recent research from the United States, spending on nutraceuticals and pet care supplements is expected to continue rising throughout 2011, with sales predicted to reach $1.6 billion by 2015, a 27% increase from 2010. The senior and joints category is especially buoyant, accounting for approximately one-third of retail sales of dog supplements, one-fifth of sales of cat supplements and almost one-third of horse supplement sales.
Brookby Herbs founder and Managing Director, Jackie Rive, believes that the growing popularity of these pet care supplements is due to an increased awareness of alternative treatment options in general.
‘More and more people throughout both New Zealand and the rest of the world are now taking an interest in using non-pharmaceutical treatment options to care for their own health as well as the health of their families,’ explains Jackie. ‘Pets are an integral part of many households so it comes as no surprise that people want to include them in their quest for healthier living.’
‘There has also been something of a backlash against unnatural processed foods recently,’ she adds. ‘Individuals are becoming much more aware of where their food and supplements come from and just how much they are contributing nutritionally. This new found attitude is crossing over to how they look after their pets and is driving purchases of natural and organic products.’
Jackie also points out that the fact that herbal supplements are gentler and often involve fewer side effects than the conventional pharmaceutical medicines is also a draw card.
‘Of course, the first step should always be to take the pet to the vets if there is anything wrong,’ says Jackie. ‘However, more veterinarians both here and overseas are now recommending herbal treatment alternatives for certain conditions. It is becoming widely accepted that they can be kinder on the organs, such as the liver and kidneys, than some of the pharmaceutical options.’
For more information on Brookby Herbs, visit http://www.brookbyherbs.co.nz/
Visit www.brookbyherbs.co.nz for a full range of natural organic herbal health blends for animals
