Lipid Quality and Oxidative Stability in Industrial Foods for Dogs and Cats

The global population of dogs and cats has grown, boosting the revenue of the pet industry, and has raised concerns among their owners regarding the quality of food. Lipids are essential in the diet of dogs and cats, supporting overall health when present within recommended limits. Lipid oxidation represents a challenge as it compromises the quality and safety of food. Antioxidants play an important role in minimizing these impacts and ensuring food stability. Therefore, this study analyzed the composition of fatty acids and antioxidants in dry extruded food for dogs and cats. The values of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were determined, highlighting the importance of the omega-6/omega-3 ratio in animal health. It was observed that all foods met the minimum recommended limits for fatty acids. Antioxidant analysis revealed the presence of butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and ethoxyquin within permitted limits. The peroxide index (PI) was higher in dog foods. The results reinforce the need for an adequate balance between fatty acids and strategies to control lipid oxidation, aiming to guarantee the quality of industrialized foods for dogs and cats.