Dry Dog Food

Dry Dog Food: Method of Cooking

Based on its water content, commercial brand dog foods are classified into three major types - dry dog food, semi-moist, and wet dog foods. However amongst these three varieties, the dry dog food proved to be the bestseller.

Regular dry dog food is the most affordable as compared to its semi-moist and wet counterparts. They actually contain only 6-10 percent water, unlike canned food which contains almost 80 moisture volume. Dry foods are also beneficial against tartar build up on your pet's teeth. It is also the least likely to spoil compared to a newly opened can.

The manufacturing process
Pellets of dry dog food are commonly called kibble. Kibbles are chiefly produced by either one of the two known methods: baking and extrusion.

Baked kibbles are more digestible that's why it has been a constant favorite of pet owners. Since the pellets are prepared in slower heating procedure, the kibbles that are produced through baking are deemed to a lower pressure for longer periods of time. Baked kibble will tend to have longer shelf life compared to extruded ones especially when exposed to air or after the seal has been broken. However, baked kibbles will have substantially higher prices due to its more efficient cooking method and will generally be found available only in pet stores rather than supermarkets.

On extrusion process, a mixture of raw materials of clean-cut dough is fed into an enormous expander while hot water is added to make pressurized steam. After the kibbles are removed from the high pressure steam, they subsequently puff life popcorns. Once popped, they are allowed to dry, and then the kibbles are sprayed with fats, grease, or other vitamins that are not heat-tolerant.

In dry dog food under extrusion, kibbles that are not properly stored or are exposed for longer periods of time to air can be destroyed. The external fats and grease sprayed on the kibbles can become very rancid causing the deterioration of nutrients in the food.

However until now, there is still an ongoing debate regarding these two types of dry dog foods. The pet care industry is still uncertain about the better method of cooking for the dog's nutritional needs. Some enthusiasts assert that baked kibbles aid in the proper digestion of protein. However, it has also been pointed out that the dog's natural digestive system is designed to the consumption of raw meat and that extruded foods contain tocopherols as natural preservatives.