Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal

The episode opens with an introduction to the panel and a high-level overview of AI’s rapid acceleration across food and feed systems, setting the stage for a discussion on separating real-world applications from hype. (00:00 – 00:50)  The panelists then outline current AI trends, noting that while adoption in the pet food industry has lagged slightly, companies are increasingly leveraging AI for...

The episode opens with introductions to the Pet Food Institute team and an overview of the regulatory challenges facing the industry today, including shifting expectations for manufacturers and innovators. (00:00 – 01:02) The conversation then introduces the role of the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and highlights leadership transitions, as well as the organization’s long-standing focus on food safety,...

The guests introduce themselves and talk a little about their research. Amelia is a MS student, and Katelyn and Larissa are working on their PhDs in the pet food program at K-State. Katelyn is researching raw versus thermally processed diets, looking at nutrient losses, oxidative stress, inflammation and immunomarkers. Larissa had two main projects: one to evaluate dry bakery products as an ingred...

Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds. Dr. Pezzali’s nutritional priorities for cats are urinary health and obesity. William notes some of the important logistical considerations for APHIS export approval.  (4:09) Dr. Pezzali estimates that about 60% of cats in the US are obese. She notes her group is researching nutraceuticals that may increase energy expenditure in cats to help comba...

Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds (1:08) Rachelle gives an overview of what industry partnerships can look like at K-State. Dr. Schuh notes that one of the best ways to understand partner needs is for content experts from both entities to be talking to one another. She highlights some of the one-stop-shop resources that a land-grant university can provide. (8:30) Leah and Melissa g...

Leah gave a presentation titled “From Concept to Bowl: Translating Vision Into a Successful New Product to Market.” She describes the process at her company as a complex, highly collaborative technical process that requires cross-functional collaboration. Simmons uses a stage-gate new product development process, allowing all teams to co-own the initiative.  (5:45) The panel talks through differen...

Allison gives some examples of how AI can be used in production facilities. Sensors on equipment, production schedules, product formulation, supply chain, logistics, and marketing were all mentioned. (11:24) The panel talks about challenges for small and mid-size companies when it comes to deploying AI. Jay discusses how a company can go about adding AI to its production system.  (16:45) Debbie de...

Dr. Larson gave a presentation about the two new pathways for ingredient approval. She gives an overview of the background of ingredient approval, including the recent dissolution of the MOU between FDA and AAFCO, which had been a partnership for the old AAFCO ingredient definition process. The two new pathways are AFIC (Animal Feed Ingredient Consultation) and SRIS (Scientific Review of Ingredien...

Dr. Shanoyan gave a presentation titled “Wishlist to Shopping Cart: Understanding Pet Food Buyers’ Preferences and Purchasing Behaviors.” Consumers were asked what they would like to buy (wishlist) and what they’re currently buying (shopping cart), and attributes were matched between the two sets of answers. What are the differences between someone whose wishlist and shopping cart match perfectly...

Dr. Pezzali gives an overview of the pet food program at K-State. Students can focus on any of the different disciplines essential to pet food, such as nutrition, safety, or processing. The program has a strong connection to industry through research, teaching, and outreach and prepares students for careers in the industry through their Feed and Pet Food Science major. Dr. Pezzali also introduces...

Panelists introduce themselves and their backgrounds (00:45) Dr. Starkey describes the Auburn University pet food research and teaching program. Their goal is to teach students food science research techniques while upcycling low economic value meat processing co-products into high value, marketable pet products. (4:46)  Leila shares about why she chose Auburn for her undergraduate career, how she...

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.    Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds (00:51) Dr. Hobbs gives an overview of his presentation about pet owners’ perceptions, knowledge and willingness to pay for insect proteins. Insect proteins are currently a specialty product with some scalability and supply chain issues, resulting in higher prices than...

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.    Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds (00:56) Dr. Gross gives an overview of her presentation, including the rise of pet obesity and the lack of industry response in providing products for today’s less active pets. Upwards of 60% of dogs and cats in the US are considered overweight or obese. Her talk focus...

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.  Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds (00:59) Nicole’s presentation at Petfood Forum was based on two surveys her company conducted in March and April 2025, asking 1200+ dog parents and 1200+ cat parents about species-specific decisions they make for pet nutrition and care, focused on novel proteins. They as...

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.  Alexandra and Jim begin by introducing themselves and their backgrounds, as well as sharing what they do in their current roles. (00:58) Dr. Ranovic gives an overview of her presentation at the conference, including a review of how dogs and cats metabolize fatty acids, current recommendations for EPA and DHA requirement...

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.    Panelists introduce themselves and their backgrounds (00:56) Angelique shares about her company, Montego Pet Nutrition, and what they do. They are located in the Karoo area of South Africa which is famous for large herds of springbok. Springbok meat was a major export to the EU; however a foot and mouth disease outbre...

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.    Diana predicts the global pet industry to reach about $500 billion by the end of the decade, compared to $380 billion currently. The US will remain the largest market, comprising about 40%, and is predicted to reach $200 billion compared to $150 billion currently. Healthcare is expected to be the biggest driver over t...

Welcome to our Real Science Exchange- Companion Animal Podcast, the podcast that opens up the bag and looks at what really goes into better pet nutrition. In this introductory video, you’ll meet the experts and the science behind Balchem’s ingredient solutions, and hear how they’re used by formulators to support digestion, skin & coat, energy metabolism, and overall well being. Subscribe to follow...