In our last blog, we discussed the science and evolution behind our recipes. Now, let’s take a step back and examine the broader pet food industry and the common methodologies employed in developing pet foods.
The pet food industry is built on more than just flavor and marketing—it should be driven by science and an objective, fact-based approach to improve the lives and wellbeing of our beloved pets. With growing consumer awareness and interest in pet health, food companies are under pressure to prove their products are not only safe but beneficial and appealing.
A variety of dog food testing methods help manufacturers validate their claims and refine their products. The most common include digestibility studies, palatability and acceptance testing, clinical trials, and increasingly, consumer-focused and epidemiological studies. In this article, we’ll break down these tests and how they shape what ends up in your dog’s bowl.
Digestibility Studies
Digestibility studies are foundational for understanding how well pets absorb and utilize nutrients in food. These tests measure the proportion of ingested nutrients that are not excreted in feces, offering a snapshot of how efficiently a product delivers energy, protein, fat, and other essentials.
Typically conducted in controlled settings, these studies involve feeding a specific diet and collecting fecal samples over time. Analytical methods determine the digestibility of individual nutrients, allowing manufacturers to tweak formulations for maximum nutritional efficiency with minimal waste output.
“Digestibility studies are foundational for understanding how well pets absorb and utilize nutrients in food.”
Palatability and Acceptance Testing
Taste matters—even for pets. Palatability studies assess how appealing a product is based on voluntary consumption. The two-bowl test is common: pets are offered two food choices, and researchers observe which one is eaten first and in what quantity. Single-bowl acceptance tests are also used to evaluate how much a pet consumes when no alternatives are present.
These tests are critical in the early stages of product development to ensure the product isn’t just nutritious, but also desirable.
One important debate in the scientific community is: how tasty is too tasty? With pet obesity increasing and certain diseases on the rise, there’s concern that highly palatable foods may encourage overeating, overriding a pet’s natural control systems to regulate intake and maintain a healthy weight.
Laboratory test tube with dry pet food sample.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials evaluate how a food performs in supporting specific health outcomes like joint health, weight loss, or kidney support. These studies are typically more rigorous, longer in duration, and involve detailed veterinary oversight.
Animals are monitored for changes in biomarkers, body condition, and behavior. Trials are often conducted in veterinary clinics or research facilities under strict ethical protocols, though some are extended to real-world environments for additional insight.
Ideally, for strong claims, several studies should be completed in controlled clinical settings that all show the same benefit. This consistency ensures the food is genuinely providing support to dogs’ health.
In-Home Consumer Trials
In-home testing with consumer-owned dogs and cats has grown in importance. These studies offer a realistic view of how pets respond to food in their daily environments.
Participants are selected based on specific criteria—such as age, breed, or health status—and are asked to follow feeding protocols and provide regular feedback. Owners report on stool quality, coat condition, energy levels, and food enjoyment. These insights often guide final product tweaks before commercial launch.
Focus Groups and Sensory Panels
Focus groups composed of pet owners (and sometimes veterinary professionals) are used to evaluate packaging, brand messaging, and feeding experiences. While subjective, this qualitative data helps companies align product positioning with consumer expectations.
Some brands also use trained human sensory panels to assess taste and aroma before animal testing begins—adding another layer of sensory validation to dog food testing protocols.
Dry dog food plastic bag packaging
Epidemiological Studies
Epidemiological studies track trends in pet health and nutrition across large populations. These can be retrospective (analyzing existing data) or prospective (tracking pets over time), with or without veterinary involvement. These studies help identify correlations between diet and long-term health outcomes like obesity, diabetes, or lifespan.
Conclusion
From digestibility and palatability testing to clinical trials and in-home studies, the pet food industry employs a wide range of dog food testing methods to ensure products are nutritious, effective, and enjoyable. As consumers demand more transparency and scientific backing, these studies are more essential than ever in building trust and ensuring pets thrive.
At Old Guard, we make sure to leverage research from multiple testing methods to provide a holistic view of a dog’s health—focusing not just on nutrition but also behavior and long-term outcomes. We also complete third-party analytical assessments to ensure our recipes are properly cooked and packed with critical nutrients.
For more insight into how we design our formulas, read our article: Science and Evolution of Our Recipes.
Before you buy, ask your pet food company what scientific methods they use to validate their products.
Further Reading on Dog Food Science
