Natural food for domestic animals: A national and international technological review

• Published in: Research in veterinary science 2020-06, Vol.130, p.11-18
• Main Authors: Viana, Larissa Morais, Mothé, Cheila Gonçalves, Mothé, Michelle Gonçalves
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal health; Animals; Descriptive labeling; Dietary minerals; Domestic animals; Feeds; Food; Food products; Food supply; Functional food; Health care; Healthy food; Keywords; Natural & organic foods; Natural food; Nutrition; Nutrition research; Pet food; Petfoods; Quality of life; Trends; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.02.008

People's concern with the health of their animals has grown as the concern with their own health. The phenomenon known as humanization of animals has contributed to the emergence of this awareness about the care that animal owners need to have in relation with food, thus creating a new market nourishment, of natural and healthy foods. With revenues of US$ 91 billion in 2018, the pet food market is seen as a valuable market with great growth prospects for years to come. Nutrition is one of the most important parameters for the maintenance of animal health. Paying close attention to this new trend, the pet industry has been launching and betting on new products that work for the improvement of the quality of life of domestic animals. The present work carries out a national and international technological review on natural food, interesting components and their benefits in pet food, definitions, food market and their trends. •Nutrition is one of the main factors related to the maintenance of the health of dogs and cats.•The new natural commercial food options are niches of great potential market.•With revenues of US$ 91 billion in 2018, the pet food market is seen as a valuable market.