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Vivian Pedrinelli
Medica Veterinaria, MSc (FMVZ/ USP)
Are Pet Food Additives Safe for Dogs and Cats?
There is an increasing tendency for consumption of diets with a more natural appeal, which include less processed foods and fewer chemical additives. In fact, there is evidence that owners are more concerned with the health and eating habits of their dogs than that of their own. More than 67% of owners think that the use of preservatives is a potential health risk for their pets, and the absence of additives is one of the main reasons for owners choosing unconventional diets such as homemade diets.
Food additives are substances widely used in animal nutrition to modify the characteristics of the feed itself, or even achieve effects on the animals. Additives can be used to enhance palatability, provide essential and non-essential nutrients, or even improve the digestibility of a food product. Feed additives can be divided into categories, which may include vitamins, amino acids, colorants, preservatives, antioxidants, and probiotics.
Preservatives and antioxidants are important for keeping pet foods safe and are added depending on the type of food and processing. Preservatives protect the product from bacteria and mold, while antioxidants help protect the food from nutrient loss, ensuring a product remains safe and meets nutrient requirements throughout its shelf life. Antioxidants include a variety of natural extracts such as rosemary, citric acid, vitamin E, or vitamin C, as well as synthetic antioxidants such as BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin.
So, why are antioxidants so important in pet food? Many current diets marketed for dogs and cats contain moderate or high amounts of fat. Dietary fats not only provide energy, but also contribute to flavor and provide essential nutrients such as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Dietary fats can go rancid if not protected because they can be degraded when in contact with oxygen, moisture, and microbes (bacteria, mold, or yeast). Degraded fats can lead to loss of essential nutrients (e.g., omega 3 and 6) and can be broken down into unstable compounds, which can impact food acceptance and be potentially harmful to pets.
Synthetic antioxidants are more effective and cheaper to incorporate into finished pet food products. However, there is a trend for ‘clean labels’ and more natural products; manufacturers are now developing pet foods that contain naturally derived antioxidants such as vitamin E (tocopherols), Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), or plant extracts like rosemary extract. Naturally-derived antioxidants may be more desirable by pet owners, but they may not be as effective as synthetics.
Besides preserving food, some additives are intended to support gastrointestinal health (e.g., probiotics and prebiotics), or to prevent dental disease. They may also play a role in pets’ immune systems fighting free radicals due to oxidative stress. Additives may be used to protect nutritional value or enhance the nutritional profile, which is the case for some vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. These nutrients may be declared on the label as their common or technical names; for example, Vitamin E is known as tocopherol. Supplemental use of individual nutrients enables pet food manufacturers to meet nutritional requirements of a particular life stage, resulting in the finished product being balanced and meeting AAFCO or FEDIAF guidelines.
Did you know that there are some essential nutrients that can also do harm if provided above the safe upper limit? Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and calcium are three examples. Even though they have a suggested maximum intake, we still must include them to ensure a complete and balanced diet. The problem, therefore, is not the use of the substance itself, but the amount.
The use of additives is all about balance. The inclusion of additives in pet food are necessary to guarantee an appropriate or adequate nutritional value and to keep each pet safe from harmful substances (such as bacteria or mold or rancid fats). The difference between good and bad is all about the amount used, which also applies to ingredients. For pet owners who are concerned about synthetic additives, they can choose a brand that uses natural additives. Preserving the food means preserving the health of each animal, which is what we all care about when it comes to providing good health and long lives for our pets.
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