Pet Food Processing - March 2023 - 45

SUPPLEMENTAL
CHOLINE FOR CATS
high fiber to help dogs and cats feel more full, " Streeter said.
" In addition, this high fiber inclusion can help to reduce
calorie density of the diet, which means dogs and cats can
eat more food while still having a reduced calorie intake.
Having a diet which is low in fat also helps with this, as lowfat
foods are known to help improve weight loss overall. "
Lantz noted psyllium husk, which is rich in soluble fiber,
can help keep pets feeling full. Ingredients that are rich in
insoluble fiber, such as peas and pea fiber, can be included
in a diet to deliver extra bulk and allow increased total intake
without adding on the calories, she said.
" For dogs, low-fat and high-fiber diets can lead not only
to weight loss but also to a decrease in body fat percentage
and an increase in lean body mass, " Brinkmann said.
" For cats, diets featuring high-quality protein and Omega
3 fatty acids are important for safe weight loss. These formulas
also contain the supplement L-Carnitine, a nutrient
that helps the body convert fat to energy and supports a
lean body condition, and insoluble fiber, which helps pets
feel full. "
According to Streeter, supplemental L-carnitine can supCholine
could play an important role in reducing obesity in spayed
and neutered cats, according to a 2022 study by researchers at
the University of Guelph.
According to the research, about 79% of cats are spayed or
neutered. While the operation can be beneficial for health, it is
one of the highest factors of obesity in cats. The absence of sex
hormones in a neutered or spayed cat makes them less active,
impacts their appetites and alters their metabolisms.
" The goal of this research is really to do a call on the pet food
industry to change the diets that are currently available and
include higher levels of choline - not just the minimum needed
to prevent deficiencies, but an additional volume that would
support optimal growth and benefit fat metabolism, " said Adrione
Verbrugghe, Ph.D., DVM, professor at the University of Guelph's
Ontario Veterinary College and veterinary diets endowed chair in
canine and feline clinical nutrition for Royal Canin.
The study was completed on a small sample of male domestic
kittens neutered at six months old. The kittens were then divided
into two groups - one received a choline supplement provided
by Balchem Corporation, in addition to their food, and the other
group did not. Researchers found that the group of kittens that
consumed additional choline voluntarily ate less and gained less
weight compared to the kittens who consumed industry-standard
amounts of choline and gained more weight.
Avoid downtime from
clogged nozzles with spinning
disk coating technology.
www.apecusa.com 616.374.1000
www.petfoodprocessing.net | March 2023 | PET FOOD PROCESSING 45
http://www.apecusa.com http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
Pet Food Processing - March 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pet Food Processing - March 2023
