Finding the right ingredients for plant-based pet food applications

July 09 2025 - News

For as long as we can remember, animal proteins have been the foundation of pet food. Now, growing environmental concerns encourage a shift toward plant-based alternatives. As a result, the plant-based pet food market is growing and developing rapidly, only hindered by concerns over nutrient deficiency. IQI’s white paper, ‘Finding the right ingredients for plant-based pet food applications’, goes into the possibilities of using plant-based alternative ingredients and supplements to ensure that the nutrient requirements of the animal are met by plant-based diets. 

Recent research shows that cats and dogs can effectively live healthily on a plant-based diet using various plant- and yeast-based ingredients to supply the required amino acids. When choosing ingredients and supplements for plant-based pet food, aspects such as nutritional properties, taste, stool quality, and technical properties should be taken into consideration. Typical nutrients of animal origin that should be supplemented in plant-based pet food include taurine, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, carnitine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin D. 

The need for highly digestible protein

Both cats and dogs require sufficient intake of high-quality, highly digestible protein. Typical alternative high-quality protein sources include potato protein, wheat gluten, and corn gluten. Newer alternative protein sources are based on rice, non-GMO soy, and pulses, such as peas, faba beans, and chickpeas.

One of the most versatile and sustainable protein solutions in our portfolio is ProtaSTAR®, which is highly digestible, palatable and suitable for both cats and dogs. Processing is essential for plant-based ingredients like Protéger™ ProtaSTAR® to concentrate protein, enhance digestibility, and remove unwanted fiber and anti-nutrients. Novel alternative protein sources that have been introduced onto the pet food market more recently include hemp, microalgae, and single-cell proteins.  

Omega-3 as an essential nutrient

Omega-3 fatty acid is another essential nutrient with an essential role in the physiological processes of mammals, such as cats and dogs. In particular, the intake of adequate levels of the long-chain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) offers a number of benefits to the health and well-being of cats and dogs. Since cats and dogs are unable to synthesize any of the essential omega-3 fatty acids, they must be obtained through diet.

EPA and DHA long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are mostly found in marine oils, such as fish oil and krill oil, or in microalgae. Algae DHA is produced from cultured microalgae and is the only plant-based source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. Algae DHA has a consistently high level of DHA long-chain fatty acid and very good palatability with high acceptance amongst cats and dogs. 

Download the white paper

Together with its different suppliers, IQI delivers a range of ingredients that are beneficial for vegan or hybrid pet food applications. These include seaweed, algae DHA, algae based Astaxanthin, fibers, Protéger™, ProtaSTAR® and FungiBite. 

Download our white paper about suitable high-quality plant-based ingredients for pet food applications now.