Riding the Wave: How Alternative Marine Proteins Are Revolutionizing Pet Food

Sustainability is a growing trend, and the pet food space is no exception. Consumers are gravitating towards sustainable food sources, packaging, and clothing options. One notable shift in pet food is the growing use of alternative proteins. Interest in these sustainable ingredients is steadily increasing, driven by the pressures of the global economy and greater consumer awareness of health and nutrition.¹ A prime example is insect-based protein, such as black soldier fly larvae. As more innovative and sustainable proteins enter the market, the emphasis on sustainability and the role it plays in pet food grows.

Environmental and Nutritional Benefits of Marine Proteins

Alternative proteins are gaining attention as promising sustainable food sources for several compelling reasons, particularly their environmental and nutritional benefits. Traditional livestock farming is a major contributor to land degradation, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.² In contrast, alternative proteins, especially marine-based ones, typically have a lower environmental footprint.³ Marine proteins can be produced with sustainable aquaculture practices and make use of by-products from the fishing industry, turning what might otherwise be waste into valuable, high-quality nutrition.

Emerging Marine Proteins

Shrimp hydrolysate and squid meal are two emerging marine proteins that have garnered recent scientific attention for their improved digestibility and nutrient composition, being high crude protein and total amino acid content in dog food.⁴ Research also shows no significant difference in palatability between a diet including these ingredients versus a commercial diet, which includes animal meals, vegetables, oils, and fats. In experiment 1, the diet includes 50, 100, or 150 gkg^-1 of squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate and for experiment 2, in place of the basal diet. This suggests incorporating these novel marine proteins into pet food products can maintain a satisfied pup while offering nutritional and environmental advantages.

Another notable marine protein is the lionfish. Also known as devil firefish, lionfish are invasive fish that have recently taken over the spotlight due to the ecological harm they inflict on coral reef systems, particularly in the Atlantic and Caribbean regions. Their invasive presence disrupts marine biodiversity by preying on native species, negatively impacting dive and recreational fishing tourism. However, efforts are underway to control their population by harvesting lionfish for human and animal consumption. Utilizing lionfish as a protein source not only aids in mitigating the environmental damage they cause but also offers a sustainable, nutrient-dense protein for pet food. It is a nutritious fish choice, considering the high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and lower concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids. It also promotes heart health by raising high-density lipoproteins (HDL “good” cholesterol) and lowering low-density lipoproteins (LDL “bad” cholesterol).⁵ However, sourcing this fish poses challenges due to the labor-intensive process required, as divers must manually harvest them with short pole spears.  

Future of Marine Proteins in Pet Nutrition

Marine proteins are rich in the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), contributing to skin and coat health and cognitive function in pets⁶. Specific examples of these fish include salmon, sardines, and tuna. The fattier the fish, the higher in EPA and DHA. A whitefish has less fat, which contains lower fatty acids. Moreover, as novel protein sources, particularly shrimp hydrolysate, they may aid in identifying adverse food reactions and help prevent allergic responses from food hypersensitivity, which can appeal to consumers.⁴ 

In addition to fish-based proteins, algae have emerged as a highly sustainable alternative protein source. Certain strains, such as Galdieria sulphuraria, are complete proteins containing all ten essential amino acids, similar to traditional animal proteins.⁷ This makes algae a valuable ingredient for creating balanced pet diets. Additionally, algal oil can replace fish oil without depleting fish populations as it is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. This makes algae-based ingredients an attractive option for pet foods, especially those formulated for vegan or vegetarian diets, as they can deliver essential fatty acids without introducing fish or animal-derived ingredients.

Marine Proteins as a Sustainable Solution

In summary, marine proteins offer a range of bioactive compounds that support overall pet health. Incorporating alternative marine proteins into pet food represents a meaningful advancement towards more sustainable diets for companion animals. As the awareness of sustainability grows within human food, packaging, and clothing, the pet food industry is exploring innovative solutions like shrimp hydrolysate, squid meal, lionfish, and algae to reduce its ecological footprint. As research continues to support the safety, utility, and sustainability of these ingredients, marine proteins are set to play a pivotal role in the future of pet nutrition, so be sure to do your part and protect the planet for future generations!

References

1. Am JB, Doshi V, Malik A, Noble S. 2023 Feb 20. Customers care about sustainability and back it up with their wallets. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/consumers-care-about-sustainability-and-back-it-up-with-their-wallets
2. The Breakthrough Institute. 2023 March 20. Livestock Don’t Contribute 14.5% of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Food and Agriculture. https://thebreakthrough.org/issues/food-agriculture-environment/livestock-dont-contribute-14-5-of-global-greenhouse-gas-emissions
3. Nunez E. 2021 Sept 16. Wild seafood has a lower carbon footprint than red meat, cheese, and chicken, according to latest data. Oceana. https://oceana.org/blog/wild-seafood-has-lower-carbon-footprint-red-meat-cheese-and-chicken-according-latest-data/
4. Guilherme-Fernandes J, Aires T, Fonseca AJM, Yergaliyev T, Camarinha-Silva A, Lima SAC, Maia MRG, Cabrita ARJ. 2024. Squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate as novel protein sources for dog food. Front. Vet. Sci.11. doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1360939.
5. Lowe A. 2017 Mar 27. 6 reasons lionfish should be your first choice of fish. Lionfish Hunting Lodge. https://lionfish.co/why-eat-lionfish/#.
6. Rodrigues T, Lourenco AL, Gregorio H, Queiroga FL. 2021. Therapeutic effect of EPA/DHA supplementation in neoplastic and non-neoplastic companion animal diseases: A systematic review. In Vivo. 35(3). doi:10.22873/invivo.12394
7. Canelli G, Fabian A, Garcia AV, Canziani S, Mathys A. 2023. Amino acid profile and protein bioaccessibility of two Galdieria sulphuraria strains cultivated autotrophically and mixotrophically in pilot-scale photobioreactors. Innovat. Food Sci. & Emerg. Technol. 84. doi:10.1016/j.ifset.2023.103287

Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates on all things happening here at BSM Partners.

About the Author

Paige Lanier is a Manager at BSM Partners where she supports the Special Services practice. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, she earned her bachelor's degree in food science and culinary arts. She enjoys hiking the trails and skiing the slopes in the mountains above her home in Denver, Colorado.