The concept of “cold pressing” for olive oil will sound familiar to many, right? But have you ever wondered what is behind the term “cold pressed dog food”? Did you know this type of pet food? In this article we will talk about natural feed, and in particular we will try to clarify what cold-pressed feed is. In addition, we will end by listing some brands of cold-pressed feed that you could find in Spain. Are you interested in this topic? Well, take note!

What is natural feed?

Natural feeds are those whose ingredients are of a magnificent quality. The main ingredient in these foods is usually meat, although, very important: only meats that are suitable for human consumption are selected. What does this mean? Well, it means that if these meats were sold for a human food factory, they would pass all the necessary controls and, after all their processes, we could consume them by buying them in supermarkets. This meat is known as type “A” and is sold to factories free of by-products or animal waste such as beaks, feathers or legs, guaranteeing that the protein it contains is of exceptional quality.

On the other hand, natural feed must meet other characteristics, such as the amount of cereals it contains in its composition. Cereals are necessary for our pets, but only in controlled doses, due to their source of carbohydrates. But there are also feed called grain-free (without cereals), for dogs and cats with intolerances, which do not finish digesting these components well.

These feeds use another class of ingredients, such as potatoes or peas, as a source of carbohydrates. Once we know the concept of natural feed, we can talk about one of its best alternatives in production: cold-pressed feed.

What is cold pressed feed?

To get the cold-pressed pellets, the manufacturer mixes the ground ingredients and takes them to a press that shapes the pulp into pieces suitable for dogs and cats: a roller presses the food, shaping the feed with the appropriate diameter. . Even during the cold pressing process, the feed will heat up due to the pressure. However, temperatures are normally limited to around 75º (the minimum required by law to ensure that the feed is free from salmonellosis is 70º) and no steam is used.

The different process is apparent at first glance, and the granules physically resemble the original ingredients. Therefore, people who like to give their dog a near-natural diet tend to choose cold-pressed dry foods more often.

This pressing system is also known as pelletizing. With this new way of preparing pet food, environmental contaminations are avoided, better digestion of the pellets and they are also more palatable for our furry ones.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cold Pressed Dog Food

As is often the case on the subject of pet food, there is a great diversity of opinion on the different methods of dry food production.

Advocates of cold pressing use additional nutrients as an argument in their favor, because in particular the secondary plant substances of herbs and berries can be absorbed to a greater extent by the dog’s body due to the gentler processing. This means that you benefit more from the antioxidants they contain, which counteract the aging process and can prevent damage to cells.

Since the ingredients are not pressed so densely, more of the “raw essence” of the ingredients is retained, making this a tasty pet food! Proponents of cold-pressed food claim that the flavor of natural ingredients is best maintained this way.

If your dog consumes and tolerates cold-pressed feed well, you will be providing him with a food that is high in protein, natural as well as balanced, which can improve his health.

Brands of cold-pressed or pelleted feed

Being a relatively new type of pet food in Spain, the truth is that there are not many brands that choose this production system, as both the machinery and its manufacture are much more expensive. But fortunately, little by little, those pet food companies that continue to innovate and improve the quality of their products year after year are making room for themselves.

All of them not only bet on this new production, but also take care of the ingredients so that they are of the highest quality. This would be the case of brands such as Luposan and Markus-Mühle, which certify the origin of the cruelty-free meat, betting on semi-free breeding.

And you, have you already tried giving cold-pressed feed to your dog or cat? Have you noticed the difference? How was the experience? We would love to know how you have experienced the process of change of feed at home and what is your assessment of the change.