DEFINITION
Last update: 14/06/2024
Dry pet food that generally contains ~90% dry matter and 10% water. Approximately 95% of dry foods are made by combining and cooking ingredients (grains, meat and meat by-products, fats, minerals, and vitamins), then forcing the mixture through a die, where a knife slices the mixture to determine the shape and size of the kibble. During cooking and extrusion, temperatures used by manufacturers may vary between ~80ºC and 200ºC (~176ºF–392°F). Cooking temperatures used in the production of pet food are consistent with temperatures used in cooking foods intended for humans. Advantages of dry food include lower cost than canned or semi moist food and the ability to store unused portions at room temperature.
Canned pet food contains 68%–78% water and 22%–32% dry matter. Many of the same ingredients are used in canned and dry foods. Given their high moisture content, canned foods typically contain higher amounts of fresh or frozen meat, poultry, or fish products, and animal by-products. Many canned pet foods contain textured proteins derived from grains, such as wheat or soy. The use of meat in combination with some of the textured proteins is not only more cost effective but can improve the overall nutritional profile of the final product. Advantages of canned food include a long shelf life in a durable container and high palatability.
Semimoist dog and cat foods contain 25%–40% water and 60%–75% dry matter. They do not require refrigeration and are preserved using humectants that bind water so that it is unavailable for bacteria and mold growth. These formulations include simple sugars (usually sucrose), sorbitol, and salts. Many semi moist foods are acidified using phosphoric, malic, or hydrochloric acid to further inhibit spoilage. Advantages of semi moist foods include convenience, high energy digestibility, and palatability. [22]
Raw foods have a natural moisture content of approximately 65%. Raw pet food products can be complete or complementary. Complete diets will also contain additional ingredients such as fruit, vegetable and sometimes herbs to make them complete and balanced. In terms of preparation, meat and edible bone are minced, mixed and then frozen to very low temperatures. Raw pet foods are available in freeze-dried or frozen formats [2].
Characteristics of a satisfactory pet food according to FEDIAF [3]:
- Complete – provides adequate amounts of all the required nutrients
- Balanced – the nutrients are present in the correct proportions
- Digestible – a pet is able to digest the food and absorb the nutrients
- Palatable – good smell and taste
- Safe – free from anything which could harm a pet
Nutrients requirements of cats and dogs are determined by:
- The National Research Council (NRC) – The NRC committee consists of key academic experts in the field of companion animal nutrition who define the nutrient requirements of cats and dogs. The most recent guidelines were produced in 2006. [4]
- The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AFFCO) – AAFCO guidelines are written by experts from industry and academia. Compliance with these guidelines is a legal requirement in the USA. All products sold as “complete and balanced” in the U.S.A. must substantiate nutritional adequacy using standardized feed testing methodology developed by The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Those that do not and are not prominently identified as a “snack,” “treat” or “supplement” must bear the statement “This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only. [5]
- Fédération Européenne de l’Industrie des Aliments Pour Animaux Familiers (FEDIAF) – These guidelines represent the industry best practice in Europe. Whilst followed by the majority of manufacturers, they are not legally binding. FEDIAF also provides guidelines for methods of assessing the nutritional values of pet food and advice on specific topics, such as human foods that are poisonous for cats and dogs. [6]
