Thomas Brenten is Global Scientific Affairs Manager for Royal Canin®, a long-term Partner of the WSAVA’s Global Nutrition Committee
Dr Thomas Brenten
Global Scientific Affairs Manager for Royal Canin
Could you introduce yourself briefly to our members?
I graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany in 1997. I had already worked as a student for Mars Petcare and became a permanent associate in 1998. For most of my career, I have worked within Research & Development, always with a special interest in pet nutrition and nutritional standards for the pet food industry.
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What is your role at Royal Canin and what do you most enjoy about it?
I hold the role of Global Scientific Affairs Manager for Royal Canin. I work very often with veterinary associations like WSAVA, as well as with industry and trade associations, eg FEDIAF – the European Petfood Industry Association and the Global Alliance of Petfood Associations (GAPFA). I enjoy having the opportunity to collaborate with amazing experts from both academia and industry on relevant and impactful topics in pet nutrition. But it is not just about professional relationships – what I enjoy most are the invaluable personal relationships and friendships which have developed over the years.
Royal Canin is a long-standing Industry Partner of the WSAVA. How would you summarize the relationship?
Royal Canin has a strong relationship with WSAVA and the GNC because we have a common mission which is to promote the importance of nutrition and, ultimately, to improve the health and well-being of pets globally. The GNC in this respect is a beacon of light, providing unbiased tools and resources reflecting the current state of knowledge.
Why is nutrition a topic that our members should prioritize?
The world of nutrition is full of myths. Misinformation about pet nutrition is widespread, creating a confusing landscape for pet owners and veterinarians looking for a credible source of information. In the absence of strong, positive messages which help us feed cats and dogs to the best of our ability, many experience ‘nutrition fatigue.’ We can easily become tired of trying to understand or communicate scientific messages about pet food and feeding. The GNC will arm you with the tools needed to change the conversation.
From your perspective, what do you see as some of the important developments in nutrition that our members should be looking out for this year?
We are increasingly utilizing new technologies, for instance advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence, to help provide recommendations for pets suffering from multiple pathologies or to help with the early detection of diseases such as CKD. Royal Canin Individuals®, for example, is our new tailored nutrition program. It is based on a veterinarian’s assessment, in conjunction with an algorithm, to accurately determine an individualized nutritional program. The program has taken seven years of research involving associates across R&D, engineering, and marketing in collaboration with mathematicians, digital teams, software providers. It has also involved three years of testing in more than 100 veterinary clinics. Visit our booth at #WSAVAPoland to learn more!
Tell us something about you might that might surprise us!
Well, my inspiration comes from an icebreaker game when meeting with a new team for the first time. The idea is to line up based on the number of hearts beating under your roof. This is where I’m typically in the top rank as my family is passionate about animals. My wife breeds and shows dogs; we own cats, horses, ponies, chicken, ducks, birds. My oldest daughter is a trained vet nurse and has just started studying veterinary medicine in Hanover. So, there is always a chance to have at least one practitioner in the family!
Is there anything else you would like to say?
Virtual events are great and enable a much wider community to access knowledge. However, I’m missing the social component a lot and I hope that we will be able to meet in person again soon. And, finally, a big thank you to the WSAVA for our excellent collaboration.
