Alexandra Rankovic
Research Associate
University of Guelph
Alex Rankovic, Ph.D., is research associate at the University of Guelph, specializing in companion animal and equine nutrition. She earned her MSc. and Ph.D. in companion animal nutrition at the University of Guelph, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship with Anna Kate Shoveller, Ph.D. Rankovic’s doctoral research focused on the role of dietary choline in fat metabolism in cats, advancing knowledge in nutrient utilization and metabolic health. A published researcher and award-winning presenter, Rankovic also shares her expertise as a host of the Pet Food Science Podcast and as a lecturer of undergraduate and graduate courses in animal nutrition.
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Tue Apr 29 3:10 PM - 4:15 PM | Pet food ingredient sessions: Sustainable ingredients KCCC 2105 - Exploring fresh African game meat in pet food for novel, sustainable approach to nutrition — Angelique Myburgh, nutrition and development specialist, Montego Pet Nutrition, offers insights into Africa’s role in providing novel pet food protein sources through game meat and explores the health benefits of these sustainable options for both pets and the environment. South Africa, the continent’s leading game meat producer, contributes significantly to this evolving protein landscape with its abundance of large game meat species, known for their favorable protein-to-fat ratios and rich nutrient profiles. South Africa’s Game Meat Strategy supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by aiming to create over 200,000 jobs by 2030 through sustainable game farming and ecotourism, possibly offering a model for the development of more sustainable protein sources in other parts of the world.
- Harnessing blood-derived proteins from the meat industry for sustainable pet nutrition — Roger Gerlach, director of global pet food sales, APC, shares results of efforts of the European Animal Protein Association and North American Renderers Association to establish a framework of sustainability measurements for blood-derived ingredients that are commonly used to provide nutritional value to pet food diets. The work helps demonstrate how blood-derived proteins contribute to sustainable food systems by minimizing waste within the meat industry, reducing the ecological footprint of protein production and supporting pet food companies in meeting nutritional standards through responsible sourcing. This approach also aids in advancing corporate and industry sustainability goals by transforming waste streams into high-value nutritional resources, ultimately enhancing the sustainability of the entire supply chain.
- Sustainability and nutrition considerations for supplementing omega-3s in companion animal diets — Alexandra Rankovic, MSc., Ph.D., research associate, University of Guelph, explains the metabolism of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (FA) in dogs and cats, reviewing their current recommendations plus research investigating the omega-6:omega-3 FA ratio across life stages and how recent findings may inform changes. The global supply of fish from marine stocks is not likely to meet the rising demand for eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid — traditionally the primary omega-3 supplements in pet food — for human, livestock and companion animal consumption; this shortage, combined with increasing concerns regarding the environmental sustainability of these marine resources, is driving interest in alternative omega-3 FA sources for pet food. Rankovic provides an overview of the environmental sustainability and practicality of these different sources.
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