Food Technology for Companion Animals

Food technology for companion animals is a cooperative program between the Department of Animal Science and the Department of Food Science and Technology. Students will be prepared for positions of responsibility in the pet food industry, one of the fastest growing industries in North America. Many pet foods are similar to human foods in how they are processed, but they are designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of different companion animals. Graduates of this program will be uniquely prepared to find employment with manufacturers and providers of pet foods and related products in areas such as research and new product development, processing technology, production management, and quality assurance.

Students build on a strong foundation in the basic sciences by completing extensive coursework in food chemistry and analysis, food microbiology and safety, food engineering and processing, and quality assurance. These courses are coupled with courses in companion animal nutrition and management. This curriculum also fits well for students in pre-professional programs, especially those considering a professional program in veterinary medicine.