Future of Pet Food: What Will Dogs and Cats Likely Eat in 2050?
What will dogs and cats likely eat in 25 years? Pet owners today are already seeing a shift in what goes into their pets’ bowls, and by 2050, diets could look very different from the kibble-and-cans we know today. So what does the future of pet food look like?
Sustainable Pet Food Ingredients of the Future
Sustainability is at the forefront of everyone’s minds when it comes to future food production. The United States alone produces about 64 million tons of pet food each year, which contributes significant greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. In the future, pets will likely be eating food from more sustainable sources, such as lab-grown meat and plant-based options for dogs. Using cultivated meat for food production means less reliance on non-renewable resources and less overall strain on the environment. It could also produce food that’s less likely to cause allergic reactions in pets.
Personalized Pet Diets with AI
Another development in dog and cat food we are expected to see by 2050 is detailed, individualized nutrition plans for pets. AI-powered tools can create detailed meal plans for dogs and cats based on their age, breed, size, current health condition, and DNA. This will ensure that pets are getting the proper nutrition for optimal health throughout their lives. Personalized nutrition means better overall health, and perhaps, longer lifespans.
Future of Pet Food: Insects & Beyond
The world population is expected to soar to 9.7 billion by 2050. Without changes to our current methods of food production, this will be a catastrophic strain on our planet. Because of this, scientists are starting to explore alternative food options that provide nutrition with less strain. One of these developments is using insect-based proteins for pet food.
Many insect species are incredibly high in protein and macronutrients. They are also easy to digest and require significantly less water, land, and feed than other animals for food production. They have also been shown to reduce allergens for pets. Insect protein and lab-grown meat are already being tested in some pet food brands today. Of course, some challenges will need to be worked through, such as regulation, cost, and consumer acceptance.
Functional Pet Foods for Whole-Body Health
Pet food of the future is expected to focus more on the full picture than simply meeting basic nutritional needs. This means that pet owners can expect to find foods that contain more of the following:
- Probiotics to encourage a healthy gut
- Support for joints
- Boosters to help with cognitive health
- Ingredients designed to boost immunity to common illnesses
Pet food will be another tool that pet owners have to keep their pets healthy and happy throughout their lives.
Transparency and Ethical Sourcing in Pet Food
Experts also believe that the future of pet food looks brighter for our furry friends, and the pet food industry of the future will be more transparent. This means clearer labels, more ethical methods of sourcing food, and food considered as high-quality as human food. Pet owners will feel better about the foods they feed their furry friends, and how it was made.
At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we want to make it easy for pet owners to get the information they need to make the best decisions for their pets. Our blog is full of resources on every aspect of pet care. If you have any additional questions, please call (248) 335-6877.
