Nutrition and trends in the pet food market

Over the next decade, the pet food sector is expected to experience steady growth due to increased pet ownership rates and increased concern for pet health and nutrition.

Nutrition is crucial for maintaining the health of companion animals, as malnutrition or overnutrition can lead to gastrointestinal, renal and dermatological health issues as well as obesity and diabetes. The drive to create healthier pet foods to prolong companion animals’ lifespan and improve their quality of life is accelerating at pace, with an emphasis on developing novel offerings.

Gut health and its management is an intricate and complex area governed by numerous factors including nutrition, microbiology, immunology and physiology. When gastrointestinal (GI) health is compromised, nutrient digestion and absorption are affected and susceptibility to disease is heightened. Ultimately, these can negatively impact the overall health and well-being of our companion animals.

A recently released white paper from Dr. Richard Murphy and Dr. Karina Horgan at Alltech, entitled “Dietary biotics: Strategies to optimize pet intestinal health and wellbeing," explores the gut microbiome and the importance of pre, pro, and postbiotics in a pet's diet.

If you have questions or would simply like to learn more about the Alltech Pet team and its initiatives, please reach out to pets@alltech.com.