Our bond with pets has only grown stronger over time, and as it does, how we feed them is changing too. Here’s a simple look at where pet nutrition came from, what’s happening now, and where it's heading next.

The Past: From Scraps to Science

Dogs have evolved alongside humankind for thousands of years. First domesticated several hundred thousand years ago, the dog species Canis lupus familiaris evolved from a common ancestor that it shares with the modern gray wolf – hence where the myth of feeding dogs like wolves comes from (only one of several unfortunate misconceptions about dogs and wolves!). Due to this closely intertwined relationship, dogs evolved the ability to effectively utilise carbohydrates like grains, as they were mostly fed table scraps and leftovers. In fact, dogs were more working tools than man’s best friend in those days, though this isn’t implying that they weren’t loved. Most of the farmers I’ve met in my time at vet school loved their sheepdogs, but a three-legged sheepdog is just not useful to a farmer, much less one who’s fussy and doesn’t want to eat its dinner!

After the Industrial Revolution, with higher income and people moving into cities for factory work, pets became family. Science also evolved during this period, particularly in nutrition of both humans and animals. New advances in veterinary medicine and animal nutrition alike led to the first commercial pet food in the 1860s, which came in the form of dry biscuits.

As the market evolved over the decades, animal food companies were incentivized to not just satiate the animals, but to feed them appropriately, reducing the likelihood of malnutrition. For food-producing animals in the agricultural industry, it was important not just for the animals to gain weight every day, but to provide balanced nutrition (in the most economical way possible). For companion animals, it was mostly the latter. Diseases resulting from over or under-nutrition soon became a thing of the past, due to advances in research by both the US and EU governments. The AAFCO (Association of Animal Feed Control Officials) and FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation in French) published guidelines on recommended amounts of all known nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, in the late 20th century for the different animal species, which formed the legal basis in both these territories for what constitutes a complete and balanced diet. These guidelines get updated regularly according to the most current research. 

 The Present: Variety, Wellness, and Home Nutrition

Today’s pet food comes in many formats: kibble, cans, frozen, dehydrated, or fresh. There are the three big players in the industry: namely, Royal Canin, Hills’ Science Diet and Purina, who namely offer kibble and canned options, but there are also smaller boutique brands that are too numerous to name. Interestingly, Royal Canin has launched a fresh food option in the West! The three legacy brands also offer veterinary prescription diets for pets with health conditions, though these only come as kibble and canned options and in most countries, can only be accessed through a veterinarian.

There is a significant proportion of Singaporean pet pawrents who homecook for their dogs and cats, and a number of companies who sell freshly cooked pet food as well. Unfortunately, there is no legislation in Southeast Asia that holds companies/individuals to the same amount of scrutiny as the AAFCO and FEDIAF boards do. This is why it is so important to vet who supplies your pet food – legally, anything can be labelled as complete and balanced, and there are no repercussions even if it’s untrue. Questions you should be asking are: who is formulating these diets? What credentials do these individuals have? Where are the ingredients sourced? Are there any additional safety measurements taken to ensure that this pet food is both safe and appropriate for my pet to eat? Individuals formulating recipes should at least have a Masters’ in Animal Nutrition, or a PhD. Better yet, they are a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (a topic I have covered in a previous blog post), but this would be much more important for a therapeutic diet. Pet food should also ideally be produced in a food safety certified facility with HACCP controls, and the supply chain must be clear and traceable. 

Chukus consults with board-certified veterinary nutritionists to formulate the recipes and our ingredients are also sourced from reputed suppliers with a clear supply chain. 

The Future: Healthier Pets, Healthier Planet, and Healthier Humans too

Sustainability is a big topic today, and comprises environmental, economic and social aspects. The pet food industry is a key player in this discussion. Animal agriculture for example, is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions – not just due to the animals themselves, but also the energy and water required to produce their feed. Trends in pet food are also moving towards human-grade and muscle-meat only ingredients, leading to less use and thus wastage of nutritious organs that aren’t as palatable/marketable for human consumption. It is also no secret that the larger pet food companies are owned by giant multinational corporations, who are still discreetly linked to humanitarian crises like slave labour, funding of war efforts and exploitation of impoverished communities.

Currently, several efforts are underway to improve the sustainability of the pet food industry. Alternative proteins such as insects and lab-grown meat are being researched. Bioproduction of raw materials like vitamins and minerals, such as using yeasts as biofactories as opposed to the traditional fossil fuels, are also undergoing further studies. Recyclable/compostable packaging and ethical sourcing of ingredients is also being investigated.

Functional ingredients are also at the forefront of nutrition research – common conditions such as osteoarthritis, dental disease, skin disease, and organ dysfunction can all be linked to nutrition. Some disease conditions can be cured or slowed down with targeted nutrition. For example, omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA have proven benefits to improving osteoarthritis and enhancing the skin barrier, whilst Ascophyllum Nodosum, a special type of kelp, has promising studies behind it showing an effect on reducing dental plaque and tartar.

Just like in human and veterinary medicine, tailored and personalized nutrition is becoming more common. From flavour/texture preferences, to disease conditions and age requirements, AI and data tools are being further developed to personalize your pet’s meals. This technology is already present and thriving in the West, mainly in healthy pets, and it’s only a matter of time before it reaches us as well!

Conclusions and Quick Tips

Even in Singapore, the environment around pet food is changing and new advances in tech are introduced every day.  From novel diet presentations to innovative preservation methods, new options for owners are surely on the horizon. However, the basics will be fundamental, no matter how the food is served, and it is important to purchase consciously, and not be waylaid by the latest marketing fad.

Some quick tips to take away from today:

• Check the credentials of whoever formulates the recipe.
• Look for evidence of nutritional balance—ask for lab tests or certifications (particularly AAFCO and FEDIAF).
• Be sustainability aware: does the brand use eco-friendly ingredients and packaging?
• Consider your pet’s needs: age, breed, digestion, allergies—some diets are designed to address specific concerns.
• Beware of marketing hype—don’t choose based purely on flashy claims or trends.

Samantha Ho

More about the author: Samantha Ho (Sam) an animal lover, and Vet-to-be at the University of Edinburgh with a strong passion for nutrition, Sam partners with Chukus, as a Small Animal Nutrition Educator.

At Chukus, we share this because we want to create an open community, build awareness, drive transparency and inspiring hope to those who are in this journey of taking care of our loved ones together