The pet food industry uses trends and terminology for everything from minimally processed to human-grade to therapeutic, which can make concepts confusing. For example, although there are similarities between a novel ingredient and a functional ingredient, the two pet food formulation options meet different demands. African antelope and lion’s mane mushrooms are contrasting examples of novel and functional pet food ingredients.
Angelique Myburgh, a nutrition and development specialist at Montego Pet Nutrition, which makes dog and cat food, said these new functionalities in a presentation at Petfood Essentials on April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. We considered the ingredients.
African antelope as a new pet food
African antelope is Montego Pet Nutrition’s local ingredient. Founded in 2000, Montego operates in Graaff-Reinet, South Africa and produces 300 tonnes of pet food every day. The company is a Springbok (antidorcas marsupial) as a novel protein source. Springboks live from southern to southwestern Africa.. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the springbok as a species of least concern, meaning it is not in imminent danger of extinction.
Springbok meets many criteria as a new pet food ingredient. Antelopes have lean muscle and have hypoallergenic properties for dogs allergic to chicken, beef, and other common animal proteins. Dogs find antelope meat very tasty. Springbok antelopes live in the arid regions of South Africa, so they are more resilient to climate change than cattle.
“Antelope adds cultural relevance and authenticity to the product,” says Myburgh.
Springbok antelope wild and game reserve in South Africa. Selling African antelope meat provides an alternative to cattle ranching. Providing economic incentives to maintain springbok habitat could help restore native ecosystems and reduce ecological damage.
All of these characteristics of the African antelope generally apply to the realm of novel pet food ingredients. Novel proteins tend to be unconventional animal tissues with reduced allergenicity, atypical nutritional profiles and ethical characteristics.
Lion’s mane mushroom as a functional ingredient in pet food
Lion’s mane mushrooms are a counterexample to functional pet food ingredients. This fungus has a history of medicinal use by humans. Biological analysis identified polyphenols, helicelin, erinacin, and other chemicals that benefit human health. Heriserin and erinacin stimulate the production of nerve growth factors and promote nerve health. Polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds may also be useful for dogs and cats, she said. Research on lion’s mane mushrooms in pet food is limited;One study observed beneficial effects on the gut microbiome of older dogs who ate fungi.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom provides what pet owners are looking for as a functional ingredient. Myburgh said functional ingredients provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These strengthen the functions of the dog’s body and actively maintain health or provide health therapy.
Both functional ingredients and novel proteins play a role when formulating pet foods, but they offer different health benefits and also meet other pet owner demands. New ingredients offer nutritional options, especially for pets with protein allergies, and functional ingredients give companion animals a boost beyond the basics of a balanced diet.
