A Cape Codder for Rover

New England Journal of Higher Education, The, Summer 2005

Cranberry growing is a vital industry in southeastern Massachusetts, generating $63 million in annual sales and employing more than 5,000 people. Problem is, farmers now harvest many more cranberries than consumers want to eat.

A University of Massachusetts Dartmouth study sees a new market for the tiny fruit: the nation's 377 million cats, dogs and other pets.

The pet food market is worth $14 billion. Nora Ganim Barnes, director of the Center For Business Research at UMass Dartmouth, noted: "There are now more pets in the United States than people, and we are taking better care of our pets than ever. Therefore, the cranberry, known for its health benefits, is catching on fast as a key ingredient in pet food."

The researchers urge the cranberry industry to launch a campaign to convince pet food manufacturers of the tart berry's health benefits. Four in 10 pet food manufacturers already use cranberries in their products, mainly because cranberries appear to reduce urinary tract problems in cats and dogs. Most companies that don't use cranberries say they would if the health benefits were clearly established.