Our last edition

Did you miss our March 2023 edition? If so, don’t panic!

You can still read all of the great quality content that we published last month on our App – which you can download from Apple Store, Google Play or online at: https://magstand.com/petfood – with the latter platform granting you the opportunity to see all of our back editions on the screen of your desktop computer.

What you may have missed… by Alice Oven, The pack, London, UK

Vegan Dog Food? All your questions answered!

The article investigates how vegan dog food can include everything needed nutritionally, including protein! It also takes a deep dive into the details of what makes high-quality

Events we should follow

Another key section within our April edition is our Event Report pages. As feed manufacturers we highlight events that relate to the production of pet foods in terms of raw materials and equipment used in processing. That is why we carry a report on the GEAPS Exchange (the Grain Elevator and Processing Society) that was held recently in the USA and the VIV Asia show that attracted over 45,000 visitors to its major event in Bangkok last month. Both these expositions - and others - offer an opportunity for petfood producers to gleam ideas and direction from developments occurring in other sectors that will impact petfood production and drive it forward in terms of efficiency, technology and safety. After all we expect our pets to have access to the same high standards that are being achieved in the production of milled food and feed products.

We also carry the Victam Insights newsletter which is another global exposition organiser for the feed manufacturing industry, including the flour and grain milling sectors and storage, handling and packaging in addition to feed ingredient and feed additives. It’s hosting an exposition in Latin America in early October this year called Victam LatAm 2023 - San Paulo, Brazil from October 3-5, 2023.

Don’t overlook our Market Place which offers a range of products, services and ingredient/additive suppliers who support our industry. By following the link (the QR code) you will find each of these companies has its own page on our IPF website.

This is a great source of information and should be used alongside our 2023 International Milling Directory which also includes these companies and others. Again you will find a link to the directory within these pages.

Finally please don’t overlook the opportunity to sign up to receive our IPF monthly free-of-charge by using the Coupon Code HNY23. This can be used for both our English and Spanish editions.

plant protein, and the many health benefits it offers. The question of allergies is answered, as well as the query as to whether an everyday vegan diet is truly effective with the right variety.

To read more, go to: https://issuu.com/international_aquafeed/docs/ipf2303web

The April issue has a number of interesting articles on petfood and horse feeds. Concentrating on the petfood topics and having been involved in the industry for years it always amazing me the new and different approaches to petfood developments. I am still intrigued by the use of insect meal in petfoods let alone human foods. Cat foods evaluated based on their environmental impact is also interesting as petfoods are judged in so many ways then they used to be. Horse feed discussions review the nutritional needs and methods of feeding. The central theme is the nutritional benefits and advancements of the diets for the animals in an environmental manner.

Joseph P Kearns Editor, International Petfood Magazine

the use of meat in wet petfoods, meat being in the 75 percent moisture range thus special Stainless-Steel equipment, refrigeration and higher weights (elevated moisture levels) for shipping would justify this prediction. Also, with dry kibble production the volumes made per hour and the effective shipping methods in existence for grains etc. the dry kibble production cost has always been lower on a pound produced basis. More than likely cost reasons justify the huge tonnage sales of dry petfoods over wet in the market place.

Insect meal as reviewed has a low cost per ton produced when compared to the other proteins normally used in petfoods. Having never worked with this ingredient assumptions are made that it will preform well as long as the basic needs of the production equipment are met. What? Needs of the production equipment? Yes, machines are built to be used to make products and they have ranges of operation. Yes, flexibility is needed but you can’t make an expanded product if you don’t have enough carbohydrate in the formula. Typically, a minimum of 10 to 15 percent starch for a low expanded product and approx. 20 percent starch or more for a more expanded lighter density product. Fat in the formula was another one, gradual inputs created heavier densities to a point where too much fat and the kibble started to not look good or hold together. Typically 17 to 22 percent if your extruded design could handle it.

Over the years the equipment has been improved to have a wider operational working range. One was the preconditioning and possible extrusion as elevated moisture levels. Seeing a major method of selling insect meal is in slurry form is a benefit. With the modern processing methods using computers flow meters etc. the addition of insect meal into a production stream would appear to be easier than expected. Modern extrusion gear has excellent preconditioning where liquids and dry ingredient meet and mix. Depending on plant design this insect slurry should allow for easy in setting up a sanitary method of inclusion. It seems insect meal could possibly have a level of bacteria thus this ingredient should be handled much like a raw meat which is my initial opinion at least.

Environmental petfoods, seems the industry is interested in the real cost of goods in relation to the cost to the planet. As noted, the real cost of wet petfoods is above homemade and dry kibble when discussing the environmental impact dollars by a large margin. It is mentioned that the cost of factory production, packaging and transportation was not included. I would venture to say these costs would be close to a wash. Most of this centered around

An interesting view is there are extrusion machines that can handle extreme levels of meat. It is approaching 200 percent meat of the dry feed flow rate and it is pumped into the conditioning cylinder. To explain, if you were making 10 tonnes per hour dry feed rate then 20 tonnes of meat or other liquid products such as slurries of vegetables etc. would be pumped in. This kind of system uses thermal energy over electrical energy and appears to be an economical method of production based on less kW per ton versus steam inputs between the two styles of systems.

Having mentioned vegetables, it is not unusual in incorporate these ingredients in petfoods. Can be ground dry ingredients or slurries. The development of freeze-dried bits, which have quick rehydration properties, are now mixed in combinations or sold as petfoods on their own. When bring in the use of twin screw extruders the possibilities of make kibbles that look just like carrots, peas and other vegetables does exist due to their control possibilities.

All of the above discussed products as well as any extruded products are influenced by time, temperature, pressure, moisture, energy input and other parameters. When you think of the base items that can vary in an extrusion process, they are feed rate, water and steam inputs, kW from the main drive, screw speed and the mechanical set up and specifically the die. Change the feed rate and screw speed and you effect the pressure and the temperature developed mechanically. Die changes can do the same but if you increase or decrease the screw speed you change the pressure at the die. Water and steam addition have a big input on the cooking process. Steam adds some water but heating is the main desired point. Change the water and the viscosity of the extrudate changes and ability to develop heat from friction. Controlling these points have about 80 percent of the aspects covered to make a great product. When you get down to it the number of possible changes to be made when extruding is minimal. However, they can have big effects on the final product thus computer control to manage these parameters on a micro basis to a set point with low tolerance allows for production control of the product at the highest possible production capacity.

Is your dog top of the class?

Dogs are well known for their ability to remember and for the complex social interaction with their owners. The canine’s ability to demonstrate lifelong learning and affection obviously requires a well-developed brain and a healthy neural system. One can reasonably ask how nutrition and health influences your dog’s IQ.

The brain of dogs is similar to the brain of humans in many ways. It is responsible for various functions like perception, memory, learning, emotions, and decision-making. However, there are some differences in the structure and function of the dog brain, which is specialized for their unique abilities and behaviours. For instance, dogs have a highly developed sense of smell, which is controlled by the olfactory bulb in their brain. This allows them to detect and distinguish a wide range of scents, making them highly effective at tasks like tracking and detection. Dogs also have a specialized area in their brain for processing social cues, which is essential for their ability to communicate and interact with humans and other dogs. In terms of measuring behaviour and well-being in dogs, there are a variety of techniques that can be used:

Behavioural observation: This involves direct observation of a dog’s behaviour, including things like activity level, posture, and vocalizations.

Cognitive testing: This involves testing a dog’s cognitive abilities, such as memory and problem-solving skills.

Physiological measures: These include measures like heart rate, cortisol levels, and other biological markers that can indicate the dog’s stress levels. Olfactory testing: this involves testing the dog’s sense of smell and ability to distinguish between different scents.

Nutrition and diet play a critical role in the overall health and well-being of dogs and cats, including their cognitive function and brain health. In this response, here are some examples of how nutrition and diet can influence and enhance cognition and brain health in dogs and cats, as well as some specific ingredients that support neural health and brain chemistry.

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are critical for brain functioand health. They are important for the development and maintenance of the nervous system and can help improve cognitive function and reduce cognitive decline in dogs and cats.

Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil, flaxseed, and chia seeds.

2. Antioxidants: Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to cognitive decline in dogs and cats. Some examples of antioxidants that can benefit brain health include vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. These can be found in many fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, spinach, and sweet potatoes.

3. Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs): MCTs are a type of fat that is easily metabolized by the body and can be used as a source of energy for the brain. They have been shown to improve cognitive function in dogs and cats, especially in those with cognitive dysfunction. Sources of MCTs include coconut oil and palm kernel oil.

4. Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is important for the proper functioning of the nervous system and can help improve cognitive function in dogs and cats. Sources of vitamin B12 include meat, eggs, and dairy products.

5. L-Threanine: L-Threonine is an essential amino acid that can help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs and cats. It has also been shown to improve cognitive function and increase alpha waves in the brain, which are associated with relaxation and mental alertness. L-Theanine can be found in green tea and is also available in supplement form.

6. Phosphatidylserine: Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is important for the structure and function of cell membranes in the brain. It has been shown to improve cognitive function in dogs and cats, especially in older animals. Phosphatidylserine can be found in soybeans, egg yolks, and organ meats. In summary, a diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, MCTs, vitamin B12, L-Theanine, and phosphatidylserine can help support neural health and brain chemistry in dogs. Including ingredients such as fish oil, blueberries, coconut oil, meat, green tea, and organ meats can provide these essential nutrients for optimal cognitive function and brain health in our furry companions. In the formulation of canine diets we have huge scope for exploration of feed ingredients rich in the correct nutrients. The leading pet nutrition companies are evaluating many different feed additives that can raise the quality of the diet to sustain healthy brain function in our companion animals.