M2 and Anchor Ingredients distribute mushroom powders for pet gut and immune health

M2 Ingredients has joined forces with Anchor Ingredients, a premium ingredient supplier serving pet food manufacturers across North America. 

Under the new partnership, Anchor Ingredients will distribute M2 Ingredients’ portfolio encompassing clinically studied full-spectrum mushroom powders and extracts. These are applicable to functional solutions for animal food, treats, and supplements.

“Mushrooms represent one of the most promising and underutilized ingredient categories in pet nutrition. This partnership allows us to bring science-backed mushroom ingredients to more brands,” says Dr. Sandra Carter, founder of M2 Ingredients, dubbed the Western Hemisphere’s largest functional mushroom grower and supplier.

Market demand for pet nutrition

According to M2, the partnership comes amid pet adopters demanding more from animal nutrition. 

The Pet Food Industry reveals that 85% of these consumers believe that nutrition and supplementation are as important for their pets as they are for themselves. Also, searches for dog prebiotics have surged 63% year over year, indicating the importance of digestive health.

Innova Market Insights’ data reveals that pet food launches with postbiotics are on the rise, with over 150% CAGR. Its Top Global Trends 2026 in Pet Food reveals that wellness is a key focus, and product attributes are driven by pet owners’ interest in clean labels, healthy ingredients, and more.

Furthermore, M2 points out that functional mushrooms are emerging as a solution, providing prebiotic fibers and immune-supporting compounds. Research in dogs has shown that mushroom ingredients have benefits for microbiome balance, digestion, and immune health across species, such as lion’s mane, reishi, turkey tail, and shiitake.

“Mushrooms represent one of the most promising and underutilized ingredient categories in pet nutrition,” says Dr. Sandra Carter, founder of M2 Ingredients. “This partnership allows us to bring science-backed, full-spectrum mushroom ingredients to more brands looking to deliver meaningful benefits for pets.”

Al Yablonski, CEO of Anchor Ingredients, also comments: “We are excited to partner with M2 Ingredients to bring innovative, high-quality functional mushroom solutions to our customers. “This collaboration enables us to meet accelerating demand for differentiated, functional pet nutrition.”

Pet nutrition in headlines

Animal supplement product innovations this year have been expanding the category with new wellness benefit target areas, including metabolism and brain aging, which mirror those of trending positionings in human supplements.

In recent pet nutrition launches, Lonza Capsugel introduced UC-Flex, a premium collagen and calcium carbonate blend for pet joint health. The company notes that owners are focusing more on ensuring their furry friends’ long-term health, mirroring their own healthy lifestyles.

Meanwhile, Symrise made an equity investment in Bond Pet Foods, which produces animal-identical proteins with precision fermentation, helping meet the growing demand for sustainably sourced pet food ingredients.

Nutrition Insight recently met with experts from AstaReal AB, dsm-firmenich, ADM, and Beneo to uncover the future of pet nutrition.