Royal Canin’s Taste-Testing Cats and Dogs Power Premium Pet Food Boom

Researchers in France have created what may be the best job in the pet world. At a Royal Canin research center, roughly 160 cats and dogs spend their days on pet food taste testing, while nutritionists record what the animals prefer, how they behave and even the quality of their stool. The goal is to develop premium recipes that please a pet’s taste buds and reassure owners that they are feeding their companions well. The facility shows how seriously the industry now treats the science of what ends up in the bowl.

Premium Pet Food Thrives Despite Inflation

Pet owners keep spending even as budgets tighten. Americans spent more than $17 billion on cat food over the past year, a 14% increase from two years earlier, according to The New York Times. The pet food industry has continued to grow despite inflation, and manufacturers are rolling out premium lines for wealthier customers as the K-shaped economy persists. Studies suggest people will cut back on their own spending before they trim what they spend on their pets, which gives companies a loyal and resilient customer base.

Aging Cats Drive the Next Wave

A major focus now is older cats. Many pets adopted during the pandemic boom are reaching middle age, so their owners will increasingly need more specialized diets. Researchers at Royal Canin’s parent company, Mars, found that cats can detect umami, which helps explain why tuna is such a hit. Their taste buds fade with age, but their sense of bitterness does not.

For owners who believe their cat has become pickier over the years, the research offers some validation. As demand for premium products grows, the work in France shows how much effort now goes into making sure every bowl is finished and every owner feels good about filling it.