Hydrolyzed proteins: Breaking down the science behind digestible, hypoallergenic pet food

January 08 2026 - News

The pet food industry faces growing demand for diets that are highly digestible, well tolerated and tailored to specific health needs. Traditional protein sources don’t always meet these expectations. Hydrolyzed proteins address this gap by combining concentrated nutrition with functional benefits such as hypoallergenic potential and palatability.  

In our new white paper on hydrolyzed proteins, Innovation Manager Geert van der Velden explains how hydrolysis works and how this process supports the development of functional, highly digestible pet food formulations. 

Below are some key topics covered in the white paper:

What are hydrolyzed proteins and how does hydrolysis work?

In the white paper, Geert explains the fundamentals of hydrolysis and compares enzymatic, thermal, and physical methods to show how each influences the final ingredient. 

The benefits of hydrolyzed proteins

Hydrolyzed proteins have many benefits, from improved digestibility to hypoallergenic potential. This white paper highlights six key advantages.  

Handling considerations

Hydrolyzed proteins deliver clear benefits but require careful processing and storage. The white paper outlines how techniques such as compacting and agglomerating can improve handling and stability.

IQI’s hydrolyzed protein solutions

Within its portfolio, IQI offers several hydrolyzed protein ingredients, each tailored to specific nutritional and functional needs. The white paper provides an overview of these ingredients and their applications.

Download the white paper
Want to know more about our hydrolyzed ingredients and how they support the needs of specific target groups? Read all about it in IQI’s white paper on hydrolyzed proteins.