Natura’s brands will join P&G’s existing Eukanuba and Iams pet food brands in a move to improve P&G’s poisition in the holistic and natural pet food market. Specific terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but Natura officials did report they feel P&G is the ideal company to help take its brands to “the next level of growth.”

While formulas and ingredients likely won’t change much for Natura’s product line, at least not in the short term, it’ll be interesting to see how customers react to their specialty brands joining with more mainstream pet foods in the Eukanuba and Iams lines. It will also be interesting to see how P&G positions Natura’s natural dog foods and cat foods with some of the all natural pet food formulas currently offered by P&G like its Eukanuba Naturally Wild Dog Food and Iams Healthy Naturals Dog Food formulas.

Another question involves how P&G will expand the distribution of Natura’s products, which typically sell in pet specialty stores and directly through veterinarians, into the mainstream via “big chain” stores such as PetSmart and PETCO.

The acquisition is also a bit of a surprise, as some in the industry have recently questioned P&G’s desire to remain in the pet food business. Pet care and pet products is a relatively small segment for P&G, and it hasn’t performed as well as other areas of the company’s business.

What’s your opinion of the Natura Pet Foods acquisition by Procter & Gamble?

Update: Examiner.com has a good article about the Natura Pet Products sale that summarizes many of the Natura customer worries: “that mass-marketing the product will reduce the quality of its production, that the formula will change, that ingredients will become lower grade, and that changes will not be quickly or honestly communicated to consumers. Additionally, Procter & Gamble has a poorly regarded history of animal testing and rumors of animal cruelty in the production of some of its other brands, most notably, Iams and Eukanuba.”

After two years the comparison listing was starting to show signs of age both in its look and in terms of its information, especially when it comes to prices for the leading premium and prescription pet foods.  In the last year and a half prices have risen dramatically for pet foods (ranging from 20% to as much as 70%!), largely due to an increased use of U.S.-only ingredients in the wake of the 2007 Pet Food Recall as well as increased production and shipping expenses.

Pet food manufacturers have also frequently resorted to decreasing the size (total weight) of their bags, and in many cases (especially with the veterinary diet dog foods) have significantly increased prices while also decreasing the dog food bag size.  We’ve addressed both issues in the updated page, with a new focus on the pricing and changes in bag sizes.

By popular request we’ve also added ‘Buy Now’ buttons.  These new buttons link to the sites with the lowest prices that we’ve found for the dog foods and cat foods listed on the page.  If you’re considering purchasing one of the veterinary prescription diets please note that many require a prescription in order to purchase.

While some veterinarians are reluctant to issue a prescription for you to have filled elsewhere (it impacts their bottom line after all), veterinarians are required by law to provide a written prescription upon request, making it possible for you to save money by purchasing for less online (or elsewhere).

Check out our updated comparison page and let us know what you think of the new look and new information:

Comparison of Premium and Prescription Pet Food Diets for Urinary / Kidney Health Problems

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Also known as dirlotapide, Slentrol will help owners of the roughly 5 percent of obese dogs and the 20 percent to 30 percent of dogs that are overweight in the U.S. It comes at a time when many dogs are being exercised less frequently and fed more food and treats than they need. Slentrol will be available nationwide this spring, with a daily dose expected to cost between $1 and $2.

We have a Pet Obesity FAQ with additional information on canine obesity and the new Slentrol pet weight loss drug.

March 24, 2006 Update: Reports of canine influenza spreading west continue to appear, with one confirmed dog flu case in the San Franciso, California, area as well as a reported outbreak in North Texas.

We have a Dog Flu Virus FAQ with additional information on canine influenza.

The good news is that issues common to Dalmatians like deafness, urinary stones, skin allergies, and an amazing propensity for exercise require little in the way of special care. In fact, as long as you follow three important rules of Dalmatian Dog Care, your dog’s chances of living a long, healthy, life free of pain and disease are extremely high.

If you currently own a Dalmatian or are considering the breed, we urge you to read our new Healthy Dalmatian Diet pet health article. If you have any questions about the breed or about Dal care, we’re only an e-mail away.