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.

A decree ends genetically modified corn imports to Mexico by 2024. However, exactly what this means for the pet food industry is uncertain. Meanwhile, landraces are losing ground to varieties developed outside corn’s crib in Mexico.

A Furry's Kitchen tasting event fed unsuspecting "food influencers" in Singapore the company’s human-grade recipes.

In Hong Kong, one traditional Chinese medicine supplement producer adapted a century-old business to include pet health products.