Which Pet Food Companies Were Most Transparent?

Compiled by FAMMO · Primary source: Pet Nutrition Alliance 2023 Manufacturer Evaluation Report · Supporting guidance: WSAVA and ACVN

💡 Quick Answer: The 2023 Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report does not identify one “best” or “safest” pet food brand. It compares the information companies disclosed about nutrition expertise, manufacturing arrangements, plant ownership, and requested nutrient data.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Nestlé Purina, and Mars Petcare, including Royal Canin, provided more complete information across several criteria in the report. Other companies, including Diamond Pet Foods and Farmina, did not provide complete responses.

A company that did not respond should not automatically be considered unsafe. It means the report contained less information for comparing that company with other manufacturers.

This article explains what the 2023 findings mean for European pet owners in 2026 and how to evaluate pet food companies beyond packaging claims.

For practical European brand comparisons, see our guides to the best dog food brands in Europe and best cat food brands in Europe.

Why Pet Food Manufacturer Transparency Matters

Pet food packaging often highlights words such as “premium,” “natural,” “holistic,” or “veterinarian-approved.” These terms may influence how a product is presented, but they do not always explain who formulated the food, where it was manufactured, or what information the company provides about its nutrition and production practices.

The Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report by the Pet Nutrition Alliance looks beyond packaging claims. It compares information disclosed by pet food companies about four practical areas:

• Nutrition expertise: whether the company reported employing qualified veterinary or animal nutrition specialists.

• Manufacturing arrangements: whether products were made in company-owned facilities or by external manufacturing partners.

• Plant ownership: what percentage of the company’s production facilities it reported owning.

• Requested nutrient information: whether the company provided the information requested for the evaluation.

These factors do not prove that one brand is the safest or best choice for every pet. They provide transparency signals that can help pet owners ask better questions before choosing a product.

For European pet owners, the report is best used as an evaluation framework rather than a definitive brand ranking. Product formulations, availability, manufacturing locations, and labelling requirements may differ between North America and Europe.

The most useful question is therefore not simply “Is this a premium brand?” but:

“Does this company clearly explain who formulates its food, how it is produced, and what nutrition information it is willing to provide?”

Pet Food Manufacturer Transparency Comparison

The 2023 Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report does not rank companies by popularity or declare one brand the “best.” It compares the information manufacturers disclosed about nutrition expertise, manufacturing arrangements, plant ownership, and requested nutrient data.

The table below summarizes selected manufacturers included in the report.

FAMMO Summary is an editorial interpretation of the information disclosed in the 2023 report. It is not an official rating from the Pet Nutrition Alliance and does not determine whether a specific food is safe or suitable for every pet.

A company providing more information gives pet owners and veterinary professionals more evidence to review. A company providing limited information should not automatically be considered unsafe; it means the report contained less data for comparison.

Primary source: Pet Nutrition Alliance — Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report

The Future of Pet Food Manufacturing: Data Over Marketing

The findings of the 2023 Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report show that transparency is becoming one of the most important trust signals in pet nutrition.

In the past, many pet food decisions were shaped by packaging claims, emotional branding, and broad promises such as “premium,” “natural,” or “complete and balanced.” But as pet parents become more informed, the future of pet food is moving toward something much clearer: verifiable data.

In 2026, pet owners increasingly expect pet food companies to explain not only what is inside the bag, but also who formulated the food, where it was made, and what evidence supports the company’s nutrition and production claims. They will also need to show how the food was formulated, where it was made, how it was tested, and how it performs in real pets over time.

This is where manufacturing transparency and pet health tracking start to connect.

A transparent manufacturer can explain the quality standards behind a product. But data-driven tools can help pet parents understand whether that product is actually working for their individual dog or cat.

Here is how the future of pet food manufacturing and nutrition is changing:

• Predictive health signals over reactive care:
  Nutrition, appetite, digestion, body weight, stool quality, and daily energy can all reveal early changes in a pet’s wellbeing. These signals do not automatically mean disease, but they are worth tracking. To understand this shift, read our guide on how AI can detect early health signals in pets.

• Manufacturing transparency signals:
  Future-focused pet food brands may provide clearer access to batch-level testing, ingredient sourcing, quality-control standards, and manufacturing information. QR codes, digital product pages, and transparent lab data could become more important as pet parents demand proof behind the label.

• Personalized nutrition instead of average formulas:
  Generic pet food formulas are designed for broad life stages, but no two pets are exactly the same. Age, breed size, weight, activity level, digestion, appetite, and health background all affect what “the right food” means. For a deeper look at this shift, read our guide on AI personalized pet diets in Europe.

The future of pet food will not be decided only by better marketing. It will be shaped by clearer manufacturing data, stronger quality standards, and tools that help pet parents track how food affects real pets in real life.

Key Findings from the 2023 Report—and What They Mean in 2026

1. The Role of Qualified Nutritionists

One of the most important evaluation criteria is whether pet food manufacturers employ qualified nutrition experts. Formulating a complete and balanced diet requires scientific precision, not just mixing ingredients or following marketing trends.

The report looked for the presence of:

• PhD-level animal nutritionists
• DACVIM (Nutrition) or ECVCN board-certified specialists
• Consulting veterinarians with advanced nutrition training

Industry Examples:

• ✅ Hill’s Pet Nutrition: Employs DACVIM-certified nutritionists and PhDs.
• ✅ Mars Petcare (Royal Canin, Pedigree, Whiskas): Employs DACVIM/ECVCN specialists, PhDs, and MS-level nutritionists.
• ✅ Champion Petfoods (Orijen, ACANA): Employs PhD and MS-level nutritionists.
• ❌ Canisource Grand Cru: Does not employ MS, PhD, or DACVN nutritionists.

The Takeaway: The presence of qualified professionals is one of the strongest transparency signals for scientific formulation, nutritional adequacy, and quality-focused product development.

2. Manufacturing Ownership: Who Controls the Quality?

The report also evaluates whether brands own their manufacturing plants or rely entirely on third-party co-packers.

• 100% Plant Ownership: Mars, Nestlé Purina, Cargill, Primal Pet Group.
• Partial Ownership: Blue Buffalo (80%), Champion Petfoods (95%).
• 0% Ownership: Annamaet, Evermore Pet Food, Nulo, Pet Plate.

Why it matters: Owning manufacturing facilities can give companies stronger oversight over quality assurance, ingredient sourcing, and safety protocols.

Outsourcing to third-party plants does not automatically mean poor quality, but it can make manufacturing oversight harder to evaluate unless the brand shares clear quality-control and testing information.

3. Transparency: Who Responded vs. Who Stayed Silent

In the pet nutrition space, transparency is one of the strongest trust signals. The Pet Nutrition Alliance reached out to pet food companies directly to understand how much information they were willing to share about formulation, manufacturing, and quality-control practices.

While many brands provided detailed information, several popular companies either declined to respond or did not provide complete answers.

• Provided stronger transparency signals: Hill’s, Purina, Mars, Blue Buffalo, Instinct.

• Did not respond: Diamond Pet, Farmina, Freshpet, Stella & Chewy’s, Weruva.

• Declined to respond: Life’s Abundance, Trader Joe’s, Stewart Raw Naturals.

Pro Tip for Pet Parents: Transparency in manufacturing is just as important as the ingredients on the label. Brands that do not share clear safety and quality-control information give pet parents fewer trust signals to evaluate.

Regional Note: Using Transparency Signals in Europe

European pet parents often compare brands across markets such as France, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. Availability changes by country, but the evaluation method stays the same.

Before choosing a food, look for the same trust signals: qualified nutrition expertise, clear manufacturing information, safety testing, feeding guidance, and transparent communication from the brand.

For practical comparisons, review the exact formula, availability, manufacturer information, and labelling details for products sold in your country.

What the Report Means for Pet Owners

1. Look Beyond Marketing Claims

Words such as “premium,” “natural,” “holistic,” or “human-grade” do not by themselves demonstrate nutritional quality or suitability.

A more useful starting point is to ask who formulated the food, how it is manufactured, and what information the company provides about nutrition and production.

2. Check the Company’s Nutrition Expertise

Qualified veterinary and animal nutrition professionals can provide an important transparency signal.

Look for clear information about whether the company employs board-certified veterinary nutritionists, PhD-level animal nutritionists, or other appropriately qualified specialists.

The presence of qualified experts does not guarantee that every formula is suitable for every pet, but it shows that the company has disclosed more information about its formulation process.

3. Compare What the Manufacturer Is Willing to Disclose

A company that explains who formulates its products, where they are made, and what nutrition information is available gives pet owners more evidence to review.

Limited disclosure does not automatically mean a product is unsafe. It means there is less publicly available information for comparison.

4. Treat Plant Ownership as One Signal, Not a Guarantee

Owning production facilities may provide a company with more direct operational control.

However, plant ownership alone does not prove higher product quality or lower safety risk. Companies that use external manufacturers can still maintain strong standards if they clearly explain how those partners are selected, audited, and monitored.

The Ultimate Pet Food Buyer’s Checklist

Next time you are evaluating a new diet or transitioning your pet to a different brand, run it through this science-backed checklist:

• [ ] Who formulated this exact recipe? (Look for DACVIM or PhD credentials).

• [ ] Does the brand own its manufacturing facility?

• [ ] Are their feeding trials and safety data publicly available?

• [ ] Does this specific formula match my pet’s current life stage and weight goals?

By utilizing the insights from the Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report, you are finally making dietary choices based on science, not slogans.

Further Reading & Essential Resources

Choosing the right diet for your pet is an ongoing journey. To help you dive deeper into clinical pet nutrition and data-driven care, we have curated these essential guides:

📚 Explore More from FAMMO’s Nutrition Library:

• How AI is Revolutionizing Pet Nutrition: Discover how intelligent data tracking is finally replacing guesswork in modern pet care.

🔬 Authoritative Clinical Sources:

At FAMMO, our nutritional philosophies are strictly aligned with global veterinary standards. For independent clinical reading and industry guidelines, we highly recommend:

• World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) – Global Nutrition Guidelines

• American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN)

Key Takeaways for Pet Parents

• Science matters more than slogans: Qualified veterinary nutrition experts are a stronger trust signal than words like “premium” or “holistic.”

• Manufacturing control improves transparency: Brands that clearly explain where and how food is produced give pet parents more confidence.

• Transparency is not the same as perfection: A transparent brand is easier to evaluate, but every pet still needs individual monitoring.

• Your pet’s response matters: Weight, digestion, appetite, stool quality, and energy are the real-world signals that show whether a food is working.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report?

The Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report compares information disclosed by pet food companies about nutrition expertise, manufacturing arrangements, plant ownership, and requested nutrient data.

It is a transparency resource, not a ranking of the safest or best pet food brands.

Which pet food manufacturers provided more information?

In the 2023 report, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Nestlé Purina PetCare, and Mars Petcare, including Royal Canin, provided information across several evaluation areas, including nutrition expertise and plant ownership.

This does not mean every product from these companies is suitable for every pet. It means the report contained more information for comparison.

Does “did not respond” mean a pet food brand is unsafe?

No. A company that did not respond should not automatically be considered unsafe.

It means the report contained less disclosed information about that manufacturer, making independent comparison more limited.

Is owning a pet food manufacturing plant always better?

Not necessarily. Owning production facilities may give a company more direct operational control, but plant ownership alone does not prove higher quality or lower safety risk.

Companies that use external manufacturers can also maintain strong standards when they clearly explain how their production partners are selected, audited, and monitored.

How should European pet owners use this report?

European pet owners should use the report as a framework for evaluating manufacturer transparency rather than as a definitive brand recommendation.

Check the label and manufacturer information for the specific product sold in your country, because formulations, production locations, availability, and regulatory declarations may differ between North America and Europe.

Choosing the Brand Is Only the First Step

The 2023 Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report shows that pet food companies differ in how much information they disclose about nutrition expertise, manufacturing arrangements, plant ownership, and nutrient data.

For pet owners comparing products in 2026, the report remains a useful transparency framework. However, it does not prove that one brand or product will be the best choice for every dog or cat.

After choosing a food, monitor how your pet responds over time. Weight, appetite, digestion, stool quality, energy, and body condition can all provide useful context, especially during a diet change.

If your pet develops persistent digestive problems, appetite changes, unexplained weight changes, or other concerning signs, speak with a veterinarian.

Track How Your Pet Responds

FAMMO helps pet owners record food changes alongside weight, appetite, digestion, and other daily health signals.

👉 Create your free FAMMO account and start building a clearer nutrition history for your pet.