The size of the particles in dog food made from poultry by-products may not have any impact on their digestibility.
The size of the grains can affect the digestibility in grain processing of plant-based ingredients used for pet food. Particle size does not appear to affect the digestibility of protein or fat in by-products from poultry used as dog food. By-product meal particles do not seem to have an impact on fecal palatability or quality. Researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany, conducted an experiment in order to determine the impact of grinding poulty meal on nutrient digestion and the structure of the feces of dogs.
Scientists wrote in the journal Life that animal by-products of pet food grade can be used as feed components to increase animal production. In this study, the researchers found that dogs were receptive to the inclusion of poultry by-products in their diets. When dogs were fed diets that contained coarsely or finely grounded poultry carcasses and collar meals, neither their digestibility nor fecal qualities were affected. It was therefore possible to use either coarse or small particle size poultry by-product meals in dog diets. Further studies are needed to determine the nutritional balance of a full replacement of chicken carcasses in companion animal feed.
Six Beagles were involved in the study. The six dogs were fed by-products in three different grind sizes: coarse, fine, or very fine. Researchers collected feces from dogs after five days of eating each diet and analysed them for crude protein, crude fat, and organic matter. After collecting the feces, the scientists switched to the second diet, and then the third one, using the same collection method.
Sustainability and pet food by-products
The use of pet food ingredients allows for the reuse of many parts that would otherwise go to waste. Even when raising silkworms, every bone, cut, and skin scrap that is used helps to maximize the use of feed, water, and other resources. recycling was not even in the English language until 1922. However, before recycling , pet food and animal food ingredient companies were reusing waste from the human food system.