Compound feed

Dry food is from "dry" food or feed ingredients (ingredients ) existing food for pets, such as dogs, cats, rodents, birds and ornamental fish and other pets. It can be stored easily measured and in a cool, dry place for up to 12 months. Dry food can be offered as a fixed, uniform pieces (pellets, biscuits, potato croquettes ) or as mixtures ( Flake ).

Content

The residual water content (moisture) is limited to 14 %. In dry food, as it is offered for rabbits or rodents, there is hay, grain ( for concentrate eaters like hamsters and the big mouse - relationship, and for grazers / Substratselektierer little to no grain as grains or flakes, possibly bran) or different fruit and / or vegetables. Ingredients of dog and cat food are next to cereals and animal ingredients consist, for example, depending on the recipe, yeast, vegetables, minerals, vitamins, etc. dog biscuits made ​​from wheat or corn meal, see also dog food.

Production

Dry feed is prepared by baking or extrusion. The raw material mixture is pressed in a screw in the extruder under high pressure and, if necessary, with water vapor in various forms (eg croquettes ). By heating in baking or extruding carbohydrates are digested and more digestible. Then, vitamins and solutions are sprayed from Eiweißhydrolyten or fats to supplement the nutrients and to increase the acceptance. This is called coating. For very high fat content, the vacuum -coating is applied to obtain a fat-free surface. After extrusion and coating, the feed is dried to predetermined values ​​and cooled.

One of the first manufacturers of dry food was the U.S. company Purina. Its founder William H. Danforth began in 1894 dry food for different breeds to produce. Under the name " Chow " presented to " Purina Horse Chow ", " Purina Dog Chow ", " Purina Cat Chow ", " Purina Rabbit Chow ", " Purina Pig Chow " and even " Purina Monkey Chow " her. The development and manufacture of dry food is a thriving industry today. For example, a wide range of ornamental fish food is offered, which responds to the needs of different types of fish.

Health aspects

When feeding dry food to cats must be taken to ensure adequate water intake to prevent the formation of urinary stones.