Search Results (25)

As pet owners become increasingly mindful of pet health and sustainability, labeling plays a crucial role in shaping informed purchasing decisions for pet food. This study evaluated the nutritional adequacy and pricing of plant-based, hybrid, and animal-based dog foods. Using the Mintel database, we analyzed product labels, ingredient compositions, and marketing claims for various dog food categories. The findings revealed notable differences in key nutrients, such as protein, fiber, fat, ash, and moisture content. Plant-based dog foods generally offer higher fiber and ash content but often fall short in protein and fat levels, particularly in snacks and treats, which may impact their suitability for meeting the dietary needs of canines. Hybrid dog foods, which blend plant and animal ingredients, show greater variability, with some achieving balanced protein and fat content, while fiber levels depend on the plant-based proportion. Animal-based foods tend to excel in protein and fat content, particularly in wet and dry formats, while being lower in fiber and ash content. A key concern is the reliance on additives, particularly in plant-based and hybrid options, which raises questions about the long-term health impacts on pets. Pricing trends indicate that plant-based dog foods are generally more expensive than hybrid and animal-based options, although the cost varies widely across all categories. Full article

In small animal nutrition, the caloric content of a diet is expressed as metabolizable energy (ME). The gold standard method for determining this variable is through feeding trials with the target species. However, the high cost and intricacy of this assay lead to the use of indirect estimation methods. The aim of this study was to analyze the main equations employed for estimating ME and compare them with the results of in vivo tests. In total, 451 pet food products in Brazil were evaluated. The ME values were determined via the bromatological values available on labels. The data were analyzed using SAS, and Student’s t test was used with a significance of 5%. For all predictive equations, there was a non-conformity between their results and those obtained by in vivo methods. Thus, the prediction equations are only accurate when the exact values of food composition are used, which is hardly applicable since veterinarians and animal owners only have access to the information provided on the labels. Nonetheless, the Atwater system equation proved to be the most reliable for estimating ME, showing the smallest disparity among the evaluated methods. The overall differences between in vivo results and ME estimation with the Atwater system amounted to 3.59% for dry cat foods and −1.94% for dry dog foods. Moreover, although it was also the most accurate for wet foods, the differences were substantially greater (11.99% for cat foods and 8.25% for dog foods). These findings highlight the need for further research to refine ME estimation, which could contribute to improved pet food formulation and help reduce cases of malnutrition in dogs and cats. Full article

The choice of what to feed is a significant decision for a pet owner and is complicated by the vast array of choices that are available. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feeding choices and practices of UK dog and cat owners. An online survey was conducted in which owners were asked about their feeding practices, what they look for in pet food, and purchasing habits, as well as collecting owner demographics and pet signalment information. A total of 520 responses were collected for 682 dogs and cats (572 dogs and 110 cats), with most owners only having one pet. Significantly more cats were fed a mix of wet and dry food or solely wet food, while significantly more dogs were fed raw food. Most owners feed their pets twice a day in a standard bowl and obtain nutritional information online. Furthermore, the most common way to purchase their food is online. There are differences between cat and dog owners feeding choices, with cat owners staying with more traditional methods and more dog owners choosing raw or alternative feeding. Raw feeding has increased in popularity compared to previous studies. Full article

Plant extracts, such as olive extract (OE), have been used in human and pet foods for their biological benefits; however, no available data have demonstrated OE’s effect on palatability in dogs. The current study aimed to evaluate acceptance of dry and canned dog foods with differing inclusions of OE as a flavor component. Flavor compounds in OE were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography, detecting 137 volatile compounds, including acetic acid and hydroxytyrosol. Dog kibbles were coated with liquid commercial palatants containing OE that resulted in application rates of 0 (control), 120, 200, and 500 ppm of OE in the diets. OE was also added at 0 (control), 120, 200, and 500 ppm into a wet food formulation with a commercial palatant before retort processing. Two separate panels of adult beagles were used for monadic testing to determine acceptance rates for kibble (5/treatment; 20 total) and canned foods (4/treatment; 16 total) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. None of the tested inclusions impacted food acceptance in this preliminary study (p > 0.05). As a flavor ingredient, OE can be added into dry or wet dog food up to 500 ppm without deterring effects on palatability. Full article

In addition to the mechanical properties and barrier performance, one of the key properties of flexible films used in food packaging is the resistance of their gas barrier layer to buckling and bending. Testing the gas barrier before and after mechanical stress is time-consuming and resource-intensive, but important to assure a certain gas barrier during the whole life time of the package until food consumption. The aim of this study was, on the one hand, to identify the most significant influencing factors of a composite lacquer formulation and coating on its buckling resistance and, on the other hand, to show a fast and efficient method to identify defects occurring during buckling. The influence of mechanical stress was simulated via Gelbo-Flex treatment, and the samples were examined and evaluated before and after using light microscopy. The evaluation was verified with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and helium barrier measurement. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE) films were coated with composite barrier lacquers made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and montmorillonite (MMT) and the wet coating layer thickness (20, 40, 80, and 130 μm) and the composition of the coating were changed. It was found that thin coatings are more resistant to buckling than thick coatings. It was also shown that a higher proportion of MMT in the coating layer leads to a better gas barrier, but poorer buckling resistance. Additionally, it was found that soft PE films are already subjected to high stresses during the coating process, which means that barrier coatings do not build up ideally. However, the barrier-coated soft film withstood mechanical stress better and lost less barrier by a lower factor than the counterpart on the basis of PET. To conclude, the evaluation of the buckling resistance with microscopy offers an efficient method during lacquer development; however, the final decision on the right lacquer composition is dependent on many factors. Full article

Olive oil coproducts and their phenolic extracts have shown beneficial effects when added to the diets of food-producing animals, whereas data on their effects on pets are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with olive flour (MOP^®) on oxidative blood biomarkers in dogs. Thirty dogs were recruited and divided into two groups. Both groups were fed the same kibble feed twice daily. The treatment group (T) also received canned wet feed supplemented with 11.5 mg/kg of body weight of organic olive flour per day, whereas the control group (C) received the same wet feed without any supplementation. The findings showed that oil-free olive pulp flour supplementation led to a significant decrease in d-ROMs (p < 0.044) in the blood of the T group (from 101.26 to 86.67 U CARR), whereas no significant changes were observed in the C group. An increasing OXY trend was found in the blood of the T group. Polyphenols in olive flour at a dose of 11.5 mg/kg of body weight contributed to lowering the oxidative stress threshold in dogs, reducing the levels of d-ROMs in dogs and leading to increasing trends in the amount of blood antioxidants. The use of olive pulp flour in dog diets has proven to be beneficial for their health and could also reduce the waste associated with olive oil production. Full article

The global pet food market is expanding rapidly, and there is a growing interest in sustainable, high-quality ingredients. Spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP), a protein-rich by-product with immune-boosting properties, is gaining attention as a potential additive. This study aimed to evaluate the palatability of dog products containing SDAP. Three types of canine products (dry food, wet food, and treats) with varying concentrations of SDAP (0%, 1%, 2%, and 4%) were tested. The study used a two-bowl preference method involving 20 dogs of different breeds, ages, and weights. Results indicated that a 2% SDAP concentration significantly increased the palatability of each dog food compared to control diets without SDAP, while higher concentrations (4%) negatively impacted it. For dry food and treats, the inclusion of 1% SDAP showed marginal effects on palatability. Statistical analyses revealed no significant correlation between the dogs’ sex or product type and their preference for SDAP-containing products (p > 0.05). This preliminary research supports the inclusion of SDAP in dog foods, particularly at optimal levels (2%), to enhance palatability and meet the nutritional needs of dogs while addressing sustainability in pet food production. Full article

Pet food production is a fast-growing industry. While extruded dry pet food is the favored pet food due to its convenience of use, it may have poorer palatability than other pet foods such as wet pet foods. However, palatability plays a pivotal role in meeting nutritional requirements or providing therapeutic benefits in cats and dogs, as it ensures food acceptance. Thus, both academics and manufacturers conduct routine palatability tests to assess acceptance and preference of products among pets, alongside sensory analyses involving human panels. Palatability is greatly influenced by species-specific and environmental factors in cats and dogs. The review will hence present the current knowledge on palatability assessment and animal food perception; it will then aim to explore strategies for effectively managing palatability in dry pet food by examining the impact of key ingredients and process parameters on the finished product’s palatability. Moreover, the demands and needs for sustainable and healthier products as well as supply constraints present novel challenges and opportunities for academics and manufacturers. Full article

The practice of consuming wild fauna in Brazil is both culturally and socioeconomically questionable. Wild animals and their byproducts are sought for nutritional, medicinal, and/or supernatural reasons, with some taxa (e.g., songbirds) being kept as pets. This practice is concentrated in traditional and rural communities, as well as the rural exodus populations in large urban centers, maintained both by cultural preferences and for their role in food safety in part of the rural exodus community. A total of 564 taxa are known to be sold in wet markets in Brazil, with birds, fish, and mammals being the most commonly listed. There is great zoonotic outbreak potential in this consumption chain given the diversity of species involved (with several listed being known reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens), invasion of wild environments for hunting, unsanitary processing of carcasses, and consumption of most/all biotopes of the animal, as well as the creation of favorable conditions to cross-species pathogen transmission. Given its socioeconomic situation and the global trends in disease emergence, there is a risk of the future emergence of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in Brazil through wildlife consumption. Full article

The pet food industry’s growth, driven by increased demand for premium options, emphasizes the popularity of canned dog foods due to their palatability and convenience. This study evaluates the nutritional and microbiological quality of canned dog food for puppies and adult dogs, with and without grains, immediately after opening and following 24 h of incubation simulating home storage conditions. The grain-free products exhibited higher protein and energy levels, while the grain-included products contained more ether extract, crude ash, and nitrogen-free extract. Age-specific differences revealed higher ether extract, crude ash, crude fiber, and energy in growing dog foods and more nitrogen-free extract in adult dog foods. Discrepancies between labeled nutrient values and laboratory results indicated overstatements for ether extract and underestimations for protein and crude ash. A microbiological analysis showed that the canned dog foods were generally safe when opened, but after 24 h, 85% exhibited bacterial presence, emphasizing the need for rigorous evaluation. A statistical analysis did not confirm associations between grain presence or age group and microbiological contamination. This study underscores the importance of accurate labeling for nutritional value and emphasizes the need for microbiological safety evaluations, especially in regions lacking specific regulatory standards, to ensure pet food safety and nutritional adequacy. Full article

Spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) and wheat gluten (WG) are common binders in wet pet food that provide amino acids and energy, as well as texture and cohesiveness due to their gelling strength, water retention and fat emulsion properties. Binder use is a valuable tool especially in recipes based on ingredients with low technological properties such as fish by-products containing spines and scales and soft texture after cooking. Two basal recipes for chunks in gravy were produced to evaluate experimental treatments. One basal recipe used a mixture of salmon and tuna by-products as the only animal protein sources without binders or with a 20 g/kg inclusion of SDAP or WG. The other basal recipe mimicked a more typical commercial recipe containing meat animal ingredients and a 40 g/kg salmon by-product to develop experimental treatments with and 0, 10, 20, 30 or 40 g/kg inclusions of SDAP. Dry matter, protein, and viscosity were evaluated in raw emulsions. After a 1 h retorting at 121 °C, hardness was measured in emulsions and in cooked chunks, juiciness, and Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) were assessed. Results demonstrated the viability of producing quality chunks in gravy containing only fish by-products including 20 g/kg of SDAP, which significantly increased hardness, elasticity, cohesiveness, and juiciness. There was a positive linear correlation of increased SDAP inclusion rate in the commercial recipe for most of the quality parameters evaluated. Based on these results, the inclusion of SDAP in fish recipes can help manufacturers achieve technological quality control targets for commercial wet pet food and may help producers to successfully formulate new recipes for wet pet food products using fish by-products as the sole animal protein source. Full article

Microflora and contents of biogenic amines/polyamines and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) in 99 samples of bovine offal (red offal, n = 41 and other offal and mixes, n = 45) and wild game meat (n = 13) for raw meat-based diets (RMBD) for dogs were analyzed. Samples were bought in 11 local pet food shops and in one game-handling establishment in Austria (Lower Austria, Styria, and Vienna) in September and October 2022. Median contents (first and third quartiles in brackets) of cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine were 20.7 [16.7; 28.6]; 25.4 [17.1; 47.2]; 18.9 [13.6; 38.9]; 15.2 [11.2; 21.2]; and 41.9 [<limit of detection; 64.5] mg/kg wet weight, respectively. The sum of putrescine + cadaverine + histamine + tyramine was >50 mg/kg in 85.9% of samples, indicating the use of low-quality ingredients or inappropriate storage conditions. However, only 10.1% of samples were determined to be not compliant with a maximum amine content proposed for pet food. Median contents of the total aerobic bacteria counts (TACs), Pseudomonas, and Enterobacteriaceae were 7.4 [6.4; 8.0]; 6.5 [5.5; 7.7]; and 4.8 [3.9; 5.6] log CFU/g, respectively, with significantly lower counts in red offal RMBD (p < 0.05). TVB-N exceeded 150 mg/kg in 87.9% of samples. The TACs and Enterobacteriaceae numbers in red offal RMBD were comparable to those in food-grade red offal after 6 days of aerobic storage at 7 °C, i.e., temperatures higher than required for food-grade offal, but acceptable for animal by-products intended for RMBD production. In 80.8% of samples, numbers of Enterobacteriaceae exceeded the EU legal limit. From 12 of these samples, Salmonellae was able to be isolated, with counts from 0.03 MPN/g to 110 MPN/g. Salmonella enterica ser. Montevideo (n = 3), and S. enterica ser. Give and S. enterica ssp. Diarizonae (n = 2 each) were the most frequently isolated, while Listeria monocytogenes was rarely recovered (2%). Whilst exposure of humans handling such pet food can be reduced by hygiene precautions, the risk remains that dogs can acquire a feed-borne salmonellosis and shed the pathogen. Full article

Plasma is a co-product from pork and beef obtained during the processing of animals for human consumption. The spray-drying process maintains the solubility of spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) and its nutritional and functional properties, making this ingredient multifunctional in human and animal nutrition. In pet food, SDAP has been used in the production of wet foods (pates and chunks in gravy) as an emulsifying and binding agent, with the potential to replace hydrocolloids partially or totally, which have some negative implications for digestibility, fecal quality, and intestinal inflammation. From a nutritional point of view, SDAP has high digestibility and an amino acid profile compatible with high-quality ingredients, such as powdered eggs. Studies in companion animals, especially in cats, have shown that SDAP is an ingredient with high palatability. Despite the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, and neuroprotective properties demonstrated in some animal models, there are still few publications demonstrating these effects in dogs and cats, which limits its use as a functional ingredient for these species. In this review, the potential use of SDAP in pet food, aspects related to the sustainability of this ingredient, and opportunities for studies in companion animals are discussed. Full article

Microplastic pollution is a common problem in the coastal and marine environment, especially in the transferential process through trophic levels. This study analyzed the characteristics of microplastics in the seawater, sediments, and green mussels (Perna viridis) around Sri Racha Bay, Thailand, during the dry and wet season in 2020. This area is a semi-enclosed bay highly affected by extensive green mussel farms and anthropogenic activities. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics was undertaken using a stereomicroscope and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (ATR-μ-FT-IR). During the wet season (July), the average abundance of microplastics was found to be relatively higher in water (2.06 ± 1.78 particles/m³) and sediment (69.35 ± 22.29 items/Kg D.W.) than those found in the dry season (April) (0.85 ± 0.25 items/m³ in water and 48.30 ± 28.17 items/Kg D.W.). Overall, the most abundant microplastic polymers were PE, PP, and poly in water, but PE, nylon, and PP in sediments. In green mussels, microplastic counts were 0.15 ± 0.41 and 0.22 ± 0.57 items/individual in the dry and wet season, respectively, and PET, PP, and nylon were the three most abundant. Some inter-specific differences were found, but no evidence for a sampling sites or seasons was highlighted, although the tendency was higher during the wet season. The excessive riverine freshwater discharge transported terrestrial plastic debris into the estuarine system; hence, higher microplastic contamination in surface seawater and sediment was evidenced. The presence of colorants in organisms revealed an anthropogenic origin through the use of a wide array of applications. This study provides thoughtful insights for coastal area management and food-safety planning. Full article

The objective of this review was to carry out a comprehensive investigation of the benefits of incorporating insects as a pet food ingredient and the implications this can have in determining a market demand for insect-based pet foods. Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens), mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) and adult house crickets (Acheta domesticus) are currently used in pet food. These insects are widely fed to exotic pets, mainly in whole, live or dehydrated formats. They are also incorporated as meal or fat and are offered to cats and dogs as dry or wet food and treats. Scientific studies about the use of insects for dog and cat feed are scarce. Most studies are in dogs. Research shows that insect nutrients, mainly amino acids, have high digestibility, are beneficial to health, do not have any detrimental effect on the gut microbiota and are accepted by dogs. In several countries, insects are approved for use in pet food and commercialization has spread throughout the world. Pet owners are willing to try foods made with insect meal for their pets. In conclusion, the use of insects in pet food is a reality that is taking on more and more prominence. Full article