The field of pet health is continuously advancing, with the help of innovative contributions from ingredient suppliers and manufacturers.

Pets hold a special place in many people’s hearts—they are considered a part of the family.

According to the 2019-2020 APPA (American Pet Products Association) National Pet Owners Survey, 67 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which is equivalent to 84.9 million homes.

Since 1988, which is the first year this survey was conducted, that number has increased by 11 percent.

The pet health category is a field that is constantly developing, which is illustrated by the plethora of ingredients that are made available by ingredient suppliers and manufacturers.

Ingredients Gaining Momentum

Generally speaking, it is important for manufacturers and suppliers to be aware of the types of items they will be utilizing as functional foods, as self stability ought to be considered.

“The form of the shelf-stable pet food does play a role in application of health promoting ingredients,” said Jeffrey Alix, global marketing manager, pet nutrition, New Jersey-based DSM Nutritional Products. “Fresh, frozen and freeze-dried products have the unique ability to employ ingredients that otherwise would not be suitable for the more heavily processed dry extruded or wet retorted processes. Since dry food dominates the market, most ingredient suppliers focus resources on applications into this product form. This is important when you consider live micro-organisms are one of the tools used to impact the animals’ microbiome. It is challenging to incorporate these types of ingredients into processed foods and snacks.”

Interestingly enough, consumers who are eating a healthier diet centered around plant-based and organic ingredients are now looking to pass on this lifestyle to their furry friends as well. “Plant-based, organic ingredients are growing in the human diet at double-digit clips,” observed Michael Dettman, business development manager, Puris (Minnesota). “These same consumers now want those ingredients to be in their pet’s diet. Companies and manufacturers are taking notice. As a result, consumers are seeing pet food products that feature clean label, organic and grain-free ingredients.”

From a more specific perspective, collagen fits the mold as a player in the field of pet health. At trade shows and beyond, it is one of those ingredients that continues to gain popularity among people, so logic would suggest it could apply to pets as well.

“ … As collagen continues to be demanded in human nutrition, we see a desire for this ingredient in pet nutrition,” said Angie Rimel, marketing coordinator, North America, Iowa-based GELITA. “Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals—the main component of connective tissue, making up to 35 percent of their whole-body protein content. In fact, all connective tissue is comprised of some collagen, so protein supplementation with collagen protein (generally in the form of collagen peptides—short chain protein building blocks produced by hydrolysis of native collagen) helps pets stay flexible and mobile longer.”

Glucosamine, eggshell membrane and omega fatty acids are also topics of discussion. “Glucosamine continues to be the most popular pet supplement ingredient, mainly because it was one of the first supplement ingredients beyond vitamins and minerals to be introduced into the pet care market, so it has the greatest recognition by far,” explained Nena Dockery, scientific and regulatory manager with Missouri-based Stratum Nutrition, who offers eggshell membrane specifically for pets. “But that is changing. Even within the joint health segment, which is one of the largest within pet care supplements, other ingredients are beginning to establish themselves within the market. Ingredients such as eggshell membrane (NEM), collagen and omega-3 fatty acids have enough research support to be recognized as viable joint health ingredients for veterinary use.”

She continued, “ … Omega fatty acid supplements have also experienced tremendous growth within the pet supplement segment. This trend is led by fish oil supplements, but may be shifting to more balanced ingredients containing omega-3,6,9 because of the nutrient requirements for omega-6 fatty acids as well as omega-3. As a result, ingredients such as ahiflower oil that contain a blend of omega-3s and omega-6s can be particularly beneficial to some companion pets, particularly dogs.”

Dockery even noted that the presence of digestive care ingredients (probiotics and digestive enzymes) continues to expand—becoming more refined while targeting specific animals and breeds—but she argues that the “biggest addition” to this marketplace is CBD, despite the murkiness surrounding the topic.

MYOS RENS Technology in New Jersey offers MYOS Canine Muscle Formula (MCMF), a supplement for dogs containing the natural ingredient Fortetropin. According to Neerav D. Padliya, PhD, vice president, research, “Fortetropin is a fertilized, egg yolk product that is manufactured using a patented,1,2 low temperature pasteurization and drying process. This patented process helps to maintain the natural bioactivity of fertilized egg yolk by circumventing the use of heat while yielding a product that is highly safe and pathogen-free. “Conventional heat pasteurization is very effective in terms of destroying harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi but also leads to significant protein denaturation and oxidation of lipids among other undesired biochemical processes. The high-pressure pasteurization process that is used to produce Fortetropin effectively destroys harmful pathogens while maintaining the natural bioactivity of the proteins, peptides and lipids found within egg yolk.”

The Beauty of Innovation

In today’s day and age, the demand for more natural ingredients is increasing—DSM is responding to these pleas for a more natural approach by focusing on sustainability.

“This demand for natural and more sustainable ingredients has changed the trajectory of ingredient innovation [and] therefore the impact on solutions for improved pet health,” Alix said. “To accommodate this growing demand, DSM is committed to making further scientific advances including production of the highest quality and the most technologically advanced ingredient forms in a sustainable manner. We invest many resources in trying to ensure unmatched product and service quality for our many partners. Underpinning our strong track record in innovation and science is a global supply chain and logistics network based on robust processes supported by physical, documentary and information flow. We employ both forward and backward traceability exercises as a key component of our internal audit program to ensure that ingredients can be tracked and found quickly. We are also embracing technology advances allowing for more fully automated manufacturing processes.”

Alix also noted the importance of being able to tap into what customers are truly looking for, along with being aware of today’s regulations, noting that “pet ingredient/product innovation is driven by consumer demand and known health issues. This includes the types of ingredients being researched and the pet food product form developed to meet the brand owner’s desire to create a point of differentiation in the market. It is also good to acknowledge that pet consumables and their ingredients are heavily regulated. The majority of health ingredients sold into the pet food market support normal body structure and function. Foods, snacks or dietary supplements intended to cure or mitigate a medical condition is classified as a drug requiring a prescription from a licensed veterinarian.”

Further, other than more efficient manufacturing processes, innovation has resulted in a greater assortment of ingredients to choose from, including ones that target healthy aging for pets. “Innovation has definitely led to expansion in the quantity and diversity of ingredients used in pet supplements, and this in turn has increased the areas where supplementation could potentially lead to significant improvements in pet health,” said Dockery. “Research into the appropriate and safe use of ingredients that help manage the areas of health that are concerns for humans as they age have led to the introduction of ingredients and formulations designed to help pet owners meet the needs of their aging animal companions. Innovation in the areas of flavor and texture have also led to improvements in compliance for animals (particularly cats) that tend to be quite finicky in their dietary preferences.”

At the ingredient supplier specifically, she stressed the importance of safety practices, adding that “Stratum Nutrition has researched the use of combinations of ingredients with known safety and efficacy in various species of animals to provide unique, multifunctioning beneficial pet supplements. For example, NEM brand eggshell membrane has been well-researched in multiple species of animals for its safety and benefits to joint health. However, NEM can easily be combined with another one of Stratum’s ingredients such as Ahiflower omega-3,6,9 oil and/or the company’s Curcumin95 to create a multi-faceted joint health pet supplement. These types of combinations can be formulated into various dosing formats, though pet treats are probably the best way to control dosing of active ingredients.”

Market Status

The market for the pet health segment continues to be on the rise, especially as consumers continue to demand healthier ingredients.

“Pet owners are looking for products that are not only nutritious, but will also promote their pets’ overall health,” Dettman said. “Specialty and organic ingredients are in demand, and pet food companies are seeing this and are adapting to the change.”

Adoption is also positively impacting the market, a factor that may fly under the radar. “Pet supplementation products have become a major category within the dietary supplement industry as increasingly more people are adopting pets and considering them as members of their family,” Dockery explained. “The category has experienced tremendous growth and is showing no signs of letting up in the near future. If anything, the category will continue to expand into more areas of pet health.”

As previously mentioned, pets are considered an integral part of the family, so it would be logical for humans to want what’s best for them, including said diet and nutrition. “We see a trend in the market where humans are increasingly humanizing their pets. As the demand for healthier ingredients for human nutrition increases,” Rimel said, “so does the demand for pet nutrition. Consumers are looking to nutritional supplements, such as collagen for connective tissue for optimum health and longevity, and they also desire these benefits for their beloved animals. We see a shift away from ‘high quality food for pets’ to a ‘humanized’ healthy and nutritious food for pets.”

She continued to say that “ … we anticipate further growth in this market due to the humanization trend. In particular, value-added products as the focus of pet owners shifts towards healthy and nutritious diets. A shift to value is apparent as volume growth is less than value growth, indicating a trend of ‘premiumization’ where pet owners are looking to higher end, higher quality, more efficacious ingredients. We continue to see the pet supplement market further increasing the overall value of pet nutrition space.”

Alix was in complete agreement, and just as the basics laws of supply and demand state, the more popular a product is, the higher the price consumers are willing to pay for it.

“At DSM, our market intelligence data indicates that the demand for premiumization of pet foods, snacks and dietary supplements, continues to rise worldwide but most dominantly in the U.S. market due to the humanization of pets,” he said. “Health-promoting ingredients are often used to drive value in these premium pet health products as consumers become increasingly aware of the significant role well balanced nutrition plays in human and animal health and wellness. As a global leader of sustainable nutritional solutions like vitamins, we at DSM have conducted extensive research indicating that the majority of health-conscious pet parents agree that certain ingredients such as vitamins and pre- and probiotics are also an essential part of their pet’s diet based upon the high creditability factor in human health. Between this premiumization trend and a growing awareness among consumers regarding pet health and wellness, the use of health-promoting ingredients continues to expand creating a fertile market for the introduction of new innovative health ingredient solutions.”

Research in the Field

Gelita offers PETAGILE, an ingredient that can be used for joint cartilage regeneration in animals.

“Pre-clinical and clinical research is already showing the positive effect of PETAGILE on counteracting joint discomfort, decreasing lameness and increasing mobility. This innovative ingredient for the regeneration of joint cartilage in animals has been developed by GELITA,” Rimel said. “The specially optimized Bioactive Collagen Peptides in PETAGILE promote joint cartilage regeneration and thereby counteract the wear on joints caused by ageing and excess load. As such, oral supplementation with PETAGILE can contribute to the maintenance of joint health and keep pets mobile for longer. The specific peptides of PETAGILE , taken orally (1 g per 5 kg body weight), stimulate the cartilage cells (chondrocytes) to increase production of new cartilage matrix. Cartilage matrix predominately consists of collagen and proteoglycans which act as a buffer between bones.”

MYOS RENS Technology referenced a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical study which was conducted on 100 dogs recovering from Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) Surgery at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.3 According to Padliya, veterinary surgeons perform TPLO to repair the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). After TPLO surgery, the dogs’ operated limb is immobilized for several weeks which typically leads to significant muscle loss due to atrophy of disuse.

Following the surgery, 50 dogs received MYOS Canine Muscle Formula to take daily—a set of 50 other dogs received a macronutrient-matched placebo instead.

Compared to the dogs that consumed the placebo, those that took the Canine Muscle formula showed:

• Reduced muscle atrophy following surgery

• Improved recovery as indicated by increased weight bearing capacity on the operated limb

• No significant change in serum myostatin levels (while dogs in the placebo group experienced a ~10 percent rise in myostatin levels). Myostatin is a protein meant to impede the growth and development of new muscle tissue.

Over the years, research has greatly evolved along a similar path as that of humans, focusing on what those in the natural products industry would consider the “major” topics.

“A significant amount of research shows that nutrition is an important modifiable factor in the risk reduction of age-related chronic and infectious diseases in humans, and as we see similar ageing ailments affecting our companion pets, it was not a surprise to us at DSM when our pet consumer insight studies showed that pet parents are making the connection between healthy ingredients for humans and the potential benefit for their pets. As a result, we have seen increased interest and alignment with human nutrition and health trends,” Alix said. “… Similarly, as with human nutrition, some examples of the evolution of pet research can be seen in research related to fetal development, especially brain and eye development. This type of research extends into cognitive function for the aging animal. And lastly, the management of the pet’s microbiome is being extensively researched and covering a wide range of anticipated health and wellness benefits.”

Dockery, who also referenced the similarities in research between humans and pets, indicated the quality of the clinical trials has been a focal point too.

“The research in the field of pet health ingredients has evolved along a similar path to the research in human ingredients,” she said. “More attention is being made to quality randomized control trials that also demonstrate a high degree of safety to the animal subjects. Safety is a definite concern, since not all ingredients that are safe and beneficial to humans or one species of companion animal are equally safe and effective in all species.

“Supplement ingredients that support health in the aging pet have been the focus of an increasing number of animal research studies,” Dockery continued. “More companion animals, particularly cats and dogs, live indoors with their human family members; and therefore aren’t exposed to as many health hazards. This has dramatically increased their life expectancy, but has also made them more vulnerable to some of the chronic health conditions that humans experience as they age, such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.”

Compared to decades ago, consumers seek more transparency, especially in regard to what ingredients are in the foods that they purchase. It all starts with the food label.

“In years past, pet owners would not have put much thought into what their pet was eating daily. However, as we enter 2020, humans want to know where their food is coming from,” Dettman concluded. “How is their food made? Is their food sourced in a way that is good for the environment? These thoughts are now entering into the pet food industry. Companies have to be conscious of how their consumers view their label and whether their ingredients are truly good for the pet. Puris provides answers to all of these questions by proving sustainability through regenerative agriculture and traceability, and by knowing your ingredients were produced and sourced right here in the USA.” NIE

References:

1 Buxmann, W, Heinz V, Toepfl S. Process for producing a composition for increasing muscle mass. U.S. Patent #10,165,785, issue date: January 1, 2019.

2 Buxmann, W, Heinz V, Toepfl S. Process for producing a composition containing active follistatin. U.S. Patent # 8,815,320, issue date: August 26, 2014.

3 White, D, Harkin KR, Roush, JK, Renberg W, Biller DS. The impact of Fortetropin supplementation on dogs recovering from tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery. PLOS One, 2020, Revised Manuscript submitted.

For More Information:

DSM Nutritional Products, www.dsm.com
GELITA, www.gelita.com
MYOS RENS Technology Inc., www.myosrens.com
Puris, www.purisfoods.com
Stratum Nutrition, www.stratumnutrition.com

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