Meet the Feline Taste Testers Who Help Shape the Future of Pet Nutrition

Morning light spills through long-paned windows, casting gentle beams over a sprawling indoor playground alive with quiet activity. Silent paws move gracefully over climbing towers and sunlit nooks. Some small figures perch by the glass walls, their tails flicking with curiosity as they watch horses gallop across the field beyond. Others chase fluttering toys or settle into the soothing hands of caretakers who offer gentle grooming and occasional spa baths, small rituals designed to enrich their day.

As the sun climbs higher, these feline “experts”—the over 50 cats who call this place home— retreat for a midday nap, resting up before their afternoon sessions. When they wake, they spend three hours engaged in food testing, quiet work that plays a vital role in shaping the future of feline nutrition. By early evening, testing stations are cleared away, and the cats settle back into the easy rhythm of play and rest within their personal 2.4-square-metre, four-story “condos,” each roomy enough for climbing, lounging, and stretching.

This is a familiar scene for the staff at i-Cattery, a tranquil sanctuary nestled on the edge of Greater Bangkok within a leafy university campus. Operated by i-Tail Corporation, Thai Union Group’s pet food business, this research center brings together science, care, and innovation to support feline wellness through smarter nutrition.

The global pet food market, valued at US $148.5 billion in 2025, is projected to grow by around 3.5 percent each year to reach nearly US $176.7 billion by 2030 . This steady growth reflects more than just rising demand, it signals a shift in how people care for their pets, who are now seen as cherished members of the family. With that shift come higher expectations, especially around nutrition. This opens new opportunities for innovation, while also challenging companies like i-Tail to deliver formulas that support holistic wellbeing, meet evolving nutritional needs, and earn the trust of the people who care for them. At i-Cattery, the feline residents play a quiet but vital role in shaping this future.

The Making of a Taste Tester

Founded in June 2023, i-Cattery was created to accelerate product testing and ensure every formulation meets the nutritional and palatability requirements of cats. For nearly five decades, i-Tail has partnered with leading global pet food brands, co-creating tailor-made solutions with the highest standards of quality. But until recently, product testing involved sending samples overseas, a process that could take several months.

“i-Cattery is a game changer for i-Tail’s feline nutrition research. Having an in-house facility allows us to accelerate development timelines by up to three times, which benefits both our own brands and our private label customers,” says Dr. Sisupa Pongsiwat, Manager of i-Cattery.

The feline residents at i-Cattery reflect a diverse mix of popular cat breeds. Domestic Shorthair, a common Thai breed, makes up the majority, alongside Scottish Fold, American Shorthair, Persian, and several others. With their rounded faces, large expressive eyes, and soft coats, they are undeniably adorable, but cuteness alone doesn’t earn them a place at i-Cattery.

“Potential feline candidates undergo extensive training and evaluation to determine their suitability,” explains Dr. Sisupa. “They taste various types of food, both wet and dry, to assess their ability to distinguish between different formulations. That’s why three months is the ideal age to begin, as they haven’t yet developed strong food preferences.”

Once accepted, newcomers go through robust health screening and spend a minimum of four weeks in quarantine to ensure they are free from diseases such as coronavirus, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), leukemia, and feline panleukopenia. After completing this process, they join i-Cattery as full-time members.

Science Behind the Bowl

Food testing at i-Cattery follows two distinct methodologies: the one-bowl test and the two-bowl test. The one-bowl test assesses overall food acceptance by offering a single type of food and observing consumption over time. The two-bowl test, on the other hand, evaluates preference by presenting two different foods simultaneously, allowing the cat to choose between them. This method is ideal for comparing flavors, textures, and overall palatability.

To qualify for two-bowl testing, feline experts undergo rigorous assessments and are re-evaluated every six months to ensure they continue to meet testing standards. They retire from palatability testing at eight, as age-related sensory changes can affect result accuracy. “That’s the cut-off age,” says Dr. Sisupa. “We start looking for a permanent home for them early at six, or they continue as i-Cattery members in roles more suited to their age, such as testing senior cat food.”

Cat welfare plays a critical role in testing accuracy. With each cat having a unique personality and social dynamic, staff are trained to understand both individual and group behavior patterns. According to Hatairat Khloikhiao, a cat specialist at i-Cattery, the team spends at least an hour with the cats each day, closely observing their interactions to detect early signs of tension, understand preferences, and manage potential conflicts among the feline taste testers.

“We see many different personalities,” says Hatairat. “Some cats like to perch up high, while others prefer staying closer to the ground. Some are independent, while others seek out company. Some enjoy being held and cuddled. Domestic shorthairs, in our experience, tend to be more vocal than other breeds.”

Raising the Bar for Ethical Research

i-Cattery, under i-Tail Corporation, is committed to upholding the highest ethical and scientific standards. Currently, i-Tail is the only pet food research center in Thailand and the only pet food manufacturer globally to be accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC International)— the global benchmark for humane animal care in scientific research.

This prestigious certification reflects i-Tail’s deep commitment to animal welfare. Dr. Sisupa explains that cat welfare at i-Cattery goes far beyond basic care. The team carefully manages environmental factors such as room temperature, humidity, and air quality, and enforces strict hygiene protocols for feeding equipment. Before any test begins, staff spend at least an hour helping the cats acclimate to the testing station, ensuring optimal health, comfort, and emotional wellbeing.

These practices, while essential, represent just a fraction of what AAALAC accreditation entails. “Maintaining certification goes beyond caring for our four-legged friends. The wellbeing of our team is equally important, as their emotional state can influence both the cats and the research outcomes,” Dr. Sisupa says.

“AAALAC also emphasizes how we manage knowledge within the team through ongoing training, sharing expertise, and continuous improvement,” she adds. “Accreditation is not a one-time achievement. It’s a continuous journey of refining protocols and keeping our staff’s knowledge always up to date.”

Collaborating for Smarter Nutrition

Beyond testing, i-Cattery plays a central role in advancing smarter feline nutrition through strategic academic partnerships with leading universities.

“Another mission here at i-Cattery is to help advance veterinary understanding of feline nutrition by working closely with leading academic partners,” says Dr. Sisupa. “By integrating academic perspectives into our work, we’re bridging science and real-world application, supporting better outcomes for pets and contributing to more informed innovation.”

As part of i-Tail’s pet-centric approach, i-Cattery combines scientific insights with real-world feline behavior to guide thoughtful product design. This enables i-Tail to make informed decisions that prioritize pet wellbeing and deliver products that truly resonate with their end users—our pets.

“Our goal is not just to make great products,” says Dr. Sisupa. “It’s to help raise the bar for the entire industry through science, collaboration, and a deep respect for the pets we serve.”