I’m an anomaly on the streets of Los Altos. I don’t have a dog.
But lucky for me that many of my friends are proud to share their domiciles with a dog or more (aka Canum Lupus Familiaris).
Almost everyone who has a dog in Los Altos carries two bags when they are on a sidewalk stroll or grabbing a coffee in the company of their best Bowser buddies: One bag is full of treats for their dog(s) and another holds the digested ejectibles that the owner is responsible for picking up.
The interaction of treaters and treatees is multifaceted:
• The treaters who promote their delectables
• Kids in strollers who want to get in on the act
• Four-footers whose owners are happy to empty another owner’s bag for treats
• An occasional human who will pop a treat
There is no exact total number of dog treat brands available in the United States as the market is vast and constantly changing with new companies emerging and brands being swallowed up. However, the market includes hundreds, if not thousands of brands, from major manufacturers like Mars, Nestle, Purina and smaller, specialty companies.
The U.S. pet treat market is a multi-billion dollar industry, reflecting the large number of products available to consumers and their dogs. A few large companies dominate the overall pet food market and offer a wide range of treats, including Mars, Nestle, Purina, Petcare and J. M. Smucker.
In addition to the big players, there are countless smaller companies, such as Blue Buffalo, Colorado Naturals and Bocce’s Bakery, that produce and sell a variety of dog treats in the U.S.
Dog treats are sold through a wide variety of channels, including mass retailers, supermarkets, online stores and independent pet stores.
Hopefully many of the multi-brand treat buyers have deep pockets because the cost for treats could run up to thousands of dollars per annum.
Cats can treat behind closed doors, since Cats are more anti-social than Bowsers. They can consume their happiness without a bunch of street strangers getting in on their act.
With the holidays upon us, food banks and community organizations are in full food flowing in offering families including their best friends chow to down.
I would offer a suggestion to all Los Altos non-dog owners. Buy a bag of treats and offer them to an owner and his best friend as a holiday treat.
