Formulation of a balanced dog food at pilot scale : nutritional composition, microbiological and palatability tests

Abstract

The pet food industry is well established in the market of western societies, like the United States or Europe, but until now only plays a minor role in developing countries like Lebanon. With the number of pet owners predicted to increase in Lebanon in the near future and with all of the pet foods currently sold in the Lebanese market being imported from various countries, this study was designed with the objectives of formulating a palatable nutritionally balanced dog-food using local ingredients which would be competitive in price in the Lebanese market. Dry dog food produced using lebanese locally available ingredients according to a recipe meeting the international nutritional and safety standards was monitored based on selected physiochemical, microbiological and sensory parameters. The final product was characterized by low moisture content, high palatability among dogs, low cost and microbiological safety and stability. Sensory analysis was performed with 15 dogs and revealed a high and overall acceptance of three recipes formulated that were based on Beef & Wheat, Chicken & Rice, and Chicken Meal & Rice. A questionnaire was completed by 101 Lebanese dog guardians in order to assess their acceptability towards a locally produced pet food. The results showed encouragement and acceptance for a product made in Lebanon, meeting the international nutritional and safety requirements. The results from this questionnaire also shed light to commonly unavailable data such as the type of diets chosen by the Guardians for their dogs, the amount they spend per month, and the criteria they use to assess the best feed. These answers were taken into consideration for determining the cost such as a competitive pricing can be achieved in the current market.