What is it and what’s new? – Dogster

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Simply put: kibble consists of small, crunchy pieces made in a high-heat process that dog parents toss into bowls for their dogs to devour. No mess. No stories.

Look around today, however, and you come across kibble in the midst of a tasty revolution. Companies are now touting kibble as:

  • made from sustainable, alternative insect-like proteins, like dried black soldier fly larvae (yum or yuck, depending on your perspective.)
  • gently air-dried to lock in more nutrients in every bite for your canine companion
  • made from all-natural, human-grade ingredients
  • containing certified fresh unmelted protein
  • produced in USDA approved facilities
  • free of any GMO ingredients as well as any corn or wheat
  • having improved digestibility, focusing on microbes, probiotics and prebiotics
  • boost the quality of its ingredients

“As more dog owners treat their dogs as members of the family, it’s likely that the humanization of pet food will continue and grow,” says Betsy Flores, Senior Vice President public policy at the Pet Food Institute, based in Washington, D.C. “We will also likely see more emphasis on sustainable ingredients, including alternative protein sources, such as insect protein.

Since its inception over 60 years ago, PFI has been advocating for safe and nutritious pet food and pushing for scientific advancements in the way pet food is made.

“Pet food manufacturers are constantly conducting research to determine the best dog food formulations to help our companions live long and healthy lives, so innovations in dog food are always happening. “, adds Betsy. “Today there is a humanization of dog food and a variety of food types – from dry and canned dog food to raw and freeze-dried food – that was unheard of 20 years ago.”

Dog food trends

Improving digestibility also becomes an important factor in kibble. Adding healthy digestive microbes to kibble bags is getting more and more attention, says Holly Ganz, PhD, chief science officer and co-founder of AnimalBiome, a California-based biotech company that studies key healthy microbes. in dogs and cats.

“I think the fresh food movement is changing the way companies make kibble,” says Dr. Ganz. “People want better ingredients in their dog’s kibble. There are now healthier options that improve the microbiome in dogs for better digestive health.

She cited two examples: Hill’s Gastrointestinal Biome Dry Dog Food and Purina One Microbiome Balance.

Pet food companies large and small are also becoming more daringly competitive. You may have seen this in TV ads that pit one brand of kibble against another, points out Dr. Tonya Cooksey, Director of Veterinary Relations at AnimalBiome.

“These types of ads can make some people think more about what they’re feeding their pets – and it’s got kibble companies thinking seriously about their ingredients, quality and how their kibble is processed. “, explains Dr. Cooksey.

Tips for giving kibble to your dog

During the meal, whether it’s plain kibble or mixed with canned, homemade or another type of dog food, give some thought to these tips and ideas:

  • Avoid buying kibble in bulk. Veterinary nutritionists recommend sticking to a month’s supply of dry dog ​​food to maintain freshness. Avoid buying in bulk as kibble in an open bag may become rancid or even rancid over time.
  • Shop by nutritional quality, not price. Often, mid-priced and high-priced kibble brands offer more nutritional goodness per cup than low-priced and discounted brands. It’s like comparing the nutritional value of an apple to that of a bag of processed potato chips.
  • Give your dog variety. Develop your dog’s palate by slowly introducing different brands of quality kibble in different flavors. Follow the 3-3-3 rule: for the first few days, the bowl should contain two-thirds of the current kibble with one-third of new kibble. Then switch to two-thirds of the new kibble for the next few days and finally spread the meal into the bowl with the new brand of kibble. This 3-3-3 game plan helps your dog adjust to the new food and avoid digestive issues.
  • Carefully examine the label on the bag. Dog food companies are required to list their ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight. Make sure the first ingredient is a recognized protein, such as chicken, beef, or salmon. Corn or grains should not be the first ingredient listed.
  • Choose resealable bags to lock in freshness. Or store the contents of the dog food bag in an airtight container with a lid. Due to the protein in kibble there is always a filmy residue in plastic storage containers which should be cleaned with mild dish soap and warm water and allowed to air dry before putting on a new bag of food.
  • Beware of marketing hype. Claims that they are “light” or “all natural” have no real nutritional impact. Look for brands that are labeled as “complete and balanced” diets and those that list eating guidelines for dogs to maintain a healthy weight.

Betsy adds, “The most important element on the dog food label is the nutritional adequacy statement. Dogs have varying nutritional needs at different stages of their life, so choosing the right formula for each stage of their life is crucial.

What are croquettes? Here is a brief history

Who invented dog food? Amazingly, the credit goes to an American electrician named James Spratt. He reportedly stumbled upon this dog food idea while trying to sell lightning rods in the mid-1800s in the UK.

As he watched sailors along the banks eat leftover hardtack made from flour, water and salt, Spratt had a real light bulb moment: Could he modify this combination into a practical form of food? for dogs? He quit his job as an electrician to create Spratt’s dog and puppy cakes made from wheat, vegetables, beet root and oxblood for the English upper class.

  • Late 1800s: Spratt’s Patent (America) Ltd. begins producing dog food in the United States.
  • 1922: Ken-L-Ration hits the market. The main ingredient is horse meat. Fortunately, horse meat is no longer in dog food.
  • 1950s: The first commercial dry kibble was created through a process called extrusion. It’s a fancy term that means wet and dry ingredients are mixed together in a machine and then cooked at a high temperature to create dog kibble.
  • 1958 marked the founding of the Pet Food Institute, based in Washington, D.C. PFI members represent the majority of all pet food in the United States. Its mission is to promote innovation in pet food safety and to provide pet owners with science-based information on pet food nutrition and safety. petfoodinstitute.org.
  • The 1980s ushered in the first therapeutic kibble diets for kidney and liver problems produced by Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
  • In the 1990s, new brands of kibble appeared based on a dog’s activity level and to maintain a healthy weight, with obesity becoming a major health concern.
  • A big advancement in kibble today is the emergence of sustainable insect-based kibble. The makers claim that these new kibbles are kinder to the planet because the insects use less land and water than traditional protein sources for kibbles, such as cows and chickens. Air-dried kibble, kibble made with all-natural, human-grade ingredients and certified fresh, unmelted protein are also featured on store shelves and online.

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