Betaine: natural ingredient for next generation of petfoods

Betaine has become more common in pet diets in the last decade as natural and unique ingredients have become the driving force behind new petfoods. Betaine is a nearly pure chemical nutrient that hails from natural origins, and it certainly isn’t mainstream.

Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.

May 8, 2012

While nutritionists will group betaine with the water soluble â€œB vitamins,â€ it is, classically speaking, an amino acid (molecular weight 117.15).

While nutritionists will group betaine with the water soluble â€œB vitamins,â€ it is, classically speaking, an amino acid (molecular weight 117.15).

Betaine has become more common in pet diets in the last decade as natural and unique ingredients have become the driving force behind new petfoods. Betaine is a nearly pure chemical nutrient that hails from natural origins, and it certainly isn’t mainstream. While there is no identified nutritional requirement for betaine per se, and it doesn’t even merit mention in the Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006), it does have a purpose. Used judiciously, betaine can replace a portion or all of the supplemental choline chloride in the diet.

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Ingredient Issues

The importance of a balanced diet — without mineral excesses

The possible undesired results of unbalanced minerals in pet food formulations bear further examination.

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Brand Insights

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Pet Food Insights

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Options for iodine fortification in dog and cat diets

Iodine is required by the dog and cat and is found at low levels in the basal ingredients thus necessitating supplementation in the diet.

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Phytate, phosphorus, phytase for dogs, cats on plant-based pet foods

Phytate phosphorus may be a limiting factor in new plant-based pet foods. In addition to supplementation, use of a phytase enzyme may be needed to unlock the phosphorus and make it more bioavailable.

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Calcium in pet foods: How to manage excess in modern formulas

The nature of higher-protein diets with a large quantity of rendered protein meals can be difficult to manage at the upper limits of calcium concentration and require several ingredient and formulation strategies to effectively control.

Higher protein levels in pet food formulations are creating challenges when it comes to managing calcium levels. | thodonal88 | Shutterstock.com

Phosphorus in pet diets: How do we manage it?

Source inconsistencies, differences in bioavailability and complex physiological controls make balancing dietary phosphorus a challenging process.

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Bone broth: Add flavor, water, electrolytes to pet diets

Bone broth is an ancient food with deep cultural roots that pet owners have begun to embrace as a new approach to connect with their pets.

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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?

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Ingredients and substances to avoid

Clean label pet food: How does mercury get into dog and cat foods?

Concern for mercury in pet food affects only certain cat and dog food products.

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Clean label pet food: Are reports of heavy metals reliable?

Non-nutritional mineral levels in pet foods are not likely an issue.

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Copper-associated liver disease in dogs: pet food issue?

While most evidence currently points to genetics, it’s possible that copper as a dietary ingredient plays some role.

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