Popular Functional Ingredients in the Pet Food Industry

This trend is fueled by consumers' increasing attention to health issues, both human and pet. An ingredient is categorized as functional if it provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition when included as part of a complete and balanced diet.2 Examples of functional ingredients commonly used in the pet food industry include turmeric, chicory root, brewer's yeast, and marine oils.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice derived from the roots of the Curcuma longa plant.3 This functional ingredient has gained considerable attention in the pet and human food industries due to its health-promoting properties. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, has been proven to be effective in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis.4 In addition, curcumin has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.5

Chicory Root

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The root of the chicory plant is a naturally occurring prebiotic used commonly in pet food as a source of inulin.6 Research has shown that inulin derived from chicory root is more beneficial to host health than synthetic inulin and favors the growth of certain species of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.7 Prebiotic ingredients help to support the growth and maintenance of healthy bacteria living in the gut.8 In addition, prebiotics have been observed to be effective in the enhancement of the immune system.9

Brewer's Yeast

Historically, the pet food industry has used brewer's yeast as a palatability enhancer; however, recent research has shown that brewer's yeast also has immunomodulatory and gut health-promoting effects.10-12 Brewer's yeast supplementation results in beneficial changes in markers of intestinal function.13,14 In addition, yeast products may also boost antioxidant activity in cats and dogs due to their β-glucan and mannan content, which are thought to be the main actors in the antioxidant capacity of yeasts.15

Marine Oils

In pet food, the use of marine oils has gained traction due to its EPA and DHA contents.16 It is known that supplementation of EPA and DHA improves the skin and coat quality of dogs with skin disease.17,18 In addition, EPA and DHA have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in dogs with heart and hip diseases.19-21 Supplementation of DHA-concentrated marine oil has also been shown to be effective in supporting the cognitive health of puppies.22 

The incorporation of functional ingredients into pet foods, treats, and supplements has grown in recent years. As consumer knowledge of animal health and diet quality has improved, so has the desire to maximize their quality of life.23

Source: BSM Partners