One group of archeologists looked for clues about dog’s ancestral diets by doing essentially what pet nutrition scientists do with modern dogs. They collected dogs’ feces and analyzed it.

While the fish technically originated in Asia, there is no such species as an Asian carp. A few pet food companies have avoided confusion by focusing on silver carp in their dog food.

More research will help formulators best use insect-based pet food ingredients and understand the ecological repercussions of doing so.

Eating what unfussy hunters and gathers eschewed, such as rodent eyes, may have provided sources of vital nutrients to dogs during domestication, including omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), along with omega-6 fatty acid alpha linolenic acid (ALA).

Three factors can stand in the way of acceptance of plant-based proteins as pet food ingredients. Dog and cat owners won't sacrifice taste and texture for their pets when converting to plant-based products.

For dogs, the paleo diet can mean meat and other items encountered around human camps during domestication. Although “discarded loincloth” will never become a dog food variety, other ancient flavors may remain to be revived as dog foods.

The scientists concluded that curcumin improved animal health by stimulating the antioxidant system and having an anti-inflammatory effect.

From algae grown on pot ale, a co-product of the Scottish whisky industry, to torula yeast grown on wood product left-overs, a range of potential novel ingredients emerged in 2020, despite the pandemic. To the contrary, the pandemic increased pet owner awareness of health issues, and that focus expanded to pet foods, treats and supplements made with phytonutrient-rich plants and functional ingredients.