PET Food Processing - December 2022 - 38

FORMULATION
THE CASE
for
carbohydrates
Misconceptions about the nutritional needs of pets can
lead to villainization of carbohydrates in pet foods.
By Jennifer Barnett Fox | petfoodprocessing@sosland.com
Carbohydrates
are a necessary
component of pet
food. Cereal grains
are often used
because of their low
cost, high nutritive
value and wide
availability.
©anaumenko - stock.adobe.com
T
The pet food and treat industry continues to expand
through the influences of urbanization, humanization
and premiumization. Packaged Facts recently shared
52% of US households own pets. This translates into 68
million homes that consider pets as part of the family.
The ongoing humanization of pets finds human elements
intersecting with trends within the pet food and
treat industry. Near the top of that list is the concept that
what's good for humans nutritionally will also be good
for pets, leading to consumers to question the use of carbohydrates
in pet food and treats.
Arguments against carbohydrates include weight gain
and lack of digestibility in dogs and cats. Both are misconceptions
the industry continues to combat. Anti-carb
arguments referencing ancestral diets have also been refuted
through research showing dogs possess genes for
digesting starches, which is different from wolves.
" Consumers may consider carbohydrate ingredients
as cheap fillers with little nutritional value, " said Dan Su,
DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), BSM Partners, Columbia,
Md. " They see carbohydrates as a common source of allergies
and a cause of diseases such as diabetes and cancer;
therefore, carbs shouldn't be part of a dog or cat's
food because it's not their 'ancestral' diet. "
Busting myths
These myths can undermine consumers seeing the potential
benefits of carbohydrate inclusion. Cereal grains
38 PET FOOD PROCESSING | December 2022 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
are often the preferred carbohydrates in pet food and
treats because of their low cost and high nutritive value,
but the source of carbohydrates used depends on
the target consumer of the food and treats, according
to Melissa Brookshire, DVM, North River Enterprises,
Evergreen, Colo.
" Some brands avoid ingredients such as corn while
others embrace it, " Brookshire continued. " Rice is a highly
digestible carbohydrate and may be used in a food or treat
that is claiming 'easily digestible' or something similar.
Legumes and other vegetables are also used in grain-free
formulations. "
The important macronutrient that provides calories
and energy to a pet formulation can also serve different
roles in forms of pet food such as raw, freeze-dried and
fresh-cooked diets. Fruits and vegetables may be used
to meet the nutritional needs of animals as well as consumer
demand. In order to make the beneficial elements
accessible, it is important to cook the fruits, vegetables,
corn, soy, legumes and oats with starches to make them
digestible. The cooking process allows the carbohydrates
to be easily digested within the body.
Crossover concerns
While consumer trends certainly influence the industry,
the approval process around new ingredients, such
as some ancient grains, is necessary. Perhaps in part for
its novelty, consumers continue to be drawn to ancient
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