From Formulation to the Finished Product in the Bowl
When you open a can of dog food, you hold the finished product directly in your hand. Most dog owners don't know what happened behind the scenes beforehand. Every new product involves a long development process. Ideas for the new product are collected, recipes are developed, nutrients are calculated, and constantly adjusted. Only when all components fit together does a high-quality complete feed emerge.
For our new wet food variety "Wie Schwein" (Like Pig), we followed this path together with veterinarian Dr. Karim Montasser. He accompanied the development from a veterinary perspective and ensured that the recipe not only covered dogs' nutritional needs but was also readily eaten.
Why we relied on veterinary expertise during development
We have been working with Karim for several years now. Together, we advocate for a needs-covering vegan dog diet and, above all, for greater animal welfare. When the idea for a new wet food variety emerged, it quickly became clear that we wanted to implement this project together and involve Karim in product development.
And this is what Karim says about our collaboration:
"Vutter! and I have accompanied many topics together: From pigs as intelligent and social animals to the question of why dogs don't need meat for a needs-covering diet. We share the conviction that dogs should get everything they need for a healthy life – without other animals having to suffer for it."
Especially in the development of a complete feed, veterinary expertise is particularly valuable. After all, the food should not only satisfy the dog and taste good but also provide it with all important nutrients in the long term.
From Ingredients to the Finished Recipe
Many suspect that the development of new dog food begins with the selection of ingredients. In fact, the initial focus is on what nutrients the food should provide. Only then is it decided which plant-based ingredients are best suited for this purpose.
Karim explains:
"As a veterinarian, I first look at whether a food fully nourishes the dog. Dogs don't need specific ingredients; they need specific nutrients. The recipe must provide all essential nutrients and at the same time be developed in such a way that dogs enjoy eating it."
Subsequently, the actual work begins for Karim and our product development team. The recipe is calculated, adjusted, and constantly reviewed. Because not only the nutrient supply has to be right – smell, consistency, and taste also play a decisive role.
Developing therefore means: testing, improving, and retesting. Many months pass until a new dog food is ready for the market. During this time, recipes are constantly adjusted and optimized.
The Most Important Testers? The Dogs Themselves.
A dog food can look great on paper – ultimately, the dog at the bowl decides.
That's why we actively involved our community in the development. As part of an acceptance test, 100 dogs were allowed to try the new recipe. After the test package arrived in the dog households, it started: The dogs received a bowl with the Vutter! sample. This was weighed before and after feeding to track how much the dog actually ate. We collected feedback from the owners via a questionnaire and then directly incorporated it into further optimization.
This step was particularly important for Karim:
"A dog food can be nutritionally excellent – but if the dog doesn't eat it, the best recipe is useless. That's why I'm glad that we jointly set up an acceptance test with the dogs from the community. Because the dogs were ultimately our most honest testers. Their feedback helped us to continuously improve the recipe."
Only after both nutrient supply and acceptance were convincing was the final recipe determined.
The Result: Our New Wet Food "Wie Schwein"
After many months of development, numerous adjustments, and feedback from 100 dogs, the time has come: Our new wet food variety "Wie Schwein" is here.
