Gelatin in animal nutrition: benefits and applications in feed
Animal nutrition has evolved to offer more balanced and functional diets, ensuring the health and performance of animals.
An ingredient that has been gaining prominence in this scenario is gelatin, a highly digestible source of collagen, rich in protein and essential amino acids.
In this article, we will understand a little more about the benefits of gelatin and how to apply it to animal feed.
Enjoy the reading.
Benefits of gelatin in animal feed
Gelatin brings several advantages for animal nutrition, becoming a strategic ingredient in the formulation of feed for pets, fish, poultry and farmed animals.
Among its main benefits, the following stand out:
- High digestibility and absorption;
- Joint health and bone strengthening;
- Improvement in skin and hair quality;
- Increased palatability;
1- High digestibility and absorption
Gelatin is composed of hydrolyzed proteins, which means that its amino acids are broken down into smaller chains, facilitating its absorption by the animal organism.
It is especially beneficial for puppies and elderly animals, reducing the burden on the digestive system and improving the efficiency of the diet.
2- Joint health and bone strengthening
Rich in collagen, gelatin plays a key role in maintaining joint and bone health.
In large animals such as horses and cattle, gelatin supplementation can reduce the incidence of joint problems such as arthritis and cartilage wear.
In dogs and cats, it assists in the prevention of degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Its regular consumption can contribute to the production of new cartilaginous tissue and strengthening of bone structure, prolonging the mobility and quality of life of animals.
3- Improvement in skin and hair quality
The amino acids found in gelatin play an essential role in the synthesis of keratin and collagen, key components for animal skin and hair health.
Dogs and cats that consume gelatin-enriched diets tend to develop brighter, dense, and fall-resistant coats.
In addition, gelatin can aid in the recovery of dermatological problems such as dryness, excessive itching and allergic dermatitis.
4- Increased palatability
The inclusion of gelatin in feed and snacks also significantly improves the palatability of food.
Gelatin’s ability to form gels and impart soft texture is especially useful for wet foods, where the taste is intensified and chewing becomes more enjoyable.
Not to mention that gelatin can be used to cover up undesirable odors or flavors of certain essential nutritional ingredients, increasing the acceptance of diets.
How is gelatin applied to animal feed?
Gelatin is a versatile ingredient that plays an important role in animal nutrition, whether in feed, snacks or supplements.
Its unique structure allows it to be easily incorporated into various types of feed and nutritional formulas, offering benefits for both animal health and the quality of food products.
Below, we highlight some of its applications:
- Extruded feed;
- Snacks and treats;
- Nutritional supplements;
- Aquaculture feed.
Extruded feed
Gelatin improves the texture of extruded feeds, providing a pleasant crunchiness and facilitating the digestibility of food.
This is essential to ensure that the animals better absorb the nutrients present in the feed.
Snacks and treats
Gelatin is often included in treats for dogs and cats, providing benefits such as:
- Promotion of joint health, thanks to the collagen present in gelatin, which helps in the maintenance of joints and bones.
- Improved taste and texture of treats, making them more attractive to pets.
Nutritional supplements
Gelatin can be used in nutritional supplements, either in powder or liquid form, to provide additional nutrients to animals.
It plays a key role in strengthening bone and muscle health, as well as being an excellent source of protein for animals.
Aquaculture feed
Gelatin is widely employed in the formulation of feed for aquaculture, acting as a natural binder.
This not only improves the palatability and feed efficiency of fish, but also contributes to the overall health of aquatic animals, ensuring healthy and optimized growth.
Conclusion
Gelatin stands out as a functional and highly nutritious ingredient in animal feed, promoting benefits such as digestibility, joint health, bone strengthening and improved feed palatability.
Gelco International is a reference in the production of high-quality gelatins, providing innovative solutions for the animal nutrition industry.
If you are looking for ingredients that add value to your formulations, rely on Gelco International’s expertise to develop efficient and nutritious products.
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