Ryan Yamka

Ryan Yamka
Ryan Yamka, PhD, is the founder and an independent consultant with Luna Science and Nutrition. He is board certified in companion animal nutrition by the American College of Animal Sciences and a fellow with the American College of Nutrition. Yamka calls on his extensive background in pet nutrition, and multiple years developing, formulating and launching dog and cat foods as a senior executive with leading pet food companies, to address common myths and misconceptions about pet food.
From the Author
Pet Food Market
DCM and grain-free pet foods: 3 strikes and you’re out!
A new, flawed study has DCM and grain-free pet foods in the news again, yet it proves no diet-related causes for DCM, nor does it eliminate any.
Yamka Dcm 8 21 Blog
Pet Food Market
WSAVA, part 2: Pet food recommendations are now guidelines
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association made some useful revisions to its tool for selecting pet foods, yet in some cases failed to set a proper bar.
WSAVA's Global Nutrition Committee, which revised the guidelines for selecting a pet food, is supported by the Purina Institute, Hill's Pet Nutrition and Royal Canin.
Pet Food Market
Regulating CBD: The pet food industry or the Wild West?
Walk into any pet store and you’ll see a plethora of dog and cat products with CBD, but they are not approved or legal for sale in pet food or treats.
(rgbspace | BigStock.com)
Pet Food Market
Ancient grains: pet food lessons industry missed or ignored
By not considering digestibility or the sustainability impact of their pet foods, companies marketing ancient grain products may be repeating past mistakes.
photo by Karissaa | BigStockPhoto
Pet Food Market
Big Kibble: A book about a pet food movie
This book by JustFoodForDogs execs seems based on the movie ‘Pet Fooled.’ While it had great potential, it also misses big on key pet food considerations.
Image by Ryan Yamka, created from 'Big Kibble' book cover and 'Pet Fooled' movie graphics.
Pet Food Market
Not all meat meals in pet food are created equal
It’s important to know AAFCO pet food ingredient definitions and nuances; otherwise inaccurate conclusions can result, such as with the DCM investigation.
Courtesy of The Princess Bride
Pet Food Market
DCM and grain-free pet food: September 2020 FDA update
FDA’s recent, very quiet update on its grain-free pet food-DCM investigation showed that, no surprise, it’s a complex issue that can’t be pinned to one cause.
Gajus | Shutterstock.com
Pet Food Market
WSAVA pet food recommendations: Useful or useless?
Pet food recommendations from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, last updated in 2013, have significant gaps and need a major overhaul.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association's website highlights pet food industry partners based on their contributions. Image: Ryan Yamka l Adapted from https://wsava.org/about/industry-partners (October 4, 2020)
Pet Food Market
Weird science: Published pet food studies not always sound
Just because a pet food study is published in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal, it does not mean it is good science or will have impact in the field.
photo by alkir, BigStockPhoto.com
Pet Food Market
Petco’s ‘better nutrition’ claim needs a bigger asterisk
Petco’s claims about removing artificial ingredients from its pet food shelves are not substantiated, according to the National Advertising Division.
Image courtesy of Ryan Yamka
Pet Food Market
Do accelerators help pet food startups or big companies?
If you’re a pet food startup considering entering an accelerator competition, heed this advice to protect your idea and intellectual property.
Courtesy of Shark Tank/ABC
Pet Food Market
‘BEG’ pet food and DCM, part 2: Is veterinary bias at play?
Canine DCM has been a hot pet food topic for the past year. Let’s look deeper into the latest FDA investigation update and if veterinary bias may play a role.
(YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV | shutterstock.com)
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