The Benefits of Fresh Extrusion Technology in Pet Food

12 March 2025 | Lifestyle
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

1. 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.

2. 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

WholeBuddy's premium ranges, such as their Superfood 65 line, feature an impressive 65% total animal ingredient content, with at least 30% coming from freshly prepared sources—a level of quality that conventional processing methods cannot achieve.

3. 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, the Freshtrusion® process creates foods that are often better tolerated than conventionally produced alternatives.

4. 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

WholeBuddy's testing shows that even the most discriminating pets typically respond enthusiastically to Freshtrusion®-produced foods, making mealtime less stressful for both pets and their owners.

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 that WholeBuddy simply produces better 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.

Picky Eaters

The enhanced natural flavour and aroma of Freshtrusion®-produced foods often appeal to even the fussiest pets. WholeBuddy's Connoisseur Cat range, for example, has been specifically developed with palatability in mind for notoriously selective feline companions.

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 ranges offer solutions for pets with specific grain sensitivities while maintaining nutritional excellence.

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. WholeBuddy offers specifically formulated senior recipes that account for these changing nutritional needs.

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. WholeBuddy offers life-stage specific formulas that provide optimal nutrition for puppies and kittens.

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.

The Science Behind Freshtrusion®

The process begins with the careful selection of ingredients, focusing on high-quality, fresh components. These ingredients then undergo precise preparation before entering the Freshtrusion® system, which carefully controls temperature, moisture, and pressure to optimise both safety and nutritional integrity.

This scientific approach ensures that WholeBuddy's pet foods meet or exceed nutritional guidelines while providing the palatability and digestibility that pets need to thrive.

Environmental Considerations

Beyond the nutritional benefits, Freshtrusion® technology also offers environmental advantages. The lower cooking temperatures require less energy than conventional high-heat extrusion, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint for each bag of food produced.

WholeBuddy's commitment to sustainability extends beyond their manufacturing process to their packaging choices and ingredient sourcing practices, making Freshtrusion®-produced foods a responsible choice for environmentally conscious pet owners.

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.

As we continue to learn more about the nutritional needs of our pets, innovations like Freshtrusion® demonstrate how technology can help us provide better care for the animals that enrich our lives in countless ways.

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.

Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult with your veterinarian about your pet's specific nutritional needs before making significant changes to their diet.