We are not claiming to be kibble manufacturing experts. However any kibble manufacturer needs to take following steps to manufacture the final product.
Meat meal which consists from road kill, euthanised animals, butchering waste and byproducts and numerous other sources is subjected to rendering process. The purpose of rendering is to separate fat and fluids from solid content.
Following rendering, solids (meat meal) is mixed with cereals, grains, corn, gluten feed and not often some crushed fruits and vegetables.
After that preservatives, stabilisers, gelling agents are added to the mix. As well as synthetic vitamins and minerals.
Palatability enhancers than added to the mix such as yeast, fats, artificial sweeteners or flavour concentrates.
Following step is to add water to the mix to form dough and cook this dough at high temperatures (around 300 degrees Celcius) for 4-5 hours.
Cooked up dough is than pushed through extruder where kibble is formed and it is also sprayed with coating and more flavour enhancers.
Kibble Vs Fresh Food
| Comparison Criteria | Kibble | Happy Paws Nutrition |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Meat & bone meal | Human grade real food |
| Ingredients source | Unknown to manufacturers | Farms located in Victoria |
| Cooking method | Processed at high temperatures multiple times | Available in raw and lightly cooked options |
| Addictives | Preservatives, stabilisers, gelling agents, synthetic vitamins & minerals, palatability enhancers such as yeast, fats, artificial sweeteners and concentrated flavours, coating. | Optionally daily dose of customised multi vitamin from Baron Supplements Range |
| Individually customisable | No | Designed specifically based on nutritional requirements of your dog |
| Mass produced | Yes | No |
| Health Benefits | None | Plenty |
| Convenience | Very Convinient | Very Convinient |
| Digestability | 70-75% | Over 94% |
| Ingredient disclosure | No | Yes |
| Price | from $3 per kg | From $10 per kg |
| Product life | Nobody knows | Up to 3 months when frozen |
| Endorsed by dogs | No | Most definitely |
| Cooking time | 16-20 hours | No cooking for raw, 30-45 minutes for lightly cooked |
| Cooking temperature | Around 300 degrees Celsius | 60 degrees Celsius |
| Spieces appropriate | No | Yes |
| Main ingredient | Carbohydrates | Human grade muscle meat |
| Causes health issues | Yes | No |
| Endorsed by vets | Yes | Yes |
