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There are several different types, or formats, of manufactured pet food including wet (can, pouch, tray), dry (known as biscuits or kibbles) and complementary treats (see section [[How Pet Food is Made - Nutrition|How Pet Food is Made]]). The method of production and the ingredients used vary according to format.  

There are several different types, or formats, of manufactured pet food including wet (can, pouch, tray), dry (known as biscuits or kibbles) and complementary treats (see section [[How Pet Food is Made - Nutrition|How Pet Food is Made]]). The method of production and the ingredients used vary according to format.  

The variety of products on the market is enormous. While each producer will have their own recipes, there are pet food safety standards and regulations that everyone must comply with (See sections [[Regulation of the Pet Food Industry - Nutrition|Regulation of the Pet Food Industry]] and [[How Pet Food is Made - Nutrition|How Pet Food Is Made]]).  

The variety of products on the market is enormous. While each producer will have their own recipes, there are pet food safety standards and regulations that everyone must comply with (See sections [[How Pet Food is Regulated - Nutrition|How Pet Food is Regulated]] and [[How Pet Food is Made - Nutrition|How Pet Food Is Made]]).  

Safe cooking methods and strict quality and food safety standards for raw and finished products ensure that manufactured pet food is free from microbial contaminants such as ''[[Salmonella]]''.   

Safe cooking methods and strict quality and food safety standards for raw and finished products ensure that manufactured pet food is free from microbial contaminants such as ''[[Salmonella]]''.   

==== Free from Additives ====

==== Free from Additives ====

Free from additives is a trend from human nutrition. The use of additives is increasingly criticized by owners because some believe them to be a primary cause of diarrhea, allergies, cancer or pseudo-allergies.  

Free from additives is a trend from human nutrition. The use of additives is increasingly criticised by owners because some believe them to be a primary cause of diarrhoea, allergies, cancer or pseudo-allergies.  

''Important'': Additives are not toxic or harmful based on levels approved for their use in either pet foods or human foods. All additives have to be assessed on safety and registered prior to use. Expert panels at EFSA ([http://www.efsa.europa.eu European Food Safety Authority]) for example, are carefully evaluating the safety and efficacy of additives as part of the authorization process. ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) levels are derived from animal testing, which provides safe levels for daily long-term consumption.  

Important: Additives are not toxic or harmful based on levels approved for their use in either pet foods or human foods. All additives have to be assessed on safety and registered prior to use. Expert panels at EFSA ([http://www.efsa.europa.eu European Food Safety Authority]) for example, are carefully evaluating the safety and efficacy of additives as part of the authorization process. ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) levels are derived from animal testing, which provides safe levels for daily long-term consumption.  

Functional groups (based on European legislation<ref name="Commission Regulation 1831/2003">'''Commission Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003''' of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition OJ L 268/29</ref>) of additives comprise:  

Functional groups (based on European legislation<ref name="Commission Regulation 1831/2003">'''Commission Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003''' of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition OJ L 268/29</ref>) of additives comprise:  

*Technological additives, e.g. antioxidants, preservatives, emulsifiers etc.  

:*Technological additives, e.g. antioxidants, preservatives, emulsifiers etc.  

*Sensory additives, e.g. colorants, flavour components etc.  

:*Sensory additives, e.g. colorants, flavour components etc.  

*Nutritional additives, e.g. vitamins, amino acids, trace elements etc.  

:*Nutritional additives, e.g. vitamins, amino acids, trace elements etc.  

*Additives to improve utilization of diets by the animal (zootechnical additives), e.g. gut flora stabilizer (probiotics) etc.

:*Additives to improve utilization of diets by the animal (zootechnical additives), e.g. gut flora stabilizer (probiotics) etc.

==== Free from Preservatives ====

==== Free from Preservatives ====

!align="left" width="20%"|Use of fresh, raw components

!align="left" width="20%"|Use of fresh, raw components

!align="left" width="40%"|• Smell & taste intensity<br>• Empirical good acceptance

!align="left" width="40%"|• Smell & taste intensity<br>• Empirical good acceptance

!align="left" width="40%"|• Risk of infections for pet and owner!<br>• Time intensive preparation<br>• Intake of thyroid hormones due to thyroid gland residues attached to esophagus  

!align="left" width="40%"|• Risk of infections for animal and owner<br>• Time intensive preparation<br>• Intake of thyroid hormones due to thyroid gland residues attached to esophagus  

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!align="left" width="20%"|Dietary variability

!align="left" width="20%"|Dietary variability

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!align="left" width="20%"|Dietary composition

!align="left" width="20%"|Dietary composition

!align="left" width="40%"|• Owner in control of type and origin of materials.

!align="left" width="40%"|• Owner in control of type and origin of materials if food is prepared by owner rather than purchased commercially.

!align="left" width="40%"|• Dietary imbalances especially calcium, copper, zinc and vitamins that can lead to serious implications on health and wellbeing<br>• Various organisations e.g. WSAVA, FDA and AVMA do not support feeding due to concerns on nutritional inadequacy, health and food safety

!align="left" width="40%"|• Dietary imbalances especially calcium, copper, zinc and vitamins that can lead to serious implications on health and wellbeing<br>• Various organisations e.g. WSAVA<ref>WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee

http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/WSAVA%20GNC%20raw%20diet%20statement%2012%203%2014_0.pdf</ref>, FDA and AVMA do not support feeding due to concerns on nutritional inadequacy, health and food safety

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== Home-Made Diets ==

== Home-Made Diets ==

[[File:Home prepared.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Home-prepared pet food ingredients example]]

[[File:Home prepared.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Home-prepared pet food ingredients example]]

Home-made diets comprise self-prepared cooked diets as an alternative for pet owners who do not want to handle and feed prey or raw meat. This feeding form allows owners under the supervision of a qualified nutritionist to adapt the diets to the preferences or dietary requirements of pets and to individually select components.  Cooking is advantageous compared to raw food with regards to spoilage and food safety. The cooking process allows inclusion of starch-based components such as potatoes, pasta or cereals; however, the heating process can lead to nutrient losses. Such losses as well as general nutrient imbalances require appropriate supplementation in addition to food.   

Home-made diets comprise self-prepared cooked diets as an alternative for pet owners who do not want to handle and feed prey or raw meat. This feeding form allows owners under the supervision of a qualified veterinary nutritionist to adapt the diets to the preferences or dietary requirements of pets and to individually select components.  Cooking is advantageous compared to raw food with regards to spoilage and food safety. The cooking process allows inclusion of starch-based components such as potatoes, pasta or cereals; however, the heating process can lead to nutrient losses. Such losses as well as general nutrient imbalances require appropriate supplementation in addition to food.   

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== Vegetarian/Vegan ==

== Vegetarian/Vegan ==

   

   

A heated debate surrounds the application of the vegetarian-vegan nutritional concept to dogs and cats too. It is still unclear from a nutritional point of view whether a vegetarian or vegan feeding can ensure adequate nutrition for dogs and cats in particular.   

The use of vegetarian-vegan nutritional concept to dogs and cats remains controversial. It is still unclear from a nutritional point of view whether a vegetarian or vegan feeding can ensure adequate nutrition for dogs and cats in particular.   

Depending on the allowed inclusion of materials of animal origin, different sub-types of vegetarianism can be defined, i.e.  

Depending on the allowed inclusion of materials of animal origin, different sub-types of vegetarianism can be defined, i.e.  

In vegan diets, however, the use of any material of animal origin is rejected and only plant-based materials are permitted.   

In vegan diets, however, the use of any material of animal origin is rejected and only plant-based materials are permitted.   

   

   

Regardless of vegetarian or vegan regimen, both dogs and cats have to refrain from meat and, subsequently, from important nutrients that are only present in meat. In addition to the deficiencies commonly observed in [[Feeding Types of Pet Food#Home-Made Diets|home-prepared]] or [[Feeding Types of Pet Food#B.A.R.F.|B.A.R.F.]] diets, other vegetarian-vegan related potential deficiencies have to be taken into account. Cats are at particular risk in several aspects. The carbohydrate acceptance and digestive capacity in cats is limited compared to dogs. The metabolism of cats is adapted to utilise high amounts of protein with a high total protein requirement. Cats are unable to synthesize certain nutrients from precursors present mainly in meat, e.g. [[Omega-6 Fatty Acids - Nutrition|arachidonic acid (fatty acid)]], [[Arginine - Nutrition|arginine]], [[Taurine - Nutrition|taurine]] ([[Amino Acids - Nutrition|amino acids]]), [[Vitamin A (Retinol) - Nutrition|vitamin A]] and [[Vitamin B3 (Niacin) - Nutrition|B3 (niacin)]]. For [[Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) - Nutrition|vitamin D]] and [[Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) - Nutrition|B12]], this is the case for both dogs and cats.  

Regardless of vegetarian or vegan regimen, dogs and cats are fed diets devoid of meat and subsequently, may be deprived of important nutrients that are only present in meat. In addition to the deficiencies commonly observed in [[Feeding Types of Pet Food#Home-Made Diets|home-prepared]] or [[Feeding Types of Pet Food#B.A.R.F.|B.A.R.F.]] diets, other vegetarian-vegan related potential deficiencies have to be taken into account. Cats are at particular risk in several aspects. The carbohydrate acceptance and digestive capacity in cats is limited compared to dogs. The metabolism of cats is adapted to utilise high amounts of protein with a high total protein requirement. Cats are unable to synthesize certain nutrients from precursors present mainly in meat, e.g. [[Omega-6 Fatty Acids - Nutrition|arachidonic acid (fatty acid)]], [[Arginine - Nutrition|arginine]], [[Taurine - Nutrition|taurine]] ([[Amino Acids - Nutrition|amino acids]]), [[Vitamin A (Retinol) - Nutrition|vitamin A]] and [[Vitamin B3 (Niacin) - Nutrition|B3 (niacin)]]. For [[Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) - Nutrition|vitamin D]] and [[Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) - Nutrition|B12]], this is the case for both dogs and cats.  

A nutritionally complete vegetarian diet can only be achieved if the diet is carefully supplemented with specific nutrients, particularly during periods of increased demand such as growth, gestation and lactation. Strict vegan feeding, particularly for cats, cannot be recommended because of the difficulties in ensuring that the cat’s specific nutrient requirements are met.

A nutritionally complete vegetarian diet can only be achieved if the diet is carefully supplemented with specific nutrients (often synthetically made), particularly during periods of increased demand such as growth, gestation and lactation.

== Paleo/Ancestral ==

== Paleo/Ancestral ==

   

   

Paleo is a human food trend increasingly observed in pet nutrition. The philosophy   

Paleo is a human food trend increasingly observed in pet nutrition. The philosophy   

is based on mimicking the nutrition of ancestral dogs and cats during evolution. It is assumed that this form of nutrition addresses nutritional requirements in an optimal way and, hence, supports peak metabolic performance of dogs and cats. Paleo diets are rich in protein with low carbohydrate content, which is achieved via a high meat content. In contrast to [[Feeding Types of Pet Food#B.A.R.F.|B.A.R.F.]], feeding ingredients raw is less relevant. B.A.R.F. is considered a pure pet nutrition trend, whereas paleo is a human nutrition trend and humans typically do not consume large quantities of raw meat. Pet owners practicing paleo tend to be health conscious and convinced that old days were generally better, including the type of nutrition<ref name="Buff">Buff, P. R., Carter, R. A., Bauer, J. E., et al. (2014) '''Natural pet food: a review of natural diets and their impact on canine and feline physiology'''. J Anim Sci 92(9):3781-91.</ref>. They are searching for a primitive form of nutrition.   

is based on mimicking the nutrition of ancestral dogs and cats during evolution. It is assumed that this form of nutrition addresses nutritional requirements in an optimal way and, hence, supports peak metabolic performance of dogs and cats. Paleo diets are rich in protein with low carbohydrate content, which is achieved via a high meat content. In contrast to [[Feeding Types of Pet Food#B.A.R.F.|B.A.R.F.]], feeding ingredients raw is less relevant. B.A.R.F. is considered a pure pet nutrition trend, whereas paleo is a human nutrition trend and people typically do not consume large quantities of raw meat. Pet owners practicing paleo tend to be health conscious and convinced that old days were generally better, including the type of nutrition<ref name="Buff">Buff, P. R., Carter, R. A., Bauer, J. E., et al. (2014) '''Natural pet food: a review of natural diets and their impact on canine and feline physiology'''. J Anim Sci 92(9):3781-91.</ref>. They are searching for a primitive form of nutrition.   

Primary motivations to practice paleo can be described as follows:  

Primary motivations to practice paleo can be described as follows:  

|date = April 2017

|date = April 2017

}}

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[[Category:Types of Pet Food]]

[[Category:Types of Pet Food]]

[[Category:To Do - Nutrition]]

[[Category:To Do - Nutrition]]