<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="1" >01, What is functional pet food? </h1>
Functional pet food generally means that the overall formula is relatively novel, different from the traditional formula but at the same time meet the nutritional requirements of relevant regulations; or the use of non-industry traditional raw materials with special efficacy and safety, but can ensure comprehensive and balanced nutrition.
This series of products can be called functional pet food, whether it is the overall innovation of the formula, or the addition of some novel ingredients, are the same purpose: to improve the function of a certain aspect of the pet, in order to achieve the purpose of pet health and protection from disease.
In fact, the development of the pet food industry has been deeply affected by the development process of human food.
"Functional Food" was originally a concept born in the Japanese food industry in the 1980s. At that time, with the improvement of people's awareness, they believed that "medicine and food are of the same origin", that is, what everyone often said to eat and what to supplement.
In order to meet the special health needs of different groups of people, more and more food manufacturers are actively exploring new ingredients and exerting their special effects, leading the functional trend of the human food industry.
And this trend is still affecting all aspects of us, from women's obsessive collagen products to the world's popular super quinoa, all of which give full play to the effects of certain ingredients, thus affecting our bodily functions. The same situation, which is also playing out in the pet food industry, has become a new industry trend and a flashpoint.
Image source: Qiantu network members
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="9" >02, technical point analysis of several functional pet food formulations</h1>
First, pet gastrointestinal care food
It is expected to maintain and improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract, improve the digestion and absorption rate of pet food, and prevent soft stool thinning and odorous stool. General Specialty Nutrient Options:
(1) Probiotics
Live bacterium preparations of Bacillus licheniformis, Live bacteria preparations of Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, yeasts (Brady yeast, red wine yeast, brewer's yeast, etc.).
(2) Prebiotics
These include inulin, galactose oligosaccharides, lactulose, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and manna oligosaccharides (MOS). Although both FOS and MOS can play a prebiotic role, the mechanisms of their effect on gut microbes are not the same.
FOS is selectively metabolized by certain beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, such as most bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and Bacteroides can use FOS to produce capacity in the same way as glucose. Harmful bacteria such as eubacteria, Salmonella and Clostridium cannot use FOS, or cannot use FOS as efficiently as glucose.
The addition of FOS to the diet can promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, especially Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and can limit the growth of harmful microorganisms. Unlike FOS, MOS mainly plays a prebiotic role by inhibiting the colonization and growth of harmful bacteria on the intestinal mucosa.
Some pathogenic bacteria bind to mannose residues on the surface of intestinal cells, helping the bacteria colonize and inhibit secretion. MOS competitively inhibits the attachment of harmful bacteria and promotes the excretion of harmful bacteria with feces.
(3) Dietary fiber
The fiber in pet diets mainly includes cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, gum and plant mucus.
Important factors to consider when it comes to gastrointestinal health are the degree of fermentation of fiber and the type and quantity of fermentation products. In the colons of dogs and cats, the activity of bacteria is higher and there is the ability to ferment the fiber in the diet.
The amount of fermentation products is affected by the duration of stay of fiber in the intestine, the composition of the diet and the type of fiber. For example, cellulose, sycamore gum and xanthan gum are almost impossible to ferment in the intestines of dogs and cats, pectin and guar gum are rapidly fermented by colon microorganisms in the colons of dogs and cats, and the fermentation degree of sugar beet meal and rice bran is more moderate. Moderately fermented fibers include beet meal, inulin, rice bran and gum arabic.
(4) Montmorillonite
Montmorillonite has a strong fixing and inhibiting effect on toxins, viruses, germs and toxins and gases produced in the digestive tract of dogs and cats, so that it loses its pathogenic effect; in addition, it also has a strong ability to cover and protect the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, repair and improve the defense function of the mucosal barrier against the attack factor, and has the effect of balancing normal flora and local analgesia.
(5) Yucca extract
It has the adsorption capacity of special gases (ammonia, sulfur dioxide, etc.), which can improve the intestinal environment, reduce the smell of feces, and improve the feeding environment. According to us research reports, the addition of 1kg/t yucca extract to pet food reduces the concentration of ammonia in the environment by more than 40%.
Yucca extract has the effect of thickening the intestinal mucosa of dogs and cats, which can prevent the invasion of certain viruses and inhibit viruses, and harmful bacteria proliferate in the digestive tract; can reduce the concentration of ammonia in the blood of dogs and cats to avoid the occurrence of neurological disorders; can also reduce the concentration of irritating gases and reduce the occurrence of respiratory diseases; can enhance the fragrance of pet food, stimulate pet appetite, and improve the palatability and taste tolerance of pet food.
(6) Lipase
Lipase is a type of feeding enzyme preparation. Juvenile animals secrete less endogenous enzymes, and endogenous enzymes can also occur when adult animals are in a pathological and stress state. The addition of this enzyme to the diet can release fatty acids, improve the energy utilization of raw materials of oil and fat ingredients, increase and improve the aroma and flavor of pet food, improve the appetite of dogs and cats, and have a certain therapeutic effect on local inflammation.
There are many commercialized lipase products, most of which are prepared by microbial fermentation, and only a few lipases derived from animals are prepared by methods of extraction from animal bodies.
Second, pet skin care food
The health of your pet's skin and hair is affected by a variety of nutrients, the most important of which are protein, vitamin A, vitamin E, essential fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids) and zinc.
Dogs and cats fed high-quality, full-priced and balanced pet food are less likely to have a severe deficiency or excessive intake of these nutrients. However, poor formulations or improperly stored commercial or unbalanced homemade grains can cause skin diseases. In addition, any metabolic or functional disorder that affects a pet's ability to digest, absorb, or utilize nutrients may lead to secondary nutritional imbalances that may manifest as skin diseases.
Third, pet hair care food
The main component of hair is keratin. The main component of hair is keratin, which accounts for about 97%, and keratin is composed of amino acids. Each hair consists of a layer of epidermal scales, a layer of cortical layers, and a layer of medullary. The epidermal scale layer is the outermost layer of hair and usually consists of 2 to 4 layers of scales. The epidermis layer is usually translucent or colorless, so it allows the natural hair color to come out; the cortical layer accounts for 80% of the hair, where natural pigments are deposited, and the natural hair color is presented because of it.
Among the amino acids that make up hair, the content of cystine is the highest, up to 15.5%, and the ratio of methionine to cystine is 1:15. In the hair of natural dogs and cats, the cystine content is about 15%-16%. Inappropriate bath gels or washes are too hot, cystine levels are reduced to 2%-3%, and cysteine is present, which indicates a loss of hair quality.
Therefore, when planning cat and dog hair care functional food, the first thing to consider is to consider the sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cystine and content) in pet food, as well as the proportional relationship between sulfur-containing amino acids and other amino acids; the content and proportion of lecithin, saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids should also be considered.
Fourth, pet joint care food
(1) Protein polysaccharides
It is part of proteoglycans that cross-links with collagen in cartilage and other connective tissues. GAG associated with connective tissue and joints include chondroitin 4-sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate, keratin sulfate, cutaneous sulfate, and non-sulfate hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid increases the viscosity of healthy joint fluid and the degree of lubrication of the synovium. Hyaluronic acid, together with other substances, provides elasticity, flexibility and tensile strength to joint cartilage and tendons.
GAG has an anti-inflammatory effect on connective tissue, a direct effect - structural repair of joint tissue. In addition, GAG provides more chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid precursors to chondroitocytes. An injectable, partially synthetic polysulfate GAG product has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in dogs and horses with noninfectious degenerative joint disease.
(b) Glucosamine
Glucosamine compounds are amino sugars produced by the synthesis of glucose and amino acid glutamine, which are the main components of GAG and proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix of the joint. When using glucosamine supplements, these compounds protect connective tissue and cartilage affected by OA, allowing connective tissue and cartilage to regenerate.
Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine help reduce inflammation and pain, normalize the viscosity of joint fluid, and promote the repair of articular cartilage with osteoarthritis. The long-term benefit appears to play a protective and restorative role, helping to reduce discomfort and inflammation and increase mobility. Many veterinarians recommend the use of supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
5. Pet diet food
Generally, when the weight of dogs and cats exceeds 10% to 20% of the ideal weight, it is defined as overweight. When more than 20% of the ideal weight is exceeded, it is classified as obesity. If you do not plan to change cat food and dog food, you can only reduce the amount of feeding, and you must develop and implement a very detailed weight loss plan. If you do not want to limit the amount of food fed to cats and dogs, it is recommended to replace moderate to severe obesity cases with a low energy density of food for weight loss.
Almost all pet foods used for weight loss have a lower fat content than regular adult maintenance foods. Dry food based on dry matter (DM) has a fat content of 6% to 11% in low-fat (low-calorie) commodities. The lower limit of fat content in food is determined by the animal's need for essential fatty acids, the transport effect of fat on fat-soluble vitamins, and the sufficient palatability needed to ensure that the animal receives food.
While almost all commercially available pet diet bars have reduced their fat content, there are significant differences in protein, digestible carbohydrates, and non-digestible fiber.
(a) Protein
The type of protein and the proportion of compound amino acids will affect the satiety of animals to varying degrees. Adult dogs are free to feed on foods with high protein and high fiber content, which enhances their satiety, but this effect is not achieved when fed foods with high protein content alone.
Cats' diet foods should contain sufficient amounts of protein, and cats' protein needs are higher and cannot accommodate a sharp reduction in protein intake. During weight loss, the risk of fatty liver disease in cats is positively correlated with a decrease in the protein content of the diet. Therefore, in a cat's diet food, at least 30% of the energy should come from high-quality protein.
(2) Fiber
Indigestible fiber is added to the diet to dilute the energy density of the diet.
(iii) L-Carnitine
L-carnitine (L-carnitine, CN), is a necessary nutrient for animals, and has a close relationship with fat metabolism in animals, which can transport long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria of the body for oxidation, so L-carnitine has the effect of weight control. In human-related studies, overweight and obese subjects over 30 years of age who took L-Carnitine significantly reduced weight in conjunction with appropriate physical activity.
When using a rat model, the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on weight control were studied and found that L-carnitine supplementation in low-energy diets had a positive effect on weight control in mice. Shan Dacong added L-carnitine and dietary fiber to the basic diet of dogs to study the weight control effect of the dietary prescription diet combination, and found that the combination of dietary fiber and L-carnitine had a positive effect on the weight management of dogs.
6. Pet oral care food
In addition to the need for regular brushing and testing of the oral health care of dogs and cats, it is also of great significance to the health care of the oral cavity at the nutritional level.
(1) Mineral elements
Mineral elements such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and fluorine are important substances that make up teeth and play an important role in the calcification and formation of teeth, so a moderate amount of mineral element supplements is the key to protecting teeth.
(2) Polyol sugars
Carbohydrates in pet food (sucrose, glucose, etc.) are the root cause of dental caries and oral diseases, and these sugars promote the growth of oral bacterial microorganisms and erode teeth. Polyol sugars such as xylitol and sorbitol do not provide a source of carbohydrates for oral microbial use, thus protecting oral health. Functional sugars such as xylitol have the effect of replacing glucose, sucrose, promoting the health of pet teeth, lowering blood sugar and protecting the liver.
(3) Fibrous substances
It is a natural "toothbrush" for pets, pets chew high-fiber substances, including grass, vegetables, fruits, etc. can effectively remove microorganisms attached to the surface of the teeth, so the appropriate amount of fiber food can be used as a nursing element for the pet's oral cavity.
(d) Plant extracts
The active ingredients in the plant also have the effect of protecting the teeth, and green tea polyphenols are currently a more widely used type of extract, which has the effect of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and keeping the breath fresh.
Source: Lao Zhu said cats and dogs, reprints must indicate this source. Cover image source: Qiantu network members
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