The Pet Food Science Podcast Show

In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Tonje Dominguez, Director of Specialty Animal Nutrition Products at Aker Qrill Company, and Knut Heggen, SVP Qrill Pet Sales at Aker Qrill Company, explain how krill functions as a nutritional ingredient for dog and cat diets. They discuss sustainable Antarctic harvesting, phospholipid omega-3 bioavailability, and functional nutrients supporting skin, mobility, cognition, and metabolic health. Listen now on all major platforms!"Krill contains multiple valuable nutrients, including phospholipid omega-3, choline, marine proteins, nucleotides, and functional peptides, creating a single ingredient capable of delivering several nutritional benefits across species." – Tonje DominguezMeet the guests: Tonje Dominguez is Director of Specialty Animal Nutrition Products at Aker Qrill Company with more than 25 years of experience in animal nutrition, feed technology, and ingredient development across the pet food and human nutrition sectors.Knut Heggen is Senior Vice President of Qrill Pet Sales at Aker Qrill Company with over 25 years of leadership in global pet nutrition markets, specializing in commercial strategy, product development, and international growth across veterinary and retail channels.Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Pet Food Inner Circle!Join now and connect with leading experts in pet nutrition: https://petfoodinnercircle.com/What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:26) Introduction(10:52) Krill sustainability explained(17:26) Nutritional value overview(18:54) Phospholipid omega-3(21:33) Anti-inflammatory effects(27:34) Krill meal formulation(36:05) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:Aker Qrill* Kemin* Trouw Nutrition- Rangen Group- Biorigin- DietForge𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowInstagram: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Pet Food Science Podcast Show

In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Amy Farcas, Owner and Founder of Veterinary Nutrition Care, discusses the communication gap between veterinarians and pet owners around nutrition. She explains levels of evidence, bias in pet food marketing, and how education empowers informed decisions. Dr. Farcas also shares insights on homemade diet formulation and quality evaluation. Listen now on all major platforms!"Talking about nutrition is a vital key to building relationships that truly work in veterinary medicine and pet care decision-making."Meet the guest: Dr. Amy Farcas earned her DVM and MS in Nutritional Biology and became a DACVIM Nutrition specialist. Her research focused on dietary fiber in pet food, and she has served in academia, mentoring veterinary students in clinical nutrition. As Founder of Veterinary Nutrition Care, she works to make evidence-based nutrition accessible and practical for veterinarians and pet owners. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Pet Food Inner Circle!Join now and connect with leading experts in pet nutrition: https://petfoodinnercircle.com/What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:17) Introduction(05:59) Nutrition communication gap(10:31) Levels of evidence(20:15) Critical evaluation skills(24:42) Small vs large brands(29:30) Homemade diet formulation(32:33) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Trouw Nutrition* Kemin- DietForge- Rangen Group- Biorigin𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowInstagram: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Pet Food Science Podcast Show

In this special episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, our co-host Dr. Dennis Jewell, Adjunct Faculty Member at Kansas State University, explains the science behind palatability in pet food. He outlines testing methods, statistical considerations, ingredient quality, and practical strategies to improve acceptance in dogs and cats. Strengthen formulation decisions with science driven insights. Listen now on all major platforms!“A monadic test evaluates whether sufficient intake occurs to maintain body weight and physiological needs under controlled feeding conditions.”Meet the guest: Dr. Dennis Jewell earned his PhD in Cellular Physiology and Nutrition from The University of Georgia and built a distinguished career in pet nutrition research. He served as Fellow Nutrition Scientist at Hill’s Pet Nutrition and is now Adjunct Faculty at Kansas State University. His work focuses on optimizing canine and feline health through evidence based nutrition science. He also serves as co host of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Pet Food Inner Circle!Join now and connect with leading experts in pet nutrition: https://petfoodinnercircle.com/What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:18) Introduction(06:37) Monadic testing explained(07:42) Two bowl comparison(14:23) Statistical power factors(16:20) Facility versus home(18:42) Testing early development(26:51) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kemin* Trouw Nutrition- Rangen Group- Biorigin- DietForge𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowInstagram: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Pet Food Science Podcast Show

Mike Hooper, Vice President of Business Development Companion Animal LATAM at Trouw Nutrition with 40+ years in pet and animal nutrition. He discusses how pet food fundamentals have evolved. He highlights Latin America’s unique cultural, distribution, and buying habits. He covers market growth drivers, sustainability tradeoffs, and supply chain realities shaping pet food strategy.

In this special episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show Equine, celebrating International Women's Month, Dr. Marie-Céline Hottat, Teaching Assistant and Research Associate at Ghent University, explains how gastric ulcers develop in horses and how nutrition and management influence risk and recovery. She clarifies differences between squamous and glandular ulcers, key dietary risk factors, and practical feeding strategies for prevention and support. Learn clear, science-based guidance to improve equine gastric health. Listen now on all major platforms!“The equine stomach has a squamous and a glandular part, and ulcers can occur in both locations, but nutritional management differs depending on where lesions develop.”Meet the guest: Dr. Marie-Céline Hottat is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition and a Teaching Assistant and Research Associate in Animal Nutrition at Ghent University. Her work focuses on equine and companion animal nutrition, with strong expertise in gastric health, obesity, and diet formulation. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Pet Food Inner Circle!Join now and connect with leading experts in pet nutrition: https://petfoodinnercircle.com/What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:15) Introduction(05:15) Ulcer causes(10:32) Feeding risks(16:29) Stress effects(22:09) Diet management(38:26) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kemin* Trouw Nutrition- DietForge- Rangen Group- Biorigin𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowInstagram: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Pet Food Science Podcast Show

Dr. Leticia Pacheco, a monogastric nutrition researcher and regulatory specialist at Biorigin, explains yeast-based single-cell protein for pet nutrition. She covers what single-cell protein is and how yeast offers high protein with complete amino acids. Listeners hear about digestibility, inclusion limits and palatability, plus safety, environmental advantages, and practical formulation challenges.

In this special re-run episode The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, we bring back our conversation with Dr. Erin Perry from Southern Illinois University who explores the nutritional challenges and stress-related health concerns faced by working dogs. She explains how fiber therapy, microbiome development, and proper puppy screening can improve canine GI health and performance. Learn practical, science-backed strategies to optimize working dog nutrition. Listen now on all major platforms!"Beyond calories and protein, environmental stressors like heat, cold, and travel demand serious attention to gastrointestinal health in working dogs."Meet the guest: Dr. Erin Perry is a Professor at Southern Illinois University with extensive experience in animal nutrition and working canine health. Her research focuses on stress, gastrointestinal function, and performance challenges faced by operational dogs. With decades of field experience as a FEMA canine handler, her work bridges research and real world application. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Pet Food Inner Circle!Join now and connect with leading experts in pet nutrition: https://petfoodinnercircle.com/What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:15) Introduction(05:16) Canine stress response(07:41) Heat injury risks(15:46) Puppy development phase(22:00) Stress and digestion(25:34) Fiber as prevention(33:18) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Trouw Nutrition* Kemin- DietForge- Biorigin- Rangen Group𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowInstagram: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Pet Food Science Podcast Show

In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emily Luisana, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and co-founder of Peak Veterinary Specialists, explains the realities behind homemade diets for pets. She discusses why precision matters, the biggest nutritional risks, and how healthy and ill pets require very different approaches. Dr. Luisana also covers owner motivations, micronutrient challenges, and long-term sustainability. Learn how clinical nutrition decisions are made in real practice. Listen now on all major platforms!“In homemade pet diets, precision matters because even small nutritional errors repeated daily can accumulate and create significant health issues over time.”Meet the guest: Dr. Emily Luisana is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist with advanced training from North Carolina State University and extensive experience in small animal clinical nutrition. She has worked in general practice, specialty hospitals, and industry consulting, and is now co-founder of Peak Veterinary Specialists. Dr. Luisana focuses on evidence-based pet nutrition for healthy and medically complex animals. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Pet Food Inner Circle!Join now and connect with leading experts in pet nutrition: https://petfoodinnercircle.com/What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:10) Introduction(06:17) Nutrition changes(08:06) Owner motivations(10:36) Homemade challenges(13:29) Raw versus cooked(14:53) Diet rotation(23:24) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kemin* Trouw Nutrition- Rangen Group- DietForge- Biorigin𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowInstagram: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Pet Food Science Podcast Show

In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Aulus Carciofi, full professor at São Paulo State University in Brazil, discusses how obesity alters energy metabolism in dogs and cats and why traditional diet formulation approaches fall short during weight loss. He explains why nutrient requirements must be calculated in grams per body weight rather than dry matter percentages. Dr. Carciofi also highlights the role of amino acids, lean mass preservation, and metabolic adaptation during energy restriction. Learn practical, science-based insights for improving weight loss diet formulation in pets. Listen now on all major platforms!“Formulating diets based on dry matter percentages can create the false impression of adequacy, while actual nutrient intake remains insufficient during energy restriction.”Meet the guest: Dr. Aulus Carciofi is a full professor at São Paulo State University in Brazil, where he leads clinical nutrition research focused on pet food formulation, metabolism, and nutrition-related diseases in dogs and cats. His work emphasizes ingredient evaluation, digestibility, amino acid balance, and clinical testing of diets during weight loss. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!Dr. Thaila Putarov: Yeast in Pet Nutrition | Ep. 74John Owen: Humanization in Pet Food Trends | Ep. 92Dr. Ricardo Vasconcellos: Cats' Food Preferences | Ep. 98Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Pet Food Inner Circle!Join now and connect with leading experts in pet nutrition: https://petfoodinnercircle.com/What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:14) Introduction(04:37) Formulation limits(06:48) Amino acid gaps(08:35) Weight loss rates(11:39) Lean mass(15:32) Energy expenditure(23:47) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:- Biorigin* Kemin* Trouw Nutrition- Rangen Group- DietForge𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowInstagram: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Pet Food Science Podcast Show

In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Marcos Rostagno from Nutreco Selko USA discusses why Salmonella remains a critical risk across the pet food supply chain. He explains how ingredient sourcing, processing, storage, and consumer handling all influence food safety outcomes for pets and humans. Dr. Rostagno highlights One Health connections, emerging consumer trends, and the limitations of testing and detection. Learn practical insights shared for managing risk without assuming a zero-tolerance approach. Listen now on all major podcast platforms!“One Health becomes especially relevant when humans and companion animals share living spaces, creating ongoing opportunities for microorganism exchange through food, surfaces, and daily interaction.”Meet the guest: Dr. Marcos Rostagno is a veterinarian with an MSc and PhD in preventive veterinary medicine and serves as Director of Technical Services and Innovation at Nutreco Selko USA. With extensive experience across academia, government, and industry, his work focuses on feed additives, gastrointestinal health, food safety, and risk management. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Pet Food Inner Circle!Join now and connect with leading experts in pet nutrition: https://petfoodinnercircle.com/What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:11) Introduction(04:20) Salmonella importance(06:41) Pet susceptibility(11:44) Ingredient risks(17:12) Processing controls(21:23) Supply chain risk(26:39) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Trouw Nutrition* Kemin- Biorigin- DietForge𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowInstagram: The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Pet Food Science Podcast Show