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Pet food is becoming more and more popular with novel proteins produced in a lab from cells or taken from plants, insects, algae, or fungi. They offer nutritious, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional meats like chicken and beef. These innovative products, which are made possible by health and environmental awareness, support more sustainable food systems and have a lower environmental effect.

New Protein in Dry Pet Food | Healthy Kibble for Pets

Interesting News . July 03, 2025

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Pet food is becoming more and more popular with novel proteins produced in a lab from cells or taken from plants, insects, algae, or fungi. They offer nutritious, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional meats like chicken and beef. These innovative products, which are made possible by health and environmental awareness, support more sustainable food systems and have a lower environmental effect.

The Reasons Why Protein Diversification Is Important

Pet diets are limited, and the risk of allergies is increased by reliance on common meats. Increasing the diversity of protein sources improve diet diversity, lowers food sensitivities, and allows manufacturers to develop tailored recipes for different life stages and health conditions.

The Trend Towards Proteins That Are Both Functional and Sustainable

Nowadays, pet owners want food that is both nutritious and environmentally friendly. Insect- or plant-derived goods are examples of novel proteins that use less energy and release less carbon. Their demand is being driven by practical advantages like improved digestion, joint health, and skin advantages.

Recent Advances in Science

Technological advances in biotechnology are making these proteins more accessible. The production of next-generation pet food is accelerating thanks to advancements in precision fermentation, insect farming, and plant protein digestibility. The FDA and AAFCO, among other regulatory bodies, are now adjusting to incorporate these changes.

1. Dog Food Marine Proteins: Evidence-Based Innovation Using Squid and Shrimp By-Products

The hunt for premium, environmentally friendly protein sources is intensifying as the world pet market expands, and sustainability becomes a key focus in food technology. In a recent peer-reviewed article published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2024), two ingredients derived from marine sources squid meal and shrimp protein hydrolysate are examined along with their possible use in canine nutrition.

 

This study provides compelling evidence for the involvement of marine byproducts in promoting digestive health, nutrient absorption, and microbiome regulation in dogs.

Dry Pet Food with Novel Proteins Blog_thumb

Evaluation of New Proteins:

  • Squid Meal (Doryteuthis gigas)
  • Hydrolyzed Shrimp Protein (Litopenaeus vannamei)

These components are produced from underutilized marine processing waste, which has the dual benefit of lowering the environmental impact and providing dogs with functional, bioavailable nutrition.

Major Scientific Results

1) Dietary Value

  • High Crude Protein: Compared to conventional dog food components, both ingredients had considerably greater protein content.
  • Taurine & Methionine: These vital amino acids were found in significant amounts, promoting immunological response, heart health, and muscular growth.

Guilherme-Fernandes et al., 2024: “Both protein sources presented higher protein and methionine contents than ingredients traditionally used in dog food formulation.”

2. Metabolizable Energy and Digestibility

  • Increased apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter and nutrients when compared to a commercial basal diet.
  • These marine proteins were used effectively for energy, which made it possible to create nutritious and easily digestible dog food.

At inclusion rates of 5%, 10%, and 15%, squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate demonstrated higher nutrient absorption in vivo digestibility experiments using Beagles.

3) Antioxidant Properties

  • Significant antioxidant activity was observed in shrimp hydrolysate, suggesting that it may help maintain oxidative balance in the gut and cells.
  • This makes it perfect for formulations intended to improve gut resilience and immune modulation.

4) Effect on Fecal Metabolites

  • Shrimp hydrolysate boosted total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which are associated with maintaining a healthy gut barrier and providing energy to colonocytes.
  • Butyrate levels were reduced by squid meals, necessitating additional research into the long-term effects on the gut.

5) Microbiota Change

  • Shrimp hydrolysate had a favorable impact on Lactobacillus and Firmicutes, which are typically associated with intestinal health.
  • Squid meal did not affect the gut flora, indicating that it is microbiome friendly.

With the addition of shrimp hydrolysate, changes in Oscillospiraceae (UCG-005) and other helpful bacteria indicate potential immune and digestive advantages.

6) Evaluation of palatability

  • Over the marine proteins, dogs displayed a slight preference for the basal (commercial) food.
  • Nonetheless, both components are palatable and suitable for pet food, as evidenced by the absence of any rejection or antipathy.

Pet Food Applications

Herbal IngredientIndicated UseType of StudyKey FindingsCitation
Bacopa monnieriCognitive enhancementRCT, Meta-analysisImproved memory, learning, and processing speed[7]
Ginkgo bilobaMild dementia, cognitive declineSystematic ReviewStatistically significant improvements in cognitive scores[4]
AshwagandhaStress reduction, sleep qualityRandomized Controlled TrialsReduced cortisol levels and improved subjective sleep quality[5]
Panax ginsengFatigue, insulin sensitivityMeta-analysisEnhanced physical performance and improved insulin sensitivity[7]
Andrographis paniculataUpper respiratory tract infectionsRCTsReduced severity and duration of symptoms[6]
Valeriana officinalisInsomniaClinical TrialsReduced sleep onset latency, improved sleep quality[7]

Conclusion for Pet Food Innovators

The scientific community has demonstrated that substances obtained from marine sources, such as squid meals and shrimp hydrolysate, can do the following:

  • Promote the availability of nutrients
  • Provide protein products that are free of labels
  • Boost immunity and gut health
  • encourage environmental protection by reusing marine debris.

These functional proteins are ideal for veterinary lines that address digestive health and high-performance nutrition, as well as wet or dry kibble diets.

Manufacturers’ Next Steps

To include these components in product development:

  1. Begin with 5–15% inclusion studies based on digestibility and palatability standards.
  2. Utilize shrimp hydrolysate in functional formulations aimed at maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
  3. Consider mixing squid meal with prebiotics to regulate the results of butyrate.
  4. Use digestibility and antioxidant information from peer-reviewed publications to corroborate label claims.

Reference Citation

Guilherme-Fernandes, J., Aires, T., Fonseca, A. J. M., et al. (2024). Innovative protein sources for dog food: shrimp hydrolysate and squid meal. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1360939

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