LOS ANGELES —Independent Innovation Awards, an organization that collects nominations to award outstanding companies in a range of consumers goods industries, announced the winners of its Pet Supplies and Products awards category in early November.

“As the pet industry continues to grow, we are seeing an evolving shift in how we treat and care for our pets," said Bryan Vaughn, managing director of the Pet Independent Innovation Awards. "We see the pet market focused not just on growth, but on creating tangible value for their products to help give our pets a better life."

The awards were distributed in a variety of categories, including food and treat products, each with a set of subcategories in which companies were awarded. Overall, Snif-Snax won the Pet Health Food Product of the Year award for its human-grade dog treat products made primarily with Scottish salmon and sweet potatoes.

There were 12 subcategories for pet food and treat awards, not limited to dog and cat products although a majority of them were dedicated to different formats of dog and cat food and treats.

Winners of cat food and treat awards include: Taste of the Wild – Cat Food Dry Product of the Year; Northwest Naturals – Cat Food Frozen/Raw Product of the Year; Royal Canin – Cat Food Special Diet Product of the Year; PetGuard – Cat Food Wet Product of the Year; and Vital Essentials – Cat Treat Product of the Year.

Dog food and treat category winners include: Wild Earth – Dog Food Dry Product of the Year; Ollie – Dog Food Frozen/Raw Product of the Year; v-dog – Dog Food Special Diet Product of the Year; Caru Pet Food – Dog Food Wet Product of the Year; and Lord Jameson Dog Patisserie – Dog Treat Product of the Year.

There were also some pet treat-related winners in the health category, including: Only Natural Pet – Cat Homeopathic Product of the Year; TEEF! by Primal Health – Dog Dental Care Product of the Year; and Honest Paws – Dog Calming Product of the Year.

Among retailers, Chewy.com won Online Retailer of the Year.

Only products that have been produced or updated for the market by the cutoff date are considered for a Pet Independent Innovation Award. Senior-level pet product marketing professionals are chosen to sift through and judge the nominations. 

Independent Innovation Awards also recognizes companies and brands in the beauty and cannabis industries.

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