How Trends in Pet Ownership and Food are Shaping Pet Food Processing Equipment Decisions

Pet Food Processing Equipment in the Age of Human-Grade Ingredients

The pet care market continues to grow rapidly. According to the 2025 APPA survey, 71% of U.S. households now own a pet—up from 56% in 1988. Research also shows trends toward deeper human-animal bonds, and a growing focus on proactive pet wellness, with owners favoring premium diets and functional add-ons.

As a result, processors are expected to deliver:

• Clean-label, nutrient-dense ingredients
• Transparency in formulation and sourcing
• High food safety standards
• Greater recipe variety, including alternative proteins

This growth is accompanied by a significant shift in pet food consumer demands that mimic human food trends. Like human food producers, pet food manufacturers are now emphasizing more varied products that reflect increasingly personalized dietary goals and use new, healthier and higher quality ingredients. Even food safety requirements for animal food production are mimicking human food, as the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA), which overhauled food safety regulations, included provisions for pet food.

The ongoing growth of pet ownership is leading pet food producers to expand their operations. As they do, many are taking a critical look at their processing equipment to optimize production efficiency and performance.

Equipment Considerations for Modern Pet Food Manufacturing

1. Sanitary Design & Quick Turnarounds

With rapid changes in product formulations and batch requirements, processing equipment must support:

• Clean-in-place (CIP) functionality
• Easy-access design
• Easy manual disassembly (e.g., two-piece sanitary ball valves)
• Quick access to internal surfaces

Fast, repeatable cleaning not only supports FSMA compliance, but also prevents cross-contamination between recipes.

2. Ingredient Flexibility & Agitation Control

Pet food today includes ingredients with varying viscosities, heat sensitivities, and physical characteristics, such as:

• Fresh produce and bone broth
• Plant-based proteins
• Fermented or insect-based proteins

To manage these variables, processors need customizable:

• Agitation and scraper systems
• Temperature zoning
• Vessel geometries and jacketed zones

The right mixing and heating setup ensures product quality, texture, and yield.

3. Food Safety Compliance (FSMA)

FSMA compliance requires more than just sanitization—it demands built-in control measures, such as:

• Foreign object detection
• Fully traceable process control
• Food-grade construction materials and welds

These safety features aren’t optional. They're mandatory under FSMA rules—and essential to earning consumer trust.

4. Waste Reduction & Ingredient Recovery

According to Food Engineering, 32.4% of food waste occurs during processing. When using premium or niche ingredients, even small batch losses add up. Key equipment features that minimize waste include:

• Hemispherical kettle designs for complete heating and discharge
• Continuous scraper agitation
• Optimized vessel slopes and outlet placements

These features support better yield, faster batch turnover, and less product loss.

5. Scalable, Customizable Equipment

With rapid growth in the pet food market, processors must think ahead. Investing in scalable systems means:

• Modular design that allows product line extensions
• Custom-fabricated kettles, mixers, or valves for unique recipes
• Automation options for consistency, efficiency, and reduced labor demands

The Bottom Line: Equipment Drives Quality, Compliance & Efficiency

As pet food trends continue to align with human-grade expectations, equipment becomes a key strategic advantage. From sanitary design and agitation control to food safety compliance and waste reduction, your processing line must be ready to handle what’s next.

Need Help Selecting Equipment?

Lee Industries engineers specialize in kettles, tanks, agitators, and custom solutions for pet food manufacturers. Whether you’re scaling production or launching new formulations, we’re ready to help.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

FAQ

Q: What pet food trends are shaping processing equipment design?

A: Pet owners want transparency, clean-label ingredients, and greater variety. FSMA compliance and recipe flexibility are now major design drivers.

Q: What kind of vessel is best for pet food processing?

A: Hemispherical kettles with sweep agitation help maintain texture and minimize waste, especially with viscous or chunky ingredients.

Q: How can I reduce food waste during processing?

A: Equipment with continuous scrapers, proper discharge angles, and optimized jacket zones can help recover more product and increase yield.

Q: Can older equipment be upgraded to meet new standards?

A: Yes. Many processors retrofit existing vessels with new agitation systems, valves, or controls to accommodate evolving recipes and safety requirements.

Last Updated: 10/29/2025