Both overall and first-bite preference showed consistent improvement.
A pet’s feeding behaviour can directly influence the quantity and variety of nutrients they consume, which has a large impact on overall health and well-being. Recent research* has found that over half (57%) of pet owners believe that they could be feeding their pet a more nutritious and balanced diet.
With this in mind, Ohly, who are experts in improving pet food palatability, conducted a feeding study to compare the acceptance and preference of kibbles coated with 0,5% OHLY-GO® Meaty against an uncoated reference.
How feeding behaviour affects nutrient intake and overall animal health
Pets are highly sensitive to taste, aroma, texture, and mouthfeel – these factors can determine what foods they prefer and how much they eat. As a result, inconsistent or selective feeding can lead to nutrient deficiencies, obesity, or digestive issues, among other health conditions.
Choice feeding observation in dogs – what the findings revealed
In the study, which assessed canine feeding behaviour, meat-free kibbles coated with 0.5% OHLY-GO® Meaty were compared with uncoated meat-free kibbles.
Dogs demonstrated a higher total consumption of the coated kibbles (58% vs. 49%) and ate the coated kibbles first 52% of the time, reflecting both greater preference and intake.
The findings suggest that OHLY-GO® Meaty enhances palatability and supports stronger acceptance amongst dogs. The acceptance level was slightly higher for kibble coated with OHLY-GO® Meaty (52% vs. 48%). Similar uplift was observed in overall preference (50% vs. 44%) and first-bite preference (52% vs. 46%).
The challenge for manufacturers: delivering balanced, nutritious food that pets enjoy
Palatability is essential in pet food; even a nutritionally ‘perfect’ diet can fail if it doesn’t appeal to a pet’s preferences, which are influenced by taste, aroma, texture, and even visual factors.
For manufacturers, the challenge lies in balancing complex nutritional requirements with these sensory components to help ensure acceptance and consistent intake. They also need to adapt for different species, breeds, and life stages, all while maintaining shelf stability, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory compliance.
Role of yeast in enhancing aroma, umami, and flavour perception naturally
Yeast extracts, such as Ohly-GO® KTD and Ohly-GO® Meaty, help to enhance pet food palatability by delivering meaty and roasted notes that appeal more to carnivorous animals than grain-based flavours.
The presence of glutamic acid and nucleotides in yeast extracts helps to develop savoury, roasted, umami flavours, which mimic the meaty taste that dogs and cats enjoy. The complex taste of yeast extract is highly effective at masking unwanted flavours, making it a great tool for disguising the bitter taste of medications and a key ingredient for improving the overall palatability of pet supplements.
Dr Dina Krüger, Innovation and Health Expert at Ohly, says:
“Throughout the two studies we conducted across cats and dogs, kibbles coated with OHLY-GO® products consistently outperformed reference products in preference, first-bite selection, and voluntary intake.
These findings highlight the benefits of using natural yeast-based ingredients to enhance palatability, support consistent nutrient intake, and improve overall diet adherence in companion animals.”
