Ingredient supplier dsm-firmenich is launching a new omega-3 ingredient for cat and dog products, which will first be introduced at Petfood Forum 2024 in Kansas City, MO from May 2-4.
 
Veramaris Pets, derived from algal oil, contains 60% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is twice as potent as some competing fish oil products, with enhanced taste and stability benefits compared to fish oil products in this market.
 
The pet food industry removes 930 billion fish from the oceans each year, for both fish oil and meal. Veramaris Pets uses algae, which is a consistent and scalable source of omega-3 that doesn’t rely on fish stocks, ensuring supply chain stability. According to the company, one ton of Veramaris Pets offsets 66 tons of wild-caught fish.
 
As a part of dsm-firmenich’s pet food portfolio, producers who use Veramaris Pets will also benefit from access to the company’s worldwide team of experts and global supply chain.
 
Veramaris Pets joins DHAgold, another option for pet food manufacturers looking for versatility in DHA fortification. The easy-to-use powder, made from fermented algae, is clinically evidenced to support cognitive function in dogs. One study found that, in 8- to 11-year-old dogs, supplementation with DHAgold for 6 months was associated with improved measures of memory and visual performance.
 
“It’s our ambition to create ingredients that are good for pets, good for producers, and good for the planet,” said George B. Josef, global head of marketing and nutritional lipids for pet food at dsm-firmenich. “We have the same dedication to crafting delicious, nutritious, and sustainable solutions as pet parents do in caring for their furry friends. And we continue this ethos with decades of science-based research and expertise, leading technology, and substantial investment in innovation. The result is a range of high-quality, safe ingredients that pet parents want and their cats and dogs love.”