The secret to premium pet food? Natural colors

Today, pets are no longer just animals — they have become beloved family members, our “fur babies.” As the bond between people and their pets deepens, pet parents are placing ever higher expectations on the food they choose. Beyond safety and health, diversity and premiumization are becoming essential.

The Natural Colors Trend of Human-like Care and Premiumization for Pet Food

Pet food is increasingly aligned with human food. It’s no longer “feed” for pets — it’s a carefully prepared, nutritious meal.

Products are now tailored to different life stages and specific needs, offering functional benefits for targeted health support. But health and safety alone are not only a requirement for consumers. Pet parents are also looking for something more: natural ingredients, products free from artificial colors and flavors, free from chemical ingredients, and committed to clean label and sustainability. Driven by consumer trust, more and more pet food manufacturers are shifting toward natural alternatives to synthetic colors.

Why Natural Colors Play Such An Essential Role for Brands?

Natural color is one of the ways that consumers choose the product — a harmonious palette can instantly catch the eye. Since pet parents don’t typically taste pet food themselves, color becomes a key factor when evaluating wet food, kibble, or treats. That’s why color plays such an essential role for brands, serving as a powerful signal of value.

Pet food natural colors provide vibrant, natural hues that enhance the visual appeal of pet food, helping brands create products that attract attention while reflecting a commitment to safety, health, and nature.

Natural Colors: Shaping the Future of Pet Food

As consumers increasingly favor natural products, including natural colors, natural flavors, the use of natural colors in pet food has become more widespread, and countries have introduced specific regulations for pet food.

USA： Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). AAFCO’s natural standard refers to ingredients that are entirely derived from plant, animal, or mineral sources and are not chemically synthesized. Ingredients that meet AAFCO standards may undergo some chemical processing during production, but still comply with AAFCO’s overall health and nutritional guidelines for pet food. Pet feed is also regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and by individual state laws.
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EU: The EU has increasingly tightened regulations on natural and synthetic colorants in pet food, especially gradually phasing out synthetic colorants whose safety is in question, such as E171 and certain types of caramel color. European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) provides a Code of Good Labelling Practice for Pet Food, which outlines best practices for labeling and marketing pet food products. The Feed Additives Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003) establishes a common procedure for authorising feed additives and lays down rules for their placing on the market, labelling and use.

BINMEI is a technology-driven company dedicated to developing natural coloring solutions from plants, algae, and other natural sources. Through our proprietary physical processing technology, we deliver vibrant, clean-label ingredients that cater to diverse color needs.

As your partner in natural colors for pet food, beyond providing a stable and reliable supply, BINMEI commitment to unlock creative applications— blending red and blue for purple, red and yellow for orange, or yellow and blue for green. With our expertise, brands can achieve both visual appeal and natural authenticity in their products.

BINMEI , Your Application Partner for Colors

Research shows that dogs and cats mainly see visual shades of blue and yellow, with some ability to recognize green [1]. This makes blue particularly eye-catching in pet food.

Blue spirulina, a rare natural blue pigment derived from spirulina. With excellent water solubility and strong coloring ability, it gives products a bright and appealing appearance that attracts pets’ attention. Beyond color, phycocyanin is rich in amino acids and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-supporting properties—bringing both beauty and wellness to pet food.

At BINMEI, we are dedicated to providing the cleanest and most cost-effective blue spirulina, which is extracted from spirulina through processes such as concentration, multi filtration, and centrifugation. using only simple physical processes and only water as a solvent.

In pet food, natural colorants can be applied to a wide range of products, including complete diets, treats, and nutritional supplements. Applications cover coarse feed, semi-moist pet food, wet food, baked goods, and canned products. BINMEI natural colors for pet food add natural appeal, meet consumers’ expectations for health and trust. BINMEI natural colors not only enhance the visual attractiveness of products but also reflect the brand’s commitment to safety and nature.

Farmina — N&D Spirulina is the new and first line of foods developed by Farmina to support the well-being of active cats and dogs. Spirulina, a super ingredient full of great nutritional and health benefits. Made without grains and with over 90% of protein from animal origin.

NUTRIALIFE — 100% natural food supplement – Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator and muscle oxygenation.

HOKUO –Ultimate Blue Spirulina – Freeze-dried chicken with blue spirulina – a functional and easily digestible snack for dogs and cats.

PURINA ONE Dual Nature — Sterilized Bee with Spirulina.

NatureHolic — MineralCube Blue Spirulina Treat.

It’s a trend that natural coloring food will help brands meet consumers’ expectations for pet food that is safe, natural, and sustainable. Backed by our expertise and commitment to innovation, BINMEI stands as a trusted partner for delivering professional, high-quality solutions to the global pet food industry.

It’s a trend that natural coloring food will help brands meet consumers’ expectations for pet food that is safe, natural, and sustainable. Backed by our expertise and commitment to innovation, BINMEI stands as a trusted partner for delivering professional, high-quality solutions to the global pet food industry.

Explore more color applications for pet foods or get free samples, contact me!

[1] Worakan Boonhoh a b c, Prachid Saramolee d， Preference of dogs towards feeding toys made of natural rubber, and their potential to improve canine behaviour: A study based on owners’ observations, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2023.106142