Archives: White paper
PETS International, September 2023 Issue article “Get to know your product!” talks about some of the variables that affects your pet food taste. Get to know your product! With prices rising, pet food producers are looking for ways to optimize their formulas and develop new products that are tasty for…
As consumers are postponing vacations, turning down thermostats, and buying fewer treats – for themselves and their pets – the pet food industry needs to look at ways to stay resilient. Manufacturers who are trying to squeeze value out of their formulations without sacrificing quality, nutrition, or brand integrity may…
Chris Wildman, Senior Manager, Customer Engagement & Product Development & Palatability with AFB had the privilege of speaking at Petfood Forum in Kansas City, MO, USA this fall. The topic of his presentation was “Cats’ eating enjoyment informs preference of food components.”
Excess inorganic phosphorus can be harmful to cats. New palatable, low phosphorus feline palatants for your pet food are available. Essential phosphorus Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for cats. It is a key component of skeletal health and is involved in several metabolic processes. This mineral is naturally occurring (organic)…
Pet parents want their cats and dogs to enjoy the food they eat. In order to attract and sustain interest, the food must appeal to the pet’s senses of taste and smell. One key to producing high-performing diets that pets want to eat is the application of topical liquid or…
Choosing the best palatant for a customer is a complex process that demands a deep understanding of the customer’s needs. What is best? Send me your best palatant to test.’ This is a request that the R&D Department of AFB Europe gets often, and it is not a simple request…
Pet treats are big business. With sales growth that regularly outpaces the pet food market, this category is expected to continue increasing year-over-year. A high standard of palatability is key to success. Impressive growth According to Euromonitor, dog treat revenue grew 38% worldwide over the past five years, while cat…
OVERVIEW Creating a product that satisfies a cat’s preference can be challenging. As obligate carnivores, cats seek out diets that contain higher amounts of protein, moderate amount of fat, and minimal carbohydrates. Drivers such as aroma, taste and temperature are important in determining if a cat will prefer a particular…
More and more, pet parents want to know their dog is enjoying a meal in addition to simply eating it. If a meal is perceived as enjoyable, then there is a greater likelihood of a repurchase. We presented videos with different levels of dog feeding enjoyment (i.e., % Nose in…
In the pet food industry, business decisions about product advancement are based on comparative palatability assessments using data. Pet preferences are most often determined using two-bowl trials. Data from these or any comparisons must be carefully analyzed to tell an accurate story. The first step in this analysis is to…
AFB International’s strategic initiative to improve the palatability performance of wet cat food. Premiumisation of wet cat food The humanisation trend in pet food presents opportunities and challenges for cat food manufacturers. Cat owners are increasingly willing to spend more on their cats, as they are viewed as family members….
Developing a successful palatant requires expertise in both formulations and processing conditions. It also involves collaboration to identify a customer’s specific requirements. A clear understanding of our customers’ needs lays a firm foundation for success. Working together, AFB International will provide guidance on the best path forward to deliver…
People expend a great deal of effort making food taste good. In pursuit of palatability, we sprinkle spices, use flavorful fats, and choose varying preparation methods. Appetizing foods take center stage at parties, holidays, and family gatherings. We applaud superstar chefs, and dedicate television channels, magazines, websites, and countless books…
Aroma and taste are important variables in pet food palatability. However, our canine and feline companions can’t tell us what aroma they smell or flavors they taste, so how do we know which pet food they prefer? In addition to traditional feeding trials used to assess palatability with dogs and…
Several factors such as fat level, application rate, and coating systems affect uniform coating of palatants. This study focused on evaluating the coating consistency of palatants applied to kibble. Coating consistency is defined as the uniform application of the palatant on the kibble, leading to better product performance. Electronic tongue,…
One step in our development of a new palatant is to conduct a feeding trial against a control ration. This experiment is performed to test a null hypothesis that two rations are identical in preference versus an alternative hypothesis indicating that the rations are different in preference. Animals receive both…