A better, healthier life for pets

Purina's collaboration with animal genetics start-up Feragen opens up new opportunities to promote the long-term health of beloved four-legged friends. The two companies are combining their expertise in animal nutrition and genetics to develop personalised nutritional recommendations based on genetic analysis. Both companies aim to work more closely with breeders, veterinarians and pet owners.

Austrian start-up Feragen was selected in 2022 as part of the first international funding programme for pet industry start-ups, Unleashed by Purina. As a molecular biologist, Dr Anja Geretschläger, CEO and founder of Feragen, was not content with simply treating the symptoms of her new Labrador, Nala, in 2010: After suddenly developing health problems such as rashes, itching and allergies, Nala had been on a nerve-wracking odyssey between vets, medications and diets for two years. Geretschläger wanted to know why Nala was suffering and began to study dog genetics.

Her research showed that many health problems have genetic causes and could be detected early through targeted analysis. Together with her husband Michael, she founded Feragen in 2012. The small start-up quickly grew into a genetics laboratory that is recognised throughout Europe and now operates successfully internationally, offering various genetic analyses for breeders and pet owners. Its DogMatching platform with an international database enables breeders and clubs worldwide to develop sustainable breeding strategies and ensure healthy offspring.

“Purina Pro Plan products have been specially developed and scientifically tested to meet the specific needs of almost all types of dogs at many stages of their lives,” says Marius Baumeister, business executive officer Nestlé Purina Austria.