Pet food product development

1. Idea: A new idea is  normally formulatd after market research.

• 2. Product prototype: The most promising ideas are selected
  for further development.

• 3. Feeding tests: After the prototype selection, a series of studies
  begins.
  4.
  Palatability: Palatability studies utilize an
  appropriate testing procedure to determine which food is most acceptable to
  the dog or cat. 
  5. Digestion
  studies: Digestibility is a measure of a food’s nutritional value
  and need to be tested.
  6.
  Nutritional studies: Needed to be able to have a certain claim on the
  product. These may include reproduction studies, growth tests, and maintenance
  tests.

  7. Product development: During the time the animal tests
  are being conducted, many other activities necessary for product development
  occurs. New equipment for products and packaging, if needed, are being
  designed and developed, at least on a pilot scale. Package size, design, and
  copy, as well as product name, are being developed.

More information on these procedures can be found here