DRY FOOD
Benefits
Benefits of kibble include:
- Convenience
- Shelf Life
- Dental Care
Although kibble diets were crafted with convenience in mind, today's dog food has come leaps and bounds in terms of quality. Canine formulas have advanced along with our knowledge of canine anatomy.
A kibble diet is no longer intended to just feed dogs but to nourish them and help them lead long, healthy lives. Awareness of canine nutrition and the demand for higher quality diets have produced convenient, complete kibbles that can provide a full spectrum of nutrients.
Abrasion from chewing kibble has the added benefit of removing some of the bacteria from the gumline, preventing plaque and tartar build up.
There are a few different ways kibble is manufactured.
Extruded:
This standard type of kibble manufacturing is done by grinding and mixing the ingredients into a dough and then pushing it through a machine to form a cylinder that is then cut into pellets before cooking.
The extrusion process, requiring high heat cooking methods, damage the nutrients in the food, so additional vitamins and minerals must be added after extrusion to maintain complete nutrition.
Many higher quality kibble manufacturers have started using the lower temperatures, below 100C, to cook their kibbles. This preserves more nutrition than a kibble cooked at a higher heat, but any cooked product will lose some nutritional value during the heating process.
Baked:
Baked kibbles are cooked at a lower temperature, leaving a more nutrient dense and flavorful kibble compared to extruded foods.
Baked kibbles can be a little more expensive and not as widely available, but are an excellent option for kibble feeders looking for a more nutritious diet for their pets.
Additional benefits of baked kibble are improved digestion and softer texture. Both of these are a result of the manufacturing process, which produces a less compressed and more porous pellet, allowing it breaks apart easier in your pet’s mouth and stomach.
Coated:
Some brands have started using a freeze-dried meat coating on their kibbles.
This can be done to either baked or extruded formats, and it is typically added after the cooking process to provide the additional nutrients gained from the freeze-dried meat coating.
Coated kibbles are a great way to increase nutrition and add flavor, especially for picky eaters, and is usually in addition to a vitamin and mineral premixes that are added to most kibble to fortify them.
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(Wet Food)