The Pet Food Science Podcast Show Dr. Emma Bermingham: Fiber-Like Animal Co-products | Ep. 112
In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emma Bermingham from Ember Consultancy in New Zealand breaks down the role of animal-derived fermentable substrates in pet nutrition. She explains how collagen, cartilage, hides, and even hair can support gut health, boost sustainability, and offer functional benefits in pet food formulations. Discover which ingredients work best across different diet formats and why they're gaining attention. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Animal tissues like cartilage and collagen can ferment similarly to prebiotic fibers and generate beneficial short-chain fatty acids like butyrate."
Meet the guest: Dr. Emma Bermingham earned her Ph.D. in Animal Science from Massey University and has held research roles across New Zealand, the UK, France, and Australia. With a strong focus on gut health, pet nutrition, and ingredient sustainability, she now leads Ember Consultancy. Emma helps pet food companies integrate science-driven strategies for optimal health outcomes.
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What will you learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:04) Introduction
- (03:28) Animal fermentable substrates
- (07:11) Fermentation in cats vs dogs
- (09:35) Microbiome adaptations
- (12:27) Diet format considerations
- (14:13) Regulatory and sourcing issues
- (24:28) Final Questions
The Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
* Kemin
- Biorigin
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