Controlling vitamin D in pet food using deodorized (high n3) fish oil

March 10 2020 - News

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for pets, such as cats and dogs, but high concentrations can be dangerous. Due to the premiumisation of pet food with higher levels of meat, fish and oils, the background levels of vitamin D in pet food have substantially increased in recent years. IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients’ deodorized high omega-3 (n3) fish oil helps pet food producers in realizing safe and healthy pet food while carefully controlling the added amount of vitamin D.

Realizing safe vitamin D levels
Vitamin D is a big concern for pet food producers. Pets, such as cats and dogs, need to take vitamin D from food for calcium and phosphorus regulation in the blood, bone mineralization and skeletal growth. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to heart disease, bone disorders and increased risk of cancer.

But excess amounts of vitamin D are equally dangerous and can lead to reduction in bone mineral density, kidney failure and ultimately even death. Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, excess amounts are not rapidly excreted through urination but stored in fat tissue and the liver. Pet food producers need to find ingredients that help maintain safe levels of vitamin D whilst realizing optimal health benefits.

Deodorized fish oil
High n3 fish oil is the most effective and economical ingredient to ensure high levels of the functional omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These offer many specific benefits to the health and well-being of pets. This includes increasing the absorption of vitamins and minerals, stimulating hormone production, ensuring healthy growth and development, and helping in the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Together with its partner, IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of refined and deodorized high n3 fish oils for the pet food industry. Vitamin D levels can vary greatly between different species of fish. But through a process known as deodorization, our partner is able to remove almost all vitamin D content whilst maintaining the many health benefits of fish oil.

Year-round supply
IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients provides a guaranteed year-round supply of highly consistent high n3 fish oil that can be mixed, refined, deodorized and winterized according to customer demand to guarantee a specific EPA and DHA content and low levels of vitamin D.

For more information on deodorized fish oil and the finest ingredients for the pet food industry please browse this website or contact us directly.