Challenges for the canine and feline nutritionist and pet food formulator for the upcoming years

Proper nutrition:

The main challenge when formulating and developing products for the pet food market is ensuring proper pet nutrition. Each species has specific nutritional requirements, and products must be formulated to fulfill them. In addition, we have to consider factors such as age, size, breed, and individual health conditions. Formulating nutritionists must ensure that products are balanced and meet all necessary nutritional requirements.

Knowing the ingredients in depth:

Finding and using quality ingredients is another challenge facing pet food developers. It is important to ensure that the ingredients used are safe, healthy, and meet regulatory standards. Knowing the nutritional composition of each raw material, the digestibility of the ingredients for each species, and thinking about the interactions between nutrients during the digestive process of animals should also be questioned by the formulating nutritionist. Not only do the points mentioned above matter, but the choice of ingredients must also be very well thought out since it must comply with the minimum cost proposed for the formula, the availability of purchase considering the seasonality of each raw material, and the possible fluctuations in the availability in the market.

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In addition, some tutors are increasingly concerned with the origin of the ingredients, so their choice must also be guided by the product market positioning of the product that the nutritionist is formulating. Finding reliable suppliers and establishing long-term partnerships is essential to ensure the consistency and quality of the ingredients used in pet foods.

Understanding additives, their functions, and purposes:

The industry of additives for animal nutrition is constantly evolving thanks to the development of new products and technologies. A pet food formulator must keep up with these updates and advances in the field of additives to optimize pet food formulations and deliver high-quality products. Some additives are used as preservatives to extend the shelf life of pet foods. A pet food formulator must understand how these additives work, as well as the proper dosages to ensure food safety and good shelf life.

Palatability:

Pet food can be nutritionally balanced, but if it is not appetizing and acceptable to pets, it will be rejected by guardians and the animals themselves. Palatability is a major challenge when formulating new products. Pets have individual preferences, and their tastes may vary. Companies and their development teams must invest in extensive research and testing to ensure that their products are tasty and attractive to animals, while also meeting nutritional needs.

Processing considerations:

Pet food processing is an additional technical challenge. It is necessary to ensure that food is manufactured consistently, maintaining the integrity of ingredients and preserving essential nutrients. The pet food formulator must know the extrusion processes and their pre- and post-processing, as so many parameters can affect product quality, such as grinding, time/temperature inside the extrusion barrel, shear, friction, density, dried, and covered.

Extrusion is one of the types of processing that the formulator must master, but the dynamics of product diversification for this market require that these professionals learn about new forms of processing, such as autoclaving, dehydration, freeze-drying, and other innovations that may arise.

Innovation and market trends:

The pet food market is constantly evolving, driven by trends and consumer demands. Product developers must be aware of the latest trends and innovations in the industry, which includes the development of specialized products for specific needs, such as food for pets with food allergies, diets for weight loss, and organic and natural foods, among others. Keeping up with these trends and innovations requires continuous market research and flexibility to adapt to changes.

The pet food market presents significant challenges for formulators and product developers. Proper nutrition, choice of quality ingredients, palatability, processing considerations, and innovation is critical to success in today's marketplace. With so many challenges, a pet food formulator must be a multi-faceted professional.

The association and collaboration between the pet food nutritionist, researchers, and alliances between public and private institutions are important for the training of these professionals. They also promote science and technology for this market and to overcome these challenges, develop healthy and attractive food for pets, ensuring the health, and longevity of pets and owners' satisfaction.

By: Ludmila Barbi T. Bomcompagni and Erika Stasieniuk

Source: All Pet Food Magazine