Many on the list tout functional formulations to address key need states among dogs and cats.
Dry pet food continues to lead the industry in terms of sales by category. However, new pet food product launches from July to December indicate a trend toward wet cat food variety, fresh and frozen formulations, and targeted diets for puppies, kittens, senior pets and specific breeds. Flip through this slideshow to browse all new pet food products launched in the back half of 2022.
Nunn Milling Company launched its Butcher’s Best Signature Menu dry dog food line in early July, featuring two Whole Grain recipes and two Sensitive Skin and Stomach formulas. The Sensitive Skin and Stomach formulas include ancient grains and easy-to-digest lamb and salmon proteins, as well as Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and taurine to support skin and coat health.
This Hong Kong- and Singapore-based brand introduced a new dry dog food recipe in conjunction with its expansion into the Singapore pet food market in August. The new Sweet Potato & Salmon Recipe is formulated with both dehydrated and fresh salmon proteins, sweet potato as the main source of carbohydrates, and a prebiotic blend to address gut health.
BARK, formerly known as BarkBox, announced the launch of its breed-specific dog food portfolio in August. Initial formulations included kibble for Pit bulls, Chihuahuas and Labradors. In October, the company added kibble formulas for Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, Boxers, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Doodles, as well as a formula for puppies. The line also includes some breed-specific supplement formulas.
Earthborn Holistic introduced two new bison-based dry dog food recipes at SuperZoo in August: Venture Smoked Bison & Pumpkin kibble and Unrefined Smoked Bison Recipe. The Venture Smoked Bison & Pumpkin formula includes superfoods, pumpkin, butternut squash and flaxseed, while the Unrefined Smoked Bison Recipe features ancient grains such as quinoa, barley, oatmeal and chia, as well as pumpkin, spinach and blueberry superfoods.
In late August, Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. expanded its private label WholeHearted pet food line to include fresh and frozen formulas for dogs. Petco partnered with JustFoodForDogs to co-develop the line.
Natural Balance introduced a Small Breed Vegetarian Recipe for Dogs and reformulated Limited-Ingredient Cat Food Recipes at SuperZoo in August. The Small Breed kibble for dogs comes in smaller sizes for small jaws and teeth. The reformulated wet cat food formulas are available in three recipes: Chicken & Green Pea, Salmon & Green Pea, and Reserve Duck & Green Pea.
Wellness Pet Company had much to share at SuperZoo 2022, including a new line of senior wet cat food formulas to support older felines, new wet formats and formulas for kittens, and an expansion to its WHIMZEES dental chew line to include rawhide-free antler chews.
Portland Pet Food Company introduced its first cat food products in late August, following what Founder Katie McCarron described as “years of research and development.” The two human-grade diets include Boots’ Salmon N’ Pumpkin and Luke’s Chicken N’ Pumpkin, both formulated with a limited list of whole food ingredients.
Actress, animal advocate and philanthropist Katherine Heigl entered the pet food arena with the launch of her gently cooked dog food brand, Badlands Ranch, in August. Badlands Ranch dog foods are manufactured using low-and-slow, freeze-dried and air-dried methods to preserve nutrients. Inaugural products include Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete dog foods and Superfood Bites dog treats.
This brand made its pet industry introduction in early September, launching with a focus on freeze-dried raw nutrition for large dogs. Fidelis Nutritionals’ portfolio includes a line of freeze-dried raw dog food in Cage-Free Chicken and Free-Range Beef recipes, as well as Freeze-dried Raw Treats, and Soft Chew Supplements, all designed to support bigger breeds.
In mid-October, Champion Petfoods launched its first wet cat food range in the United Kingdom: ACANA Premium Cat Pâté. The line includes six grain-free recipes formulated with 85% animal ingredients, as well as pumpkin, bone broth, and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Solid Gold announced the launch of its Wet Cat Food Variety Pack in late October, featuring the brand’s four best-selling wet cat food formulas in shreds in gravy and pâté formats. All recipes in the variety pack are formulated with natural ingredients and do not include grain, gluten, or artificial colors and preservatives.
ADM announced plans to introduce a new premium pet food brand into the Chinese market in early November. The brand, Equilibrio 英派特®, includes various dog and cat food formulas that target specific health conditions while spanning all life stages and breed sizes. ADM showcased the new products at Pet Fair Asia in Shenzhen from Nov. 3 to 6, 2022.
Following its launch in July, Dog Child added to its product portfolio in November with the launch of its new Essential Nutrient Mix. The Essential Nutrient Mix is an all-in-one nutrient solution for crafting dog meals at home, according to the company. The mix includes probiotics and prebiotics, sweet potato, flaxseed, fish oil, ginger, kelp and key nutrients that, when paired with the right protein and vegetables, create a complete-and-balanced, homecooked meal.
Direct-to-consumer brand Maev introduced its first complete-and-balanced, human-grade diet formulated specifically for puppies. Consumer demand and a gap in the market prompted the company to launch its Puppy Formula, according to Founder Katie Spies. The product is flash-frozen to preserve nutrients, and the formula was developed with help from veterinary nutritionists.
Instinct Pet Food launched a new line of pet food designed to promote sustainability: Instinct® Raw Longevity™. The line includes three dog foods in two formats: two frozen raw and one 100% freeze-dried raw. All recipes are formulated with wild-caught Alaskan Pollock sourced from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries, as well as sunflower oil, pumpkin seeds, yellow squash, apples, carrots, flaxseed, Miscanthus grass, spinach, broccoli, blueberries, cranberries, and vitamins and minerals.
Paleo Ridge, a pet food brand based in the United Kingdom, debuted its latest raw dog food line: Essentials. The line includes six formulas, each with 20% seasonal vegetables and 80% meat, bone and offal. Paleo Ridge introduced the line as an accessible raw feeding option, thanks to a production update allowing the company to sell it at a lower price point.
Full Moon Pet, a brand by Perdue Farms, launched its first dog food line in December. The line, dubbed Freshly Crafted™, includes three formulas, all sold frozen and formulated with fresh, human-grade ingredients. The human-grade treat company’s first foray into the complete-and-balanced category was inspired by increased demand for high-quality diets with no additives or artificial preservatives, according to the company.