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Alternatives to improve digestibility of pet food
The pet industry in Brazil is booming, with pet food contributing over 73% to its total revenue. In 2020 alone, the sector experienced a remarkable 13.5% growth, closing the year with earnings surpassing 40 billion Brazilian Reais. This surge can largely be attributed to the increasing humanization of pets, as they’ve become cherished members of families. With approximately 52 million dogs and 22 million cats, Brazil ranks second in global pet population, trailing only the United States.
Given these figures, it's no surprise that pet owners are placing greater emphasis on their furry companions' health and well-being. Nutrition, in particular, plays a crucial role in responsible pet care, as emphasized by organizations like the World Animal Protection.
When it comes to formulating pet food, understanding the unique dietary needs of cats and dogs is paramount. Both species possess carnivorous anatomies—sharp canines, acidic stomachs, lack of salivary amylase, and shorter intestines compared to omnivores and herbivores. Dogs, having evolved alongside humans, adapted to a more omnivorous diet, while cats remain obligate carnivores. Their reliance on small prey has shaped their metabolism to thrive on protein and fats, necessitating a higher protein intake compared to dogs. These differences must guide pet food formulation to ensure balanced nutrition.
Digestibility is another critical consideration when evaluating food quality. It measures how effectively an ingredient can be broken down, absorbed, and utilized by the body. Low-digestibility foods often lead to increased food consumption, as pets attempt to meet their nutrient requirements, while also producing larger amounts of undigested waste, particularly problematic for indoor pets. Unfortunately, pet owners might overlook this issue if their pets maintain consistent appetite levels. Only when health issues or abnormal eating behaviors arise does the problem become apparent, especially noticeable in pets with regulated feeding schedules.
Proper feeding management hinges on several digestibility-related factors. For carnivorous pets, providing highly digestible meat, offal, and derivatives is essential. Plant-based ingredients like grains, vegetables, and fruits typically require industrial processing to enhance digestibility. Technological advancements, such as extrusion, can break down fibers, deactivate anti-nutritional compounds, and adjust particle size, thereby boosting nutritional value and digestibility coefficients.
Age and health status further influence digestibility. Nutritional needs vary across life stages, with pregnant and lactating females requiring elevated nutrient levels for milk production. Similarly, animals with gastrointestinal issues benefit from easily digestible ingredients, as they require less digestive effort. Diet composition also plays a significant role; excessive fiber, calcium, or antinutrients like tannins can hinder nutrient absorption.
In response to evolving consumer demands, innovative ingredients are emerging to improve pet food digestibility. Companies like BRF Ingredients are at the forefront of developing high-quality, digestible alternatives. Among these innovations are:
**Poultry Meal - Low Ash**: A premium product crafted from fresh poultry offal, giblets, cartilage, and meat shreds. It boasts reduced ash content and enhanced crude protein levels, vital for carnivorous diets. With a minimum digestibility rate of 85% in 0.002% pepsin, this meal is manufactured using standardized raw materials, ensuring consistency and reliability.
**Pork Crackling Meal**: Another standout option from BRF Ingredients, this premium meal combines unprocessed pork skin, mask, and crackling. It features a high crude protein content (minimum 80%), low mineral matter, and excellent palatability. Its digestibility rate reaches up to 90% in 0.002% pepsin, making it a preferred choice for pet food formulations.
Research indicates that substituting poultry viscera meal with pork rind meal in adult dog diets improves nutrient digestibility and metabolizable energy, proving beneficial for this species.
**Chicken Protein Hydrolysate**: This enzyme-hydrolyzed protein offers unparalleled digestibility (minimum 95% in 0.002% pepsin) and contains a high crude protein content (minimum 75%). Its essential amino acid profile is well-balanced, supporting optimal health. Through enzymatic hydrolysis, chicken protein is broken down into bioactive peptides—short chains of uniformly sized amino acids with a molecular mass below 3,000 Daltons. These peptides are readily absorbed and utilized by the body, enhancing immune function, providing antioxidant protection, and combating inflammation, obesity, and oxidative stress.
Clinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of hydrolyzed protein in managing food hypersensitivity, affecting around 10% of pets with skin conditions. By reducing allergenic particles, it mitigates symptoms like itching. Additionally, it aids pets with gastrointestinal disorders, including gastritis, malabsorption syndrome, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, as its easily digestible nature minimizes the need for digestive enzymes.
In conclusion, the burgeoning pet food market demands innovation and high-quality ingredients. Brands investing in advanced technologies, rigorous quality control, and sustainable sourcing build lasting customer trust. Chicken Protein Hydrolysate stands out as a groundbreaking ingredient, offering superior digestibility and essential amino acids crucial for pet health. Combined with other digestibility-enhancing options like poultry viscera meal and pork rind meal, these innovations represent the future of responsible pet nutrition.