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Editor's NoteNearly 6 million households in Korea own pets. Due to the rise of single-person households and low birth rates, living with pets has become a part of daily life, and pets have become even closer family members than blood relatives. Pet owners continually make choices, from adoption to feeding, clothing, medical care, and even at the very last moment. [Pet & Life] follows the life cycle of pets from the perspective of first-time dog owners, highlighting how pet culture is shaping new lifestyles, and closely examines the "petconomy," which has grown into an annual 9 trillion won market.

Pet owners often find themselves changing their dogs' food frequently. If their dogs develop more prominent tear stains, skin troubles, or even a slight change in their stool, owners look for different products. This phenomenon, where owners cannot settle on a specific food and keep switching, is commonly referred to as "pet food nomadism."

With the increase of the so-called "Pet Family Tribe" who treat pets as family members, pet food has moved beyond simply being a meal to being considered a "staple food." As the belief grows that what you feed your pet determines its health, owners are becoming more discerning in their choices. The market is flooded with products labeled as "premium," yet the actual quality varies from product to product.

The first thing consumers check when choosing pet food is the meat content. However, what matters more than the amount of meat is the form in which it is used. Fresh meat refers to raw ingredients containing moisture, whereas "meal" is made by drying and powdering meat at high temperatures. While this process concentrates protein, it can also lead to some nutrient loss. Therefore, it is important to consider not just the content, but also the processing method and the state of the raw ingredients.

On April 24, this publication compared and analyzed 12 types of premium pet food currently available both online and offline. The products reviewed include Ziwi Peak, Stella & Chewy's, Carna4, The Honest Kitchen, Orijen, Aatu, Farmina, Monge, Acana, Now, Bixbi, and Royal Canin Indoor. The analysis focused on processing of raw materials, meat content, whether the product uses limited ingredient diets (LID), and the product design philosophy.

The pet exhibition "Mega Zoo," held at Ilsan KINTEX until the 17th, featured dogs that came with their owners on the first day, the 15th. While their owners stood in line in front of booths, the dogs were exploring the surroundings inside the exhibition hall. Photo by Huh Younghan

Pet Food Also Has "Grades"... Less Processing Means Higher Quality

Dog food is generally divided into six quality grades. The highest grade is called "Rawganic." This refers to raw or lightly cooked food with minimal processing, resulting in the least destruction of nutrients. The next grades are Organic, Holistic, and Super Premium. As the grade decreases, the proportion of processing increases, and more grains or by-products are used.

Ziwi Peak, often called the "Hermes of pet food," falls into the "Rawganic" category. Its meat content, including beef, organs, and bones, reaches 96%. It uses a gentle air-drying process to closely replicate a raw diet, and its protein content exceeds 38%, ranking among the highest. Stella & Chewy's is similar in approach.These products use freeze-dried coating on fresh meat and organs to preserve the quality of the raw ingredients as much as possible. As a result, these products are often considered "dried raw food" rather than traditional pet food.

Retaining Raw Ingredients by Minimizing Processing; Products Containing Meal Are Lower Grade

The second tier consists of organic or minimally processed premium pet food. Carna4 uses oven baking instead of high-temperature extrusion, and it maintains the nutrition of the ingredients without adding synthetic vitamins. The Honest Kitchen uses "human grade" ingredients and aims for minimal processing. The key is not just "what is included" but "how little it has been processed." Currently, the widest segment of the market is occupied by "Holistic" foods, such as Orijen, Aatu, Farmina, Monge, Acana, Now, and Bixbi. These products generally have a high proportion of fresh meat and do not use by-products. For example, Orijen Small Breed contains 85% meat and 38% protein. Aatu Salmon uses a single protein structure with 80% salmon. Priced at around 20,000 to 30,000 won per kilogram, these products offer a balance between quality and accessibility.

The lower tier includes foods based on meal and grains. For example, Royal Canin Indoor uses dehydrated poultry, corn, and wheat. Although the grade of raw materials is lower than that of higher-tier products, these foods excel in palatability and digestive stability.

Spread of "Limited Ingredient Diets" to Address Allergies

The most notable trend in the pet food market is the rise of limited ingredient diets (LID), which use a single protein source, such as salmon, wild boar, rabbit, or beef, to minimize the risk of allergies. Aatu (salmon), Farmina (wild boar), Monge (rabbit), and Ziwi Peak (beef) are leading products in this category. This trend is rapidly expanding, in line with the increasing incidence of skin and digestive issues among dogs.

The industry notes that "the best pet food is not the same for everyone, but depends on its purpose." For the highest level of nutrition, Ziwi Peak or Orijen are recommended. For those prioritizing cost-effectiveness and quality, Acana, Now, Farmina, and Aatu are good alternatives. On the other hand, Royal Canin is regarded as suitable for those who value palatability and digestive stability.

Most of the major premium pet foods currently available on the market meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF). Since the basic nutritional requirements have already been met, the criteria for selection are shifting from the product itself to what best matches a dog's constitution and preferences.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.