Research Notes

EU program tests dried human food waste in pet food

Pet food and treats can use that otherwise wasted food, or at least some of it. That could reduce the demand from pet food companies for some raw materials or reduce competition between human and pet food streams.

July 26, 2021

Tim Wall

Researchers with Food for Feed established a recommended inclusion level for that dried human food waste, but also identified limits.

Paleo pet food hints from ancient dog feces in permafrost

The dogs had eaten muscle and bone tissues as well as roe and guts from fish.

July 22, 2021

Tim Wall

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.

Krill omega-3 fatty acids boosted dogs’ levels over fish

While krill provide health benefits to humans and their pets as food ingredients, humans threaten krill populations and the ecosystems that depend on the tiny animals, despite protections against overharvesting.

July 19, 2021

Tim Wall

Krill, tiny marine crustaceans, provide omega-3 fatty acids for pet foods in a different form than omega-3s in conventional fish sources. Krill are one of the most abundant species on the planet.

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German, French, US owners differ on grain-free dog food

Scientists observed a disconnect among pet owners and pet food makers regarding grains in dog foods.

July 16, 2021

Tim Wall

While dog owners worldwide buy grain-free pet food, their motivations may differ from one culture to another.

Accurate pet food calorie estimates may fight obesity

This diversification of pet food options may have implications for calculations used to estimate a particular formulation’s energy and nutrient content.

July 8, 2021

Tim Wall

Providing accurate calorie estimates helps pet owners avoid feeding their animals more energy than they need in a day. Improving calculations and subsequently calorie labeling could help fight the growing obesity problem in pets.

Pet personalized nutrition aided by microbiome research

Addressing individual animals' microbiomes may help pet food, treat and supplement makers customize pet food to meet the specific needs of each animal.

June 23, 2021

Tim Wall

Addressing individual animals' microbiomes may help pet food, treat and supplement makers customize pet food to meet the specific needs of each animal.

Don’t ‘oversell’ insect protein sustainability, nutrition

When scientists reviewed what research there is on insect-based ingredients in dog and cat foods, they found only two studies have evaluated how insect-based dog foods effect the nutritional status and health of dogs and none on cats.

June 22, 2021

Tim Wall

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

Breed-specific, premium dog foods have Iron Age echoes

The pet food industry may have ancient roots. Likewise, prepared diets and breed-specific formulations may be as old as the observation that there is nothing new under the sun.

June 18, 2021

Tim Wall

The pet food industry may have ancient roots. Likewise, prepared diets and breed-specific formulations may be as old as the observation that there is nothing new under the sun.

CBD didn’t reduce fearful behavior, hormones in dogs

To observe the dogs’ behaviors, the researchers video taped the experiment and counted the amount of time dog’s spent with ears relaxed, ears erect, tail stiff and other movements associated with fear or relaxation.

April 28, 2021

Tim Wall

To observe the dogs’ behaviors, the researchers videotaped the experiment and counted the amount of time dog’s spent with ears relaxed, ears erect, tail stiff and other movements associated with fear or relaxation.

How to recruit pet owners for dog, cat food studies

Participants for pet food or supplements studies can be recruited in several ways.

April 22, 2021

Tim Wall

Companion animal researchers have an option that many other scientists do not. Participants for pet food or supplements studies can be recruited in several ways.