Vitamin D -- for pets, sunlight isn't enough

We read a great deal about vitamin D in the popular press these days. Beyond the age-old deficiency diseases, it is now reported that supplemental vitamin D in people has an influence on a wide range of conditions including cognitive function, osteoporosis, fatigue, diabetes, cancer and more.

Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.

June 14, 2010

We read a great deal about vitamin D in the popular press these days. Beyond the age-old deficiency diseases, it is now reported that supplemental vitamin D in people has an influence on a wide range of conditions including cognitive function, osteoporosis, fatigue, diabetes, cancer and more.

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According to some industry players, pet food label modernization (PFLM)-related changes are estimated to cost the pet food industry more than $1 billion in updates to comply with the new requirements.

PFLM: Are you ready?

Dog And Cat Eating

Yeast: A possible approach to preventing pet disease

Finding the ideal carrier for premixes

Learn about the possible options for premix carriers in pet food formulations.

Rice hulls are the coatings of seeds, or grains, of rice.

Brand Insights

Pet Food Quality: A More Holistic Approach to Food Safety

KEMIN NUTRISURANCE

Learn why addressing microbial risks throughout the value chain is critical to a robust food safety program. Brand Insights from Kemin.

Pet Food Quality: A More Holistic Approach to Food Safety

β-carotene as a source of vitamin A differs between dogs, cats

β-carotene is a unique carotenoid that can be converted to vitamin A by dogs, but less so by cats. Fortifying the diet can provide insurance against vitamin A deficiencies and support other functions like antioxidant and immune system health.

Close up heap of bunch baby carrots in the market. Orange vegetable.

Thiamine degradation in canned cat foods – Have we solved the problem?

A quick overview of the issues associated with thiamine losses in canned cat foods and various steps that have been attempted to resolve this issue are provided.

Vitamin B1 capsule. Pill with thiamine. Dietary supplements. 3d illustration

Meeting vitamin D requirements

Learn about the considerations necessary when formulating with vitamin D.

Blueberries: Does this superfood have a place in pet food?

We explore blueberries for more than just their novelty presence in food for dogs and cats.

Blueberries are known as a superfood in the human food space, but does that use translate to the pet food arena? | (Brian A Jackson | Shutterstock.com)

Inositol: Why do some pet food companies include this ingredient?

The vitamin-like compound inositol may facilitate other B-vitamin action, though its inclusion in pet food formulas has never been fully defined.

Inositol is included in many vitamin mixes in pet food formulations, but its exact purpose remains nebulous. (Anna Gawlik | Shutterstock.com)

Processing Functional Ingredients

Remove the chemicals from my pet’s food

Is it possible to remove food “chemicals” from nutritionally complete pet foods and maintain a balanced formulation?

In the world of pet food, “simple” to the consumer eye doesn’t always mean “easy” from a formulation perspective. (totojang1977 | shutterstock.com)

Cranberries in dog and cat food: any direct benefit?

Cranberries are being included in many pet foods without issue, but there is very little evidence that they are providing substantial urinary tract benefit.

Photo by Besjunior, Bigstock.com

Lipoic acid: Significant benefits for aging pets?

Cognitive function has not been considered a criterion for evaluating nutrient requirements, but the benefits derived from lipoic acid regarding memory may merit reconsideration.

Lipolic acid may prove to be beneficial in supporting cognitive function in dogs and cats | digitalista, Bigstock.com

Folic acid: Essential vitamin for dogs and cats

Folic acid is a small but important part of a properly fortified pet diet.

Folic acid is part of a larger group of “Folacin” compounds that have folic acid activity. It is a complex three-part molecule. | Wikipedia

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin): A small add with a big story

Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) is considered to be safe, effective and stable in foods.

d-calcium pantothenate—A vital pet food B vitamin

There are plenty of reasons for pet food formulators to include d-calcium pantothenate as part of a full nutritional profile.

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