New Zealand green-lipped mussels may be a functional, joint-health pet food ingredient and novel protein for dog and cat food, if the mussels are processed by freeze drying, said Calvin Smith of Pet Nutrition New Zealand at Petfood Forum 2016. He sees the future of freeze dried pet food as nutrient-packed, superfood nuggets, like those mussels.
“Freeze dried is fantastic, if you can get it right,” said Smith.
Smith believes that freeze dried green mussels could work as joint-health pet food ingredients in pet food toppers or infused into kibble.
Green-lipped mussels for pet joint health
Green-lipped mussels have been used to treat arthritis pain in humans, ever since they were discovered by the Maori of New Zealand, Greg Aldrich, PhD, associate professor at Kansas State University, wrote in Petfood Industry.
In dogs, only a few scientific studies have looked at the effects of green-lipped mussels on the animals’ joints, noted Aldrich. Early studies had mixed results, but eventually scientists found that freeze-dried mussels may reduce osteoarthritis symptoms in cats and dogs.
Learn more about green-lipped mussels and other pet food ingredients in the Petfood Industry Knowledge Center.
Petfood Forum 2017
Learn even more about dog and cat food ingredients, processing, packaging, marketing and other aspects of the pet food industry at the 25th anniversary edition of Petfood Forum at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, USA on April 3-5, 2017.
Register for Petfood Forum 2017, an exclusive event serving pet treat and pet food manufacturers. Early Bird registration is available now through February 1, 2017 and provides attendees with the opportunity to save up to $300. Click here to learn more about Petfood Forum 2017.
