PET Food Processing - March 2020 - 39

"Formulating for the correct balance of dietary
fibers is arguably as important as including
the proper amounts of other key nutrients,
such as amino acids and vitamins."
Trevor Faber, Trouw Nutrition
Insoluble fibers are not soluble in water. These nonviscous fibers include lignin, cellulose and some hemicelluloses. Many vegetables and cereal grains are rich in
insoluble fiber, with the highest amounts in wheat and
corn. Insoluble fiber is best known for adding bulk to
stool, helping to prevent or alleviate constipation.
There's a third type of fiber known as resistant starch
that, as its name suggests, is a starch that resists digestion in the small intestine. It is not soluble in water yet is
fermented like a soluble fiber in the colon.
Balancing the levels of these various fibers is paramount for health and wellness. That balance may vary by
species, breed, gender, age and level of activity.
"Fiber is not considered an essential nutrient in dog
or cat diets, but it is present in almost every commercial dog and cat food," says Patrick Luchsinger, manager,
marketing and business development, pet food segment,
Ingredion Inc., Westchester, Illinois. "While pets do not
derive any energy from fiber, adding fiber to a diet for
dogs and cats can help support digestive health, help
with loose stools and malodorous odors."
Davenport says, "Inter-species differences in the ability to utilize dietary fiber is dependent on the anatomy
and physiology of the digestive tract and the presence
of a resident microbial population in the lower large intestine. Dogs are facultative carnivores that use dietary
fiber effectively due to long digestive tracts, retention
times and hind-gut fermentative capacity."
Cats, on the other hand, are obligate carnivores and
have a simple, short digestive tract. They are unable to
benefit as much as dogs from dietary fiber. Regardless,
dietary fiber is an important part of the cat diet.

Toolbox of ingredients
Pet food formulators have many ingredient options to
achieve the best balance of fiber. While most dietary
fiber sources are safe for pets, there may be some antinutritional factors to consider, such as tannins. This can
often be overcome through processing.
"In the past, corn and peanut hulls and the like were
common inexpensive fiber sources but created large
stools and were not well-received by pet parents," says
Deena Krestel-Rickert, owner and principal, Four Paws
Solutions LLC, Chesterfield, Missouri. "Beet pulp and
powdered cellulose became some of the more common
fiber sources for pets. But more recently, high-quality
ingredients such as sweet potato, ground miscanthus

grass, fruits, peas and green beans - all rich sources of
natural fiber - are the more preferred choices."
Don Trouba, senior director, The Annex by Ardent
Mills, Denver, says, "Today's pet food manufacturers are
challenged with delivering healthful, on-trend products
that appeal to both pet owners and their furry friends.
Incorporating ancient grains and plant-based grain alternatives like chickpeas is one way that pet food manufacturers can satisfy both."
Ancient grains, pulses and some formats of conventional grains will provide more than fiber. Wheat middlings with ground wheat screenings, for example, is a
free-flowing coarse powder that contains protein, fiber,
phosphorus and other nutrients. Wheat bran contains
starch and protein. Ardent Mills offers a proprietary,
identity-preserved, hulless barley that is 30% total dietary fiber and 12% beta glucan.
Ingredion markets a short chain fructooligosaccharide (scFOS) that has been shown to be a highly effective
prebiotic soluble fiber in pets. It encourages healthy digestive function, supports a strong immune system and
helps reduce bad odors in the stool of the animal, according to Luchsinger. "Digestive health is very important in pets because when their gastrointestinal tract is
healthy, it allows for the proper absorption of vitamins
and minerals, while at the same time preventing entry of
pathogenic substances, which can cause them not to feel
well," Luchsinger says.
A unique strain of kelp seaweed is gaining traction in
pet food because of its prebiotic function. It's also been
shown to contribute to a healthier skin and coat, as
well as enhance growth in weaned young pets. "This
marine plant contains a unique blend of polysaccharides," Faber says. "When added at 0.25% of
the diet, it positively modulates the gut microbiota and provides numerous polyphonic compounds
that promote the immune system."
Miscanthus grass is another new option in
functional fiber for pet food. It is a perennial plant that is non-GMO.
It is being grown for the
sole purpose of being
a source of insoluble
fiber for pet foods
and is recognized as
an environmentally
responsible crop.

Beet pulp, the
fibrous material left
over after sugar
is extracted from
sugar beets, is a
common source
of dietary fiber in
pet foods.
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