Does adding enzymes to petfoods help digestion?

Adding enzymes to the diet to aid digestion has been a source of intrigue for the petfood industry for a number of years. Enzymes (for example, digests and hydrolyzed proteins) are common in petfood production but are seldom found as ingredients in the diet.

Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.

February 27, 2008

Adding enzymes to the diet to aid digestion has been a source of intrigue for the petfood industry for a number of years. Enzymes (for example, digests and hydrolyzed proteins) are common in petfood production but are seldom found as ingredients in the diet. They have been used successfully in livestock feed applications and hold a great deal of promise to resolve numerous issues for companion animals.

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Wow Cat New Cat Food Flavors

Wow of Austria, now part of Vafo, expands premium cat food line

Poll: How are pet food pros adapting to rising cat ownership?

Synthetic preservatives in my pet’s food — no thanks!

Pet owners and pet food companies may not realize what is missing when it comes to removing synthetic preservatives in pet food.

Synthetic preservatives are causing some strife alongside the “clean label” trend, but there are challenges with using natural alternatives. (travelbook | AdobeStock.com)

Brand Insights

Simplify Pet Food Labeling: Strategies for Navigating Global Regulations

Esko

Learn how regulatory complexity is impacting the pet food industry and how brands will meet the challenge using the right digital tools

Simplify Pet Food Labeling: Strategies for Navigating Global Regulations

Organic acid cultures provide opportunity for natural mold inhibition

Recent adaptation of old technology with organic acids in various “cultures” may provide a path forward to avoid mold production and thus produce longer term shelf-stable foods.

Lecithin: Emulsifier and more

Lecithin is an ingredient that we see periodically on petfood labels, most commonly on canned foods. It is included for a "functional food" purpose but has some nutritional benefits, as well.

Lactic acid: magic bullet for petfood safety?

With the advent of the Food Safety Modernization Act, manufacturers of extruded and baked petfood and pet treats feel like they have their necks under a knife’s edge. To some, that may seem overly dramatic, especially given the blade at their neck is held by the smallest of creatures: Salmonella.

Sodium bisulfate: multipurpose petfood ingredient

In the world of petfood manufacturing, some ingredients are used that are not nutritional, by intent. Rather, their purpose is to enhance the nutritional value, flavor or stability of the food. Sodium bisulfate is just such a functional food additive that one might find in petfoods, especially cat diets.

Rosemary extract acts as natural antioxidant

Rosemary extract is a common ingredient found on dry petfood labels, typically at or near the bottom of the ingredient listing. While rosemary extract is generally viewed with favor by pet owners, it doesn’t provide nutritional fortification, it doesn’t provide medicinal support for any specific ailment, nor does it enhance the taste appeal of the food (for pets).

Rosemary extract, a common ingredient in dry petfoods, is the oily resin derived from the leaves of the rosemary plant.

Citric acid suffers from misperceptions and misplaced blame

In petfood, citric acid is a common additive used mostly in the fat preservative (antioxidant) system. Food and nutrition experts consider this ingredient a natural functional compound, which, at its worst, is benign to pet health and wellness. However, increasingly pervasive internet claims have led some pet owners to doubt its safety and utility.

Citric acid occurs naturally in nearly all plant and animal tissues. In our food supply, it is most abundant in citrus fruits like lemons and limes.

Mold inhibitor of choice

Preventing the appearance of mold in foods is a constant battle, and petfoods are no exception. Everyone has experienced the gray-green mold on bread or splotches on cheese; with petfoods, many have had an encounter with "fuzzy" biscuits or green kibbles.

Natural antioxidants

Using mixed tocopherols is not for the faint of heart

Ethoxyquin

Paper or plastic? Republican or Democrat? Chevy or Ford? Evolution or Intelligent Design? These and many others are "defining choices" we face in everyday life. For many petfood companies, synthetic or natural has been a defining choice that has dictated which side of the fence (market) that they will participate

Figure 1. Ethoxyquin (1,2-dihydro-6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethlyquinolin).

BHA: no real risk can be identified

The "ingredient of the month" is the well-known, and often maligned, mono-phenolic compound, butylated hydroxyanisole- otherwise known as BHA

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