As interest in eco-friendly pet nutrition rises, researchers have focused on alternative ingredients that can reduce the environmental impact of pet food production while maintaining high nutritional quality. A new study has explored the use of a red lentil pasta byproduct (LP) as a primary carbohydrate source in a complete, extruded diet for dogs. Conducted by researchers at São Paulo’s Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) and Italy’s University of Turin, this study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, offers promising insights into the digestibility, processing, and health impacts of LP in dog diets.
Sustainable Pet Food Innovation
Producing traditional protein sources for pet food often requires substantial land and water resources, leading to a significant ecological impact. Recognizing these challenges, the researchers set out to investigate whether LP, a byproduct of human-grade food production, could serve as a nutritious and eco-friendly alternative. The pet food industry, proliferating, faces rising expectations from pet owners for sustainable options that don’t compromise on nutrition. Using food byproducts like LP could provide a sustainable protein source and improve economic efficiency within the industry.
“Research interest in the use of pulses in pet food is growing fast, but data on extrusion processing and kibble formation for dog food containing lentils is scarce,” the researchers wrote, emphasizing the novelty and importance of their work.
Study Design and Testing
The study involved formulating five different experimental diets, with various levels of LP replacing traditional rice as the carbohydrate source. Each diet was designed to meet the nutritional needs of adult dogs, following European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) guidelines. The LP-based diets included:
1. A standard rice and poultry byproduct diet as a control.
2. Diets with 33%, 66%, and 100% LP substitution for rice.
3. A mixed diet containing 70% of the basal diet and 30% LP to analyze LP digestibility.
Forty healthy adult beagle dogs participated in the study, divided into five groups to test each diet. Researchers monitored various health markers, including nutrient digestibility, fecal characteristics, blood glucose, insulin responses, and biogenic amine levels.
Key Findings: Digestibility, Health, and Processing Insights
The results revealed that LP inclusion, especially in partial substitution diets (33% and 66%), maintained high nutrient digestibility. These diets did not impact dry matter, organic matter, or fat intake levels, confirming that LP could be a reliable nutrient source. Additionally, diets with LP led to increased production of fermentation byproducts in the faeces, highlighting its potential benefits for gut health due to its high fermentable fibre content. Moreover, the researchers observed that LP diets enhanced palatability, making the food more appealing to the dogs—a crucial factor for commercial success.
Integrating LP into the extrusion process presented new challenges, with higher resistance to mass flow and greater mechanical energy requirements, resulting in harder, less-expanded kibbles. These factors suggest that additional adjustments will be necessary for scaling up LP-based dog food production, to ensure optimal kibble texture and quality.
Environmental and Nutritional Impact
By incorporating LP—a byproduct that would otherwise go to waste—this study underscores the potential for sustainable pet food formulations that retain high nutritional and sensory quality. The researchers emphasized that LP could offer a dual benefit: reducing the environmental footprint of pet food while supporting dogs’ nutritional needs.
This research opens new doors for sustainable pet food innovation. By demonstrating that lentil pasta byproducts can contribute to a balanced and digestible diet for dogs, this study provides a foundation for future developments in environmentally friendly pet nutrition. With rising consumer demand for sustainable pet products, the pet food industry stands to benefit from exploring and adopting eco-conscious ingredients like red lentil pasta byproducts, contributing to a healthier planet and healthier pets.
