TDK conference 2024

As the number of companion animals increases, so does the interest in their proper feeds and as a result trends such as raw feeding are becoming more and more widespread. In recent years, pre-prepared raw foods, said to be complete, have appeared on the market. Complete food satisfies the animal's basic nutritional needs - protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrates and minerals as well.

In our study, we determined the mineral composition of complete foods available in Hungary and compared the results with three international recommendations (National Research Council (NRC), European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)). Since it is a challenge to ensure the correct Ca:P ratio during raw feeding, we also examined it.

The macroelements (Ca, P, K, Mg, Na) were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), the microelements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, I) and heavy metals (As, Ba, Co, Cd , Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Ti, V) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

We examined 37 products from seven manufacturers, of which 23 contained only one type of meat source. There was only 1 sample that proved to be adequate for all mineral elements according to the recommendations of the NRC and FEDIAF, none of them met the criteria of AAFCO. Compared to the NRC, an average concentration of 2.38 mineral elements was inadequate (standard deviation: ±1.06, median: 2); in 81.1% of the samples there was a deficiency or excess of two or more mineral elements. Compared to FEDIAF, on average 4.11, while in the case of AAFCO 4.54 elements were inadequate (FEDIAF standard deviation: ±1.35, median: 4; AAFCO standard deviation: ± 1.41, median: 5), in our case 36 products contained more than 2 mineral elements in inappropriate concentrations. Manganese was most often below the limit value, while calcium was the element most often over to the safe upper limit. The Ca:P ratio was adequate in 78% of cases, low in 16% and high in 6%. In two samples, we measured lead levels higher than the permitted level. The one containing only game meat contained 6 times higher, while the one containing game, salmon and beef had 23 times higher lead concentration than the safe upper limit. Based on the recommendations of FEDIAF, among the samples containing a single meat source, the food with the least adequate mineral element profile is rabbit-based, where 56.4% of the mineral elements were adequate.

Based on our research, it can be said that the foods sold as complete, apart from one sample, do not actually cover the mineral needs of dogs. Our results fit in with the relevant literature, so we can say that further domestic research and greater caution on the part of owners are needed to ensure that pets are fed correctly.