Pet food sustainability: Where we’re at, where we need to go

As one of the industry’s top trends continues to evolve, we take a look at what’s going right — and where we can do better.

February 18, 2025

Sustainability isn’t going anywhere in the pet food industry, and will in fact continue to evolve in 2025.

Sustainability isn’t going anywhere in the pet food industry, and will in fact continue to evolve in 2025.

Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn | iStock.com

Sustainability isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s becoming more prevalent in every part of the pet food production cycle, from ingredients to processing to packaging. As such, it behooves us to figure out what’s going right in the pet food space when it comes to sustainability while acknowledging how far we still have to go. In our LinkedIn poll question posed in January 2025 (p. xx), 51.3% of respondents indicated that they believe the pet food space is “behind the trend” when it comes to sustainability. So, what is the current reality, and where can the industry do better?

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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.

Alltech earns Pet Sustainability Coalition reaccreditation

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

Pet Food Ingredients

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.

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.

Pet Food Insights

A greener future for pets

The popularity of plant-based pet foods continues to grow, even while customers also have questions.

Those in the plant-based pet food space must ensure that their formulations are nutritionally complete for pets and appealing to pet owners.

PSC, Retail.pet to celebrate sustainability at Global Pet Expo

Pet Sustainability Coalition and Retail.pet will recognize brands making a meaningful impact through sustainable business practices.

Pet Food Packaging

American Packaging hits sustainability milestones

Flexible packaging provider recognized for sustainability and environmental transparency.

American Packaging Esg Milestones

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.

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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.

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