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== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

There are several different types, or formats, of manufactured pet food including wet (can, pouch, tray), dry (extruded or baked) and complementary treats.(link to section on types of pet food). The method of production and the ingredients used varies according to format.

There are several different types, or formats, of manufactured pet food including wet (can, pouch, tray), dry (extruded or baked) and complementary treats.(link to section on types of pet food). The method of production and the ingredients used varies according to format.

=== Overview ===

=== Overview ===

Wet foods are made by mixing recipe ingredients together and cooking them within the can, tray or pouch. The food in the container then remains sterile for the shelf life of the product or until opened. These products can be in the form of chunks in gravy, sauce or jelly, loaf or mousse.

Wet foods are made by mixing recipe ingredients together and cooking them within the can, tray or pouch. The food in the container then remains sterile for the shelf life of the product or until opened. These products can be in the form of chunks in gravy, sauce or jelly, loaf or mousse.

=== Ingredient selection ===

=== Ingredient Selection ===

 

Many of the ingredients used in the manufacture of pet food are described as animal (or fish) derivatives or by-products. These ingredients are the parts of the animal surplus to the requirements of the human food industry. Examples of by-products include liver, kidney, lung and various meat by-product meals. Pet foods may also use ingredients legally defined as meat (muscle meat). These ingredients are also most commonly found within the human food chain. In wet pet foods, by-products arrive at the factory in a fresh or frozen state. They may be chopped and added to the recipe mix directly or finely minced, mixed with dry ingredients such as cereals, formed into ribbons and diced into chunks of various sizes and shapes. Other ingredients are included such oils and fats, vitamins, minerals, cereals, pasta, grains, or vegetables. Water is also frequently added as an ingredient to facilitate processing and to give the food its final form and texture.

Many of the ingredients used in the manufacture of pet food are described as animal (or fish) derivatives or by-products. These ingredients are the parts of the animal surplus to the requirements of the human food industry. Examples of by-products include liver, kidney, lung and various meat by-product meals. Pet foods may also use ingredients legally defined as meat (muscle meat). These ingredients are also most commonly found within the human food chain. In wet pet foods, by-products arrive at the factory in a fresh or frozen state. They may be chopped and added to the recipe mix directly or finely minced, mixed with dry ingredients such as cereals, formed into ribbons and diced into chunks of various sizes and shapes. Other ingredients are included such oils and fats, vitamins, minerals, cereals, pasta, grains, or vegetables. Water is also frequently added as an ingredient to facilitate processing and to give the food its final form and texture.

=== Ingredient weighing and preparation ===

=== Ingredient Weighing and Preparation ===

 

Ingredients are carefully selected according to a pet food manufacturer’s specific recipe, which is formulated to deliver complete and balanced nutrition for cats and dogs and also to meet other requirements of the product such as the variety, age range or size range.

Ingredients are carefully selected according to a pet food manufacturer’s specific recipe, which is formulated to deliver complete and balanced nutrition for cats and dogs and also to meet other requirements of the product such as the variety, age range or size range.

=== Sealing and cooking ===

=== Sealing and Cooking ===

 

The can, pouch or tray is then sealed and enters a cooking process. The temperature and length of cooking are carefully controlled in order to prevent spoilage over the shelf life of the product, as well as to optimise the taste and protect the required nutritional content.

The can, pouch or tray is then sealed and enters a cooking process. The temperature and length of cooking are carefully controlled in order to prevent spoilage over the shelf life of the product, as well as to optimise the taste and protect the required nutritional content.

=== Cooling and labelling ===

=== Cooling and Labelling ===

 

After cooking products are cooled. Cans are labelled. Information on tray and pouch products is usually printed upon the packaging itself.

After cooking products are cooled. Cans are labelled. Information on tray and pouch products is usually printed upon the packaging itself.

=== Storage and distribution ===

=== Storage and Distribution ===

 

Individual containers are packed into boxes or trays and stored in warehouses before being despatched to customers.

Individual containers are packed into boxes or trays and stored in warehouses before being despatched to customers.

== Dry Pet food manufacturing ==

== Dry Pet food manufacturing ==

=== Overview ===

=== Overview ===

Ingredient selection and sourcing

=== Ingredient Selection and Sourcing ===

Many of the ingredients used in the manufacture of pet food are described as animal (or fish) derivatives or by-products. These ingredients are the parts of the animal surplus to the requirements of the human food industry. In dry pet foods, animal derivatives are commonly used in a meal form (such as chicken meal, poultry by-product meal) where meat and animal derivatives are cooked, the fat removed and the remaining material dried to create a dry meal). By-products may also be used in fresh or frozen form. Many of the other ingredients such as cereals, grains, and vegetables used in dry pet foods come in dry form and are milled or ground prior to mixing. A recipe is also likely to include oils and fats, vitamins and minerals required to ensure the product delivers all the essential nutrients.

Many of the ingredients used in the manufacture of pet food are described as animal (or fish) derivatives or by-products. These ingredients are the parts of the animal surplus to the requirements of the human food industry. In dry pet foods, animal derivatives are commonly used in a meal form (such as chicken meal, poultry by-product meal) where meat and animal derivatives are cooked, the fat removed and the remaining material dried to create a dry meal). By-products may also be used in fresh or frozen form. Many of the other ingredients such as cereals, grains, and vegetables used in dry pet foods come in dry form and are milled or ground prior to mixing. A recipe is also likely to include oils and fats, vitamins and minerals required to ensure the product delivers all the essential nutrients.

Ingredient weighing and preparation

 

=== Ingredient Weighing and Preparation ===

Ingredients are carefully selected according to a pet food manufacturer’s specific recipe, formulated to deliver complete and balanced nutrition for cats and dogs. Dry ingredients are ground and sieved where required and then mixed.

Ingredients are carefully selected according to a pet food manufacturer’s specific recipe, formulated to deliver complete and balanced nutrition for cats and dogs. Dry ingredients are ground and sieved where required and then mixed.

Cooking and cooling

 

 

=== Cooking and Cooling ===

The dry mix is combined with wet ingredients, water and steam in a preconditioner, which hydrates the powders, creates a dough and starts the cooking process. The dough then enters a machine known as an extruder, which cooks the dough under pressure. At the end of the extruder the dough exits under pressure through a die plate creating ribbons of pre-specified shape that are then sliced into the pre-specified size using a rotary cutter.

The dry mix is combined with wet ingredients, water and steam in a preconditioner, which hydrates the powders, creates a dough and starts the cooking process. The dough then enters a machine known as an extruder, which cooks the dough under pressure. At the end of the extruder the dough exits under pressure through a die plate creating ribbons of pre-specified shape that are then sliced into the pre-specified size using a rotary cutter.

When baked, the dough is rolled out and cut into shapes, then baked in an oven (similar to cookies or biscuits).

When baked, the dough is rolled out and cut into shapes, then baked in an oven (similar to cookies or biscuits).

Kibble coating

 

=== Kibble Coating ===

After drying and cooling, kibbles often enter a revolving drum where they are evenly coated with a mix of flavours to enhance taste, and preservatives to prevent spoilage through the shelf life of the food. Flavours or other coatings may also be sprayed on baked foods as they exit the oven.

After drying and cooling, kibbles often enter a revolving drum where they are evenly coated with a mix of flavours to enhance taste, and preservatives to prevent spoilage through the shelf life of the food. Flavours or other coatings may also be sprayed on baked foods as they exit the oven.

Packaging

 

 

=== Packaging ===

Packs are filled according to the declared weight and the packaging is appropriately sealed to prevent contamination.

Packs are filled according to the declared weight and the packaging is appropriately sealed to prevent contamination.

Storage and Distribution

 

 

=== Storage and Distribution ===

Packages are stored in boxes or wrapped on pallets and stored in warehouses ready for distribution to customers.

Packages are stored in boxes or wrapped on pallets and stored in warehouses ready for distribution to customers.

Complementary Care and Treats Manufacturing

 

 

== Complementary Care and Treats Manufacturing ==

Treats for cats and dogs come in a variety of forms. In the EU, the majority are termed complementary as they are designed to complement main meal complete and balanced pet foods. In the US, the same products are generally identified as "treats" or "snacks." In either case, t hey should therefore only make up a small percentage of the daily calorie intake. Feeding recommendations on some pet food manufacturers’ products suggest feeding no more than 10% of required daily calories.

Treats for cats and dogs come in a variety of forms. In the EU, the majority are termed complementary as they are designed to complement main meal complete and balanced pet foods. In the US, the same products are generally identified as "treats" or "snacks." In either case, t hey should therefore only make up a small percentage of the daily calorie intake. Feeding recommendations on some pet food manufacturers’ products suggest feeding no more than 10% of required daily calories.

Here are some of the most common ways to make treats for cats and dogs:

Here are some of the most common ways to make treats for cats and dogs:

Extrusion

 

==== Extrusion ====

This method involves mixing ingredients to form a dough that is pumped into an extruder. The dough may be a combination of meat and animal derivatives and dry ingredients such as wheat flour or potato starch that when extruded produced strip like treats. Alternatively, ingredients may be based on rice flour and wheat starch that when combined provides a chewy, spongy texture ideal for products that help clean teeth.

This method involves mixing ingredients to form a dough that is pumped into an extruder. The dough may be a combination of meat and animal derivatives and dry ingredients such as wheat flour or potato starch that when extruded produced strip like treats. Alternatively, ingredients may be based on rice flour and wheat starch that when combined provides a chewy, spongy texture ideal for products that help clean teeth.

Biscuit baking

 

==== Biscuit Baking ====

The primary ingredient in this process is usually wheat flour. Wheat flour is combined with vitamins, flavours, water and preservatives to make a soft dough. The dough is then cut into the required shapes and sizes before baking in an oven.

The primary ingredient in this process is usually wheat flour. Wheat flour is combined with vitamins, flavours, water and preservatives to make a soft dough. The dough is then cut into the required shapes and sizes before baking in an oven.

Injection moulding

 

 

==== Injection Moulding ====

Here ingredients are mixed together before being injected into a shaped mould. After cooling the treats are released from the mould. Moulds are usually used to create specific sizes and shapes of chew.

Here ingredients are mixed together before being injected into a shaped mould. After cooling the treats are released from the mould. Moulds are usually used to create specific sizes and shapes of chew.

Pet Food Safety and Quality

 

 

== Pet Food Safety and Quality==

While each pet food manufacturer will have their own recipes, there are pet food safety standards and regulations that everyone must comply with (link to regulations page).

While each pet food manufacturer will have their own recipes, there are pet food safety standards and regulations that everyone must comply with (link to regulations page).

* Verification of nutritional adequacy via chemical analysis of raw materials and / or finished products and / or feeding studies using approved Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) protocols.

* Verification of nutritional adequacy via chemical analysis of raw materials and / or finished products and / or feeding studies using approved Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) protocols.

A responsible pet food manufacturer may also choose to implement external audits and voluntary certifications such as ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14000 through an external accreditation institute. (http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm).

A responsible pet food manufacturer may also choose to implement external audits and voluntary certifications such as ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14000 through an [http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm external accreditation institute].  

A pet food company can obtain information and guidance about appropriate auditing and certifications from a selection of organisations including:

A pet food company can obtain information and guidance about appropriate auditing and certifications from a selection of organisations including:

For more information about the safety and quality standards that apply to a particular product please contact the pet food manufacturer.

For more information about the safety and quality standards that apply to a particular product please contact the pet food manufacturer.

Common ingredients used in pet food

 

== Common Ingredients Used In Pet Food ==

The ingredients declaration on pet food packaging varies according to legislation in place within a country (link to pet food labelling). In Europe ingredients can be grouped together under a category term. For example, many minerals can be included under the additives category rather than naming them individually, and ingredients sourced from animals can be included under the group term meat and animal derivatives (Table 1). Alternatively, a European pet food manufacturer may choose to provide a full ingredients list. Since labelling legislation varies from country to country pet food manufacturers may be required to list all ingredients. For example, in the USA a pet food manufacturer must list all ingredients used providing information about any process used to make the ingredients and the chemical names where appropriate (for example, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6). A glossary of commonly used ingredients in the EU is provided in Table 2.

The ingredients declaration on pet food packaging varies according to legislation in place within a country (link to pet food labelling). In Europe ingredients can be grouped together under a category term. For example, many minerals can be included under the additives category rather than naming them individually, and ingredients sourced from animals can be included under the group term meat and animal derivatives (Table 1). Alternatively, a European pet food manufacturer may choose to provide a full ingredients list. Since labelling legislation varies from country to country pet food manufacturers may be required to list all ingredients. For example, in the USA a pet food manufacturer must list all ingredients used providing information about any process used to make the ingredients and the chemical names where appropriate (for example, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6). A glossary of commonly used ingredients in the EU is provided in Table 2.