Three veterinary professors have joined PetSmart’s new Healthy Pet Advisory Council, which will focus on pet nutrition, health and wellness and assist the mass retailer with improving its proprietary pet food formulations.
“We sought out some of the most innovative thought leaders … including veterinarians, researchers and nutritionists to join our effort, and we look forward to providing new options for pets and pet parents in the future,” said Paul Hunt, senior vice president of sourcing and product development at PetSmart.
Among the appointees are:
- Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, DACVSMR, associate professor and section chief of clinical nutrition at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Kelly Swanson, MS, Ph.D., professor of comparative animal nutrition in the department of animal sciences at the University of Illinois.
- Tony Buffington, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, clinical professor in the department of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine and emeritus professor of veterinary clinical sciences at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
The council’s goal “is to advance the health and wellness of pets across North America through pet nutrition research and innovation,” Hunt said.
“This research will help enhance PetSmart’s proprietary pet food formulations and educate pet parents in line with advances in pet nutritional science.”
PetSmart’s proprietary pet food brands include Authority, Simply Nourish, Grreat Choice and Dentley’s.
The Phoenix-based company, which announced the advisory council Jan. 25, operates 1,600 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.