Alternatives to chemical pesticides

A niche supplier is distinguished by its ability to spot current trends earlier than most of its competitors and to commit itself to running with them. In the pet sector Canina has acquired the reputation of being just such a far-sighted and dynamic company. 

Back in 2010 when the barf trend was still in its infancy, Canina presented its product Barfer's Best at Interzoo. This is a natural food supplement for adding to the daily ration in a biologically species-appropriate raw feeding regime. "We attached great value to bringing a product onto the market that can be fed simply but still includes all the nutrients that a dog needs from a nutritional physiology point of view," recalls Canina managing director Tim Spanke. 
The barf line has since been carefully developed and these products are now among the front-runners in the Canina range. Individual components of barf food are also to be found in the range. The company now even sells barf products for cats, because feeding a raw diet is growing in popularity for felines too.
Tim Spanke believes that barfing offers fantastic opportunities for the pet product trade to differentiate itself qualitatively from its competitors. "Since most consumers tend to have relatively small freezers, barf enthusiasts make regular visits to pet stores to pick up new products," explains Tim Spanke. Even online stores and supermarkets would find it difficult to offer barf products on account of the particular logistical effort involved. "The trade and industry recognised this problem early on and are doing a great job in offering barf products," says the Canina boss. The company provides substantial support for pet product retailers with attractive training offers to help them in giving competent advice.

Another product line with which the company is very satisfied is its line of organic pesticide products. "More and more consumers are seeking alternatives to chemical pesticides," says Spanke. His company is benefiting from the fact that troublesome pests like fleas and ticks are now no longer a phenomenon observed only in the spring, but cause a nuisance all year round.

Canina employs over 40 people and markets its product range of over 150 items in nearly 3 000 German pet…