Pet Food Additives and Supplement Research: PetfoodIndustry

Criteria for choosing extruded dog, cat food ingredients

Nutrition, processability and other practical concerns, along with sustainability and marketability influence the choices pet food formulators make when developing recipes.

July 18, 2022

Tim Wall

Certain criteria influence why pet food formulators choose specific ingredients for new recipes to be processed in extruders.

Locust bean gum (carob bean gum) use in canned pet foods

Regardless of name, locust or carob bean gum provides a complement to carrageenan for texture development in canned pet foods.

July 1, 2022

Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.

Locust (carob) bean gum is a GRAS additive with limited controversy that is complementary to carrageenan in canned pet foods.

Phytate, phosphorus, phytase for dogs, cats on plant-based pet foods

Phytate limits the availability of phosphorus in plant-based diets.

April 22, 2022

Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.

Phytate phosphorus may be a limiting factor in new plant-based pet foods. In addition to supplementation, use of a phytase enzyme may be needed to unlock the phosphorus and make it more bioavailable.

What’s coming in 2022 from AAFCO’s Pet Food Committee?

Updates, priorities and timing

March 1, 2022

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)

Learn about the latest results of AAFCO’s 2022 mid-year meeting, including pet food labeling modernization and human-grade guidelines in pet food.

Diverse needs for functional pet food ingredients

Functionality is becoming an increasing question in pet owners’ minds as they look to their pets’ diets for nutritional and health solutions.

March 1, 2022

Lindsay Beaton

Learn about the current functional pet food and treat ingredient trends, including the need for sustainability as well as the standard asks like digestive health.

Nutritional studies reveal cat characteristics

Research explores cat diets related to aging, enjoyment of eating and obesity

October 8, 2021

Jim Winter

Cats are unique, complicated creatures. Researchers continuously conduct studies to learn more about felines. Professionals shared the results of some of those studies on September 24, 2021 at Petfood Forum in Kansas City.

Dog nutraceutical trial in Mexico shows health benefits

The study in 44 dogs in three Mexican cities improved the overall health of the dogs, according to their owners.

September 29, 2021

Iván Franco

The supplement featuring a patented ingredient of oxidized beta-carotenes was designed to support dogs’ immune systems and combat some ailments.

The latest on pet supplement market growth

The continued growth of the pet supplements market speaks to increased attention from pet owners toward their furry companions.

June 11, 2021

David Sprinkle

Learn more about the current state of the pet supplements market, which continue to grow in the wake of COVID-19.

Pet supplements present another health option for owners

Pet owners searching for ways to take better care of their pets are following human trends and looking to supplements for answers.

June 2, 2021

Lindsay Beaton

Learn about current pet supplement trends and how they relate to trends and current consumer demands in the larger pet space.

Functional, freeze-dried trending in pet mixers/toppers

Consumer trends continue to gravitate toward preventive care and diversifying pet food bowls.

May 13, 2021

Lindsay Beaton

Learn about the latest trends in the pet mixers/toppers space, including their use for functional purposes and the popularity of the freeze-dried format.