High Performance Dog Food, Supplements and Nutritional Products

When the dry matter dog food industry was in the embryonic stages of development, commercial dog foods were primarily baked. This trend continued until about thirty years ago. The more responsible, sophisticated, companies were aware of the enzyme- nutrient destruction in the baking process, (resulting from an extended heat history). The more affluent companies opted to make the transition (which is initially) quite involved and costly. The operative word is initially, after the origination expense, the cost of operating is reduced This price per pound reduction is more than enough to offset the start up costs.

Today, almost all companies that build new facilities have gone to extrusion type plants. These plants, although expensive to build, have superior volume capabilities. It is these capabilities that make the notion of a facility that bakes even more antiquated. With over head expenses growing a cost efficient facility is not a luxury.

Baked food can be a fine source of calories. If you are using a baked ration with flesh products, your dogs will not realize any significant difference in terms of performance. One must remember (before serious allergy sickness) stale bread was a common ration; mixed with leftovers ( for the last one hundred years ) . It is equally important to note that baked product may be crumbly and not hold its geometry as well as extruded foods . One theory as to the reason for this condition is that the more ingredients you attempt to put into a baked dog food the more it falls apart . Many dogs resist the crumbs in favor of a more solid nugget.

Lower cooking temperatures equal less nutrient destruction. Increased volume equals lower per pound prices. A solid well formed nugget provides a palatability advantage. YOU BE THE JUDGE!!!