Turmeric: Ancient spice may offer osteoarthritis relief in dogs, cats

The color additive turmeric is permitted in pet foods and may ameliorate inflammation for dogs and cats, but few studies are available that define specifics about preparation and dosing.

Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.

January 6, 2020

Turmeric is commonly considered a spice and is permitted in pet food for use as a coloring additive. | (tarapong srichaiyos | shutterstock.com)

Turmeric is commonly considered a spice and is permitted in pet food for use as a coloring additive. | (tarapong srichaiyos | shutterstock.com)

Turmeric has been finding its way into pet foods with increasing frequency in the past few years. There are dozens of websites and online news outlets describing many positive attributes of turmeric for pets. It is purported to have a wide variety of health benefits.

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Darling Ingredients announces leadership changes ahead of CFO retirement

Tucker's expands partnership with Pet Food Experts

Processing Functional Ingredients

Functional formulation delivery in pet products

Functional products and ingredients are becoming more complex in the wake of consumer demand.

Choosing the correct way to deliver functionality in pet products is vital for efficacy and accurate labeling.

Ingredient Issues

Supportive or softness — Collagen versus gelatin

Collagen should be just as commonly accepted as gelatin in the pet food ingredient approval arena.

While collagen and gelatin have their differences, they are both commonly used as ingredients and should be treated equally when it comes to approval.

Processing Functional Ingredients

Polyols in pet food: Is there new potential for their use?

Polyols are sugar alcohols commonly found in semi-moist pet foods. Some of these low-calorie carbohydrates might find a new use if they provide some benefit and are safe.

Erythritol Chemical Formula

Processing Functional Ingredients

Locust bean gum (carob bean gum) use in canned pet foods

Locust (carob) bean gum is a GRAS additive with limited controversy that is complementary to carrageenan in canned pet foods.

Carob Bean Illustration

Processing Functional Ingredients

Natural and artificial flavors in dog and cat diets

Natural and artificial flavors are ingredients used to enhance, augment or potentiate the flavor of the foods they occupy.

Artificial-natural-flavorings

Processing Functional Ingredients

Apple cider vinegar: Natural ingredient for pet foods?

Apple cider vinegar may have application for pet health and should be explored more completely to verify its benefits and possible drawbacks in pet food formulations.

Apple cider vinegar is an under-studied potential ingredient in pet food. (denira | Shutterstock.com)

Processing Functional Ingredients

Titanium dioxide: A whitener with broad application

Titanium dioxide, a synthetic whitening agent, is found in many pet foods and treats.

Titanium dioxide is a colorant with a lot of applications and some research that could lead to small changes in standards of use. (Dr_Microbe | iStockPhoto.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)

Processing Functional Ingredients

Agar-agar: gelling agent option for canned dog and cat foods

Agar-agar may be a good replacement for gelling in canned pet foods and other pet applications

(Mark Balyshev | Fotolia)

Processing Functional Ingredients

Caramel: natural brown color for pet food with a hint of controversy

Caramel is a natural coloring agent that helps provide consistency and product appeal in pet foods.

Caramel as a coloring is a sugar that has been heated to “caramelize” and develop various shades of brown. | © Luchschen, Dreamstime

Processing Functional Ingredients

Molasses: Sweetener or functional carbohydrate?

Is there a larger place in pet food for this functional pet food ingredient?

Processing Functional Ingredients

Gelatin: Has its time come for pet food applications?

While not a significant ingredient in today’s pet food and treat formulas, the potential for innovative solutions may warrant giving gelatin another look.

Gelatin may deserve another look as a tool in pet food formulation. | landio | Bigstock

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