Cats can be picky about their food, and therefore palatability (acceptance/taste) is an important factor to consider when designing cat food.
High palatability ensures cats receive the nutrition they require because they will be motivated to eat their food. However, palatability is complex and affected by many factors, including smell, taste, texture, kibble size, and kibble shape (Pekel et al. 2020).
Recent work has found that kibble shape, in particular, can have a strong impact on the palatability of food for cats. A recent study done by AFB International (2020) found that cross/star-shaped and disc-shaped kibble were most preferred by cats in a palatability trial compared with triangles, cylinders, and triangles with a centre hole.
In addition to affecting the palatability, kibble shape can affect other important components, including dental health and digestion. The shape and texture of kibble can be designed to encourage chewing before swallowing (Kozuchowicz 2018). The chewing action may be associated with increased mechanical cleaning of the teeth (Clarke et al. 2010). A kibble shape that encourages chewing also helps to slow down the rate of food consumption, thereby ensuring good digestion and possibly supporting healthy weight management.
Based on these and other factors, including texture (hardness, crunchiness, etc.), our Y-shaped kibble is highly palatable, helps to encourage chewing and slower eating, and therefore helps to ensure your cat receives all the nutrients contained in our formulation.
What is the name of a good dry cat food that is of different shapes?
Hello Robert,
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