Dog & Whistle Wins Soy Innovation Challenge
The Illinois pet food company will develop an edible soy-based dog chew with Northern Illinois University's Bioplastics Lab.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Healthy Food
Live Poll
Would you buy a dog chew made from soy-based materials?
Dog & Whistle was named one of five winners of the Illinois Soybean Association's 2026 SpringBoard Challenge. The award provides $40,000 in research support for an edible, soy-based dog bone chew developed with Northern Illinois University's Bioplastics Lab.
Why it matters
The project aims to offer a renewable alternative to petrochemical inputs used in pet products. It also reflects growing interest in soy-based materials as replacements for petroleum-derived ingredients.
The award provides $40,000 in research support to one of five SpringBoard Challenge winners in 2026. Dog & Whistle's was the only pet-focused project selected, and the company has not announced when the chew will be available.
The players
Dog & Whistle
Dog & Whistle is a company that makes meals, toppers and treats for dogs, and its founder and CEO is Eric Adams.
Illinois Soybean Association
The Illinois Soybean Association is the state trade group for soybean farmers, which runs the Soy Innovation Center that sponsors the SpringBoard Challenge.
The details
Dog & Whistle, which makes meals, toppers and treats for dogs, will work with Mahdi Vaezi of Northern Illinois University's Bioplastics Lab. The team will research and develop an edible chew from soy-based materials, with the project evaluating material performance, product safety, manufacturability and commercial potential.
Timeline
2026: Dog & Whistle named a winner of the SpringBoard Challenge.
Culture Shift
The project fits the Illinois Soybean Association's Soy Innovation Center SpringBoard Challenge, which backs early-stage projects where soy-based inputs could replace petrochemicals. It reflects a wider push by pet brands toward sustainability and pet wellness.
Illinois pet owners may eventually see an edible soy-based dog chew, though no launch date has been announced. The project's focus on a renewable alternative to petrochemical pet-product inputs could influence future product options.
The takeaway
Soy-based alternatives to petroleum-derived pet product ingredients are moving from concept toward testing. Pet owners interested in sustainable products can watch for launch announcements as the research progresses.
Further reading
For more on ingredient choices, see Healthy Food coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petfood Industry Community.
Live Poll
Would you buy a dog chew made from soy-based materials?
