Panel discussion on...
Pet Supplements
Antonella Riva
Manager of Radical Innovation, Indena Spa

Member of AgroFOOD Industry Hi Tech's Scientific Advisory Board

Is there room for innovative pet ingredient development?
The rising trend of pet humanization and increased consumer spending in the household and pet care are probable the major driving force of market expansion in this sector. Indeed pets (mostly domestic dogs and cats) play an important role in the daily lives of humans and their health has attracted growing attention from pet owners. Botanicals could play an important role to support pet health but there are few and important pillars. First, quality: quality of botanical ingredient has become a basic starting point for “premium” product where the real difference is made by the available data supporting that specific botanical extract. Standardization and deep analytic and stability dossiers assure batch-to-batch reproducibility along with controlled manufacturing process. As regards biomedical documentation, human data are a good starting point due to available conversion table; however specific species studies are welcome to confirm ingredient pet suitability and to avoid unrealistic expectations about supplement performance.
In the R&D approach of innovative botanical proposal for the pet field, “clean label,” sustainability, and transparency are and will be in the next future important factors influencing pet owners purchasing decisions in the pet supplement space. Following all these pillars, new products could be developed in health conditions not yet explored such as longevity. A rapid expansion in the companion animal population has increased the number of aging pets, particularly dogs and cats. Current estimates indicate that over one-third of the global dog and cat population are classified as senior. Botanicals are an uncharted treasure for healthy life span solutions and will be a great source of next generation for pet “premium” ingredients.
In this Panel Discussion, several prominent companies within the food and nutraceutical ingredient industry have been invited to discuss about drivers and barriers of healthy lifestyle, focusing on global and regional consumer trends, scientific achievements, emerging delivery formats, use of AI technologies and the implementation of the United Nations sustainability goals.
Panelists
References and notes
- Schunck, M. , Louton, H. and Oesser, S. (2017) The Effectiveness of Specific Collagen Peptides on Osteoarthritis in Dogs-Impact on Metabolic Processes in Canine Chondrocytes. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 7, 254-266. doi: 10.4236/ojas.2017.73020.
- Koivisto et al., 2014; Siebert et al., 2010
- The oral intake of specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP) improves gait and quality of life in canine osteoarthritis patients—A translational large animal model for a nutritional therapy option
Dobenecker B, Böswald LF, Reese S, Steigmeier-Raith S, Trillig L, et al. (2024) The oral intake of specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP) improves gait and quality of life in canine osteoarthritis patients—A translational large animal model for a nutritional therapy option. PLOS ONE 19(9): e0308378. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308378
Questions
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Ingredients companies - clinical data
A) What are the main scientific gaps that still exist in PET supplement development compared to human dietary supplements?
B) How important is species-specific research when selecting and developing active ingredients for pets? Can human data ever be sufficient?
C) Is the humanization of pets helping consumers make better-informed choices, or does it risk creating unrealistic expectations about supplement performance?
D) From an ingredient supplier’s perspective, which quality parameters (standardization, bioavailability, purity) are most critical for PET applications?
E) How are trends such as “clean label,” sustainability, and transparency influencing pet owners’ purchasing decisions in the PET supplement space?
F) What type of clinical evidence should realistically be expected to support PET supplement claims today?
G) Which types of claims are most likely to be misunderstood by consumers, and how can this risk be reduced through clearer substantiation and labeling?
H) What are the main methodological challenges in conducting clinical trials for companion animals, and how can they be addressed?
I) How reliable are owner-reported outcomes compared to veterinary assessments, and how should they be integrated into study design?
L) Have you noticed an increasing trend in the use of one (or more) ingredients for pet supplements formulated to promote healthy ageing?
Formulation
A) What are the biggest formulation challenges in PET supplements, particularly regarding palatability, stability, and dosing accuracy?
B) How do formulation choices (e.g., chews, powders, liquids) influence compliance and consistent use from a consumer perspective?
C) Do you see a shift toward simpler, single-ingredient formulations, or are multi-active blends still the dominant approach? Why?
D) How do species differences (dogs vs cats, size, age) influence formulation strategies?
E) Omega 3 alternatives for pet nutrition and sustainability: how do the innovative omega-3s for pet food stack up against their traditional fishy counterparts?
Regulation
A) How do regulatory frameworks for PET supplements differ between the EU and the US, and what challenges do these differences create for global brands?
B) Which types of claims represent the highest regulatory risk today, and which are more likely to be acceptable if properly substantiated?
C) Do you expect regulatory oversight of PET supplements to become stricter in the coming years? Why or why not?
D) What role should veterinarians play in guiding pet owners’ choices regarding PET supplements, and how can trust between brands, vets, and consumers be strengthened?
Open questions
A) Looking ahead 5–10 years, what will be the key factors determining the credibility and long-term success of the PET supplements sector?
B) In your view, what single change—scientific, regulatory, or educational—would most improve consumer trust in PET supplements over the next decade?
References and notes










