Comprehensive Evaluation of Lipidic Content in Dry Pet Food Raw Materials: Comparison between Fresh Meats and Meat Meals

In a balanced diet for companion animals, the lipid component represents an important nutrient and source of energy, moreover it increases the palatability of the food. Dogs and cats are unable to synthesize essential fatty acids (EFAs) needed for their metabolism, therefore, they must be taken with the diet. The majority of dry pet food nowadays on the market are produced starting from fresh meats and meat meals which have a different lipid composition. This study was conducted to analyse the lipid component of the raw materials used for the production of dry pet food, paying particular attention to the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the ω-3 and ω-6, whose presence is fundamental for pet health. The crude fats of both fresh meats and meat meals were analysed by a gravimetric method while the lipid profile was determined by LC/MS-QTOF (Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry-Quadrupole Time Of Flight) in order to evaluate the lipid component, in terms of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids of the different raw materials used for dry pet food production. The results demonstrated that fresh meats have a better lipid profile, having a higher concentration of PUFAs compared to meat meals, thus making fresh meats the best choice as raw materials for dry pet food production from the lipid point of view.