PROCTER & GAMBLE to buy out Evo, California Naturals and others

[glinda]

-snip-
P&G Acquires Natura Pet Products

P&G Expands Further in 'Super Premium' Pet Food Segment
CINCINNATI, May 5, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) has signed an agreement to acquire Natura Pet Products, Inc., a privately-held pet food business based in Davis, California.

This move enables P&G to expand into the attractive "holistic and naturals" segment of the pet food category, complementing P&G's current Iams and Eukanuba brands and helping the Company advance its overall growth strategy of "reaching more consumers in more parts of the world more completely."
Natura's brands include Innova, Evo, California Natural, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma. These brands are sold in a limited number of pet specialty stores and through veterinarians, mainly in the United States and Canada.
"These outstanding brands and the great employees of Natura Pet Products will complement our Eukanuba and Iams brands very well," said Dan Rajczak, senior vice president of P&G's global pet care and snacks businesses. "This acquisition gives us a strong position in the holistic and natural pet food segment. It will enable us to enhance the health and well-being of even more dogs and cats and represents an exciting new source of growth for our business."
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http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/breaking-news-proctor--gamble-purchases-natura-pet-products.html



BLECH* Now what do I buy?????? Am on a limited budget with four dogs. Any suggestions? Am buying Evo right now and cannot spend more than that.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[realisticphish]

1. well

if they do a peaceful buyout, and don't change the formula, whatever.

But I feed Evo occasionally, and I'll be double checking ingredients lists from now on

[lukasahero]

2. I'd be more concerned about the "ingredients" they don't

put on the package. Melamine, anyone?

glinda - have you looked at Blue Buffalo? I believe they're a holistic brand that might be in the same price range as Evo.

Other brands to consider (can't vouch for cost):
Wellness, Artemis, Nature's Variety.

Good luck!

[GoCubsGo]

3. Blue Buffalo is good stuff

And, I'm willing to bet less expensive than Evo. No corn, wheat or soy, so no melamine (which was in wheat gluten a cheap protein.) They also have a grain-free formula. I feed one of my cats BB, along with By Nature, which has very similar ingredients. She is doing well on them. Both brands can be found at PetSmart. Newman's Own and Pet Guard also have holistic formulas. You should be able to find the latter at Target, among other places. I have started to see Newman's showing up in the grocery stores, and it might also be at some Target stores (my local store only carries the dog food). It's kind of pricey, as is the Pet Guard.

[realisticphish]

4. I like Natural Balance

Canidae/Felidae is pretty good too

Wellness is great.

I used to work in a pet store, so i spent a LOT of time reading food labels

[CC]

5. Why not wait and see what happens while

checking into other foods. Evo is not cheap so finding another food in the price range shouldn't be too hard.

I would think they bought Natura because they liked the product line and the customers it would bring in. If they are going for the "holistic and naturals" segment of the pet food category then keeping the food quality etc. is as important if not more important than anything. I use Evo for all but the birds. It is high quality, all the furkids like it and I've never had an issue with quality so will give it time. I keep an eye on other foods that might be good anyway so will keep that up. I always want a back up just in case.