Sustainability, pet health and wellness key topics for novel proteins

As the options for novel proteins expand, pet owners are looking for them to do more.

March 11, 2025

Novel proteins continue to expand in availability as science-backed solutions become more prominent and pet owners become more educated on their existence and what they can provide.

Novel proteins continue to expand in availability as science-backed solutions become more prominent and pet owners become more educated on their existence and what they can provide.

Miyako Nakamura | iStock.com

Novel proteins have been part of many trends conversations over the last several years: Sustainability, functionality, and health and wellness have all had seats at the table of novel protein development. Today’s needs continue to focus on those three topics in ever-more-complex combinations.

Log in to view the full article

Designed to support women's career development in the pet food industry, the Women in Petfood Leadership program aims to connect and empower women and their allies, fostering business and career growth.

Empowering women in pet food: Leadership initiative expands opportunities

Goldrush and Jonathan apples ripen in the author's front yard as it is transitioned to regenerative agriculture. Note the squares of dead grass, which were later replaced with flower beds.

Replace lawns with gardens in pet food sustainability plans

Sustainable Dog and Cat Food

Further Foods secures cultivated meat supply for Noochies! pet treats

The company said the move advances commercialization efforts while it expands into Asia.

Noochies! products are designed to provide high-protein, nutrient-rich pet food options made with cultivated meat.

Pet Food Ingredients

BioCraft gains EU approval to sell cell-cultured pet food ingredients

According to the company, third-party validation confirms cell-cultured pet food ingredients are pathogen-free and non-GMO.

BioCraft has received registration from the Austrian authorities to use Category 3 Animal Byproducts (ABP) in the European Union, enabling it to begin selling ingredients to EU pet food producers.

Something to Chew on

What consumers think about novel pet food proteins

While sustainability concerns help spur interest in non-animal-based proteins, surveys of pet owners still show low awareness and willingness to buy them.

For pet owners to accept alternative proteins like insect-based, education and time are in order.

Adventures in Pet Food

Pet food sustainability starts with ingredient carbon footprint data

Ingredients comprise the largest share of pet food companies’ carbon footprints, yet data on them can be difficult to find. New databases promise to help soon.

Pet Food Ingredient Database

Petfood Forum News

What is the state of US pet food ingredient approvals?

A closing panel discussion at Petfood Forum 2025 will tackle this issue with key industry players answering your questions.

The expiration of a key AAFCO-FDA agreement on Oct. 1, 2024, eliminated a major regulatory pathway for pet food ingredient approvals, which could impact innovation in the industry.

Adventures in Pet Food

Sneak peek: Pet food market data reported at Petfood Forum

During Petfood Forum 2025, several sessions will provide data and insights on the pet food market, including ingredients from around the world.

Dall·e 2024 07 16 14 02 42 A Detailed Mosaic Created From Various Coins Forming The Image Of Dogs Eating From Silver Bowls The Mosaic Should Be Intricate, With Different Sizes

African game meat emerges as a sustainable protein for pet food

Angelique Myburgh with Montego Pet Nutrition will explore how South Africa's abundant game meat offers a novel, eco-friendly protein source that enhances pet nutrition during Petfood Forum.

African game meat offers pet food manufacturers an innovative solution for advancing pet nutrition and promoting global sustainability efforts.

Insect-based Cat and Dog Food

Polish biotech firm unveils scalable beef analog from insects

Proteine Resources said its product offers a 1:1 nutritional profile to real beef while cutting production costs by up to 50% and addressing pet allergies.

The company’s business model relies on a network of modular, AI-driven mini-factories, with the first of many already under construction.

We Feed Raw launches freeze-dried raw dog food

Brand expands into shelf-stable category with two premium recipes for adult dogs.

We Feed Raw’s freeze-dried product goes through high-pressure processing, which is an all-natural method that uses cool water at high pressure to eliminate harmful bacteria from raw food.

Pet Food Ingredients

The evolution of functional pet food ingredients

Consistent humanization of pets has led to a laser focus on health and wellness that means functional formulations are expected to do more than ever.

Functional pet food ingredient needs are on the rise, leading formulators and pet owners alike to ask for more.

Pet Food Marketing and Branding

Purina facilitates therapeutic pet food with D2C sales from vet clinics

By addressing consumer and veterinary challenges through its Vet Direct model, Purina aims to drive continued growth in therapeutic pet foods.

Dall·e 2025 03 04 08 39 44 A Nostalgic Watercolor Painting Of A Veterinarian In A Cozy Clinic, Prescribing A Bag Of Pet Food To A Small, Curious Kitten The Veterinarian, Wearin

Pet Food Ingredients

Study: Enifer's mycoprotein more carbon efficient than soy protein

Company's new €33M production facility will begin production by early 2026.

PEKILOPet mycoprotein is a nutrient-rich ingredient produced through a biomass fermentation process.

Page 1 of 119