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Top Trends in Pet Food Formats

Posted July 18, 2024 by Abby Castillo, Sr. Global Product Manager: Palatants and Health & Nutrition | Kemin Nutrisurance
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Pet adoption grew rapidly during the pandemic, and so did pet food sales. Pet parents continue to invest in high-quality pet foods. There are two pet food formats that have seen the most growth in the last five years: Refrigerated pet foods and freeze-dried pet food ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at the top trends in pet food formats. 

Non-Kibble Pet Food Formats Lead US Market 

Non-kibble pet food formats, including wet pet food, treats, and refrigerated pet food make up roughly 55% of the total US pet industry revenue.  

non-kibble formats chart

Refrigerated Pet Food is Fastest Growing Segment 

While refrigerated pet foods only account for 4% of the US market revenue, the year-over-year growth of refrigerated pet food is more than 35%. Put this growing trend on your watch list!

refrigerated pet food growth leader

Freeze-Dried Ingredients on the Rise in Pet Food

Freeze-dried ingredients can be sold directly as treats, toppers, inclusions or finished diets, and are also often included as a coating on kibble diets. Producing freeze-dried products or ingredients requires a heavy investment in specialized equipment, but the resulting products are especially flavorful and are continuing to be highly popular with pet parents.

Global Pet Food Launches Containing Freeze-Dried Ingredients from 2018-2022

Almost 1,500 products containing freeze-dried ingredients have been launched globally in the last five years (2018-2022), with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR; 2018-2022) of 21.4%.

freeze-dried pet food

Top Pet Food Products at Kemin 

1. PALASURANCE  – Palatants for Pet Food Products

Kemin is a leading manufacturer of pet food palatants and our portfolio begins with PALASURANCE. As our flagship line of palatants for all types of pet food products, we designed PALASURANCE products to deliver the level of palatability that the industry and consumers have come to expect.

  • Available as a palatant in both dry and liquid forms for cat food and dog food
  • Formulated to deliver desired level of palatability on the surface of kibble
  • Can conform to ingredient restrictions and customer label requirements
  • Backed by quality control standards and verification
  • Produced at facilities in the United States, Brazil, and Italy

2. PALTEVA – Natural Pet Food Palatants

Natural pet food, considered a niche market as little as a decade ago, has proved that it has staying power. Pet owners investing in natural products are also interested in other common “clean label” claims, such as no grains, allergens, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. PALTEVA provides natural flavor to pet diets. 

  • Formulations in a range of palatability performance categories, including super-premium
  • Naturally-sourced flavor with supporting regulatory documentation
  • Naturally stabilized and preserved
  • Animal-based or plant-based products

3.  PALIVATE – Palatants for Wet Pet Food

Wet pet food is often considered highly palatable, and cat owners choose wet almost as often as dry. Despite the perceived appeal of wet cat food, consumers and pet food manufacturers alike are often surprised to find that cats may be reluctant or refuse to eat a product altogether. At Kemin, we are developing a portfolio of wet pet food solutions, including  PALIVATE palatants, to meet pets’ (and pet parents') flavor expectations.

  • Specifically created for wet pet food applications and to withstand the retort process
  • Increases palatability of wet pet food with low inclusions in multiple formats, including loaf and chunk in gravy
  • Designed to minimize effects to product integrity

 

PALASURANCE

Kemin's PALASURANCE® palatability enhancers improve pet food flavor and aroma.

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PALTEVA

PALTEVATM palatability enhancers are designed to improve the taste of single-ingredient and natural pet food products.

Learn More

PALIVATE

PALIVATETM was specifically created for wet pet food applications and to withstand the retort process.

Learn More


Headshot-Abby-Castillo -circle
Abby Castillo, Sr. Global Product Manager: Palatants and Health & Nutrition | Kemin Nutrisurance

Abby has played a central role in building Kemin Nutrisurance's portfolio of palatants with almost ten years of experience at Kemin. Today Abby supports and drives Kemin's regional and global portfolio of palatants, functional ingredients, and proteins for dog and cat food. 


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