The Benefits of Fresh Extrusion Technology in Pet Food
Introduction
When it comes to our beloved pets, the quality of their nutrition directly impacts their health, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. Just as we've become more conscious about our own food choices, pet nutrition has evolved significantly in recent years, with innovations focused on preserving nutrients and enhancing digestibility.
Among these advancements, Freshtrusion technology stands out as a revolutionary approach to pet food manufacturing. But what exactly is Freshtrusion, and why should pet owners consider it when choosing food for their furry companions? Let's explore this innovative process and its remarkable benefits for your pet's health.
What is Freshtrusion Technology?
Freshtrusion is an innovative manufacturing process that applies gentler, lower-temperature cooking techniques to pet food ingredients. Unlike conventional extrusion methods that use high temperatures which can destroy vital nutrients, Freshtrusion cooks ingredients at approximately 82°C, preserving the essential nutrients present in fresh meats, fish, and vegetables.
This cutting-edge process was specifically developed to:
- Enhance the digestibility of pet food, allowing animals to absorb more nutrients
- Increase flavour and palatability, making meals more appealing to even the fussiest eaters
- Retain vital nutrients that would otherwise be lost during traditional high-heat cooking methods
- Allow the use of fresh, minimally processed ingredients rather than highly processed alternatives
As pets eat the same food day after day, the nutritional quality of that food becomes even more important. Freshtrusion ensures that each bite delivers maximum nutritional benefit.
The Key Benefits of Freshtrusion Technology
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Superior Preservation of Nutrients
Traditional pet food processing typically involves high-temperature extrusion that can strip away valuable nutrients, including sensitive vitamins, amino acids, and beneficial fatty acids. The gentler Freshtrusion process preserves significantly more of these nutrients, resulting in more nutritionally complete pet food.
This improved nutrient retention leads to:
- More bioavailable proteins to support healthy muscle development and maintenance
- Higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and lustrous coats
- Better preservation of natural vitamins and minerals that support immune function
- Reduced need for extensive supplementation after cooking
WholeBuddy's commitment to nutrition science means the Freshtrusion process is continually refined to maximise nutrient retention while ensuring food safety and quality. This technology is at the heart of our premium ranges.
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Fresh Meat Instead of Meat Meal
Most conventional pet food manufacturers rely heavily on meat meals as their primary protein source. These meat meals are rendered products that undergo extensive processing, including high-temperature cooking that can degrade protein quality.
Freshtrusion technology allows WholeBuddy to use freshly prepared meats as the primary protein source, offering significant advantages:
- Fresh meat proteins are more digestible and bioavailable than those in meat meals
- The natural structure of proteins remains more intact, supporting better absorption
- Fewer preservatives and additives are needed when using fresh ingredients
- Better alignment with a pet's natural biological needs and ancestral diet
- Enhanced flavour profiles that pets find irresistible
For Dogs: WholeBuddy's Superfood 65 range features an impressive 65% total animal ingredient content, with at least 30% coming from freshly prepared sources. Choose from premium proteins including:
- Scottish Salmon with Dill, Spinach, Fennel, Asparagus & Tomato
- Angus Beef with Carrot, Green Beans, Cauliflower, Tomato & Courgette
- British Grass Fed Lamb with Mint, Pomegranate, Mulberry, Broccoli & Fennel
- Free Range Turkey with Parsley, Papaya, Nettle, Zucchini & Pumpkin
- British Free Range Chicken with Ginger, Pomegranate, Kale, Artichoke & Blueberry
Our Grain Free range offers 60% total animal ingredients with a minimum of 26% freshly prepared protein, including options like:
- Salmon with Trout, Sweet Potato & Asparagus
- Chicken with Sweet Potato & Herbs
- Turkey with Sweet Potato & Cranberry
- Duck with Sweet Potato & Orange
For Cats: The Connoisseur Cat range provides 70% total animal ingredients with a minimum of 30% freshly prepared protein:
- Turkey & Chicken for kittens and adults
- White Fish with Herring Caviar for sterilised cats
- Salmon with White Fish for sterilised cats
- Duck with Sardines for sterilised cats
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Enhanced Digestibility and Gastrointestinal Health
The gentle cooking process of Freshtrusion maintains proteins and fats in forms that are more easily recognised and utilised by your pet's digestive system. This enhanced digestibility offers numerous benefits for gastrointestinal health:
- Better nutrient absorption, meaning your pet gets more benefit from each portion
- Reduced digestive stress, resulting in fewer instances of bloating, gas, and diarrhoea
- Support for a healthy gut microbiome, which plays a crucial role in overall immune function
- Less waste production due to higher absorption rates
- Reduced likelihood of food intolerances and sensitivities developing over time
For pets with existing digestive sensitivities, WholeBuddy's Peptide+ Gastrointestinal Digestive Care takes Freshtrusion to the next level. Using Freshtrusion HDP (Highly Digestible Protein), this formula achieved 95% protein digestibility in feeding studies conducted at Ghent University Vet School. The recipe features hydrolysed turkey proteins broken down into easily digestible peptides.
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Enhanced Palatability and Natural Flavour
The high-heat cooking methods used in conventional pet food manufacturing can significantly diminish the natural flavours and aromas that make food appealing to pets. Freshtrusion's lower-temperature approach preserves more of these enticing qualities:
- Natural meat flavours remain more prominent
- Aromas are richer and more appealing to pets' sensitive noses
- Less need for artificial flavour enhancers
- Greater acceptance by fussy eaters
- More enjoyable mealtime experiences for pets
For Fussy Cats: The Connoisseur Cat range was specifically developed with palatability in mind for notoriously selective feline companions. Through extensive palatability testing using two-bowl trials, we've proven that cats prefer our Freshtrusion-cooked recipes. Each recipe includes 70% total animal ingredients and has been formulated with added beet pulp and cellulose to help reduce hairballs, plus optimal urine pH to support urinary tract health.
For Dogs: WholeBuddy's Superfood 65 range combines superior nutrition with irresistible taste. Each recipe includes a carefully selected blend of five superfoods alongside premium proteins, all cooked using Freshtrusion to preserve natural flavours that even the pickiest dogs love.
How Does Freshtrusion Compare to Traditional Pet Food Processing?
Understanding the differences between Freshtrusion and conventional processing methods helps illustrate why this innovation represents such a significant advancement in pet nutrition:
| Feature | Freshtrusion Technology | Traditional Extrusion |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Temperature | Lower (approximately 82°C) | Significantly higher (often 125-150°C) |
| Nutrient Retention | High | Moderate to Low |
| Primary Protein Source | Fresh meat | Processed meat meal |
| Omega Fatty Acids | Largely retained | Often degraded during high-heat processing |
| Digestibility | Higher | Lower |
| Flavour & Aroma | Rich and natural | Often diminished, requiring enhancement |
| Need for Artificial Preservatives | Minimal | Often substantial |
| Environmental Impact | Lower energy usage | Higher energy consumption |
This comparison highlights why WholeBuddy's Freshtrusion process produces superior food for pets.
Who Can Benefit from Freshtrusion Pet Food?
While all pets can benefit from the enhanced nutrition of Freshtrusion-produced foods, certain groups may see particularly notable improvements:
Dogs and Cats with Sensitive Digestion
The gentle cooking process renders proteins more digestible and less likely to trigger sensitivities. WholeBuddy's Peptide+ range takes this even further by using hydrolysed proteins that are broken down into smaller, less allergenic molecules. The Peptide+ Gastrointestinal Digestive Care formula is specifically designed for sensitive stomachs.
Picky Eaters
The enhanced natural flavour and aroma of Freshtrusion-produced foods often appeal to even the fussiest pets. For dogs, try our Superfood 65 range with its rich meat content and superfood blends. For cats, the Connoisseur Cat range has been proven through feeding trials to be highly palatable to selective felines.
Pets with Food Sensitivities or Allergies
The use of fresh, identifiable ingredients and reduced need for additives makes these foods ideal for pets with allergies. WholeBuddy's Grain Free range offers solutions for pets with specific grain sensitivities.
Senior Pets
As pets age, their digestive efficiency often declines. The enhanced digestibility of Freshtrusion-produced foods ensures senior pets can still absorb the nutrients they need to support healthy ageing.
For Senior Dogs: WholeBuddy offers Senior and Light recipes in both Grain Free and Superfood 65 ranges, featuring joint care packs with glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM.
For Senior Cats: Our Super Premium Senior Cat Chicken with Fish and Rice includes joint support for aging felines.
Growing Puppies and Kittens
The superior bioavailability of proteins and retention of essential fatty acids makes Freshtrusion-produced foods excellent for supporting the rapid growth and development of young animals.
For Puppies: Choose from Superfood 65 Puppy recipes like Scottish Salmon or Angus Beef, or Grain Free Puppy options including Chicken with Turkey, Salmon & Sweet Potato. All feature high protein content (28-40%) to support growth.
For Kittens: Our Connoisseur Cat Kitten recipe with Turkey & Chicken contains added omega-3 supplement specifically formulated for cognitive and visual development, with 40.5% protein to support growing bodies.
Health-Conscious Pet Parents
For pet owners who prioritise nutrition and want to provide the best possible diet, Freshtrusion represents an excellent balance of nutritional quality, convenience, and value compared to more labour-intensive options like raw or home-prepared diets.
Final Thoughts
Freshtrusion technology represents a significant advancement in pet nutrition, delivering superior nutrient retention, enhanced digestibility, and improved palatability compared to conventionally produced pet foods.
By choosing WholeBuddy's Freshtrusion-produced foods, pet owners can provide their beloved companions with nutrition that more closely resembles what nature intended - nutritionally rich, highly digestible, and deliciously appealing.
Whether you have a puppy or kitten just starting out in life, an adult pet in their prime, or a senior companion entering their golden years, WholeBuddy's range of Freshtrusion-produced foods offers tailored nutrition to support their health and happiness at every stage:
Visit us in-store at 21 Hospital St, Nantwich, CW5 5RL, to try out our products, or you can also buy from our online store: WholeBuddy Pet Food & Accessories | Nantwich UK
