Questions? Call Us Toll-Free 802-752-4738 | Email Us
Questions? Call Us Toll-Free 802-752-4738 | Email Us
Located in Milton Vermont, we specialize in producing & packaging premium quality extruded products for dogs and cats. Our Product Development team is available to help you bring your new product ideas to market with an emphasis on safety & quality. We are pleased to offer low minimum order size requirements to facilitate the launch of new products for our customers.
Green Mountain Animal, LLC is a complete one-stop shop for all your custom formulation needs for companion animal health products and treats. We are experts in innovative formulation and product quality with the ability to manufacture and source a wide variety of delivery options—including extruded chews, extruded sticks, tablets, capsules, powders, gels and liquids—for your unique product.
As a contract manufacturer of animal health products and treats, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality and safety throughout the manufacturing process. Contact us today to learn how we can help you create your custom animal health product or treat.
Our experienced product development team can assist you with formulating your custom products to make a product that dogs and cats will crave while working within your budget.
To ensure that your products meet your standards for flavor and texture, we will make small sample batches for you to review. We know your time is valuable so we pride ourselves on our ability to make samples quickly using our small laboratory equipment and our full size extruders.
Dale Metz, CEO of Green Mountain Animal, is the Vice President and a founding member of the National Animal Supplement Council. With his 14 years of experience working with the FDA and Center for Veterinary Medicine, we can help you navigate the confusing world of regulatory compliance.
Green Mountain Animal has relationships with many of the animal rescue groups in our area so we have an ample supply of taste-testers to give us feed back on our flavors. The best formula in the world will not do any good if the animals will not eat it!
We know that you have great ideas for your new products so our facilities allow for a variety of packaging options to suit your needs. Our equipment can handle small or large batch sizes so you do not have to make a major volume commitment when launching a new product.
From formulation and ingredient sourcing to packaging and shipping, Green Mountain Animal does it all to provide you with a finished product that is ready to put on the store shelf.
Do you sell or want to sell your own custom brand of dog food? For that you’ll need the best dog food maker / manufacturer. A large population of the US population owns a pet, which means that the multi billion dollar dog food manufacturing industry is thriving and still has a lot of room for growth.
As more pet parents realize the dangers of artificial ingredients, they’re becoming increasingly conscientious about choosing high-quality pet products. After all, a dog’s diet determines its health, energy levels, and lifespan. Not to mention, keeping pets is becoming a trend that is now more popular than ever. These four-legged creatures fill owners’ emotional voids and promote excellent mental health.
As such, pet businesses are growing bigger with time as owners expand their areas of service. With increasing competition in the market, pet food companies must provide the best-quality dog foods for their customers.
Understanding your customers’ preferences is the key to producing high quality dog food. Additionally, a company should thoroughly examine the market to provide just what customers are looking for.
Reliable dog food manufacturing companies like Green Mountain LLC take care of the following requirements to help companies with customer retention. We also provide custom pet food manufacturing services.
Like humans, dogs also need adequate nutrition to thrive. The meals they consume throughout the day are their primary source of nutrition to meet daily values.
However, a dog’s diet is different from that of humans, as the foods that humans consume are not necessarily safe for pets. Therefore, looking at the nutritional label is the first thing most dog owners do when purchasing pet food.
As more pet owners are starting to evaluate ingredients, pet companies should rely on manufacturers that focus on nutrition. Ideally, quality pet food provides healthy amounts of minerals and vitamins such as zinc, thiamine, protein, and so on.
Dogs are quite vulnerable to food allergies. For example, ingredients like potato or pumpkin can cause allergic symptoms like intestinal blockage, vomiting, pain, etc. Other times, filler ingredients like corn and wheat can lead to digestive issues in dogs.
Therefore, dog owners avoid pet foods containing ingredients that can potentially have potential side effects. When looking for a dog food maker, pick a pet product manufacturing company that prioritizes proven and approved dog food ingredients.
It is an excellent marketing technique that can help increase the profit margin for your business in the long run. Remember, the best dog food does not induce allergies or other side effects.
The pet food market is still new and young, with room for mistakes and improvement. While you can improve your business along the way, working on the first impression is crucial.
Avoiding manufacturers that use the following ingredients in products ensure you’re on the right path.
Your brand will be a favorite among pet-parent in no time when your products are free of grains like wheat, corn, soy, etc. These ingredients are typically hard to digest for most dogs and may lead to food allergies and digestive problems like repeated diarrhea and leaky gut syndrome.
Seeing artificial food coloring on the ingredient list is a major red flag for pet parents. Commonly used food colors in pet foods include titanium dioxide, yellow 6, yellow 5, blue 2, and red 40.
Remember that dogs can’t see colors, and they don’t develop a preference for certain foods based on color. So, avoid manufacturing contractors that use artificial dyes in their products. Similarly, you should also avoid artificial flavors, though preservatives may be necessary for many products.
Are you looking for the best dog food manufacturing contractor for your pet products business? Green Mountains Animal LLC ticks all the boxes and promises to provide your customers with premium quality, safe and affordable pet products,
Our expert team can facilitate your company’s needs to provide custom food manufacturing. We also offer packaging and shipping services as customer satisfaction is our top priority. You can contact us at 802-752-4738 for further guidance.
GREEN MOUNTAIN ANIMAL LLC
75 Catamount Drive
Milton, Vermont 05468
802-752-4738
What is the dog food manufacturing process? Dog foods don’t necessarily come in one-size-fits-all varieties. Rather, they come in different formulations, providing varying combinations of energy levels and tastes. However, it’s the dog food manufacturing process that affects most products’ quality. How a certain dog food was made will reflect its quality and efficacy in the pet food market. Most dog owners don’t want their pets to chew on low quality supplements or eat low quality dog food. Therefore, most dog owners opt for companies and brands that promise high quality manufacturing processes and quality control.
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For your information, the dog food manufacturing process at Green Mountain Animal, LLC complies with all industry standards and quality control protocols. Without any interruptions in the manufacturing process, we ensure high quality production on all ends. Here’s what to know about the high quality dog food manufacturing process.
As per our clients’ requirements and big pet food companies, we choose ingredients as specified and highlighted in the manufacturing contract. At no point do we choose ingredients not fit for the production of high quality dog food. While being in the industry for 25 years has provided us immense experience in manufacturing high quality dog food, we tend to stick to our client’s specifications and details.
A balanced nutritional diet for all pets, including dogs, is highly necessary for a healthy life. Selecting ingredients from reliable sources allows our manufacturing processes to yield high quality dog food. The ingredient selection tends to keep other aspects of dog food in check as well. For example, certain ingredients are specifically beneficial or harmful for a certain size range, age range, and variety of pets.
It’s important to make sure that all ends of the manufacturing process are up to par. That’s why we use the latest dog food production technology. While reducing waste to low levels, we keep the cooking and sealing efficiency above industry averages. It allows us to perform quality control checks along with timely delivery to all clients. Our technology has allowed us to measure and inform every part of our manufacturing process.
Controlling everything from length and time to temperatures, we streamline the manufacturing processes, so no client experiences a delivery delay. Efficient sealing and appropriate storage help preserve the dog food’s nutritional potency. We extend the shelf life of dog food through FDA and third party authorized processes.
Quality is something that Green Mountain Animal, LLC never compromises on. Interestingly, our consistent quality and timely deliveries are two of the main qualities that separate us from the competition in the pet food industry. Once the dog food is ready, we cool the products and place them under appropriate packaging machines. During the packaging process, every individual item receives accurate labels defining the manufacturing process in summary along with the ingredient listing.
The label contains the main source of all ingredients used to manufacture the products. It’s clear that quality is a major priority because it’s a matter of diet and nutrition for consumers’ beloved pets. Before reaching distribution centers, our products undergo robust quality checks to make sure that no client receives sub-par products.
The most important quality control checks include:
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The transport method will be suitable to preserve the nutritional value of the products. For your information, all products are packed appropriately and placed inside fully-facilitated warehouses before distribution.
The owners, staff, and formulation experts at Green Mountain Animal, LLC have over 25 years of experience developing and manufacturing various pet foods and products. From liquids and gels to pastes and dry pet food, we have been creating different varieties that fulfill the energy and diet requirements of your beloved pets. The company offers contract manufacturing of animal products, mainly food and supplements that are FDA and third-party-verified.
Contact us at 802-752-4738 to learn more about our services and schedule a meeting with one of our experts. We maintain the highest quality manufacturing processes and ensure allergen protocols to prevent cross contamination of pet food products.
GREEN MOUNTAIN ANIMAL LLC
75 Catamount Drive
Milton, Vermont 05468
802-752-4738
Before you dive into the procedure behind how dog food is made, you must realize that up until the invention of the dog biscuit formulation, dogs survived solely on table scraps and raw meat. The invention of dog food dismissed dogs as lone scavengers and gave them a new identity. Below is a brief history of dog food that will help you understand its purpose, benefits, and formulation.
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In was the year 1860 when James Spratt invented and bought to the market the first ever meat biscuits to feed pet dogs. This product was subject to plenty of criticism at first. Farmers and other dog owners thought of this patented scientific invention as nothing but a tool for profiteering.
However, it did not take long for people to recognize the convenience that came with the dog biscuits. The sales for this dog food went through the roof, and this gave rise to a variety of different dog and pet food products. The emergence of different dog food brands set the foundation for the pet food industry.
Nevertheless, the first thirty years of this market included dog foods without any adequate nutritional research. The nutritional value had no objective measurements and precise calculations. Dog food manufacturers were merely playing guessing games while promising nutritional value for the pet dogs.
Veterinarians were yet to discover the nutritional requirements of different dog species to keep them from exhibiting deficiencies. As time went on, the inventions of new and improved processed dog foods came to fruition.
Dog food is nothing far from sophisticated nutritional science. The product provides macronutrients such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and others in just one formulation. It is no surprise that pet dogs and cats eat healthier than their owners.
The formulas for dog and cat food are different. The major reason for this is that both canines and felines differ in nutritional requirements. For instance, cats require a higher amount of fats and protein in their diet. Despite different nutritional requirements, the ingredients from which manufacturers make dog food and cat food are more or less the same.
The first ingredient that dog food companies are likely to use is corn kernels. Along with corn kernels, manufacturers will also add cereals such as barley, rice, and wheat. Workers continue forth by weighing all the ingredients, following them up by grinding them in a mill and combining them in a mixer.
They repeat this process until an even and well-blended powder forms. Then comes the job of the extruder, this is a machine that transforms this powder into pieces of dog food. It does this by steaming the powdered mixture and forcing it through dyes at extremely high pressure.
The dyes help shape the powdered mixture, similar to how a pastry bag shapes icing. These dyes can shape the mixture into any shape and size. These shaped mixtures exit the dies in a continuous stream, resulting in differently shaped dog bones as a spinning knife cuts them into small pieces.
Therefore, all the different batches of dog food can comprise different shapes, considering the shape of the dye. The next process involves a hot air dryer that heats the pieces for 25 minutes. The heat can rise to 149 degrees Celsius. This amount of high heat helps draw out the moisture in the dog biscuits.
After the heating process, the dog food cools at room temperature. Once the pieces exit the dryer, the conveyor belt takes them to a revolving drum. Here, the dog biscuits soak in fat and flavoring. This step is essential, as the fat provides the dog food with an energy source, while the flavoring makes the snack appetizing for the canine.
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The rotation drum ensures that all the pieces have an even and balanced coating. Here, the dog biscuits are almost ready for packaging. The conveyor system takes these pieces through the silos where all the crumbs eradicate from the solid dog food.
Dogs, like any other pet, have preferences in terms of food. The ideal dog food does not have pieces that are too small or too big. Moreover, the pieces have to be too dry, neither too mushy. All of these requirements are fundamental to both dog and cat foods.
There is much more that goes into manufacturing dog food and this article has just managed to skim the surface. Green Mountain Animal LLC provides manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and other services regarding pet products. To acquire the best pet product manufacturing and consultation on a contractual basis, call or email us today!
GREEN MOUNTAIN ANIMAL LLC
75 Catamount Drive
Milton, Vermont 05468
802-752-4738
drmetz@grnmtnanimal.com
Who Makes Pet Food? Is pet food made in “dog food plants”? If your goal is to provide customers with high-quality pet food, then you need to select a reliable manufacturer. Be sure that the products you receive from the manufacturing company align with your target audience’s preferences. For that, you need to conduct thorough market research, understand which ingredients are necessary for high-quality products, and consider how the companies you choose manufacture the products.
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Choosing a reliable dog food plant requires efforts and knowledge about the market. You cannot choose any brand and expect your customers to become loyal to your business. If you want to ensure that your customers receive products according to their expectations, you need to choose the right manufacturing company. Read on to learn who makes the best quality pet food:
Green Mountain LLC offers healthy pet food for customers. They help your business thrive in the competitive pet food market. You can also contact Green Mountain LLC if you want to customize healthy products and treats and create your own brand. The points below will help you understand different qualities that make the right dog food plants, so you can increase your sales and ensure customer satisfaction in the process:
When choosing products, dog parents consider their pet’s nutritional needs. Humans and dogs have different diets. In fact, various foods that are safe for human consumption can be toxic for dogs, and they can vary based on the breed as well. That’s why pet owners carefully evaluate the ingredients on the packaging. If you want to satisfy your customers, check the ingredients and make sure the product doesn’t include irrelevant items.
Choose a dog food plant that offers healthy ingredients. Numerous brands in the pet food industry try cutting costs by adding subpar ingredients to their products. They do not consider the items’ health benefits when manufacturing. As these companies fail to provide customers with healthy products, business suffers. You can avoid that by choosing a reliable brand. Instead of considering trendy products, focus on wholesome, beneficial ingredients. Pet lovers will never choose you again if they find that your products are inadequate and don’t align with their pet’s nutrition requirements. Therefore, beware of choosing pet food companies that emphasize flashy packaging and branding over product quality.
Different types of dogs are allergic to different food items such as pumpkin and potato. A trustworthy manufacturing company will produce the products avoiding ingredients with side effects. It’s a common occurrence that dog food plants don’t prioritize nutritional balance, but rather on increasing their profit margins using attractive marketing techniques that grab customers’ attention. If you want to grow your business in the long run, choose a company that contains ingredients with scientifically backed benefits. That way, you can satisfy customers and build long-term relationships. For instance, some companies list pumpkin as a special ingredient on the packaging, but actually, it is unhealthy for dogs.
Dog lovers without proper knowledge buy these products because the impressive packaging implies good quality. Unfortunately, they don’t know that this ingredient can harm their dog’s health. To avoid this, choose a manufacturing company that uses the best ingredients to guarantee wholesome nutrition.
Reliable pet food manufacturing companies ensure that their products can help pets develop and grow healthier. They manufacture products by keeping customers’ requirements in mind. The biggest challenge that pet owners face while choosing the product is narrowing down their searches.
To make sure they choose your products instead of any random packet on the shelf, offer a specific solution that caters to the pet’s nutritional needs. For instance, if a manufacturing company produces pet foods according to different categories, such as life stages, customers can easily decide. Furthermore, a reliable manufacturing company offers a wide variety of options to target different types of customers. When deciding on a manufacturing company, ensure that they offer a range of products with appropriate ingredients.
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Many customers still think that products with higher prices are better. They have this misconception that better ingredients are expensive, so they skip checking the product label to see what it contains. Manufacturers benefit from this misconception and use catchy marketing techniques to attract customers. Furthermore, they highlight unhealthy ingredients as ‘special’ to sell their products at higher prices. Keep in mind that numerous products in the market have reasonable prices and the best ingredients.
You can help your customers by providing budget-friendly products with high-quality ingredients. All you need to do is to conduct market research and choose a manufacturing company that prioritizes honesty. When your goal is to satisfy your customer, you should focus on providing appropriate products.
Want to enhance your business? Then you need to satisfy your customer with high-quality products. You can do so by hiring a manufacturing company that makes the best pet food at a reasonable price. You ensure better results by opting for a dog food plant with a wide variety of products.
Green Mountain Animal LLC is one of the best pet food manufacturing companies in the U.S. We make sure that our clients fulfill customers’ requirements by providing high quality pet food products. Our expert sales and marketing team can help you succeed and bring your business to the next level. Professional teams associated with Green Mountain Animal LLC also have thorough experience in manufacturing and formulating high-quality supplements for pets.
Give us a call at 802-752-4738 for more information about growing your pet food business.
How do dog food manufacturers in the USA operate? In the US, the most regulated food product is pet food. The pet food manufacturing industry has to follow state and federal requirements. The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates the ingredients and the finished pet food product. Meanwhile, state regulations regarding pet food require manufacturers to register their products. FDA should accept all the ingredients in pet food. Furthermore, AAFCO (Association of American Feed Officials develops regulations and model bills for pet food, so states adopt it into their respective laws and regulations.
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Pet food manufacturers should follow the rules and regulations in manufacturing units. All the state and federal organizations, such as the Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the US Department of Agriculture work to check the product’s quality and standard. The US Department of Agriculture controls the meat’s quality and determines whether manufacturers should use animals for pet food manufacturing.
The FDA will regulate ingredients and set up minimum and maximum limits on different nutrients. Moreover, they ban the use of antibiotics or medications in foods. As children usually consume pet food accidentally, they need to be safe in such conditions.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials is a non-governmental advisory group and represents each state. They register brands and pet food after checking the quality.
About a century ago, manufacturers used undesirable ingredients such as limestone and sand to increase the weight of their product. That is why the guaranteed analysis statement becomes necessary for food labels. According to guaranteed analysis, the product should contain minimum crude fat and crude protein and maximum crude moisture and fiber. Crude is the method for element testing.
Other guarantees will include minimum sodium, calcium, and linoleic acid in dog food. For cat food, this is magnesium, taurine, and ash. The maximum moisture for the canned food should be 78% and 12% moisture for the dry foods.
Manufacturers should properly label pet foods and provide accurate information so purchasers can decide. The AAFCO and the Center for Veterinary Medicine help setup the FDA guidelines. The label should include six elements:
Manufacturers need to add the product name accurately and follow the percentage. Moreover, they should describe the content.
When it comes to grocery items, pet food manufacturers should follow high regulations of the product. Federal and state laws impose various regulations for pet food with regard to the manufacturing process, ingredients, and labeling. Furthermore, all the laws and regulations about pet food should work abiding by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. This organization regulates animal feed such as pet food and treats.
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Members of this organization develop standards about nutritional requirements, ingredient definitions, model laws and regulations, and labeling, and other guidelines for the pet food sector. They also promote standard laws and regulations for pet food, promote interstate commerce, and ensure consumer protection throughout the United States.
On the federal level, FDA, FTC, and USDA regulate pet food. FTC and FDA take claims over labeling and advertising claims. Apart from that, FDA also regulates the finished products and pet food ingredients. Furthermore, FDA imposes requirements on all the other food items for people and pets. They ensure:
FDA and state regulators also regulate pet food plants. Furthermore, they test the ingredients in pet food and finished goods on a timely basis. They confirm that the product has the same nutritional content as the label mentions. These regulations ensure that the products are free from undesirable substances. Suppose the state regulators find the products insufficient and fail to meet the nutritional content. In that case, FDA will issue a warning to manufacturers if they find that the product is unsafe for pets and the environment.
If you want to know more about the state and the federal government’s regulations as related to pet food production, contact us at 802-752-4738. Also, if you want to customize your own pet product, consider Green Mountain Animal LLC, where we ensure that your product is according to government and state regulations.
Do you want to provide high-quality dog food to your customers? In that case, you need a reliable dog food manufacturer. Understanding your audience and their preferences is essential. You need to search the market, product’s price and provide the product to customers in time. All these prerequisites make choosing the right manufacturer an arduous task.
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You need to pick a healthy product for your customer’s pet. Green Mountain LLC ensures that you receive the best product for your clients and customers. Furthermore, if you want to customize healthy treats and products, contact Green Mountain. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right dog food manufacturers and engage more customers:
The right manufacturing company produces dog products by keeping your requirements in mind. Furthermore, they will provide a wide range of options, so your customers get the variety they deserve. While purchasing a product from a manufacturer, make sure they provide plenty of choices. Also, check the ingredients and range the manufacturer offers. When customers choose food for their dogs, they find it difficult to narrow down their searches from so many options. On the other hand, if the manufacturer provides different options for life stages and other categories, your customers can make decisions easily.
Dogs need proper nutrition and minerals for each meal. Their diet is different from what we eat. That is why dog owners choose a product after analyzing the ingredients on the box. They do not want to feed irrelevant food items to their dogs. You should choose a manufacturer that relies on healthy ingredients. The dog food market is full of options that contain trendy ingredients without any scientific support proving their health benefits. Choose products that contain beneficial ingredients instead of trendy and flashier options. Manufacturers usually focus on marketing rather than providing a nutritional product. Try to be wary of fancy marketing as it won’t work for pet lovers if they receive a subpar product.
You can grab your customers’ attention by providing relevant products. Many dogs are allergic to various products such as potato, pumpkin, etc. Hence, choose a manufacturer that prioritizes providing foods that don’t induce side effects. Choosing products with scientifically proven ingredients for dogs will result in more sales and business growth. For instance, a company used a low glycemic index group on its ribbon to grab customers’ attention. However, it does not relate to dog health in any way. So avoid the ribbons and stickers as they are all marketing stunts to grab attention. Instead, look up the ingredients to know if they actually benefit a dog’s health.
In terms of dog food, consumers have a misconception that the higher the price of a product, the better ingredients it may include. Numerous options in the market work as a healthy treat for dogs and fall within budget as well. The marketing team of various pet food manufacturers brings interest and attention to the product by using catchy marketing techniques. They add ingredients that do not relate to the health of the dog. Nevertheless, they may have higher prices than the best products in the market. Do your own research on different manufacturers in the market. Then narrow down the best suppliers and choose budget-friendly and healthy dog food products for your potential customers.
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Many dogs are allergic to foods like soy, corn, and wheat. Try offering products that include no or low amounts of grains. Dog lovers are highly invested in their pets’ health, so they make sure to check the ingredients to make an informed decision. Your brand should provide top-notch grain-free products.
A lot of manufacturers use beef tallow for their products. This ingredient adds taste to the dog’s food but does nothing to improve nutrition. It includes low-quality fat. That is not effective for your dog. You need to offer your customers products with a natural and high-quality fat source, especially those containing vitamin E or C.
You should avoid products with food coloring as it creates a negative image of your brand. Food coloring includes yellow 5, red 40, blue 2, yellow 6, and titanium dioxide. Remember that dogs can’t comprehend the size, color, and shape of the food. Hence, coloring appeal will not work for grabbing the attention of a dog lover.
Satisfying customers’ demands with help from the right dog food manufacturers will contribute to a long-lasting customer-retailer relationship. Providing your customers with a wide range of healthy products will enhance your business.
Furthermore, there are numerous benefits of purchasing dog food products directly from the manufacturers instead of wholesaler-distributors. Before selecting a manufacturer for your retail pet food shop, assess their abilities and products so you can be a top brand in the market.
If you are looking for the best dog food manufacturer, consider Green Mountain Animals LLC. We ensure to help you provide safe and high-quality products to customers. That is why we also offer custom pet food manufacturing. So if you’re looking to launch a new product, we can facilitate your needs. Our competitive and consumer-driven prices mean that you and your customers will be completely satisfied.
GREEN MOUNTAIN ANIMAL LLC
75 Catamount Drive
Milton, Vermont 05468
802-752-4738
drmetz@grnmtnanimal.com
Since dog food is specifically formulated for consumption by canines and dogs, it is made with special ingredients. Although they are considered omnivores, dogs are also biased to being carnivores. They possess gastrointestinal tracts that are as short as are usually in omnivores and similar sharp, pointed teeth that suit meat consumption better than they do vegetable substances. Dogs also possess 10 genes that are responsible for glucose and starch digestion, as well as producing amylase, an enzyme that breaks carbohydrates down into simple sugars. Carnivores don’t produce the amylase enzyme because they rely on a protein-based diet more than anything.
Dogs, when being mere canines, sustained on mainly a carnivores diet and fended for themselves. Once they became domesticated animals and were adapted for protection, companionship, and work, people began to grow more thoughtful about their nutritional needs. This is how food came into existence.
Pet foods are made with a singular focus on the nutritional needs of domesticated animals. Pet food is made using meat, cereals, grains, meat byproducts and vegetable-based ingredients. Pet owners can choose from around 3000 and more pet food products. These include canned, dry and the semi-moist variety as well as snacks such as treats, kibbles and biscuits.
Dog food that is commercially produced takes its origin from biscuit-style, dry dog food that was first produced in 1860, in England. Soon after, manufacturers came up with more sophisticated formulas that contained necessary nutrients for dogs at that time. The beginning of the 20th century saw the emergence of pre-packaged dog foods. The meals initially contained dry cereals but after World War 1, manufacturers produced dog food made of horse meat. The 1930s brought canned food for cats and a special meat meal, sort of dry food for dogs.
The 1960s brought even more innovations such as expanded type and dry dog food, cat food and semi-moist pet food. The trends at the beginning of the 1980s saw greater demands in the pet food market for dry foods and lesser demands for the canned variety. Researches also discovered that gum diseases spread more quickly in dogs due to the consumption of soft canned foods in comparison to dry.
It was generally the increased health-related awareness among the masses that generated more interest in scientifically formulated and nutritious pet foods. These included therapeutic foods for animals with health issues such as urinary problems and weight loss, life-cycle products for aging and younger pets and etc.
Dog food manufacturers leaned more towards using less tallow and fatty tissue and more protein-rich tissue. The result was an increase in the popularity of the pet snack category owing to products like pieces in sausage shapes, kibbles (biscuit pieces), biscuits and jerky snacks.
The primary raw materials required for producing dog food are byproducts of seafood, poultry, meat, soybean meal and feed grains. The animals used for rendering are house pets, horses and livestock and are those that have been put to sleep.
Animal parts that are used in the manufacturing of pet foods include bones, cheek meat, carcass parts, and organs like liver, intestines, lungs, stomach tissue, spleen, kidneys and udders. In order to improve the products’ consistency and to reduce the expense of raw materials, cereal grains such as cracked wheat, soybean meal, barley, and cornmeal are often used. Among the liquid ingredients are included meat broth, water and blood. It is also often necessary to use stabilizers, salt, gelling agents and preservatives. Gelling agents work to expand more homogeneity while the process is underway and also contain the moisture. They include carrageenan, guar and bean gums, thickeners, and some other starches.
To enhance palatability, flavors known as digests are used, which include sweeteners, fat, yeast, fish soluble and protein. Artificial flavors are generally left out but bacon flavors and smoke is often added to treats. Most manufacturers use minerals and vitamins to supplement pet foods because there is always a likelihood of some being lost in the process.
Each type of pet food consists of varying ingredients. Moisture constitutes the basic difference between dry and canned pet food. Since canned foods are made mostly from products of fresh meat, they, therefore, contain around 70 to 80% of moisture. Dry foods, on the contrary, contain only around 10% of moisture.
The dry foods also contain additional ingredients such as done and meat meal, corn gluten feed, oils, and animal fats. For dry foods to texturize like meat, it is necessary to use more proteinaceous adhesives such as casein, albumens and collagen, starch ingredients, or amylaceous and plasticizing agents.
The ingredients differ hugely, but the general manufacturing of pet foods is the same as processed foods. The products made with flesh in pet foods first have to be processed or rendered so that the protein, fat, and water contents can be separated. Outside companies generally render the meat and then ship it to pet food manufacturers . When meat products have to be used for canned foods, it has to be delivered fresh and used in no later than three days. For dry foods, manufacturers may use frozen meat products.
Grinding and cooking flesh and flesh byproducts are integral in the manufacturing process. Then, meat and other ingredients are mixed together, and if required by the recipe, shapes are formed from the mixture. The finished product is then packed into containers and passed on to the distributors.
For premium quality products for your pets, contact us.
GREEN MOUNTAIN ANIMAL LLC
75 Catamount Drive
Milton, Vermont 05468
802-752-4738
drmetz@grnmtnanimal.com
ctomat@grnmtnanimal.com