15/01/2026

Your Pup’s Dinner Can Have Greater Climate Impacts Than Your Own Meals

Although many of us have been warned about the environmental impacts associated with our own dietary choices, I'll bet many of you have not thought about the environmental impacts from dog food. But these impacts do exist and surprisingly, they can be significant.
  Dogs fed a diet of premium raw meat can have a larger climate pawprint than their owners, according to a recent study published by a team of scientists based at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Exeter. The analysis found that wet, raw, meat-rich dog foods are associated with substantially higher greenhouse gas emissions than are dry dog foods.
    In their study – the largest of its kind conducted so far – the researchers estimated that production of ingredients used in UK dog foods contributes somewhere between 0.9–1.3 % to total UK greenhouse gas emissions.
  The scientists figured this out by examining ingredients and nutritional labeling on dog foods and using that information to calculate the carbon footprint for almost 1,000 commercial dog food brands, based on emissions created during production of the ingredients. Their study of food samples included dry, wet and raw foods, as well as plant-based and grain-free options (Figure 1).

  Fig. 1. Simplified flow diagram showing the steps we take to calculate environmental impact estimates for each food. Ingredients list (1a), and typical analysis (1b), were web scraped from a single major UK pet retailer. Ingredient macronutrient information (3a) is from animal feed databases (INRAE-CIRAD-AFZ, 2021; USDA, 2023a) and USDA FoodData Central (USDA, 2023b). Environmental impact information (3b) is from the Poore and Nemecek (2018) meta-analysis, supplemented by information from Gephart et al. (2021) for fish and other aquatic foods.

How applicable are these findings to dog foods sold elsewhere in the world?   'Pet food is an international market with similar formulations across Europe and the US (although brands may vary), and trends (e.g. raw grain-free) are replicated across countries,' said the study's lead author, veterinarian John Harvey, who is a doctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh and a Research Associate at the University of Exeter.

'Some countries [for example] have a higher wet versus dry sales mix — this is important because if a country where little wet food is currently sold suddenly increases its wet proportion, there can be big environmental consequences,' Dr Harvey told me in email.
  Dr Harvey and collaborators also discovered that dog foods could generate greenhouse gas emissions that are equivalent to more than half the annual emissions produced by commercial airline flights burning jet fuel — assuming, of course, that the same types of dog foods are fed around the world as in the UK.
  Dr Harvey and collaborators made some other surprising findings, too. For example, they found dramatic differences in environmental impacts when feeding dogs a vegan diet versus a raw meat diet.
  'Dog foods showed over 65 times more variation in the effect they have on the planet, compared to a 2.5-fold difference between vegan and high-meat human diets,' Dr Harvey told me in email. This means that changing a dog's diet to a carefully selected meat diet — or to a vegan diet — has large impacts on the environment.
  'The potential to reduce — or increase — environmental damage by changing dog diets is enormous,' Dr Harvey pointed out. 'By choosing meat products wisely for pet food and making labelling clearer, we can cut this hidden part of our food footprint and have healthy, well-fed dogs.'
  Interestingly, recent studies indicate that vegan diets designed especially to meet dogs' nutritional needs, especially with careful sourcing for nutrients like vitamin D3 and taurine, can actually lead to better health outcomes (fewer disorders and fewer vet visits) than either conventional meat or raw meat diets (ref). Further, raw meat and conventional meat diets carry heightened health risks such as ingestion of microbial pathogens, particularly Salmonella and E. coli, as well as assorted nutritional deficiencies.
  'As a veterinary surgeon working on environmental sustainability, I regularly see owners torn between ideals of dogs as meat‑eating 'wolves' and their wish to reduce environmental harm,' Dr Harvey told me in email. 'Our research shows just how large and variable the climate impact of dog food really is.'   Should all dogs either become vegans or solely eat kibble?   'I'm NOT trying to push a particular food agenda, just trying to provide information to support people making good decisions,' Dr Harvey replied in email.
  'Simple rules like 'dry always has a lower environmental footprint than wet' do not hold for every product. The ingredient mix within each product is key,' Dr Harvey explained in email. 'So, for owners looking to reduce the environmental footprint of their pet food, it's important to know that choosing grain-free, wet or raw foods can result in higher negative environmental effects compared to standard dry kibble foods.'
  Nevertheless, selecting foods that use genuine animal by‑products or plant proteins rather than competing directly for meat — so called 'prime meat' — that people typically eat is preferable. Using large amounts of prime meat increases greenhouse gas emissions, whilst the use of nutritious carcass parts that are in low demand helps limit environmental impact.   Which meats have the greatest environmental impact?   'For most metrics (especially carbon), beef followed by lamb have the highest impacts. However, there are lots of environmental variables (water, land use, biodiversity loss, eutrophication etc., etc.) you can look at – and the exact pattern varies across each one for each ingredient type.'
  Dry food — not marketed as grain-free — tended to have a lower environmental impact than wet, raw or grain-free options. Dog owners who want to reduce environmental impacts but not change food type should check the label for descriptions of meat cuts used in the food, aiming for a lower content of prime meat.   What is the biggest barrier to changing a dog's diet?   'Which is environmental considerations being seen as in some way in conflict with strongly held views owners or others may have on what to feed,' Dr Harvey said. 'This doesn't have to be the case — whatever type of food is being fed to a pet, there's the opportunity to reduce impacts.'
  The study's authors highlighted the need for greater transparency and better labeling of dog food ingredients to help consumers make informed choices, particularly as pet ownership continues to rise.
  'It's important for owners to know that choosing grain-free, wet or raw foods can result in higher impacts compared to standard dry kibble foods,' Dr Harvey summarized. 'The pet food industry should make sure meat cuts used are of the types not typically eaten by humans, and that labeling is clear. These steps can help us have healthy, well-fed dogs with a smaller pawprint on the planet.'

  Source: Forbes

Reference
John D. Harvey, Sarah L. Crowley, Vera Eory, and Peter Alexander (2026). Estimating the environmental impact of dog foods marketed in the UK, Journal of Cleaner Production | doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.147277

16/07/2025

Feed but Do Not Forget – Maintaining the Environment

By Candela Bonaura

Pet food manufacturing companies put effort and money into achieving a neutral carbon footprint, promoting sustainable plastic usage, improving raw materials use, and saving energy, among other practices. However, which role do vets and owners play in the care of the environment? 
  Both pet nutrition and human feeding are important in environmental conservation. Companies should consider specific plans that identify their carbon footprint and launch concrete projects and actions. Everyone should have a positive attitude when caring about the environment, and we must raise awareness. As companies must inform owners about their sustainability plans, veterinarians must contribute.   What is the Carbon Footprint?   The carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases that people, companies, cities, or products produce directly or indirectly. CO2 enters the atmosphere through different activities and has an environmental impact.
  The specific environmental impact that each dog and cat, along with their owners, has not been studied, but we can build habits to minimize this.
  How to collaborate with the environment and its care:
  Choose food whose process is more sustainable (sustainable raw materials with optimized process, use of renewable energy, etc.). A clear example is the use of animal by-products or meat cuts that humans cannot consume because of cultural matters or visual qualities.
  Optimize pet food portions to reduce waste.
  Recycle correctly.
  Give a second opportunity to pet accessories.
  On the other hand, pet food packs, bags, and packaging not only preserve food quality but also give information. Today, the aim is for them to be eco-friendly by their material or be recyclable/reusable.  When choosing or recommending pet food, look at the information in the packaging to know how environmentally friendly the food is.
  So, what is Sustainability?   Sustainability is 'the capability of society to use resources responsibly and consciously, avoiding the waste and environmental damage during the process.' In that way, we are all responsible for sustainability.
 
To conclude, everyone takes part in the pet world. From our role, we are responsible for having big sustainable plans like companies or improving daily actions as people who care about companion animals' health or have a pet as a family member.

By Dr. Bonaura, M. Candela
Source: All Pet Food Magazine

25/06/2025

Sustainable Pet Nutrition: Reducing the Carbon Footprint in the Supply Chain

By Ludmila Barbi T. Bomcompagni

The Carbon Footprint in the Pet Food Industry   The carbon footprint of pet food is influenced by several factors, including the ingredients, production methods, packaging practices, and transport. Traditionally, animal proteins, such as beef, chicken, and fish, represent one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) because of the heavy usage of resources (soil, water, and energy). Moreover, conventional agricultural practices and intensive livestock contribute to deforestation and gas emissions, e.g., methane and carbon dioxide. 
  In this way, considering the pet food production chain and adopting more sustainable practices is essential to reduce the impact, meet the growing consumers' demands, and achieve global decarbonization goals.
  Selecting Ingredients and Additives: Alternative Proteins and Sustainable Sources   One of the primary practices to reduce the carbon footprint is to consider protein sources in pet food formulation. Alternative ingredients, such as insect proteins, vegetable proteins, or vegetable/algae proteins, offer important environmental benefits.
  Insect proteins: Cricket or larvae meal has a carbon footprint up to 99% lower than conventional animal proteins. Producing insects requires less space, water, and food, so emissions are considerably lower.
  Plant-based proteins: Ingredients such as soya beans, peas, and lentils have a lower environmental impact and can be present in balanced, sustainable pets' diets. 
  Algae: They are rich in nutrients and cultivated without cultivable lands. Algae such as spirulina capture CO₂ as they grow, helping to mitigate climate change.
  Besides protein sources, the strategic use of natural additives is valuable to reducing emissions in the whole production chain. Zeolite clinoptilolite and Yucca schidigera extract demonstrated significant benefits in reducing the carbon footprint.
  Zeolite clinoptilolite: It is a natural mineral with high adsorption capacity. Zeolite acts in the digestive tract, capturing nitrogenous compounds, such as amino acids. This reduces the emission of contaminant gases, enhances the domestic atmosphere quality by reducing aromas, and improves dietary efficiency since nutrient retention benefits digestibility.
  Yucca schidigera: Renowned for reducing ammonia production, yucca directly contributes to the reduction of damaging gases coming from animal feces and urine, which positively contributes to the sustainability of farms and the pet food industry. 
  These additives enhance animal health and owners' comfort, as well as strengthen the commitment to brands with cleaner and more efficient production, aligned with global demands of sustainable practices.
  Optimizing the Manufacturing Process: Energy and Waste   Sustainability in the pet food production process is more than selecting ingredients. Optimizing the manufacturing process is essential. It is crucial to invest in technologies that reduce energy consumption, adopt renewable sources, and minimize emissions in the extrusion, drying, and packaging stages. Using efficient production lines not only reduces operational costs but also positions brands as innovative and committed to preserving the environment.
  Waste management is another important aspect. Recycling programs, reusing by-products to produce biofertilizers or biogas, and using biodegradable/recyclable packaging are strategies to reduce the environmental burden and add value to the final product.   Products with Low Carbon Footprint: Categories of Impact   Some food categories have a more significant impact on the environment than others. It depends on their format and their ingredients, for example:
  Dry food: They have a lower carbon footprint than wet food since the production process is more efficient, and the transport has less impact because of its agility and dry food compactness.
  Snacks: Their impact depends on the ingredients. The carbon footprint of plant-based or insect protein snacks is lower compared to those made of animal proteins.
  Premium and Super Premium products: Many premium brands invest in sustainable practices, choosing fewer impacting ingredients and enhancing their process to reduce emissions.   The Path to Sustainability in Pet Nutrition   Sustainability in the pet food sector requires an integrated approach that involves the selection of sustainable ingredients, the smart use of natural additives, production processes optimization, and responsible management of waste. Ingredients such as alternative proteins, algae, and additives (zeolite and yucca) can be allies in carbon footprint reduction, promoting more efficient and responsible animal nutrition.
  In addition, pet food manufacturing can significantly benefit from energy efficiency, renewable sources, and a circular economy. Brands investing in these practices not only reduce their carbon footprint but also build a legacy of respect for the environment, appealing to more aware consumers.
  Sustainability is not a temporary trend but a need for the future of the pet food industry. Companies adopting sustainable practices position themselves for commercial success and the preservation of the planet.


By Ludmila Barbi Trindade Bomcompagni
Source: All Pet Food Magazine

24/06/2025

Life Cycle Analysis, a Possibility Towards Sustainability

By María Candelaria Carbajo

For several years now, concern for sustainability has driven various industries to evaluate how to reduce the environmental impact of their processes and operations. In this context, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) becomes a key tool for analyzing and improving the sustainability of final products' whole production chain.   Pet Food Value Chain: A Key Factor   The pet food production value chain and its importance are key to the conversation about the sustainability of the industry's production system. It represents between 1.1% and 2.9% of global agricultural GHG emissions. The situation gets worse with certain products, such as those considered premium or top-quality, due to their higher meat content, which implies a greater need for GHG emissions and the exploitation of agricultural land to obtain them. If companies commit to quantifying the environmental impact of their different product chains, it is possible to start a data-driven conversation toward a more sustainable future.
  Science-Based Targets   Following the goal of reducing emissions and the environmental impact of a company's products or even the industry's value chain, it is necessary to recognize SBTi (Science-Based Target Initiatives). This initiative motivates and incentivizes companies to quantify their emissions footprint and set targets, aiming to achieve or sustain 1.5°C (or at least below 2°C) emissions. In our industry, the majority of emissions come from the supply chain, known as Category 1 of Scope 3 (purchased goods and services) in the GHG Protocol, which relates to raw materials purchased to create food products. Measuring the carbon footprint at the product level facilitates a more data-informed discussion about reduction strategies throughout the supply chain, in addition to expanding opportunities to support initiatives to reduce emissions throughout the value chain.   Life Cycle Analysis, Applied to the Pet Food Industry: A Tool for Building a Future   The scientific community is increasingly focused on sustainability. The increasing demand for pet food is also consequently increasing the resources used. To address the impact of production, it is necessary to have accurate data and validated information that allows for informed and objective decision-making.
  Life Cycle Assessment is a standardized methodology used for the evaluation of a product's environmental impact, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to final disposal, considering aspects such as energy consumption, GHG emissions, water use, and waste generation, among others. It consists of four main phases:
  Goal and scope definition: The study's boundaries and the impacts to be assessed are defined. Inventory: Data is collected on resource use and emissions associated with each life cycle stage. Impact assessment: The inventory data is translated into specific environmental impacts. Result interpretation: The information obtained is analyzed to identify opportunities for improvement and impact reduction.
  A life cycle assessment of Brazilian dog food identified the formulation stage as the most influential in a product's sustainability, accounting for between 70% and 90% of the total environmental impacts. Some of these ecological consequences included terrestrial and marine eutrophication, excessive nutrient accumulation, ocean acidification, particulate pollution, and climate change.   LCA Applied to the Pet Food Industry   LCA is a system that allows companies to identify critical points in a production process and make data-driven decisions with the aim of reducing environmental impact. Some key areas where this methodology can be applied are:   Raw materials and formulation: The ingredients used to produce pet food represent one of the main sources of environmental impact, such as meat or fish, for example, which are obtained through a process that needs many natural resources. With the Life Cycle Assessment process, a company can evaluate the impact of using more sustainable options, such as alternative proteins from insects, algae, or meat by-products.
  Production and processing: Production plants consume energy and water, in addition to generating emissions and waste. A detailed analysis helps identify ways to optimize energy consumption, reduce unnecessary water use, and improve overall efficiency. It also provides clarity on the benefits of incorporating renewable energy or cleaner technologies.
  Packaging and distribution: Product packaging and logistics also have a significant environmental impact. LCA can be used to analyze the most sustainable packaging choices, such as biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable packages. In the case of distribution, alternatives can be evaluated to optimize delivery routes and reduce pollution.
  Usage and disposal: Pet food impact does not end with consumption but with packaging disposal and contammination. Having an LCA allows us to design recycling strategies, reduce waste generation, and promote environmental education among consumers.   Conclusion   Implementing the Life Cycle Assessment process in the pet food industry allows us to visualize countless benefits, from reducing the carbon footprint, optimizing the use of non-renewable resources, and, crucially, making better decisions. Its benefits and opportunities position LCA as a highly useful tool for the pet food industry on its journey toward sustainability.


By All Pet Food
Source: All Pet Food Magazine

23/05/2025

How Rendering is Recycling: The Role of Rendering in Pet Food Production

The work that renderers do not only supports sustainability but also plays a vital role in maintaining the safety and quality of the products pet food manufacturers deliver to consumers.
  Rendering is, in fact, a form of recycling—a process that converts inedible material from animal production that might otherwise go to waste and converts them into useful, high-quality ingredients. But what exactly is rendering, and how does it contribute to a more sustainable world? In this blog, we'll explore the key facts about rendering and why it's a process that we should all support and understand.
  What is Rendering?
Rendering is a highly regulated and specialized process that involves converting animal by-products—such as meat scraps, bones, fats, and trimmings—into useful materials like meat and bone meal, fat, and protein meals. These ingredients are often used in pet food production, livestock feed, biofuels, oleochemicals and even fertilizers.
  Roughly 50% of an animal is considered inedible by Americans due to consumer preferences. While these animal by-products are typically viewed as waste by many, rendering transforms them into essential ingredients that support animal nutrition, health, and welfare. It's a process that reduces the environmental footprint of animal agriculture by preventing waste and lowering emissions. Rendering is truly recycling in its purest form, as it takes materials that would otherwise be discarded and gives them a second life.   The Environmental Benefits of Rendering
Rendering not only recycles valuable nutrients but also helps reduce the environmental impact of waste in the food supply chain. According to the North American Rendering Association (NARA), rendering is an efficient way to recover animal by-products and keep them from ending up in landfills, where they could contribute to methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas.
  By turning these by-products into valuable ingredients, rendering reduces the demand for new raw materials, conserves natural resources, and lowers energy consumption. Each year, renderers recycle and repurpose approximately 31.4 billion pounds of fat, oil, and protein products into nutritious pet food, biodiesel, and countless other useful items — making rendering one of the most sustainable ways to reduce food waste.   Facts About Rendering: A Deeper Look
Rendering is often underappreciated, so let's dive into a few key facts about the process and its many benefits, many of which are supported by NARA:
  Rendering reduces waste: By recycling animal by-products, rendering prevents them from entering landfills, thus reducing the overall waste burden on the environment. These by-products can come from food processing plants, slaughterhouses, and even restaurants and grocery stores, all of which contribute to the massive amounts of inedible waste with the potential to be upcycled into valuable sources of fats and proteins.
  Rendering is safe and regulated: The rendering industry is highly regulated by government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This ensures that rendered products meet strict safety standards and are safe to use in pet food, livestock feed, and other products.
  Rendering is a key ingredient supplier for pet food: Many pet food ingredients—such as meat and bone meal, poultry by-product meal, and a variety of animal fats—are the result of the rendering process. These high-quality ingredients provide essential nutrients that keep pets healthy and nourished.
  Rendering supports sustainability: The rendering process is an integral part of the sustainability of animal agriculture. By converting waste into useful products, rendering helps reduce the need for additional natural resources, conserving water, land, and energy.
  Rendering helps reduce carbon footprint: The rendering industry is a significant player in reducing the carbon footprint of food production by ensuring that food and animal agriculture waste is converted into usable products rather than releasing harmful gases like methane into the atmosphere.
  For more detailed facts on rendering and its importance to sustainability, we encourage you to visit NARA's Facts about Rendering page. The organization provides a wealth of information on the many ways rendering contributes to reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices in the pet food and agriculture industries.   The Role of Kemin Nutrisurance in Rendering
At Kemin Nutrisurance, we provide innovative solutions to support the rendering industry. Our products help renderers preserve the quality and freshness of their ingredients, ensuring that the pet food and other animal feed products made from rendered materials are safe and nutritious. Through a combination of antioxidants, antimicrobials, and preservatives, we help prevent the rancidity and spoilage of rendered products, which not only extends shelf life but also maintains the quality, safety and efficacy of these ingredients.
  We are proud to partner with industry leaders, such as those at NARA, to continue driving innovation in the rendering process and to improve the sustainability of the pet food industry as a whole. Together, we're working to promote the many environmental benefits of rendering, making it clear that rendering is not only recycling—it's a crucial step in building a sustainable future.   Why Rendering Matters
Rendering is an essential and sustainable practice that serves multiple purposes: it recycles waste, supports the pet food industry, conserves resources, and reduces our environmental footprint. At Kemin Nutrisurance, we are proud to support renderers with products designed to keep rendered ingredients fresh, safe, and high-quality, ultimately helping the pet food industry thrive in a sustainable and responsible way.
  Rendering is recycling in its truest form, and it's a process that we should all recognize and support. By continuing to work with industry leaders like NARA and pushing the boundaries of innovation, Kemin Nutrisurance is committed to promoting the environmental, economic, and nutritional benefits of rendering for a sustainable future.
  For more information on how Kemin Nutrisurance is helping renderers improve product safety and freshness, visit our solutions for rendering page.
  Together, let's support the circular economy and keep moving toward a more sustainable future.


About the author
Jim has been at Kemin for over 30 years fulfilling a variety of roles in quality control, research and development, and technical services. 


By Jim Mann, Global Platform Manager: Antioxidants & Food Safety | Kemin Nutrisurance
Source: Kemin Nutrisurance