Pet Food
Nutraceutical Supplements for Pet Foods that are functional, bioavailable, and scientifically formulated
We formulate nutraceutical pet food supplements in the form of chews, powders, capsules, and liquids through evidence-based ingredient research, formulation, and pilot production that meet all AAFCO, FEDIAF, and FSSAI regulatory and quality standards.
Pet Food Formulation & R&D Services
Nutraceutical Pet Food Supplements
The market for pet nutraceuticals, with an estimated value of $2.1 billion by 2025, is anticipated to grow to approximately $3.5 billion by 2034, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 5.2%. This expansion is being driven largely by demand for products that promote joint health, digestion, immunity, and skin and coat health, particularly for older animals. North America holds the largest share of this market, with chews being the most common format. Popular ingredients in these supplements include probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and botanical extracts—all of which support veterinarian-recommended benefits and consumer preferences.
Nutraceutical supplements provide bridging nutrition through targeted health benefits beyond minimum requirements for basic nutrition to family pets. These nutraceutical forms are formulated and package their products to contain bio compounds with active ingredient(s) that are designed to provide these targeted health benefits these health benefits support appropriate health for joint health, skin health, digestion, as well as improvements to cognitive health and immune health. Supplement formats, soft chews, powders, liquids, and capsules provide pet parents attractive options for ease of administration and good pet acceptance. Organizations like AAFCO and FEDIAF provide guidance for functional claims of health benefits, safety, bioavailability, and dosage consistency.
Food Research Lab develops nutraceutical pet products by integrating nutritional science and formulation technology that combine functional actives that are safe, stable, and effective, and in accordance with global standards to develop products that work with the evolving and expanding pet nutraceutical market.
Scientific and R&D Approach
At Food Research Lab, we use the principles of nutraceutical science, veterinary nutrition, and technology enabled formulation to create safe and effective, functional supplements for pets.
Controlled Nutrient Delivery:
Each formulation will target specific beneficial health effects with researched and studied therapeutic dosage limits and health outcomes that are measurable.
Functional Health Claims:
Targeted applications include joint mobility/health, digestive health, immune health, skin/coats, calming, cognizance/enrichment, and oral health.
Advanced Delivery Systems:
Microencapsulation, emulsifying, stabilization, contribute to effective nutraceutical absorption and help to mask taste in supplements.
Palatability Optimization:
Compounds are developed from natural meat or plant extracts to assure high degree of acceptance, regardless of form, chew, liquid or powder.
Clean Labeling and Allergen Management:
We will be formulating supplements with specific select non-GMO, gluten-free, and allergen managed ingredients to meet consumer preferences.
Shelf Life:
Evaluating oxidation stability, moisture gain/retention, and microbial safety ensures no variation in quality.
Nutraceutical pet supplements offer unique advantages to both the producer and end user as they provide easy-to-use dosing forms for the application of therapeutically active ingredients.
- Convenient offerings in chewable, powder, capsule, and liquid form to meet animal preferences for feeding behavior.
- Formula offers unique doses scientifically designed for predictable function related to immune support, skin health, and digestive support.
- Improved bioavailability with advanced formulations and carrier systems.
- Has high palatability and compliance with pet food behavioral characteristics.
- Will be shelf stable, safe, and easy to dispense without refrigeration.
- Capable of being mixed into the daily diet of the pet without difficulty or consequence for both protein calorie percent and other macronutrients.
- Can be designed flexibly for specific species and life stage.
- Supported with microbial and stability studies to ensure safety and longer shelf stability. [3]
Our research and development team focuses on sourcing ingredients based on evidence and optimizing formulations that demonstrate quality from nutraceutical actives:
- Protein and base sources: hydro lysates of meat; fish proteins; and plant-based proteins to provide carrier blends.
- Functional actives: Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, probiotics, prebiotics,omega 3 fatty acids, taurine, collagen peptides, and antioxidants.
- Botanical extracts: Turmeric, green tea, ashwagandha, milk thistle, and chamomile for organ and stress support.
- Vitamins and minerals: as appropriate, to assist with amplifying the synergistic effects of functional actives.
- Flavor systems and excipients: Include palatants, humectants (glycerol, sorbitol), natural flavorings, and binders to assist with stability and palatability.
- Research has shown that nutraceutical actives – when formulated to strict limits defined by species and life stage – can help to increase adequacy of nutrient intake and improve clinical outcomes. [4]
- Supplements should provide a consistent dose for body weight and appropriate function.
- Chewable supplements and powders can be given alone or as enhancers for daily food.
- Liquid supplements may be better for precise dosing and improved palatability.
- Capsules provide an accurate concentration of active ingredient for clinical supplementation.
- Introduce feeding slowly over 7-10 days monitoring the dog/cat’s tolerability.
- Always have fresh drinking water available for the dog/cat while supplementing.
- Consult veterinarian before combining supplements with any veterinary therapeutic diet or medications.
Targeted Product Formats
| Product Format | Description | Key Benefit |
| Functional Chews | Soft flaked chews with operational nutraceuticals | Highly palatable and easy to administer daily |
| Powders | Feedable powders that blend into meals with even distribution of nutrients | Great for improving digestion, coat, or improving growth |
| Capsules | Single dose concentration in hard or soft gelatin capsules | Accurate dosing and concentration for veterinary therapeutic treatments |
| Liquids | Water or oil-based emulsions that can be poured or absorbed by the animal | Easily fed to puppy, senior, or sensitive animal needing a low dose |
| Soft Treats | Soft chewable treats that have nutritional benefit built into them | Easiest, most palatable form of snacking that has functional health benefit to the pet. |
Life-Stage & Functional Nutrition
Puppies/Kittens
Adults Pet
Senior Pet
Therapeutic Fresh Meals
FRL Service Scope
| Service Area | Description |
| R&D & Innovation | Develop and reformulate a nutraceutical supplement form inset bioavailable actives and clear label direction |
| Custom Formulation | Develop novel functional chews, powders, or liquids targeting specific species, breeds, or health functions |
| Prototype Development | Pilot trials on texture uniformity, stability, and active retention. |
| Quality & Safety Testing | Microbial testing, water activity, oxidative stability and dosage uniformity |
| Regulatory & Labeling Support | We provide global regulatory guidance for nutraceutical supplements, covering AAFCO, FEDIAF, FSSAI, and BIS, including ingredient approval, claim substantiation, labeling compliance, and dossier preparation for market access. |
| Sensory & Palatability Trials | Animal acceptance testing on palatant and format |
| Packaging Solutions | Develop moisture‑ and oxygen‑barrier packaging ensuring nutrient retention |
| Scale‑Up & Costing | Support commercial scaling, processing validation, and cost projection |
Regulatory Landscape for Novel & Emerging Pet Food Formats
Nutraceutical pet supplements fall under specialty regulatory oversight because of their bioactive ingredients and specific targeted health benefits. These products are strictly regulated for safety but also must ensure delivery of functional claims:
- AAFCO (USA): A rigorous standard on ingredient safety, bioavailability, and precise dosage in nutraceuticals, with clear requirements for the substantiation of functional claims and ensuring batch consistency.
- FEDIAF (EU): Detailed guidelines on health claims, safety, and bioavailability, emphasizing on clinical evidence and scientific validation for each functional ingredient.
- FSSAI (India): Regulates food safety, labeling, and ingredients, with a focus on the special requirements of nutraceuticals on purity, potency, and transparency in labeling.
- BIS (India): References IS 11968:2019 for quality benchmarks; thus, assuring that nutraceutical supplements maintain the most stringent quality and safety parameters pertaining to animal health.
Compliance with these authorities is indispensable in the formulation of supplements that are safe, effective, and trusted by veterinarians and pet owners alike, with each product delivered with the assurance for promised health benefits and meeting global regulatory expectations.
Process flow
Ingredient Preparation
Raw materials, actives, and carriers are selected, qualified, and standardized to assure quality and consistency.
Formulation and Blending
The actives, excipients, flavorings, and binders are uniform in the formulation for stability and a uniform distribution of actives.
Processing into Product Format:
The premix batch is processed into product format (chew, liquid, powder, capsule). Line extension formulation individuals will optimize texture, particle size, and retention of bio actives.
Coatings and Actives
Flavorings, coatings, and other functional actives are added for palatability, control of release, and aesthetics.
Drying, Cooling & Packaging
The drying of the product is completed if necessary, and it is filled into appropriate containers and sealed to help maintain the stability, while also protecting the contents from moisture and light.
Quality & Shelf-life Testing
Each batch undergoes regulatory compliance checks, including verification of dosage uniformity, microbial safety, and shelf-life, in line with AAFCO, FEDIAF, FSSAI, and BIS standards.
Why Choose FRL
- An established authority in nutraceutical development for companion animals.
- A multidisciplinary team focusing across nutrition, formulation, and process development and optimization.
- Experience in palatability, dosage verification, and food laws and regulations compliance.
- Capable from pilot to commercial scale, multi-forms of supplements.
Let’s create something Innovative and Delicious together
Food Research Lab strives for excellence in new Food, Beverage and Nutraceutical Product Research and Development by offering cutting edge scientific analysis and expertise.
