A recent study reveals that the freeze-drying process yields high rates of amino acid digestibility in dog food, demonstrating one of the benefits of this type of food for canine patients.
One of the most important aspects of any dog food is the amino acid profile. But it’s not just about the quality of the ingredients and whether they provide all the necessary amino acids. It’s also about how the food is processed. Some processing methods are better than others at preserving nutrients and amino acids. Freeze-drying is emerging as an excellent option for amino acid digestibility. Let’s examine the importance of amino acids in the canine diet and what the latest research says about freeze-drying.
Dogs Need 10 Amino Acids from Their Diet
Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of proteins, which are essential for tissue repair, immune function, enzyme synthesis, and muscle development. Dogs require 22 amino acids: They can synthesize 12 endogenously, but they must obtain the remaining 10 from their diet.
However, not all dog foods are created equal when it comes to amino acids. The processing method can impact the digestibility of these organic compounds. Compared to conventional drying methods such as thermal extrusion or air-drying, freeze-drying can better preserve the profiles of both essential and non-essential amino acids. This retention of amino acids contributes to the maintenance of protein quality in freeze-dried dog foods, ensuring optimal nutrition for dogs.
New Study Demonstrates Digestibility of Amino Acids in Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Studies evaluating the nutritional quality of freeze-dried dog foods have yielded promising results regarding amino acid retention. One recent study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Guelph published in the Journal of Animal Science examined the amino acid digestibility of three formats of freeze-dried dog food.
Researchers found high digestibility rates for all tested amino acids across the three freeze-dried dog food formats. Essential amino acids for dogs, such as arginine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and valine, showed digestibility rates exceeding 90%. Histidine, lysine, and threonine had slightly lower digestibility rates ranging from 81.7% to 91.7%.
NutriSource Has a Variety of Freeze-Dried Solutions for Your Practice
Freeze-Dried Raw Bites and Freeze-Dried Raw Sliders from NutriSource provide dogs with all the essential amino acids. They contain high-quality ingredients, and at least 90% of the protein comes from meat. Each recipe also features Good4Life+, Tynagen, and NVGEN to provide essential nutrients, minerals, and postbiotics. Your clients can incorporate the Bites and Sliders into their dogs’ diet as complete meals or as nutrient-dense treats or toppers, and thanks to the gentle freeze-drying process, you can be assured your canine patients will receive the amino acids they need to live long, healthy lives. You can also recommend clients add a splash of NutriSource Come-Pooch-A to every bowl of food for additional gut support.
Visit NutriSource to learn more.
AUTHOR PROFILE
IVC Journal is a division of Redstone Media Group. Innovation is the key to veterinarians staying competitive and being able to provide their clients with the absolute best care possible. IVC Journal delivers the most up to date and compelling information available by bridging the gap between the traditional worlds of allopathic and integrative veterinary care.
