Pet foods have been a
preferred option for many pet lovers. The focus is usually on the balancing of
nutrients available in these foods. However, there are many factors and aspects
revolving around these feeds. For instance, what are the additives, the nature
of ingredients used and the manufacturing process? In terms of nutritional
composition, the percentages of individual components are important in
prevention of diet related disorders.
What Makes Pet Foods
Due to marketing
strategies, advertisers encrypt attractive embroidery of the supposed
components of the feed. However, the actual components of pet feeds are human
leftovers or food that is unsafe for human consumptions. In order to increase
pet’s palatability, certain odors and aromas are added to the food. Other feeds
contain supplements, mainly micronutrients that help boost the health and
proper growth of the pets.
Rendering is one of the
major processes that lead to production of food. This process involves
utilization by products from human food through cooking processes, to make them
edible by animals. The ingredients in this case range from livestock carcasses
to human food leftovers. Although this process serves many purposes,
sterilization through elimination of pathogens is important for safety of
consumption. The main ingredient utilized by the manufacturer is the dry
protein, while the rest of the products end up in disposal.
The dried protein
undergoes grinding, to increase the surface area for addition of other diet
components. Energy giving foods and micro nutrients are included into the meat
meal in different percentages, depending with the intended use and targets. In
order to add that natural flavor, the pet foods may contain digest matter. Digest
is a product of chemical synthesis of edible meat and other products, which
have that natural umami taste and flavor.
The Process and Yields
With rendering involving
high temperatures, there is a tendency of destruction of nutrients in the vats.
Just like humans, animals have digestibility rates of certain products, based
on the availability of the subject nutrient. For instance, the whole process of
making pet food may either increase or reduce the availability of digestible
proteins to the body. This means that the expertise of the manufacturer
determines the success of the pet food.
However, not all
processes will yield the same composition of nutrients. Generally, these foods
come as either natural or synthetic, based on the ingredients used. Natural
feeds are recognized by Association of American feed Control Officials since
they utilize ingredients from the natural environment. On the other hand,
synthetic foods contain of in-vitro made supplements, which occur in higher
percentages and presentations than that of natural foods.
Functional Pet Foods
Just like there are
functional foods for humans, pets also have functional feeds. The main aim of
these advanced foods is reviving the health or nutritional attributes of the
pet. However, the label composition and the ingredients used are important,
with regard to possible side effects. Manufacturers are adding important
nutrients to form supplements for pets. In as far as, you feel your pet
requires these boosters, it is important to understand the carrier properties
and reactions.
For instance,
antioxidants and omega-3 supplements are available in the market. Some of the
manufacturers claim their meat meals contain these properties. However, the
percentage composition may have little impact on the expected results due tom
presence of antagonistic nutritional properties in the foods. Some foods that
have intestinal benefits simply increase the fiber content reducing the
likelihood of constipation and colon blockages.
Additives and their
Impacts
Since pet foods come
from byproducts, sometimes the rendering process leads to loss of their
characteristics. It is obvious that highly processed foods have a shorter shelf
life especially with the destruction of enzymes through heating. Among the
additives you find in these foods are preservatives in form of antioxidants, to
reduce the deterioration levels of the food. Vitamin E and C are the most
important inclusions due to their nutritive addition as well as preserving
attributes.
Other additives include
minerals such as Calcium, Iron and Phosphorous and essential vitamins to boost
the strength and immunity of the pets. The rest of the additives add no Nutritional
value but can increase the organoleptic properties. They include colorants,
flavors, stabilizers and emulsifiers, all that focus on the palatability and
suitability of the foods to the pets.
Final Scope
The labeling of pet
foods as super or premium may not necessarily reflect on the nutritional
benefits. It is important to check the percentage composition of natural
ingredients in the food, to enjoy maximum benefits.
