PhytoGaia has signed a memorandum of agreement with a contract research organization in Malaysia to conduct an eight-week clinical study evaluating the effects of PetGaia, a branded palm fruit extract, on skin and coat health in companion dogs.

The company said the trial is a controlled, non-invasive study intended to generate evidence for product development and claim substantiation for pet supplement brands. PhytoGaia described the study as designed to provide a controlled window for measuring any changes attributable to oral supplementation with the ingredient, and said the results will be used to inform formulators and manufacturers and to support label claims.

PhytoGaia named a contract research organization in Malaysia as the partner that will run the study; the company said the contracted organization will oversee study operations. The memorandum formalizing the arrangement was announced in company trade coverage, with officials emphasizing the company-led nature of the effort and its intention to produce robust, evidence-based data on PetGaia’s skin effects in dogs.

PetGaia is described by PhytoGaia as a palm fruit extract containing tocotrienols, alpha-tocopherol, plant-derived squalene and phytosterols. The ingredient is produced through a non-chemical, non-solvent and non-biodiesel extraction process that the company says supports clean-label and allergen-free formulations. PhytoGaia also noted its status as a preferred supplier of the National Animal Supplement Council.

“This 8-week controlled study is designed to generate robust, evidence-based data on PetGaia’s skin effects in dogs,” said Dr. Ariati Aris, scientific affairs specialist at PhytoGaia. Company leadership framed the study in both scientific and personal terms: “As a dog owner — a French Bulldog and a Bichon Frisé, I’ve seen first-hand how sensitive skin can be, especially in my Frenchie who is prone to food reactions and coat issues,” said Bryan See, vice president at PhytoGaia.

PhytoGaia characterized the trial as the first non-invasive controlled study of PetGaia in companion animals focused specifically on skin and coat health. Officials said the eight-week schedule was chosen to provide a measurable timeframe to detect changes that could be attributable to daily oral supplementation with the extract.

The announcement arrives as interest in functional pet supplements grows, particularly for skin and coat benefits. Common skin health issues in dogs include allergic dermatitis — from fleas, food, or environmental allergens — parasitic infestations such as fleas and mites (mange), and bacterial or fungal infections like pyoderma and yeast dermatitis, which often cause itching, redness and hair loss. Companies developing pet supplements say targeted phytonutrients may help some animals, but rigorous evidence is variable.

Industry and regulatory context may shape how the study’s data are received. Pet health products are regulated mainly under each country’s broader frameworks for veterinary medicines, pet foods and chemical substances, which set testing, safety and efficacy requirements. In the United States, products making health or therapeutic claims fall under the Food and Drug Administration’s oversight, which applies stricter standards to drugs than to dietary supplements. What regulations govern the testing of pet health products in different countries, which set testing, safety and efficacy requirements.

Observers noted that most pet supplements, including products like PetGaia, have far less rigorous evidence of effectiveness than traditional veterinary drugs, which must meet strict regulatory standards for safety and efficacy before approval. may provide modest or condition-specific benefits, but high-quality, controlled clinical data are less common in the category.

PhytoGaia said the data from the Malaysian study will be made available to formulators and manufacturers and used to support label claims within the pet nutrition market. The company positions PetGaia as part of a broader portfolio of palm-derived phytonutrients for human and pet health. Industry watchers will follow the trial’s outcomes for evidence that brands can use when formulating pet supplements and substantiating marketing claims.

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Original reporting: view the original article.