2
Research studies co-funded or facilitated
29
Canadian ingredient processors reached via invitation-only webinar
4
Markets engaged — North America, Southeast Asia, China and Latin America
Pulse Canada’s market development work in pet food is grounded in science. This year, two significant research investments added to the body of evidence supporting pulse ingredient use in pet food formulations
FABA BEAN IN CANINE DIETS
Key Finding
Faba bean flour, starch, and protein concentrate can safely replace traditional ingredients in adult dog diets — with no adverse clinical or cardiac outcomes across a 26-week trial.
Pulse Canada co-funded a 26-week feeding trial at the University of Guelph alongside Protein Industries Canada, evaluating the safety and nutritional performance of faba bean flour, starch, and protein concentrate — derived from a low vicine/covicine cultivar — in adult dog diets.
The results were clear: faba bean ingredients can replace corn, a traditional ingredient, without adverse clinical or cardiac outcomes. Body weight and composition were maintained throughout, and the trial satisfies AAFCO criteria for adult maintenance claims. The research was presented at Pet Food Forum in April 2026 and will be presented at the American Sociaty of Animal Science Meeting in July, 2026.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL CASE FOR PEAS
Key Finding
Whole peas, pea flour, and pea protein all reduce the environmental footprint of dry dog food — by up to 47%.
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) commissioned by Pulse Canada examined the sustainability impact of including whole peas and pea protein ingredients in dry dog food formulations. The findings give manufacturers a sustainability argument grounded in data: whole peas, pea flour, and pea protein all reduce the environmental footprint of pet food by displacing higher-footprint ingredients.
Pea protein in particular can replace animal proteins in dry dog food formulations while fully meeting nutritional standards for dogs. Results were published as an industry brief, submitted for academic publication and presented at the Pet Food Association of Canada meeting in November, 2025.
CONTRIBUTING TO THE SCIENTIFIC RECORD
In collaboration with academics at the University of Guelph and Wageningen University, Pulse Canada contributed to a book chapter summarizing current technical knowledge and future research needs surrounding pulses in pet food. The chapter is expected to be published open access in the near future and ensures Pulse Canada’s work contributes to the permanent scientific record, helping shape the next generation of research.
Growing the pet food market for Canadian pulses depends not only on convincing manufacturers to formulate with pulse ingredients — it also depends on Canadian ingredient processors being equipped to compete for that business. In 2025–26, Pulse Canada delivered targeted knowledge transfer to help suppliers better understand and serve the pet food sector.
PULSE INGREDIENTS IN PET FOOD: INVITATION-ONLY WEBINAR
An invitation-only webinar was delivered to Canadian pulse ingredient processors covering how pulse ingredients are typically used in dog and cat food formulations, the functional and nutritional benefits of different ingredient types, and key considerations for formulation support and ingredient substitution. The session attracted 29 live attendees.
The goal was practical: give Canadian suppliers the market intelligence they need to speak credibly with pet food manufacturers and position their ingredients for success in this category.
PULSES 101: PET FOOD
A technical brief providing example dry dog food formulations that incorporate pulse ingredients as replacements for more commonly used ingredients, while meeting established nutritional targets. A practical starting point for product development conversations between processors and their customers.
Building a market requires sustained, direct engagement with the manufacturers who make formulation decisions. In 2025–26, Pulse Canada maintained an active presence across North American, Southeast Asian, and Chinese pet food markets — attending key industry events, presenting research findings, and building the relationships that create long-term commercial opportunity.
North America
Pulse Canada participated in the Pet Food Association of Canada (PFAC) Annual Meeting in Victoria in November 2025, delivering a presentation on pulses in pet food alongside a presentation on LCA methodology from Pulse Canada’s academic partner.
In the US, staff attended Pet Food Forum in April 2025 — including a pre-conference sustainability workshop — engaging directly with sustainability experts and connecting with Canadian pulse industry members.
China
Pulse Canada attended the China Pet Sourcing Fair and the Global Pet Food Innovation Forum in Guangzhou in November 2025, visiting leading Chinese pet food companies and delivering a keynote address on global trends in pulse ingredient use and their sustainability and nutritional benefits for pet health.
In January 2026, Pulse Canada partnered with the China Import Quarantine Association (CIQA) Pet Industry Committee to deliver a technical webinar on using pulses in pet food formulations. The session attracted 47 attendees representing the Chinese pet food and ingredient industry.
Southeast Asia
Pulse Canada and in-region consultants hosted a booth at Pet Fair South East Asia in Thailand in November 2025 — the region’s largest B2B pet industry event, with over 450 global exhibitors.
The event provided an opportunity to make introductions to pet food manufacturers in the region, particularly in Thailand, which is an established hub for pet food manufacturing.
Laying the Groundwork: Latin America
Translation of the Pulses in Pet Food 101 document into Spanish was completed in 2025–26, making core technical resources accessible to pet food manufacturers and ingredient buyers in Mexico and Latin America — markets where interest in pulse-based formulations is beginning to emerge.