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Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 40280

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Leonardo Leonardi

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Guest Editor

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo, 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy
Interests: veterinary science; pathological anatomy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The market of dry pet food is constantly expanding, and new formulations are proposed, making it necessary to have a more accurate assessment of the raw materials used in the production processes. Pet food should ensure the right supply of nutrients so that the animal can enjoy a good state of health. In this respect, the different components present in dry pet food play a very important role, since many of these are not naturally produced by the body, and therefore, they must necessarily be taken with the diet.

Prof. Dr. Leonardo Leonardi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

pet food
raw materials
fresh meats and meat meals
toxicological effects
biological amines
protein
aminoacids
lipids

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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7 pages, 644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Assessment of Starch Content and Gelatinization in Traditional and Non-Traditional Dog Food Formulations

by Erin Beth Perry, Alyssa Ann Valach, Jesse Marie Fenton and George E. Moore

Animals 2022, 12(23), 3357; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12233357 - 30 Nov 2022

Viewed by 2113

Abstract

Starch gelatinization in pet food may be affected by moisture, retention time, and ingredients used. Starch gelatinization has been associated with changes in digestibility but is not well studied using non-traditional ingredients in canine diets. The objective of this research was to examine differences in starch content and gelatinization associated with changes in ingredient profile (traditional vs. non-traditional) and nutrient content requirements associated with differing life stages. Traditional diets (n = 10) utilizing protein sources including chicken, chicken by-product meal, meat and bone meal and plant-based ingredients including rice, barley, oats, and corn were examined in comparison with non-traditional diets (n = 10) utilizing protein sources including alligator, buffalo, venison, kangaroo, squid, quail, rabbit, and salmon along with plant-based ingredients including tapioca, chickpeas, lentils, potato, and pumpkin. Total starch and gelatinized starch (as percent of total diet) were measured with variation due to ingredient type assessed using Student’s t-test in SAS 9.4. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Total starch (as a percent of diet) was higher in traditional diets compared to non-traditional diets formulated for maintenance (p < 0.0032) or all life stages (p < 0.0128). However, starch gelatinization as a proportion of total starch was lower in traditional diets formulated for maintenance (p < 0.0165) and all life stages (p < 0.0220). Total starch and gelatinized starch had a strong negative correlation (r = −0.78; p < 0.01) in diets utilizing traditional ingredients. These novel data reveal important differences between starch content and gelatinization and may impact selection of various ingredient types by pet food manufacturers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

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17 pages, 1185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Nutritional Adequacy to Hygiene Quality: A Detailed Assessment of Commercial Raw Pet-Food for Dogs and Cats

by Carla Giuditta Vecchiato, Karin Schwaiger, Giacomo Biagi and Britta Dobenecker

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2395; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12182395 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 9030

Abstract

Raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) are widely used as unconventional diets for dogs and cats at different life stages, despite concerns regarding nutritional adequacy and microbial contamination. The aim of this study was to evaluate both the nutritional and hygiene quality profile of RMBDs purchased in Germany. For this purpose, crude nutrients were assessed in 44 RMBDs and compared to declared values. In addition, selected minerals were determined in 31 RMBDs labelled as complete and compared to the minimum requirement (MR) for intended species and life stages. Aerobic colony count (ACC) and Enterobacteriaceae were used to assess the hygiene quality of 37 commercial RMBDs, while the presence of Salmonella spp. was examined in 10 products. Fat and protein content exceeded tolerated deviation from declared values in 33% and 45% of RMBDs, respectively. Each RMBD showed at least one concern regarding nutrient content. The RMBDs had high fat contents (mean 69, range 33–95 g/Mcal) that were negatively correlated with protein (r = −0.74, p < 0.0001). Considerable contaminations by ACC and Enterobacteriaceae were found (2.61 × 10⁸ ± 3.63 × 10⁸ and 3.61 × 10⁶ ± 8.39 x10⁶ CFU/g, respectively). A higher count of Enterobacteriaceae was detected in a frozen RMBDs made of poultry or carcasses from different animals, compared to the thawed counterpart (p = 0.003), as well as compared to other sources, such as beef, horse, and lamb, regardless of the storage condition. Salmonella spp. were found in 2/10 RMBDs. This study confirmed that feeding commercial RMBDs might pose a risk to pet health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

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13 pages, 1215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Insoluble Dietary Fibre on Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Marker Genes in Caecum, Ileal Morphology, Performance, and Foot Pad Dermatitis in Broiler

by Mariella Liebl, Martin Gierus, Christine Potthast and Karl Schedle

Animals 2022, 12(16), 2069; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12162069 - 14 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1378

Abstract

In a low-fibre diet destined for broilers, the effects of two lignocellulose products and soybean hulls were evaluated regarding their effect on ileal morphometric parameters, caecal gene expression, foot pad dermatitis, and performance. A total of 5040-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were allotted to four treatments and fattened for 36 days applying a three-phase feeding program. The control diet consisted of corn, wheat, and soybean meal. Experimental diets were supplemented with 0.8% lignocellulose product 1, 0.8% lignocellulose product 2, or 1.6% soybean hulls. Tissue samples for caecal expression of inflammation-related genes and ileal morphometries were collected on day 21. Gizzard pH and weights were recorded, and foot pad scores were evaluated at day of slaughter (day 36). In starter (day 1–10) and finisher phase (day 28–36), no effect on the performance was observed. In grower phase (day 11–27), fibre-supplemented diets showed significantly heavier body weights and daily weight gains (p < 0.05). Daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and gene expression analysis were unaffected by dietary fibre supplementation. Positive effects regarding ileal morphometrics (higher villi) and foot pad health occurred in fibre-supplemented diets. In conclusion, fibre supplementation improved performance in grower phase and showed beneficial effects regarding ileal morphology and foot pad dermatitis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

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21 pages, 2517 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Hard Choice about Dry Pet Food: Comparison of Protein and Lipid Nutritional Qualities and Digestibility of Three Different Chicken-Based Formulations

by Nicolò Montegiove, Eleonora Calzoni, Alessio Cesaretti, Roberto Maria Pellegrino, Carla Emiliani, Alessia Pellegrino and Leonardo Leonardi

Animals 2022, 12(12), 1538; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12121538 - 14 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4123

Abstract

Dry pet food, made of fresh meats and especially meat meals, represents one of the main types of complete food available on the market by virtue of its practicality and long shelf life. The kibble production process includes mixed thermal and mechanical treatments that help to improve the palatability and durability of the final product but may have undesirable effects on nutrient bioavailability and digestibility. An analysis of the protein and lipid content of different dry pet food formulations, together with an in vitro digestibility analysis, can reveal which formulation can provide a more nourishing diet for pets. In this study, a quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed on three different formulations of chicken-based dry pet food, consisting of fresh meats, meat meals, or a mix of these two. The soluble protein concentration was determined by the Bradford assay, while the crude protein content was assessed through the Kjeldahl method. Quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (Q-TOF LC/MS) was used to analyze the amino acid (AA) and lipid compositions. Finally, a gastric and small intestinal digestion simulation was used to determine the in vitro digestibility. The results show that dry pet food consisting only of chicken fresh meats has the highest content of soluble protein; it also contains more Essential AAs, Branched-Chain AAs, and Taurine, as well as a greater quantity of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, its in vitro digestibility was the highest, exceeding 90% of its dry weight, in agreement with the soluble protein content. These findings thus make the fresh-meat-based formulation a preferable choice as dry pet food. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

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16 pages, 364 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of a Polyherbal Choline Source in Dogs: Body Weight Changes, Blood Metabolites, and Gene Expression

by Germán David Mendoza-Martínez, Pedro Abel Hernández-García, Fernando Xicoténcatl Plata-Pérez, José Antonio Martínez-García, Augusto Cesar Lizarazo-Chaparro, Ismael Martínez-Cortes, Marcia Campillo-Navarro, Héctor Aarón Lee-Rangel, María Eugenia De la Torre-Hernández and Adrian Gloria-Trujillo

Animals 2022, 12(10), 1313; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12101313 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2481

Abstract

Choline chloride is used to provide choline in dog foods; however, in other domestic species, it has been replaced with a polyherbal containing phosphatidylcholine. A polyherbal containing Achyrantes aspera, Trachyspermum ammi, Citrullus colocynthis, Andrographis paniculata, and Azadirachta indica was evaluated in adult dogs through body weight changes, subcutaneous fat thickness, blood metabolites, and gene expression. Forty dogs (4.6 ± 1.6 years old) who were individually housed in concrete kennels were randomly assigned to the following treatments: unsupplemented diet (377 mg choline/kg), choline chloride (3850 mg/kg equivalent to 2000 mg choline/kg diet), and polyherbal (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) for 60 days. Blood samples were collected on day 59 for biochemistry, biometry, and gene expression analysis through microarray assays. Intake, final body weight, and weight changes were similar for the two choline sources. Feed intake variation among dogs (p = 0.01) and dorsal fat (p = 0.03) showed a quadratic response to herbal choline. Dogs that received the polyherbal diet had reduced blood cholesterol levels (Quadratic, p = 0.02). The gene ontology analysis indicated that 15 biological processes were modified (p ≤ 0.05) with implications for preventing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer prevention, inflammatory and immune response, and behavior and cognitive process. According to these results that were observed in a 60 day trial, the polyherbal form could replace choline chloride in dog diets at a concentration of 400 mg/kg. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

15 pages, 646 KiB

Open AccessArticle

It Keeps the Good Boy Healthy from Nose to Tail: Understanding Pet Food Attribute Preferences of US Consumers

by Meike Rombach and David L. Dean

Animals 2021, 11(11), 3301; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11113301 - 19 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3673

Abstract

The study provides insights for marketing managers in specialized pet supplies retailers, as well as for vets and animal welfare organizations. This study proposes a model that investigates the importance pet owners place on convenience, natural ingredients, and value and health claims as product attributes. For this purpose, an online survey with a sample size of 206 pet-owning US residents was conducted. Partial least squares structural equation modelling shows that pet food purchase involvement positively impacts subjective and objective knowledge about pet food. Subjective knowledge appears to be the strongest factor impacting the importance consumers place on all three attributes. This is followed by objective knowledge. Socio-demographic factors such as gender, age, income, and education appear to have a limited impact as predictors for the importance consumers place on the product attributes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

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13 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Diets of Companion Cats in Aotearoa New Zealand: Identification of Obesity Risk Factors

by Rachel Forrest, Leena Awawdeh, Fiona Esam, Maria Pearson and Natalie Waran

Animals 2021, 11(10), 2881; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11102881 - 02 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3650

Abstract

One in four New Zealand cats are overweight or obese, conditions associated with poor health outcomes. As part of an online survey that was conducted from January 2019 to March 2019, NZ residents aged ≥18 years were asked demographic questions along with questions related to the body condition, breed and diet of their cat/s. From the responses, possible owner-related risk factors for developing obesity were identified. Of the respondents, 65.5% (n = 1537) owned cat/s; the owners being more likely to be female, live rurally, or live with children. Most of the respondents fed their cat/s biscuits from the supermarket (63%) and wet food (57%). Almost half (45%) fed their cat/s specialised food from a pet shop or veterinary clinic and gave them treats, with 31% of respondents feeding their cat/s raw meat. Feeding cats a variety of food types may make it difficult to estimate the appropriate amount of each needed to avoid excess caloric intake. In addition, approximately 30% of the respondents did not agree with the correct body condition statement, revealing a need for owner education. These findings highlight important areas of cat nutrition requiring future research to better inform the development of healthy weight interventions for NZ cats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

18 pages, 2343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Alternative Approach to Evaluate the Quality of Protein-Based Raw Materials for Dry Pet Food

by Nicolò Montegiove, Roberto Maria Pellegrino, Carla Emiliani, Alessia Pellegrino and Leonardo Leonardi

Animals 2021, 11(2), 458; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11020458 - 09 Feb 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5196

Abstract

The majority of dry pet food currently on the market is produced using fresh meats (FMs) and especially meat meals (MMs) as the main protein source. The transport and storage conditions of the raw materials, together with thermal and mechanical treatments in the case of MMs, may result in undesirable alterations of food products and their protein content. This study was conducted to analyze the protein component of three different kinds of raw materials used for dry pet food production, i.e., chicken, pork, and salmon. The quantitative analysis of the protein component was determined using the traditional Kjeldahl method and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and an alternative method, i.e., the Bradford assay, while the qualitative analysis was performed through SDS-PAGE, followed by Coomassie Blue staining. The amino acid (AA) profile was also evaluated by quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (Q-TOF LC/MS). In addition, the digestibility was tested through in vitro gastric and small intestine digestion simulation. Statistical analysis was performed by the Student’s t-test, and data are reported as mean ± SEM, n = 10 (p < 0.05). The results showed that the MMs are lower in quality compared to FMs, both in terms of protein bioavailability and digestibility, having a lower soluble protein (SP) content (chicken MM = 8.6 g SP/100 g dry sample; pork MM = 6.2 g SP/100 g dry sample; salmon MM = 7.9 g SP/100 g dry sample) compared to FMs (chicken FM = 14.6 g SP/100 g dry sample; pork FM = 15.1 g SP/100 g dry sample; salmon FM = 13.7 g SP/100 g dry sample). FMs appear, therefore, to be higher-quality ingredients for pet food production. Moreover, the Bradford assay proved to be a quick and simple method to better estimate protein bioavailability in the raw materials used for dry pet food production, thanks to its correlation with the in vitro digestibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

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19 pages, 3325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fermented Feed Modulates Meat Quality and Promotes the Growth of Longissimus Thoracis of Late-Finishing Pigs

by Yueqin Qiu, Kebiao Li, Xichen Zhao, Shilong Liu, Li Wang, Xuefen Yang and Zongyong Jiang

Animals 2020, 10(9), 1682; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10091682 - 17 Sep 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2744

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of fermented diet on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and growth of longissimus thoracis (LT) of finishing pigs. A total of 48 finishing pigs [Duroc × (Landrace × Large White), male, 126 ± 5-d-old] weighing 98.76 ± 1.27 kg were randomly assigned to two treatments (eight pens per treatment and three pigs per pen) for a 28-d feeding trial, including control diet and fermented diet. Fermented diet significantly increased the loin eye area and lean mass percentage, decreased backfat thickness and improved meat quality of LT by decreasing the shear force and drip loss at 48 h post slaughter and improving meat sensory characteristics compared with control diet. A fermented diet also significantly increased the abundance of insulin, insulin receptor (IR), myoblast determination protein (MyoD) and myosin heavy chain-I (MyHC-I) transcripts, and the phosphorylation levels of AKT, mTORC1, 4EBP1 and S6K1 in LT, while decreasing the expression of muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) and forkhead Box O1 (Foxo1) mRNA transcripts. Moreover, proteomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins predominantly involved in protein synthesis and muscle development were modulated by fermented diet. Our results indicated that a fermented diet improved meat quality and enhanced LT growth of finishing pigs by increasing insulin/AKT/mTORC1 protein synthesis cascade and activating the Foxo1/MAFbx pathway, along with the regulation of ribosomal protein and proteins involved in muscle contraction and muscle hypertrophy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

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Review

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22 pages, 1555 KiB

Open AccessReview

Essential Oils and Melatonin as Functional Ingredients in Dogs

by Domingo Ruiz-Cano, Ginés Sánchez-Carrasco, Amina El-Mihyaoui and Marino B. Arnao

Animals 2022, 12(16), 2089; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12162089 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4582

Abstract

The use of nutraceuticals or functional ingredients is increasingly widespread in human food; their use is also widespread in animal feed. These natural compounds generally come from plant materials and comprise a wide range of substances of a very diverse chemical nature. In animals, these compounds, so-called phytogenics, are used to obtain improvements in feed production/stability and also as functional components with repercussions on animal health. Along with polyphenols, isoprenoid compounds represent a family of substances with wide applications in therapy and pet nutrition. Essential oils (EOs) are a group of complex substances with fat-soluble nature that are widely used. Melatonin is an indolic amine present in all living with amphiphilic nature. In this work, we present a review of the most relevant phytogenics (polyphenol, isoprenoid, and alkaloid compounds), their characteristics, and possible uses as nutraceuticals in dogs, with special emphasis on EOs and their regulatory aspects, applied in foods and topically. Additionally, a presentation of the importance of the use of melatonin in dogs is developed, giving physiological and practical aspects about its use in dog feeding and also in topical application, with examples and future projections. This review points to the combination of EOs and melatonin in food supplements and in the topical application as an innovative product and shows excellent perspectives aimed at addressing dysfunctions in pets, such as the treatment of stress and anxiety, sleep disorders, alopecia, and hair growth problems, among others. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animals and Food: New Food Strategies and Discoveries to Preserve the Health of Our Animal Friends)

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