Find out why bioavailability in pet food is just as important as the ingredients!
Pet parents have long known about the importance of choosing dog and cat foods with real foods and high-quality ingredients. Unfortunately, just reading an ingredients list doesn’t tell you anything about the bioavailability of the nutrients in the food. So how is a doting pet parent to choose the right food? Let’s learn more about bioavailability in pet food, what it is, factors that impact it, and why you should consider it when choosing food for your fur baby.
What Is Bioavailability in Pet Food?
Bioavailability is the extent to and rate at which nutrients from food are absorbed and used by the body to support overall health. Grass is a great example to illustrate the importance of bioavailability in pet food. Grass is chock-full of nutrients. It’s great for cows because they have a specialized digestive system designed to extract its nutrients. Humans, on the other hand, don’t have that specialized digestive system, so even though the nutrients are still there, our bodies can’t use them.
Factors That Can Influence Nutrient Bioavailability
Many factors impact the bioavailability of nutrients in dog and cat food, including:
- The form of a nutrient
- Processing methods such as cooking, grinding, or fermentation
- Cooking method and time
- Interactions with other nutrients
- Presence of dietary fiber
- Certain dietary compounds that can enhance or reduce nutrient absorption
- Ingredient quality
Digestive and metabolic differences among species and individuals also influence bioavailability, which is why it’s so important to choose foods with biologically appropriate ingredients.
Reasons to Consider Bioavailability When Choosing Pet Food
Bioavailability in pet food is important because dogs and cats have much shorter digestive tracts than humans. When the nutrients in your dog’s or cat’s food are bioavailable, it means their body will be able to convert them into strong bones and muscles, a shiny coat, and a healthy, robust body. They also won’t experience nutrient deficiencies, which can include excessive shedding, lack of energy, dull coat, flaky or itchy skin, frequent infections, and more.
And here’s another important consideration: While the quality of ingredients partially determines the bioavailability of their nutrients, bioavailability is conversely an indicator of a food’s quality. Similarly, high-quality, whole foods with high bioavailability will not only taste great, but your dog or cat also won’t need to eat as much to get what they need.
NutriSource Is a Pet Food Brand That Takes Bioavailability Seriously!
NutriSource has been dedicated to producing foods that foster health and wellness among companion animals for the past 60 years. Their NutriSource, limited-ingredient PureVita, and high-animal-protein Element Series lines start with the highest-quality whole foods to ensure nutrient density. Each recipe is complete, balanced, and made with biologically appropriate ingredients. From there, they add their Good4Life ingredients—probiotics, prebiotics, and trace minerals—to support digestion and maximize bioavailability. No matter which line or recipe you choose, your fur baby is guaranteed superior nutrition that supports whole-body health and well-being.
Learn more about bioavailability in pet food and NutriSource recipes today!
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.
