FAQ: Nutrients

How Pet Food Is Made

How Pet Food Is Made

Manufacturing commercial pet food is a science that has been studied extensively to safely produce complete and balanced diets that have all the nutrients that dogs and cats need to thrive. Understanding the production methods, including the cooking processes that ensure delivery of highly nutritious, palatable foods, and the benefits of dry and wet pet food formats can help improve communication with clients about commercial pet food. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Nutritional Value of Dry Pet Food 

How is dry kibble produced? 

Dry kibble is usually produced through extrusion, a manufacturing technique used for multiple human foods, including pasta and cereal as well as pet foods.1  

During extrusion, finely ground ingredients are mixed, and the mixture is cooked, shaped and cut into kibble, and dried to remove moisture. Some ingredients are then added onto the kibble as an external coating. Coatings add nutritional value and support the palatability of the kibble. Finally, the product is cooled and packaged. 

Kibble often has a homogenous look and shape, which is from mixing most of the ingredients before cooking, and then shaping and cutting the food into kibble. 

When manufacturers produce kibble with high-quality ingredients, including vitamins and minerals, dry pet food can provide all essential nutrients in the proper amounts and can also provide highly digestible protein.2  

For more information about kibble production, see Cooking Processes & Commercial Pet Foods and Purina Institute Digest, Volume 9: Pet Food Manufacturing. 

What are the benefits of feeding dry pet food? 

Dry pet food (kibble) is commonly formulated to be complete and balanced, meaning it is designed to provide all required nutrients for dogs or cats when fed according to the feeding guidelines. Due to its low moisture content, dry pet food is able to maintain its nutritional quality and stability over time when properly stored. 

When dry pet food is produced by a manufacturer with robust quality assurance and food safety programs, it can provide veterinary health care teams and pet owners with confidence in both the food’s safety and nutritional adequacy.3,4  

Documented benefits of feeding dry dog or cat food produced by a trusted manufacturer include: 

  • Provides complete and balanced nutrition, supporting overall health throughout a pet’s life
  • Exhibits high digestibility, allowing for efficient nutrient digestion and absorption
  • Supports optimal stool quality, an indicator of gastrointestinal function
  • Demonstrates palatability, confirmed through product development and feeding evaluations
  • Maintains nutritional value and freshness over the intended shelf life of the food
  • Is made with carefully selected ingredients, evaluated for safety and nutritional contribution
  • Is produced under strict quality and food safety standards, helping ensure the food is safe to feed
  • Supplies essential and functional nutrients that help pets maintain normal physiologic function and thrive
  • Offers a convenient and consistent feeding option, supporting reliable nutrient delivery 

What additional considerations are there for dry pet foods? 

The extrusion process used to produce dry pet food has been extensively studied, and dry foods are manufactured using defined processes designed to deliver a complete and balanced finished diet.1 These processes support consistent nutrient delivery while maintaining food safety and quality. 

In addition to meeting essential nutrient requirements, some dry pet foods are formulated to provide targeted health benefits, such as supporting healthy aging in dogs and cats or helping promote a healthy body weight. These benefits are attributed to specific nutrients and ingredient combinations incorporated into the kibble during formulation. The intended outcomes are evaluated using scientific research methods, including feeding studies conducted in dogs and cats. 

Dry pet food may also offer advantages related to ingredient utilization and sustainability. Compared with some other forms of pet food, dry pet foods can incorporate wholesome ingredients that do not directly compete with the human food supply. For example, meat and poultry co-products generated during the processing of foods for human consumption can be safely, effectively, and responsibly used in pet food. This practice supports the efficient use of available resources and contributes to dry kibble being considered a sustainable feeding option. 

 

References

Cooking Processes and Commercial Pet Foods

How are extruded kibbles produced? 

Depending on the recipe, dry ingredients are typically ground and mixed before wet ingredients (meats, liquids, and fats) are added. The mixture then enters a machine known as an extruder, where it undergoes a relatively fast cooking process using steam, pressure, and heat. The mixture is compacted under pressure as it moves through the extruder. Exiting the extruder, it passes through a die, which creates the food’s unique shape(s), and the food is then cut into kibble-sized pieces. Once reaching air pressure, the kibble expands, is dried, coated, cooled, and packaged. Typically dry extruded kibbles contain less than 12% moisture which helps preserve the food. 

What physical characteristics of kibble are impacted by extrusion? 

Extrusion influences these physical characteristics of kibble: 

  • Size
  • Shape
  • Color
  • Uniformity
  • Texture 

How are wet pet foods created? 

The ingredients are ground, mixed and precooked before adding the gravy or jelly, where part of the recipe. The mixture is then packaged in the final container (e.g., can, pouch, or tray), which is closed with an airtight seal before entering a machine known as a retorter. Commercial retorters are essentially oversized pressure cookers, and help sterilize the food, preventing it from spoiling before opening. In wet pet food manufacturing, the final product can be made into a variety of forms and textures from simple loafs or paté, chunks with or without gravy or jelly to more “culinary inspired” products. 

How does the cooking process affect the nutrients in pet food? 

Purina food scientists and other experts in manufacturing processes (e.g., expert engineers in extrusion technology) provide critical input when formulating recipes. They understand how the cooking process affects the ingredients and nutrients in a specific recipe, and this is addressed during development to ensure the finished product contains all the nutrients in the optimal quantities and balance. 

When properly controlled, the cooking process can actually enhance the nutritional value of the food (e.g., improve protein and starch digestibility).1 While some nutrients (e.g., water-soluble vitamins) may be partly broken down during cooking, this is highly regulated and compensated for in the original recipe. All Purina pet food recipes are formulated so the nutrient levels declared on the label are present in the food through the “best before” date. 

What additional benefits are obtained from the cooking processes used in manufacturing pet food? 

  • Carefully controlled cooking can enhance both flavor and aroma by inducing a Maillard reaction (similar to cooking human foods when “browned” food acquires its distinctive flavor, e.g., seared steaks).2 Different flavors and aromas are obtained from the ingredient reactions with key amino acids.
  • The cooking processes also help ensure safety and quality of the food. In addition:
    • All ingredients in each formula meet Purina’s rigorous safety and quality standards and meet or exceed nutrition standards for dogs and cats.
    • From arrival at the factory, throughout manufacturing until the food leaves the factory, multiple safety and quality checks are performed on each batch of food.
    • Packaging scientists design packaging to ensure food is kept fresh and maintains guaranteed levels of nutrients for the food’s shelf life (typically 12–18 months for dry foods; canned foods, 24 months from the date of manufacture). 

What pet food manufacturing standards do Purina® pet foods meet? 

Purina pet foods meet or exceed the highest industry standards for pet food manufacturing. All foods are formulated so the finished product provides all essential nutrients in the optimal amounts and balance to meet a pet’s special needs or life stage requirements. 

 

References

Benefits of Synthetic Ingredients in Commercial Pet Foods 

Are there differences between the various sources of ingredients used in pet foods? 

Similar to human foods, ingredients used in pets foods come from a number of sources. Many are obtained directly from animal or plant raw materials, but they can also be manufactured (or synthesized) and are referred to as “synthetic” ingredients. 

All ingredients found in pet foods, whether from animal or plant raw materials or synthesized, are strictly regulated.1–3 In addition, all ingredients in Purina pet foods serve a purpose—for example, to provide complete and balanced nutrition or to enhance palatability or appearance of the food to ensure pet acceptance. Ingredients and their associated nutrients, whether coming from plants or animals, are not inherently of higher quality than synthetic ones.4 

After digestion, the body cannot differentiate the source of the nutrient. What is important is that the nutrients are bioavailable so the body’s cells and tissues can use them, and that a complete and balanced pet food provides all the essential nutrients the pet needs in the correct amounts and ratios relative to one another. 

What types of synthetic ingredients are used in commercial pet food? 

  • Vitamins (e.g., thiamine mononitrate [vitamin B1]) and minerals (e.g., mono- and dicalcium phosphate, sources of calcium and phosphorus)
  • Amino acids (e.g., taurine, L-lysine monohydrochloride [lysine], DL-methionine [methionine])
  • Antioxidants and other preservatives (e.g., butylated hydroxytoluene [BHT])
  • Flavorings (e.g., artificial smoke flavor)
  • Colors (e.g., iron oxides)5–7 

What are the benefits of using synthetic ingredients in pet food? 

  • More consistent quality and content (purity) of ingredients versus plant-sourced ingredients.8 The quality and nutrient content of plant-sourced ingredients can vary according to specific crop conditions (e.g., weather, soil).8
  • Synthetic vitamins, minerals, and individual amino acids can be purposely added to ensure complete and balanced nutrition,7 or to provide a very specific level in the formula, such as where higher levels are required to meet specific nutritional needs, such as in therapeutic diets.
  • Improved palatability by helping enhance flavors sourced from animals or plants.7
  • Enhanced visual appeal of food for both pet and owner—synthetic colors are often less sensitive to deterioration from exposure to light, heat, and oxygen (more stable over product shelf life and storage until consumption),8–10 and provide more vivid and uniform hues9,10 compared to colors from plant sources. Also, smaller amounts of synthetic colors are needed to achieve a similar effect from plant-based ingredients.9
  • Unlike some plant-sourced colors—such as pigment sourced from red beets (beetroot)—synthetic colors do not add undesirable flavors or aromas.8,9 

 

References

Feeding Guidelines on Pet Food Labels 

How should I use the feeding guidelines on the pet food package? 

Feeding guidelines are designed to help owners determine the quantity of food to feed their pets to ensure an optimal body condition. Pet food regulations require that all pet foods labeled as “complete and balanced”1 or “complete pet food”2 must include feeding guidelines on the label.3 Many commercial treats and snacks will also provide feeding guidelines regarding how many to feed per day. 

Key points to remember: 

  • Since the calorie content of all pet foods differs (i.e., some dry complete pet foods can vary in calorie content by as much as 30%), it is important to check the guidelines on the label, particularly when starting a pet on a new food. The recommended daily feeding amount can then be divided into the preferred number of meals per day.
  • Feeding guidelines are calculated based on the calorie content of the food and the average calories a pet needs, according to their body weight and life stage.4 For example, puppies and kittens need more calories per kilogram of body weight than an adult because additional calories are required for growth.
  • The quantities stated in feeding guidelines are based on an average pet and should be used as a starting point to determine how much to feed. Each pet is an individual and many factors, such as their activity level, age, breed, reproductive status, and the environment in which they live,3 can all impact the amount of calories a pet needs. 

Individual requirements can vary widely between animals of the same body weight—sometimes as much as 50%.5 Less active adult pets may need fewer calories to keep them at a healthy weight, whereas more active pets of the same body weight will burn up more calories and hence may need more food. 

How do you know you are feeding the correct amount of food? 

Regularly monitoring both the pet’s weight and body condition using the Purina 9-point Body Condition Score System (available for both dogs6 and cats7) will indicate if the pet is receiving the correct amount of calories for their individual needs. If a pet gains or loses weight, feeding amounts can be adjusted as needed.3 

For more details about the Purina Body Condition System or to see the canine and feline scoring systems, visit The Purina Body Condition System, Canine Body Condition System Sheet, and Feline Body Condition System Sheet. 

Should the quantity of food be adjusted when giving treats? 

It is important to remember that all treats and snacks add calories. Therefore, the calories from treats should be counted towards the total daily calorie intake, reducing the quantity of the main meal accordingly. 

Feeding treats or small amounts of human food can contribute a surprising amount of calories, especially when considering that dogs and cats need significantly less than ourselves. Most manufacturers of treats and snacks provide a guideline on how many to feed per day. When feeding a complete food it is generally recommended that treats do not exceed 10% of a pet’s daily calorie intake.8 

 

References

References

Nutritional Value of Dry Pet Food 

  1. Harper, J. M., & Clark, J. P. (1979). Food extrusion. CRC Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 11(2), 155-215. doi: 10.1080/10408397909527262
  2. Hsu, C., Utterback, P. L., Parsons, C. M., Davenport, G. M., Rokey, G., & de Godoy, M. R. (2024). Effects of single and twin thermal screw extrusion on protein quality of grain-free pet foods formulated with predominantly animal- or plant-based protein ingredients. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 313, 115999. doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2024.115999
  3. Baldwin, K., Bartges, J., Buffington, T., Freeman, L. M., Grabow, M., Legred, J., & Ostwald, D., Jr. (2010). AAHA nutritional assessment guidelines for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 46(4), 285-296. doi:10.5326/0460285
  4. Freeman, L., Becvarova, I., Cave, N., MacKay, C., Nguyen, P., Rama, B., Takashima, G., Tiffin, R., van Beukelen, P., & Yathiraj, S. (2011). WSAVA nutritional assessment guidelines. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 52(7), 385-396. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01079.x 

Cooking Processes and Commercial Pet Foods 

  1. Carmody, R. N., & Wrangham, R. W. (2009). The energetic significance of cooking. Evolutionary Anthropology, 57(4), 379-391.
  2. Cerny, C. (2008). The aroma side of the Maillard reaction. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1126(1), 66-71. doi: 10.1196/annals.1433.011 

Benefits of Synthetic Ingredients in Commercial Pet Foods 

  1. FEDIAF (The European Pet Food Industry). (2018, February). Guide to Good Practice for the Safe Manufacture of Pet Foods. https://europeanpetfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FEDIAF_Safety_Guide_February_2018_online.pdf
  2. AAFCO, Inc. (2012). Ingredient standards. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/ingredient-standards/
  3. FDA (2019, June 4). Pet food. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-foods-feeds/pet-food
  4. AAFCO, Inc. (2012). Natural. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/natural/
  5. FEDIAF (The European Pet Food Industry). (n.d.). Additives. Retrieved April 13, 2026, from https://europeanpetfood.org/pet-food-facts/fact-sheets/nutrition/additives/
  6. AAFCO, Inc. (2012). What’s in the ingredients list? https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/whats-in-the-ingredients-list/
  7. FDA. (2010, April). Overview of food ingredients, additives & colors. https://web.archive.org/web/20221204094657/https:/www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/overview-food-ingredients-additives-colors
  8. Wrolstad, R. E. & Culver, C. A. (2012). Alternatives to those artificial FD&C food colorants. Annual Reviews in Food Science & Technology, 3, 59–77. doi: 10.1146/annurev food-022811-101118
  9. Sigurdson, G. T., Tang, P., & Giusti, M. M. (2017). Natural colorants: Food colorants from natural sources. Annual Reviews in Food Science & Technology, 8, 261–280. doi: 10.1146/annurev-food-030216-025923
  10. Schweiggert, R. M. (2018). Perspective on the ongoing replacement of artificial and animal-based dyes with the alternative natural pigments in foods and beverages. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 66, 3074–3081. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b05930 

Feeding Guidelines on Pet Food Labels 

  1. Association of American Feed Control Officials. (2019). 2019 Official Publication. Association of American Feed Control Officials, Inc.
  2. FEDIAF (The European Pet Food Industry). (2019). Code of Good Labelling Practice for Pet Food. Retrieved from https://europeanpetfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FEDIAF_labeling_code_2019_onlineOctober2019.pdf
  3. Case, L. P., Daristotle, L., Hayek. M. G., & Raasch, M. F. (2011). Canine and feline nutrition: A resource for companion animal professionals (3rd ed.). Mosby.
  4. Yam, P. S., Naughton, G., Butowski, C. F., & Root, L. R. (2017). Inaccurate assessment of canine body condition score, body weight and pet food labels: a potential cause of inaccurate feeding. Veterinary Sciences, 4(2), 30. doi:10.3390/vetsci4020030
  5. Bermingham, E. N., Thomas, D. G., Cave, N. J., Morris, P. J., Butterwick, R. F., & German, A. J. (2014). Energy requirements of adult dogs: a meta-analysis. PloS ONE, 9(10), e109681. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0109681
  6. Laflamme, D. P. (1997). Development and validation of a body condition score system for dogs. Canine Practice, 22(4), 10–15.
  7. Laflamme, D. P. (1997). Development and validation of a body condition score system for cats: a clinical tool. Feline Practice, 25(5-6), 13–18.
  8. Association of American Feed Control Officials. (2017). Reading labels. Retrieved from https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels/