PhytoGaia Conducts New Clinical Study on PetGaiaᵀᴹ to Evaluate Skin Health & Coat Quality in Dogs

Dec 3^rd, 2025 – New York, USA – PhytoGaia is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with a renowned Contract Research Organization (CRO) and spearheaded by a veterinary researcher in Malaysia to conduct a controlled 8-week clinical study evaluating the effects of oral supplementation of PetGaia^TM on skin and coat health in companion dogs. This first of its kind study will assess key parameters including skin redness, dryness, itchiness, lesion formation, as well as coat shine, softness, shedding and smoothness.

PetGaia™ is a branded natural palm fruit extract, a synergistic complex of tocotrienols, alpha-tocopherol, plant-derived squalene and phytosterols – recognized for their antioxidant and dermal-supporting properties. PetGaia™ is extracted via a non-chemical, non-solvent and non-biodiesel process, ensuring clean-label compliance, allergen-free formulation and high palatability — key considerations for pet brands and manufacturers formulating safe and effective products.

Scientific Rationale & Precedent

Preclinical and human research provides a strong scientific foundation for the use of tocotrienols and squalene in skin and hair support:

• In rodents, dietary tocotrienols protect skin from oxidative stress and promote hair follicle regeneration¹.
• In humans, oral tocotrienol supplementation improves hair count and scalp health in randomized studies² as well as significantly reduces reactions such as erythema, edema, itching, and blistering compared to areas treated with a simple vehicle or vitamin A³.
• Reviews indicate that tocotrienols and squalene may work synergistically to support skin health , skin barrier function, reduce inflammation and protect against oxidative damage⁴.

Building on this foundation, PetGaia™ is now being evaluated in this 8-week controlled RCT in dogs, the first non-invasive study in companion animals to assess its effects on skin and coat health.

“This 8-week controlled study is designed to generate robust, evidence-based data on PetGaia™’s skin effects in dogs. Working with a renowned CRO ensures the trial is scientifically rigorous, producing insights that formulators and manufacturers can confidently use in product development and claim substantiation,” said Dr. Ariati Aris, Scientific Affairs Specialist at PhytoGaia.

“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. This personal experience motivates me to support this study. PetGaia™ is a natural, science-backed approach to improving skin and coat health, and as such, I’m excited to see how the results can benefit both pets and the brands that formulate with it,” added Mr. Bryan See, Vice President of PhytoGaia.

The results of this clinical study are expected to provide actionable, science-backed insights that formulators, brands, and manufacturers can directly apply in the development of pet supplements promoting healthy skin and improved coat quality. PhytoGaia looks forward to sharing these findings with industry partners, veterinarians and pet health professionals, helping guide the creation of clean, innovative evidence-based products for companion animals.

PhytoGaia is also a Preferred Supplier of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), reflecting the company’s commitment to quality, safety and transparency in the pet nutrition industry. PetGaia™’s formulation uses sustainably-sourced palm fruits, reinforcing its positioning as a clean, innovative and reliable ingredient for pet wellness products.

For further information, please contact us at [email protected].

Disclaimer: The statements in the above article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References:

1. Ahmed NS, et al. Epidermal E-Cadherin Dependent β-Catenin Pathway Is Phytochemical Inducible and Accelerates Anagen Hair Cycling. Mol Ther. 2017 Nov 1;25(11):2502-2512.
2. Beoy LA, et al. Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers. Trop Life Sci Res. 2010 Dec;21(2):91-9. 
3. Pedrelli VF, et al. Clinical evaluation of photoprotective effect by a topical antioxidants combination (tocopherols and tocotrienols). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Nov;26(11):1449-53. 
4. Morgan NR, et al. Explicating the multifunctional roles of tocotrienol and squalene in promoting skin health. Skin Health Dis. 2024 Aug 20;4(5):e448.