Pet Food Processing - January 2025 - 36

INGREDIENTS
particularly if using depositors or extrusion
equipment. Excessive gelling can cause the
mixture to bind up, leading to inefficiencies
or even production delays. It's best to keep total
fiber levels under 10% to avoid these technical
challenges. "
As with any nutrient, there is an optimal
range of intake for dietary fiber. It is also important
to balance insoluble and soluble fibers.
" Too much soluble fiber can lead to loose
stools and flatulence, " Faber said. " The loose
stools over time can lead to dehydration and
other health issues. "
Davenport added, " Too much fiber can result
in inadequate caloric intake for dogs or cats with
high energy needs, while too little fiber may negativeDogs
and cats need
fiber in their diet to
assist with digestive
health and bowel
movements and for
overall health and
wellness.
©Phuttharak-stock.adobe.com
globally. Its fiber ingredients come from chicory root,
fava bean, Jerusalem artichoke, pea, potato and tapioca.
The chicory root and Jerusalem artichoke, as well as
agave, are used to isolate inulin, a natural prebiotic soluble
fiber. The concentrated ingredient is an additive to
human and pet foods.
" This pure white powder can be added to any food format,
treat or supplement at a low inclusion rate of 0.5% to
1.5% of the total diet, " Faber said. " It is easily solubilized
and has minimal impact on the food or treat. "
Numerous research studies in a variety of species, including
dogs and cats, have shown inulin to positively
influence the gut environment. Other benefits include
improved nutrient absorption and possibly decreasing
urinary ammonia in cats.
" Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are short-chain fructans
that also resist digestion and promote the growth of
beneficial gut bacteria for microbial diversity, " King said.
" Soluble tapioca fiber, derived from the cassava root, is a
resistant starch that acts as a prebiotic in the gut. During
fermentation in the large intestine, it can produce (beneficial)
short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate.
" Using a combination of fibers maximizes gut health
benefits while maintaining gastrointestinal tolerance, " he
added. " For a single fiber, usage levels are typically 4%
to 5% of the total solution weight. But by stacking fibers
- such as combining soluble tapioca fiber with inulin
or FOS - you can increase inclusion up to 8% without
triggering gastrointestinal issues as the different fibers
have various rates of breaking down. "
Dietary fiber will have an impact on the production process.
Stacking can help minimize any negative drawbacks.
" While the gelling properties of fiber can be beneficial,
they can also be a challenge depending on the
production process, " King said. " If fiber levels are too
high, it can make the mixture difficult to work with,
36 PET FOOD PROCESSING | Jan-Feb 2025 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
ly impact overall digestive health. "
There are differences with how cats and dogs tolerate
fiber, too.
" Dogs and humans tolerate dietary fiber in a similar
manner due to the length and function of the large intestine, "
said Faber. " The dog has actually served as an
animal model for human nutrition in numerous studies.
Cats, however, being carnivorous, have a smaller large
intestine and don't tolerate soluble fibers to the same
degree that dogs and humans can. Cats tolerate dietary
fiber well, but one needs to pay closer attention to the
fiber type and amount. "
Too much fiber can result
in inadequate caloric intake for
dogs or cats with high energy
needs, while too little fiber
may negatively impact overall
digestive health. "
Gary Davenport, ADM
Quantifying fiber content
One of the greatest challenges with dietary fiber -
added via whole food ingredients or isolated fibers -
is testing methodology. In pet food, a measurement of
crude fiber has traditionally been used.
" Crude fiber has historically been the nutritional
guarantee required on all pet food labels; however, advances
in nutritional science have shown that dietary
fiber is a better indicator of the actual fiber content
of a product, " said Austin Therrell, executive director,
Association of American Feed Control Officials
(AAFCO), Champaign, Ill. " For this reason, AAFCO incorporated
a new dietary fiber guarantee (Total Dietary
Fiber, or TDF) in place of crude fiber on pet food labels.
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