Minerals are crucial to pet food product differentiation

Pet food companies are seeking the best alternatives to introduce differentiated products that provide more value, including the right amount of minerals.

Overall feed performance can be improved by the use of high-quality trace mineral sources such as organic chelates or hydroxy trace elements. | Damedeeso, Dreamstime.com
Overall feed performance can be improved by the use of high-quality trace mineral sources such as organic chelates or hydroxy trace elements. | Damedeeso, Dreamstime.com

With the increasing number of pet food varieties in the market, consumers have more information to evaluate before choosing the best food product for their pets.

For example, they may consider the mineral content of pet foods. Minerals play a key role in a pet’s nutrition, as they should be available in the right amounts to provide a healthy and balanced diet. Because there are several types of minerals serving different purposes, consumers might get confused about the specific features of each of them.

Essentials nutrients for pet health

Minerals are essential nutrients for reproduction, growth and longevity of the pet. All minerals are unique, as their effects are not replaceable with another mineral. Thus, pet food manufacturers are increasingly seeking the best alternatives to introduce differentiated products that provide more added value, including a well-adjusted provision of minerals.

This is the opinion of Arlette Soria, multispecies nutritionist for South American with Trouw Nutrition, who shared her insights and technical knowledge on how minerals are becoming increasingly relevant to the industry. Insufficient amounts of a mineral might cause functional and metabolic deficiencies, which are likely reversible if it is supplemented adequately, she said.

Yet the tendency to use minerals might be facing opposition. First, consumers are increasingly requiring more information on the products they are purchasing. On the other hand, veterinarians are pushing to include only the right mineral mix on pet food products, as most metabolic-related ailments are directly associated with the metabolism of minerals.

Different types of minerals available

Soria said pet food products may improve according to the mix and type of minerals used. Organic minerals, for instance, have the best bioavailability and absorption features; next in importance are hydroxy-minerals and, lastly, inorganic minerals, which possess the lowest bioavailability.

Scientific studies have demonstrated that minerals impact palatability, as there is a close link between this feature and the diversity of mineral formulas that are available.

According to Soria, Trouw Nutrition contributes to the pet food industry as a leading expert in the provision of additives and specialized ingredients. As the company continually performs scientific research, it can provide tailor-made solutions to its clients and end products that are well differentiated.

Page 1 of 108
Next Page