Monthly Archives: Mai 2022

TC Transcontinental Packaging recognized by PSC.

Losing opportunities for pet food processing improvement brings an economic toll for companies in the long run.   Making a pet food production-line employee’s life easier also tends to make the job itself more efficient and safer, saving time and money for the business.

Hill’s Pet acquires plant facility in Europe.

Purina and Pet Partners offering online cat therapy sessions.

Darling Ingredients acquires Valley Proteins.

Purina honoring Purple Leash Pet Project during May.

In April 2022, Petfood Industry’s staff and contributors wrote 6 blogs and columns. These articles covered pet food sustainability, supply chain issues and more. 

A healthy, gluten-free option for dogs

Did you know that quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd) is a seed of a plant and not of a grass, so while we refer to quinoa as a grain, it is actually a pseudo-grain that is also gluten-free! Packed with vitamins, minerals and protein, quinoa has been growing in popularity for humans as a healthy alternative to rice and other grains.

Can dogs eat quinoa, too? 

Yes! Although Quinoa is not technically a grain in the traditional sense, it is still classified as a protein-rich whole grain option for dogs that’s also high in healthy carbohydrates and fibre. Read on to learn more about the benefits of quinoa for dogs, and why we’ve featured it in our Beef & Broccoli recipe that dogs love.

Benefits of Quinoa for Dogs

1. Carbohydrate and Fibre Source

Quinoa is well-known as a healthy carbohydrate source. What makes a carbohydrate source healthy? The type of carbohydrates (and its additional nutrients)!

Carbohydrates can be classified as simple or complex carbohydrates. When looking for a healthy carbohydrate source for your dog, look for one with a high level of complex carbohydrates, such as starch and fibre, compared to simple – though this is not to say that there are no benefits to simple carbohydrates as they provide a quick and easy to use energy source for your pups!

In general, quinoa contains more complex carbohydrates than many other grains often used in pet foods. The starches provide an excellent source of energy and can provide benefits for gut health. Although fibre is indigestible, they are an excellent source of fuel for the good bacteria in the gut, and a healthy gut = a healthy pup!

To learn more about fibres, read our blog post about Dietary Fibre for Your Pets. 

2. Gluten-Free Grain

Gluten is an umbrella term for a variety of proteins called prolamins that are found in many grain sources (i.e. wheat and barley). These proteins are often resistant to digestive enzymes and therefore cannot be completely broken down. For some, but not all, pups, the incomplete digestion of these proteins can result in an immune response, which will cause allergy-like symptoms.

A gluten-free grain provides a healthy carbohydrate source for dogs who are gluten sensitive, or have intolerances to gluten, or for pet owners who simply want to opt for gluten-free diets for their pups.

3. High in Protein

Did you know that quinoa is considered a complete protein because it provides all the essential amino acids? Quinoa is especially high in lysine, methionine, and histidine – amino acids that are often low in other grains such as wheat and rice.

Oftentimes, we tend to group ingredients based on its major macronutrient, such as chicken as a protein and quinoa as a carbohydrate. And while quinoa is an excellent source of carbohydrates, in naming it as such we negate its many other components!

Quinoa can therefore be incorporated into your pup’s diet as both a carbohydrate and protein source, though it is recommended to pair quinoa with other proteins to ensure a rich variety of amino acids in the diet.

4. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties

The health benefits of ingredients with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are numerous, including but not limited to:

–   Reduced cancer risk

–   Healthy weight loss

–   Prevention for joint pain and osteoarthritis

–   Skin and coat quality

–   Reducing symptoms of allergies

Quinoa is documented to contain many polyphenols and anthocyanins, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found only in plants, which results in its high antioxidant capacity.

You can learn more about antioxidants here: Why Does my Pet Need Antioxidants? 

5. Nutrient-Rich

Grains can often be low in certain vitamins and minerals, however, quinoa is quite the opposite! Quinoa is a good source of many vitamins and minerals such as:

a) Folate: A B-vitamin important for red blood cells and cellular growth

b) Vitamin E: An essential vitamin that functions as an antioxidant

c) Copper: Aids iron absorption and is involved in maintaining healthy blood vessels, red blood cells, nerves, and immune response

d) Zinc: Important for the immune system!

e) Manganese: Involved in the formation of connective tissue and bones, metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, and for hormones and brain function

Overall, quinoa is regarded as a functional food that provides many benefits for our pups.

To incorporate quinoa in your pup’s diet, try our Beef & Broccoli recipe.

Written by: Hannah Godfrey
Animal Nutritionist
BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition
www.tomandsawyer.com

References:

Case L.P. et al. Canine and Feline Nutrition: A resource for companion animal professionals 3rd ed. May 19, 2010.

Dakhili S., et al. 2019. Quinoa protein: Composition, structure and functional properties. Food Chem, 299.

Ginter E., Panakova V. 2014. Antioxidants in health and disease. Bratisl Lek Listy, 115(10):603-606

Pasko P., et al. 2009. Anthocyanins, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity in amaranth and quinoa seeds and sprouts during their growth. Food Chem, 115(1):994-998.

Ruales J., Nair B.M. 1992. Nutritional quality of the protein in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd) seeds. Plant Food Human Nutr, 42:1-11.

A canine take on an iconic Chinese takeout dish.

Our Beef & Broccoli recipe is your pup’s version of a favourite Chinese takeout dish! This recipe is all-inclusive and can provide many benefits to dogs with a variety of dietary restrictions or requirements. 

This recipe is perfect for pups who:

1. Need a Low-Fat Diet

Sensitive stomachs or dogs who suffer from pancreatitis will benefit from having this low-fat diet. Tom&Sawyer sources extra-lean ground beef so that even dogs who need a low fat diet can enjoy the delicious flavours of beef in their regular diet. Meals for pancreatitis require fat levels below 25 grams per 1000 kcals – which this recipe delivers! 

2. Are Picky Eaters

Dogs can’t resist the taste of beef! In addition to a yummy protein source, this recipe uses limited ingredients which can help those fussy eaters. 

3. Have a Gluten Intolerance

For a healthy carbohydrate source, the Beef & Broccoli incorporates quinoa. Quinoa is a pseudo-grain and contains no gluten. This means that even pups who have allergy-like flare ups to gluten can safely eat Beef & Broccoli for dinner. 

In addition to meeting various dietary needs for different dogs, the Beef & Broccoli recipe also contains superfood ingredients such as ginger root and Goji berries.  

Additional benefits of Beef & Broccoli includes:

1. Maintaining Joint Health

Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects from Goji berries, ginger root, hemp seed oil, and fish oils all contribute to reducing and preventing inflammation and damage to the joints. Senior pups or hard working dogs can benefit from these effects. 

2. Shiny Skin and Coat

The high-quality, extra lean beef from this recipe contains many essential amino acids that build proteins that are components to hair. Antioxidants can also help reduce damage to the skin cells. In addition, minerals such as zinc, which is found in our anchovy fish oil, is crucial for healthy skin and coat!

3. Obesity Prevention and Weight Loss

You might think the low-fat aspect of this diet is what makes it great for obesity prevention and weight loss. However, it’s actually the fats in this diet that do wonders for your dog’s metabolism and weight. The high levels of healthy omega fatty acids can actually improve fatty acid metabolism and reduce fat deposition. Additionally, they are anti-inflammatory, preventing some of the negative consequences of obesity for your pup!

Next time you’re bringing home take-out, don’t forget to include your dog too! 

See our full menu lineup here.

Written by: Hannah Godfrey
Animal Nutritionist
BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition
www.tomandsawyer.com