Nutritional Sustainability of Pet Foods

Abstract

Sustainable practices meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Applying these concepts to food and feed production, nutritional sustainability is the ability of a food system to provide sufficient energy and essential nutrients required to maintain good health in a population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their nutritional needs. Ecological, social, and economic aspects must be balanced to support the sustainability of the overall food system. The nutritional sustainability of a food system can be influenced by several factors, including the ingredient selection, nutrient composition, digestibility, and consumption rates of a diet. Carbon and water footprints vary greatly among plant- and animal-based ingredients, production strategy, and geographical location. Because the pet food industry is based largely on by-products and is tightly interlinked with livestock production and the human food system, however, it is quite unique with regard to sustainability. Often based on consumer demand rather than nutritional requirements, many commercial pet foods are formulated to provide nutrients in excess of current minimum recommendations, use ingredients that compete directly with the human food system, or are overconsumed by pets, resulting in food wastage and obesity. Pet food professionals have the opportunity to address these challenges and influence the sustainability of pet ownership through product design, manufacturing processes, public education, and policy change. A coordinated effort across the industry that includes ingredient buyers, formulators, and nutritionists may result in a more sustainable pet food system.

Fish species identification in canned pet food by BLAST and Forensically Informative Nucleotide Sequencing (FINS) analysis of short fragments of the mitochondrial 16s ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA)

“…In general, they can be grouped in two categories: "Popular", usually sold in grocery stores or large-format pet retailers and "Premium", typically sold in veterinary practices, and pet stores (Lund et al, 2006). The latter are elite products that often recall recipes and typical dishes of the culinary tradition, which are able to meet food trends and preferences of the owners at the same time (Swanson et al, 2013). Among them, the super-premium fish-based cat food, containing different kinds of boneless fish soaked in brine or jelly, are usually sold in single-portion sterilized cans.…”

“…Specific food for breed, size, life stage and high quality feed, in relation to the nutrient content (antioxidants, fibers, polyunsaturated fatty acids, etc. ), are increasingly assuming greater appeal to the buyer, who is prone to pay for a higher price (Swanson, Carter, Yount, Aretz, & Buff, 2013). Even though the ingredients' selection is a key element for pet food, tastiness and palatability also represent an important characteristic for the owner.…”

Life Cycle Assessment from food to food: A case study of circular economy from cruise ships to aquaculture

“…Besides, as interactions between energy and climate policy instruments frequently appear in the market (Oikonomou et al, 2010), the energy resource consumption was also treated for cradle-to-gate analysis of innovative feed mixes (Taelman et al, 2013). Furthermore, at global level, water represents a key resource whose use and pollution are evaluated for considerations related to nutritional sustainability (Swanson et al, 2013).…”

Valorization of Proteins from Co- and By-Products from the Fish and Meat Industry

“…Thus, as such it also represent an additional indirect protein need for humans. To ensure a sustainable pet ownership in the future, pet food needs to be sustainable and affordable and most effectively satisfy the needs for good health and well-being of the animals [80]. In general, all category 3 by-product material is suitable for pet food production (Table 3).…”