From functional ingredients to bioactive compounds: a review of their role in commercial pet food.

Abstract

Functional ingredients in companion animal nutrition offer a promising strategy for enhancing pet health and reducing disease risk through targeted dietary interventions. This review, drawing on terminology from human nutrition, establishes definitions and classification systems for functional ingredients, bioactive compounds, and dietary supplements in pets. The article systematically explores the application mechanisms, physiological effects, and related clinical evidence of bioactive ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotics, metabiotics, exogenous enzymes, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and plant extracts in commercial pet foods across eleven core dimensions: digestive health, skin and coat, musculoskeletal system, oral health, behavior and mood, immune regulation, cognitive function, obesity management, cardiovascular regulation, liver protection, and urinary and renal health. Furthermore, this article emphasizes the importance of precise nutrition and optimized dosage tailored to different life stages and physiological states. This review supports evidence-based functional nutrition as a powerful supplement or alternative to traditional drug therapy, aiming to extend the healthy lifespan of companion animals and improve their quality of life.