PetGaia Wins Pet Ingredient Innovation of the Year at Pet Innovation Awards 2026

PhytoGaia announced that it has been named winner of the Pet Ingredient Innovation of the Year category in the Pet Innovation Awards 2026 for PetGaia, the company's palm fruit extract ingredient marketed for companion animal wellness.¹ The award, announced August 11, 2026, precedes a presentation of clinical trial data on the ingredient scheduled for the Pet Nutraceutical Stage at Vitafoods Asia 2026 in Bangkok.

"Receiving the Pet Ingredient Innovation of the Year award is a tremendous honor for our team," said Bryan See, vice president of business development and technical support at PhytoGaia. "For many of us, pets are more than companions – they are beloved members of our families. At PhytoGaia, we share this same belief, and it motivates us to develop solutions that support healthier and happier lives for companion animals. Through PetGaia, we aim to combine clean, sustainable innovation with robust scientific evidence to create meaningful advancements in pet wellness.”

What Is the Pet Innovation Awards Program?

The Pet Innovation Awards is described by PhytoGaia as an independent recognition platform covering categories across pet nutrition, wellness, health, functional nutrition, sustainability, products, and services. According to the company, the 2026 program drew thousands of nominations from companies worldwide.

What Role Did the Clinical Trial Play in the Award?

Central to the recognition is the completion of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating PetGaia in companion animals, which PhytoGaia describes as the first study of its kind for a palm fruit extract ingredient in pet wellness. The trial used a non-invasive design and received ethical approval. PhytoGaia reports that results showed favorable findings across several parameters related to skin and coat health. Full data are set to be presented on September 3, 2026, from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m., with PhytoGaia also hosting Booth H3-T01 at the event, which runs September 2–4.

Ariati Aris, PhD, the company's senior scientific affairs specialist, commented on the award and the underlying research. "PetGaia was developed with a strong focus on scientific validation, quality and safety," said Aris. "As the only NASC-approved palm fruits extract ingredient for pet wellness, PetGaia reflects our commitment to meeting the highest standards required by the pet nutrition industry. The completion of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial provides important scientific evidence demonstrating the significant potential of PetGaia in supporting companion animal health and wellness.”

What Else Will Be On Display at Vitafoods Asia?

Alongside the clinical data, PhytoGaia said Vitafoods Asia attendees will be able to view finished-product concepts built on PetGaia, including oral drops, pearl softgels formulated with taurine and fish oil for cats, and chewable tablets positioned for calm and relaxation and for joint health.

What Is the Background on the Underlying Study?

The clinical trial referenced in the award announcement follows an eight-week controlled study that PhytoGaia detailed in a December 2025 release, conducted through a Memorandum of Agreement with a contract research organization and led by a veterinary researcher in Malaysia.² That study examined oral PetGaia supplementation in dogs, looking at itchiness, coat shine, smoothness, softness, skin redness, lesion formation, and dryness. According to the release, PetGaia is formulated as a complex of plant-derived squalene, phytosterols, alpha-tocopherol, and tocotrienols, extracted through a process the company describes as chemical- and solvent-free.

Who Is PhytoGaia?

PetGaia is one of two pet-focused ingredients in PhytoGaia's portfolio, alongside MCTGaia, a medium-chain triglyceride ingredient. The company, which also supplies tocotrienol, carotene, and squalene ingredients for the dietary supplement, food and beverage, and cosmetic markets, has previously received NutraIngredients-Asia Awards in 2024 and 2025.

References

1. PhytoGaia. PhytoGaia Wins "Pet Ingredient Innovation of the Year" Award for PetGaia™ Ahead of Landmark Clinical Research Presentation at Vitafoods Asia 2026. August 11, 2026. Accessed August 13, 2026.
2. Colli M. New clinical study on PetGaia will explore skin health and coat quality in dogs. Nutritional Outlook. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/new-clinical-study-on-petgaia-will-explore-skin-health-and-coat-quality-in-dogs. December 18, 2025. Accessed August 13, 2026.