by George B. Josef, Global Head Marketing & Nutritional Lipids for petfood, dsm-firmenich, USA
Pet parents have always wanted the best for their furry friends but what is considered ‘best’ is undergoing a radical shift. Nearly 70 percent of global pet owners say they are “worried about climate change” and are “trying to have a positive impact on the environment through my everyday actions”. In fact, pet owners are more concerned about sustainability than non-pet owners.1 This is partly what led to many consumers seeking out petfood products that were made using by-products from meat processing for human consumption. But this practice is declining in popularity as pet owners want more premium and human-grade options for their pets.
At the same time, consumers are increasingly aware that good nutrition can help people live longer and healthier lives and they’re applying this same ethos to cats and dogs. It’s no surprise then that trending human nutrition topics like gut health and immunity are influencing pet nutrition. In one study, three out of five pet owners said they looked for pet food featuring vitamins and nutrients to support immune health at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
So how can modern petfood companies balance the needs of discerning pet parents? Read on to discover the latest ingredients that give pets a taste they love and the nutrition they need all while reducing the environmental impact and protecting petfood producers from volatile supply chains.
What to do when there aren’t plenty more fish in the sea?
Omega-3s – particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – are critical to cat and dog health. EPA and DHA support a wealth of pet parent priorities including healthy joints and brain development in puppies and kittens and enhanced immunity, organ health, and cognition into a pet’s senior years. But omega-3s are heavily associated with overfished oceans and unsustainable practices – 930 billion fish are removed from the oceans each year, just to supply the pet food industry with fish oil and meal. Fluctuations in the availability and price of fish oils also expose pet food manufacturers to supply chain disruption and rapidly increasing costs. But there is a better way to give cats and dogs the essential nutrients they need – by going straight to the source with algal-based omega-3s.
For example, with DHAgold™ petfood companies can easily add the nutritional benefits of DHA to any food, treat or supplement. This easy-to-use powder is made from fermented algae that is carefully dried to produce a robust ingredient with a high DHA content and superior sensory properties. DHAgold™ also has a scientifically proven claim to support brain health in dogs. In one study a group of 8- to 11-year-old dogs were fed food containing DHAgold™ for 6 months and displayed significantly improved memory and visual performance.
For petfood brands who want to offer both EPA and DHA then Veramaris® Pets may be the answer. Containing 60 percent EPA and DHA, this is the world’s most potent and complete omega-3 solution suitable for cats and dogs at all life stages. It offers more than double the potency of equivalent fish-oil alternatives as well as a better taste. These two ingredients highlight just how efficacious algal-based omega-3 ingredients can be in petfood applications. Both are inherently safe with assured freedom from ocean-borne contaminants, offering true consistency, reliability, and scalability with an infinite source of quality omega-3s that does not impact global fish stocks.
Maximizing taste – minimizing impact
Pet parents want their furry friends to enjoy their food and treats, just like any other member of the family. But eco-conscious pet owners are increasingly aware of the high carbon footprint associated with meat- and dairy-based petfood ingredients. For petfood manufacturers as well, animal-based ingredients are associated with volatile costs and often unreliable supply chains – hitting profitability in a highly competitive market.
Fortunately, ingredient science is working to tackle all of these challenges. New solutions can optimize a smaller amount of animal-derived raw materials to create delicious flavors that pets love while also providing a lower environmental impact and less exposure to fluctuating supply and costs. These truly innovative meat-optimizing flavor ingredients therefore help petfood producers use valuable resources more efficiently, appeal to sustainably minded pet parents and support better pet nutrition through consumption.
One example of this in action is dsm-firmenich’s cheddar cheese flavor concentrate. This spray dried powder is made with genuine Wisconsin cheddar and whey and can be supplemented into dry dog food. The ingredient is created using enzyme modification, which intensifies the natural cheese flavor and aroma that dogs love, transforming a standard dry food application into an experience worthy of wagging tails and happy smiles.
On-trend fortification
In 2024, it’s hard to talk to anyone not actively trying to improve their gut health or immunity – and pet owners have the same priorities for their cats and dogs. In one recent study, 63 percent of pet owners say they want to see “helps aid digestive health” and 51 percent want to see “helps aid immune health” on pet products.
Ingredients like dsm-firmenich’s Leva-Mos® can provide a dual function here by supporting gut and immune health in one easy to use spray dried powder. Rich in mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and beta-glucans, this upcycled ingredient supports gastrointestinal health by stabilizing the gut microflora, maintaining gut health during microbial enteric challenges, binding to food pathogens in the GI tract, and supporting intestinal barrier function. Meanwhile, the branched glucan structures also support a balanced immune function. And on-trend fortification doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. LevaMos® is produced through dedicated baker’s yeast fermentation under strict hygienic conditions and offers pet nutrition brands a cost-effective way to tap into trending health claims that drive brand value.
Finding the balance
Whether it’s sustainable and infinite sources of omega-3s, meat optimizing flavor ingredients to lower emissions, human grade vitamin premixes with custom CO2 calculations, or valorizing waste-streams while supporting pets’ microbiome – the right pet nutrition partner can help you find the balance in taste, health, cost and sustainability.