During the manufacture of dry cat foods the ingredients are mixed together and cooked under pressure with steam and water. This cooking process is done to enhance the digestibility of the nutrients (protein, carbohydrate). The food is then sent through a drying oven at a specific temperature to dry the product to a low moisture content to prevent spoilage while the product is stored. If the product were over-cooked (or burned), the person feeding the product would definitely notice an off color or smell to the product. Usually a cat will refuse to eat a product that is over-cooked.
The manufacture of wet food is different in that the ingredients are mixed together (meat, minerals, vitamins, etc.) and then sealed in an aluminum can. This can is then cooked under pressure (process called retorting). This process is the same process used to manufacture and sterilize the foods humans buy that come in cans. This ensures that the product in the can is considered sterile as long as the can remains sealed. Once again, this sterilization process is done under prescribed conditions so the product in the can is cooked thoroughly to ensure the product still provides a highly digestible and nutritionally complete diet.
Source: http://www.catchow.com
No comments:
Post a Comment