Hey Ollie blog readers! We’re offering you an exclusive 60% OFF your starter box! Try now!

All Recipes

Fresh Recipes

See all

Whole food ingredients, slow-cooked for nutrition and flavor and frozen for freshness.

Baked Recipes

See all

Real meat and veggies, gently baked in small batches for crunch and convenience.

11 March 2016

2 MINS READ

The Hottest Downside To Dry Dog Food

And now for another chapter of "The Dangers of Dry Kibble," a horror story told by science. Did you know that when dry kibble is produced, the temperature used to dry it out (transforming the "goo" into hard, crunchy pellets) can drastically change the nutritional value of the food? We’ve discussed the nutritional deficits of […]

Share article

And now for another chapter of "The Dangers of Dry Kibble," a horror story told by science.

Did you know that when dry kibble is produced, the temperature used to dry it out (transforming the "goo" into hard, crunchy pellets) can drastically change the nutritional value of the food?

We’ve discussed the nutritional deficits of dry kibble before, but it’s worth noting some of the dangers that drying temps pose to the process. For example, the Animal Nutrition Group at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, showed that drying pet food at 160°C (320°F) to 180°C (356°F) can significantly reduce its nutritional value. (And spoiler alert: it didn’t have a whole lot of nutritional value to begin with!)

But wait, there’s more. Unfortunately.

With smaller sized kibble (roughly the size of a green pea), a drying temperature of 200°C (392°F) lowered concentrations of the following amino acids: Proline, total lysine and reactive lysine.

The drying temp of 200°C also decreased concentrations of linolenic (omega-3) and linoleic (omega-6) fatty acids, and simultaneously increased the concentration of oleic acid (omega-9 monounsaturated). This is problematic since an increase in oleic acid may point to lipid oxidation of the smaller kibbles during the drying process.

And here’s the really scary part: lipid oxidation can create off-flavors and aromas, as well as potentially toxic compounds. This is rare, of course. Pet food manufacturers have quality control measures in place that should prevent anything dangerous from entering your dog dish. (But if you ever open a new bag of kibble and your dog refuses it, pay attention and toss it out. He’s likely picking up on something that you’re not.)

Here are a few final things to chew on: Drying pet foot at higher temperatures speeds up the process for manufacturers and is therefore more cost-effective. (A big temptation if you’re a manufacturer.) It’s impossible to know from the food label at what temperature kibble was dried. Which means, of course, that even the nutritional information available on the pet food label could be inaccurate.

The ideal diet for pets is a balanced whole food, minimally processed mix of meat protein, vegetables and fruits. (You know, like Ollie!) But if you’re sticking with kibble, do your homework. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations, visit the website of the manufacturer, even send an email asking informed questions. Your pet will thank you for it!

References 1

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.

Tagged As:

The nutrition your dog needs,
the food they want.

Get Started

You might also like

2 MINS READ

Sourced: Inside Ollie’s MSC-certified Salmon

At Ollie, we believe that quality starts at the source. That’s why we thoroughly vet all of our suppliers, from peas to proteins. Ensuring sustainable, ethical practices is fundamental to our mi…

by

6 MINS READ

When to Switch Your Puppy to Adult Dog Food

Your puppy’s life is filled with milestones, including the transition from puppy to adult dog food. We explore when to make the switch and provide helpful tips.

by

5 MINS READ

Risks of Home Cooking for Your Dog

Although home cooking for your pup sounds like an intuitive and heartwarming way to serve up optimal health through fresh whole ingredients, there are many things you need to know about homemade f…

by