Krill, this tiny but incredible crustacean, holds many benefits for pets, and this makes it a valuable ingredient for pet food formulators.
As krill is rich in phospholipid-bound omega-3, choline, astaxanthin, and marine proteins, adding this ingredient to your pet food formulations has the power to completely transform your brand.
So, let's explore the many ways in which krill can revolutionize your pet food brand.
Powerful and health-promoting nutrients
Krill meal boasts a high-fat content, with 25% of it being omega-3. This means that just a 5% krill meal inclusion on a Dry Matter (DM) basis can contribute 0.3% of EPA and DHA or 0.4% of omega-3 to the pet food formula. This is what makes krill a powerful omega-3 source for every pet food brand.
Read more: QRILL Pet Science
Now, studies also revealed that krill-sourced phospholipid omega-3 is 62% more effective in increasing the Omega-3 Index compared to marine triglyceride omega-3.
Moreover, krill contains approximately 1.4% choline, making it a powerful alternative to other choline sources commonly used in pet food formulas. The choline from krill, known as phosphatidylcholine, increases plasma choline levels 12 times better than the commonly used choline chloride salt.
Read more: How important is choline for pets
Rich in an extremely powerful antioxidant - astaxanthin
Krill is also a natural source of a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin, which both benefits pets and acts as a product stabilizer.
A 5% krill meal inclusion on a DM basis provides 6.5 milligrams of astaxanthin per kilogram of pet food.
Read more: What are the health benefits of astaxanthin for pets?
Complete protein source
An additional benefit of adding krill to pet food is its role as a complete protein source, providing all the necessary amino acids for the well-being of dogs and cats.
Approx. 8% of krill protein is made by the limiting amino acid lysine, with glutamic acid making up another considerable percentage of this protein.
Although glutamic acid is non-essential, it is great for palatability. These proteins are easily digestible and primarily consist of short peptides.
Read more: The health benefits of krill for pets
Versatility in formulations
Despite its high-fat content, krill is easy to work with and can be integrated into various types of formulations. The presence of polar phospholipids makes krill non-greasy, dry, light, and free-flowing.
Despite the high level of vulnerable fatty acids, krill can withstand the normal heat treatment used in most extruders, possibly due to its naturally integrated astaxanthin.
Catering to pet parents' concerns
With growing awareness of their pet's nutritional needs, pet parents are increasingly investing in pet food with omega-3.
Pet parents already understand how important the right diet is for a healthy pet, and that can only be achieved with a well-balanced diet. By incorporating krill into your formulas, you can offer pet parents a diet option that aligns with their concerns for their pets' health.
Read more: The latest pet health industry trends
Sustainability matters
The demand for sustainable pet food ingredients is on the rise. Krill has an ecological significance as a primary food source for fish, whales, penguins, and seals in the Antarctic ecosystem. That’s why strict fishing regulations are in place in Antarctica to help ensure that all life forms dependent on krill have plenty of food.
By partnering with brands like QRILL Pet, known for their commitment to sustainability and their prestigious Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, you can further differentiate your pet food brand in the market.
Read more: Krill is a sustainable ingredient for the pet food industry
In conclusion
Krill offers unique benefits that can transform your pet food brand. With its many important nutrients, easy formulation, and commitment to sustainability, it is a game-changing ingredient for pet parents that want to provide their furry companions with the best nutrition.
Discover the untapped potential of adding krill into your pet food formulas, and experience the positive impact it can have on your brand's reputation and success.
