Petworking Peter Kenseth

It might come as a surprise to learn that the pet food industry is a significant contributor to the global waste stream, accounting for 3% of all flexible packaging (about 300 million pounds annually). Currently, 99% of the 300 million pounds of plastic waste produced by the pet food industry each year wind up in landfills. Put another way, pet food packaging is adding 297 million pounds of plastic waste to our landfills each year.

When trying to reduce a number from 99%, it might seem like a pretty easy task. However, there are a few key challenges that make transitioning to sustainable packaging in pet food a more complicated endeavor than it might seem.

I recently had the pleasure of hosting Kara Stoney, Value Chain Coordinator and Sustainable Packaging Manager at Dow, on Petworking. Kara and I discussed the efforts that the pet food industry is taking to move to sustainable packaging, and the barriers that must be overcome to successfully complete the journey.

Listen to the episode to hear Kara and I discuss:


The challenges associated engineering packaging that is both recyclable and durable enough to protect product quality through the supply chain. It doesn't matter if packaging is recyclable if using it results is large amounts of wasted food products.


The importance of maintaining palatability when transitioning to recyclable packaging materials, especially for pet food products. Some recycled plastics can impart odors to the food, and pets, particularly dogs, are much more sensitive to changes in smell and taste than humans are. If a switch to more sustainable packaging results in a pet detecting a change and refusing to eat the food, it could lead to the pet owner switching brands.


The Pet Sustainability Coalition's Packaging Pledge, and the likelihood that companies will be able to meet the goals that 100% of their packaging will be recyclable, reusable, or compostable, and at least 30% of their packaging will be made from recycled content by 2025.


The How2Recycle labeling system, and its impact on increasing consumer recycling, and decreasing the amount of wish-cycling (putting non-recyclable items in the recycling bin in the hope that they will be recycled).


Dow's sustainable innovation in both mechanical and advanced "chemical" recycling technologies. Advanced recycling breaks plastics down to their original monomers, yielding recycled content that mirrors virgin resin - a game-changer for pet food.


Dow's Pack Studios, a facility where brand owners and packaging converters can test sustainable solutions prior to production, reducing the risk of costly trials on their own production lines. Line time is so valuable that brands are hesitant to run trials, so Pack Studios reduces that barrier.



My discussion with Kara highlighted the complexities in improving packaging sustainability, but also provided an optimistic look at the industry's progress through strategic partnerships, innovation in recycling technologies, and the power of consumer advocacy to drive meaningful change. Younger Millennials and Gen Z consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable options, which puts pressure on brands to continue to seek out new and innovative sustainable packaging solutions.

Ultimately, advancing sustainable packaging requires an industry-wide effort. Stakeholders across the value chain - from resin producers, to converters, brands, and consumers - must collaborate closely. Continued investment in recycling infrastructure and technologies is also paramount.

What are your thoughts on sustainable pet food packaging? Please share the episode, and leave your thoughts in the comments.

Dr. Greg Aldrich, Chief Operating Officer at Nulo Pet Food, recently joined Petworking host Peter Kenseth to discuss Nulo's latest innovations in minimally processed pet foods and the brand's philosophy on optimal pet nutrition.



Aldrich, who previously worked as an associate professor at Kansas State University studying pet nutrition, joined Nulo about 15 months ago after consulting with the company for over a decade. He has been working closely with Nulo founder Michael Landa on developing foods that align with an active lifestyle for both pets and their owners.



A Focus on Minimal Processing

A key focus for Nulo is minimizing the processing and heat applied to their foods in order to maximize nutrient retention and availability. Aldrich explained that traditional manufacturing processes like extrusion for kibble and retort canning subject all ingredients to very high heat, which can damage nutrients and create undesirable chemical interactions.



Nulo is exploring techniques like cold pressing, gently cooking, air drying, and freeze drying as alternatives that apply lower temperatures for shorter periods. "We're trying to find the perfect time and temperature for each component," said Aldrich.



He positions Nulo's approach between raw diets, which have food safety and shelf-life challenges, and highly-processed kibble and cans. The goal is pasteurization to control pathogens while minimizing nutrient loss.



High Protein, Low Carb Philosophy

In line with the idea that dogs and cats are carnivores, Nulo has adopted a nutritional philosophy focused on high animal protein and low carbohydrates from low-glycemic sources like miscanthus grass fiber. Aldrich cited research linking high protein to better lean body mass and concerns that highly-digestible starches may contribute to obesity and diabetes in pets.



Partnering with Athletes

To emphasize the nutrition and performance connection, Nulo has partnered with elite athletes like Simone Biles and plans to feature more Olympians heading into the Paris 2024 games. The idea is that consumers will be more receptive to nutritional advice from the athletes they admire.



What's Next

Nulo's latest innovations include the new cold pressed diet, gently cooked shelf-stable pouches, rebranded freeze dried, and new canned cat foods. At SuperZoo 2024, the brand plans to unveil new treat products aligned with their nutritional principles as well as updated packaging.



Aldrich is aiming for continued progress toward the "perfect pet food" through optimal ingredient selection and processing tailored to each nutrient type. However, he emphasized the need for more research funding specifically for pet nutrition to advance knowledge in this area.

Happy Earth Day!

Miscanthus is a perennial grass, and represents a highly sustainable and effective fiber source. In addition to serving as a source of dietary fiber, it also enhances the structural integrity of pet foods during manufacturing processes, contributing to better kibble cohesion and moisture retention.

Miscanthus is primarily cultivated in southwest Missouri and stands out due to its substantial growth, reaching heights of 10 to 12 feet during the summer months. This perennial grass is established once and yields harvests annually for up to 30 years, requiring minimal maintenance. It does not require annual tilling, extensive nutrient inputs, or the felling of trees, which are common in other fiber production processes.

Compared to other ingredients used as fiber in pet food, like powdered cellulose or beet pulp, miscanthus is produced in a far more sustainable, and less resource-intensive process. It is a highly sustainable crop, requiring minimal inputs and offering considerable ecological benefits:

Water Use: Miscanthus requires significantly less water compared to other crops. It is grown without the need for irrigation, and requires significantly less water compared to powdered cellulose in its production process. It saves over 153 million gallons of water for every million pounds replaced in the industry, which translates to approximately 153 gallons of water per pound when miscanthus is used instead of powdered cellulose.

Chemical Free: The processing of miscanthus does not involve chemicals, relying instead on mechanical means to convert the harvested grass into a usable fiber form. Powdered cellulose requires the introduction of chemicals to break down wood pulp

Carbon Sequestration: As a perennial plant, miscanthus has a deep root system that helps sequester carbon, contributing positively to carbon footprint reduction efforts. The production of powdered cellulose is linked to logging activities, which not only deplete forest resources but also contribute to habitat destruction and increased carbon emissions.

Amazingly, along with all the sustainability benefits that miscanthus offers producers, it is also more cost-effective than powdered cellulose. According to Dustin, miscanthus costs about half as much as powdered cellulose. It also has cost advantages when compared to beet pulp, which is a byproduct of the sugar beet industry. Its availability and quantity depend on the sugar production levels, which can vary annually. The cost of beet pulp can fluctuate based on the sugar market and agricultural conditions, potentially making it less predictable in terms of pricing and availability compared to miscanthus.

Finally, miscanthus offers specific health benefits as a dietary fiber. It is predominantly insoluble, helping to regulate digestive health in pets, which parallels its utility in human dietary fiber applications. The presence of miscanthus in pet foods supports optimal gut health, nutrient absorption, and stool quality, vital for overall pet wellness.

The adoption of miscanthus by pet food manufacturers not only supports sustainability initiatives but also offers cost benefits due to its lower production costs. These factors make miscanthus a compelling choice for companies looking to enhance their environmental footprint while maintaining high standards in pet nutrition.

Check out the episode to learn more about miscanthus, and hear Dustin talk about which prominent brands M-Fiber already counts as clients. Patronizing these brands contributes to sustainability in pet food consumption.

If your favorite pet food brand isn't using miscanthus, consider reaching out and asking them to consider reformulating. It might take some time and effort, but ultimately, it's an ingredient that is better for the health of our planet, and costs less than the products it's replacing. On Earth Day 2024, I think that's something we can all rally around and celebrate.

Loyal for Dogs (Loyal / Cellular Longevity) is redefining the paradigm of aging in dogs.

NAD+ supplements currently on the market claim to "slow the effects of aging," and to "support health as [dogs] age," but they do not promise to extend lifespan. Nor are they FDA-approved.

Loyal emphasizes that aging is the primary modifiable risk factor for most degenerative and chronic diseases in dogs. Their mission? To target the aging process itself, opening doors to healthier, longer lives for dogs.

At WVC 2024, I had the chance to chat with Dr. Brennen McKenzie, Loyal's Head of Veterinary Education, and he recently joined me on Petworking to continue the discussion.

We talked about the 3 pioneering drugs targeting critical molecular pathways associated with aging that Loyal has in the pipeline.

These include:
- LOY-002 for senior dogs (10+ years old), focusing on metabolic health to extend lifespan.
- LOY-001 & LOY-003 for larger dogs (40+ lbs), targeting hormonal overexpression of IGF-1, which Loyal has linked to the shorter lifespans experienced by large dogs.

Loyal is seeking FDA approval for all of these products, and by 2025, Loyal might be able to market LOY-001 under conditional approval, as the FDA has already granted "reasonable expectation of effectiveness."

That means by next year, there is a significant chance that if you are a large dog owner, your veterinarian could prescribe a product that can actually extend your dog's life.

The veterinary field is on the cusp of a revolutionary transformation, driven by technological advancements, a deeper understanding of pet nutrition, and an evolving approach to pet care that prioritizes convenience and efficiency. This shift was vividly illustrated at the recent Western Vet Conference in Las Vegas, where my colleague, Jessica Stewart and I explored into the trends shaping the future of animal health and veterinary medicine. We recently recorded an episode of Petworking to recap these insights, offering a glimpse into what lies ahead for veterinary professionals and pet owners alike.

A look at topics that I'm excited to explore at WVC 2024:

- The Creation of the Pet Care/Animal Health Ecosystem
- Wearables
- At-Home Diagnostics
- Pet Insurance
- DNA/Genomics/Precision Medicine and Precision Nutrition
- Sustainability