Answering pets’ problematics with amino acid-based solutions and butyrate
Pet owners are looking for transparent, natural and functional ingredients which could be beneficial for pets in terms of health, welfare and pleasure. In parallel, the petfood industry has ambitious objectives in terms of innovation and sustainability. Our solutions based on low-carbon and fermentation based amino acids and butyrate can be levers of success in this context.
Balance amino acid in the petfood for sustainable nutrition
Pets require highly bioavailable proteins and essential amino acids
It is important to consider amino acids individually when formulating petfood. This method helps meet the need for these essential nutrients and ensure the optimal growth of puppies and kittens, good lactation of the dams, and muscle maintenance in older animals. In addition, using feed-grade amino acids can help reducing both the carbon and nitrogen footprints of the petfood industry while optimizing the cost of the formula.
Increase palatability of the food
Pets are real gourmets being very sensitive to the taste of their food
Amino acids can increase the palatability of the food via two levers. The first one is linked to their capacity to trigger umami receptors and taste, a taste to which pets are particularly sensitive. The second one is due to their possibility to react with sugars during heating process to form Maillard products, a family of molecules also very appreciated by pets.
Enhance gut health of dogs and cats
Pets have very sensitive digestive systems
Pets are often subjected to digestive problems, especially, when they are transitioned from one food to another. Amino acids, such as glutamine, glutamate or arginine but also butyrate are know to be trophic molecules for their intestine. Their supplementation is associated with improvement of gut health.
Maintain muscle in elderly pets
Older pets can lack appetite and ability to maintain their muscle mass when getting old
Like humans, older pets can exhibit sarcopenia (muscle loss). This loss of muscle mass is due to two concurrent and intertwinned phenomena: a lesser appetite combined with blunted muscle protein synthesis capacity. Branched-chain amino acids, especially leucine, have the capacity to activate muscle protein synthesis at the muscle level favoring the maintenance of healthy and strong muscles in dogs and cats.
Reduce aggressivity of pets
When neophobia turns into aggressive behaviour
- Pets can exhibit aggressive behaviour when they are not used to interacting with animals outside of the family. Tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin, when supplemented in the food can reduce stress related hormone (cortisol) and aggressive traits in pets.
Maintain fur quality
Pets when they are sign or getting older cn lose their fur quality
- Fur is mainly made of keratin, a protein rich in sulfur amino acids and disulfide bonds. Sulfur amino acid (cystine) supplemenation could help supporting the strength and qualituy of the hair.
Reduce odors
Undigested proteins can be metabolized in the gut into hydrogen sulfide leading to unpleasant odors
- Fecal odors can be unpleasant. This is related to the pungent smell of hydrogen sulfide, a metabolite derived from the fermentation of undigested sulfur amino acid in the gut of pets. Decreasing protein levels and supplementing free and highly digestible amino acids is a good lever to decrease these odors.
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METEX ANIMAL NUTRITION Customized Solutions
