'Feed Them Like Family'

摘要

"Love them like family, feed them like family." That's the motto of pet food maker Blue Buffalo Co., but it nicely captures the current sentiment of pet owners ... and the makers of pet food. Pet food is a $26 billion a year business, growing at 6 percent, and showing no signs of slowing, according to market research firm Packaged Facts. And higher-end products like those at Blue Buffalo - typically $60 and up for a 30-lb. bag - are enjoying even higher growth rates. Speaking of Blue Buffalo, it was the last independent of the five top-selling pet food companies ... until now. At the end of February, General Mills announced a deal to acquire the premium pet food company for $8 billion.