Pet Digest

  Rosemary Extract in Pet Food: Natural Preservative or Hidden Risk? In recent years, more pet food companies have shifted away from synthetic preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. Instead, many brands now highlight “natural preservatives” on their labels—most commonly rosemary extract. Rosemary extract is valued for its natural antioxidant properties, but some pet parents have concerns about whether it may be linked to seizures in dogs. Let’s break down what rosemary extract is, how it’s used, and what the science says about its safety. --- What Is Rosemary Extract? Rosemary extract is derived from the rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis), a common culinary herb. In pet food, it isn’t used for flavor but for its antioxidant compounds, particularly carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. These compounds help slow down the oxidation of fats and oils in kibble and treats, extending shelf life and preserving nutritional quality. Pet Food Institute – Preservatives --- Why Is Rosem...

Are We Getting Enough Variety in Our Pets’ Diets? What Common Ingredients Mean for Their Health Last updated: August 2025 A recent 2025 report from NARA reveals that U.S. pet food production used over 600 different ingredients in 2024, including a substantial volume of upcycled rendered ingredients like organ meats, fats, and bones 0. As pet food formulators continue to depend on these staples, a key question emerges: are our pets getting enough dietary variety—and could popular ingredients be driving allergies? What the Data Tells Us About Ingredient Variety Here’s what the NARA report reveals about ingredient usage and sustainability: Manufacturers used over **600 safe, nutritious ingredients** in 2024, thanks to rendering and smart sourcing 1. Upcycling through rendering repurposed more than **4 million tons** of otherwise wasted materials—3 million for dogs, 1 million for cats—helping reduce landfill waste 2. Despite the sheer number of ingredients, many p...

Hill’s Science Diet is marketed as a veterinary-recommended dog food brand—but it’s also owned by Colgate-Palmolive, a multinational corporation better known for toothpaste and cleaning supplies than pet nutrition. 🔍 Corporate Profile: Colgate-Palmolive Parent Company: Colgate-Palmolive Dog Food Brand: Hill’s Science Diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet Headquarters: New York, USA Founded: 1806 (Colgate), acquired Hill’s in 1976 Global Reach: Distributed in over 80 countries Colgate-Palmolive bought Hill’s Pet Nutrition to expand into the growing pet care market. Since then, Hill’s has become a dominant player in prescription diets, often sold exclusively through veterinarians. 💊 Prescription Diets: Innovation or Monopoly? Hill’s Prescription Diet line targets specific health conditions like kidney disease, obesity, and food allergies. While they are formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists, the proprietary nature of the recipes—and the required vet pres...

🛑 Royal Canin’s “Fresh Food” Pivot Royal Canin recently introduced Fresh Health Nutrition , a gently cooked, frozen-thawed line for puppies, adults, and seniors—marking their first foray into fresh food despite years of asserting such formats weren’t necessary. They argue this response stems from growing consumer demand, scientific backing, and the need to hold off competitive fresh-food brands. ✅ What Royal Canin Says Consumer Pressure: “Pet parents want transparency, freshness, indulgence.” Staying Competitive: Brands like Freshpet and The Farmer’s Dog have been chipping away. Scientific Alignment: They stress this fresh line was developed with the same nutritional rigor as their classic dry formulas. 😒 Your Perspective (Backed by This Instagram Reel ) "Only ULTRA processed for." The reel points out that RC is simply swapping extrusion for “gentle cooking.” It’s still a highly processed food—just marketed as “fresh.” A late-game piv...