Selection of pet food and how common pet food is produced

Walk into any pet store and you’ll be surrounded by a dazzling array of cat and dog food products. From dry food to wet food, from standard formulas to specialized ones, the sheer number of choices can often be confusing for pet owners.

Understanding the different types of cat and dog food and their key differences is the first step in ensuring you’re providing optimal nutrition for your pet. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the main pet food types on the market, helping you make an informed choice.

Pet Food: A History of Development

Before the advent of what we now define as pet food, cats and dogs initially relied entirely on human surplus for their food.

Archaeological evidence shows that ancient Egyptian domestic cats primarily consumed fish and small rodents hunted by humans, while medieval European guard dogs subsisted on their owners’ kitchen scraps and butchering scraps.

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the emergence of a growing middle class, the status of cats and dogs rose.

They were no longer merely “tools” to assist humans, but rather “companions.” Consequently, the demands placed on their food also increased, driving the commercialization of pet food.

Types of pet food

There are four main types of pet food:

The first type is puffed food.

The first type is puffed food, which is the most common pet food we see. This type is characterized by its low moisture content and granular form. It has a long shelf life and is relatively affordable.

It’s convenient for storage and feeding, making it ideal for those on a limited budget and those who need to keep their pets fed while away from home for extended periods.

However, its drawbacks include varying palatability, low water content, and relatively low nutritional value.

The second type is wet food.

This is commonly known as canned food. It has a high moisture content and a soft texture, allowing for a long shelf life when unopened. It’s also highly palatable and retains a relatively complete nutritional profile.

It’s ideal for picky eaters, those who need increased fluid intake, elderly pets, or those with dental problems. However, its higher price and the need to be used up quickly after opening are significant drawbacks.

The third type is semi-moist food.

It has a medium moisture content, medium texture, and comes in small, individually packaged packages. Its advantages are obvious: it’s easy to carry, has a good palatability, and is convenient to feed.

It’s suitable for those who take their pets out for fun or as a snack. However, the high preservative content and limited selection may cause some concerns.

The fourth type is freeze-dried/fresh pet food.

This type of pet food is closest to natural ingredients, with an extremely low moisture content and requires refrigeration. However, it preserves nutrients most completely, is highly palatable, and contains no artificial additives, making it ideal for families and pets with a sufficient budget and specific nutritional needs.

However, its drawbacks are significant: high storage requirements and a high risk of microbial infection for pets with weakened immune systems.

The production process of common pet food:

1. Extruded Grain:

First, select the raw materials and grind them into powder using a pulverizer. Then, according to the recipe, the raw materials are fed into a blender (such as a horizontal blender) or mixer to thoroughly mix the ingredients.

The mixed materials are fed into a conditioner to gelatinize the starch and denature the protein, enhancing their plasticity and adhesiveness.

The materials are then transformed into granules using a screw extruder or ring die pelletizer. Flavor can also be added using a sprayer. Finally, the materials are cooled in a cooler and packaged using a packaging machine.

2. Wet Grain:

After the raw materials are cleaned (some grains may require a grinder), they are steamed according to the recipe in a steaming machine. After steaming, they are stirred and seasonings are added. The materials are then canned, sealed, and cooled using a canning machine.

3. Semi-wet Grain:

After the raw materials are cleaned (some raw materials may require grinding), they are mixed according to the recipe. The materials are then formed using a mold or extruder. The formed products are then placed in a dryer or other drying equipment to remove surface moisture. Finally, the formed products are packaged using a packaging machine.

4. Freeze-Drying:

The raw materials are carefully selected and cleaned, then cut into uniform small pieces or slices. They are then frozen. After pre-freezing, the raw materials undergo two drying steps to reduce their moisture content to an extremely low level before packaging.

In addition to these four general categories, there are many other subcategories, such as: pet food divided by age into young pet food and adult pet food;

Natural food and whole grain food divided by ingredient ratio and formula characteristics; and hair beautifying food and weight loss food divided by function. Therefore, when choosing pet food, pay attention to the pet’s breed, age, health status and lifestyle to choose the right food for them.

How to choose the most suitable pet food

When choosing the right pet food for your pet, it’s crucial to choose the right type. Therefore, here are my suggestions.

1. Requirements for Different Growth Stages

Infancy: Pets at this stage are in a growth phase, unlike their adult counterparts. Therefore, choose a high-energy, high-protein food to ensure they get enough energy. Small, chewable particles can also prevent choking. Also, choose foods that contain growth-promoting nutrients like DHA.

Adulthood: At this stage, you only need to consider your pet’s nutritional balance to avoid excessive calories that can lead to obesity. Choose an appropriate food based on your pet’s activity level.

Older Adulthood: Their organs are already aging, and their stomachs and joints are no longer as strong. Therefore, choose a food that is low in fat and calories, high in dietary fiber, and rich in ingredients that protect joints and organs.

2. Based on Health Conditions

Choose pet food containing different ingredients based on different issues. For example: For obesity, choose a low-fat, high-fiber option. For kidney problems, choose a low-phosphorus, high-quality protein option. For sensitive skin, choose a single protein source with omega-3s.

For sensitive stomachs, choose an easily digestible option with probiotics. Pets with sensitive constitutions especially need a food specifically tailored to their needs.

3. Based on Lifestyle

Pets with different lifestyles will have different requirements for pet food.

For highly active pets, consider foods that are high in energy and can quickly replenish nutrients after exercise. For less active pets, choose foods that are low in calories and control feeding amounts. For pets with multiple pets, consider a pet food that is versatile.

4. Breed

Different pet breeds require different pet food choices based on their specific characteristics. For example, small pets should choose fast-metabolizing, small-grain, high-calorie food to prevent chewing difficulties.

Large dogs should choose larger-grain food containing glucosamine, which is beneficial for their joints. Furthermore, long-haired pets, whose hair loss and skin problems are a constant concern, are recommended to choose a food containing fish oil or flaxseed.

Core Technology in Pet Pellet Production

High-quality pet pellet production requires advanced pellet machinery and technology. Modern pellet production lines typically include the following key components:

Grinding system: Grinds raw materials to the desired particle size, ensuring uniform mixing and pellet quality.

Ingredient mixing system: Precisely proportions various raw materials to ensure consistent formulations across each batch.

Conditioning system: Uses steam and heating to gelatinize starch, improving digestibility and pellet quality.

Pellet forming: The core process involves extruding the tempered material through a ring die and rollers.

Cooling and drying: Reduces pellet temperature and moisture content, increasing hardness and facilitating storage.

Post-coating system: Evenly applies heat-sensitive nutrients (such as vitamins and enzymes) to the pellet surface.

Sieving and packaging: Removes fine particles and packages according to specifications.

As a professional supplier of pet food machinery, we understand the importance of high-quality pellet machinery for producing high-quality pet food. Modern pet pellet production lines must not only ensure nutritional and safety, but also meet production requirements such as high efficiency, low energy consumption, and ease of operation.

Our advanced pellet machinery solutions are helping numerous pet food manufacturers around the world improve their product competitiveness and meet growing market demand. Whether you’re planning to enter the pet food industry or looking to upgrade an existing production line, choosing a reliable pellet machinery supplier is the first critical step to success.

Contact our team for professional equipment consultation and industry solutions.

If you believe that “high-quality pellet food deserves to be enjoyed by more pets” and want your brand to stand out from the competition with quality, please contact us. We provide more than just a pellet machine; we offer a comprehensive “global pellet food solution” encompassing equipment and processes – ensuring that every grain of food becomes the “code for happiness” in your pet’s bowl.