Good nutrition is important for a healthy and vital dog. If you choose dry food, you have a choice between pressed and extruded kibble. But how do you decide which type of kibble is best for your dog? In this article, we explain how these kibbles are produced and what characteristics they have.
Pressed kibble is made by pressing ingredients into a kibble under relatively low temperature. Ingredients that can be used for pressed kibble are 'dry' ingredients such as (meat) flour. Fresh and raw ingredients are not suitable for pressed kibble. As ingredients are heated to a maximum of 80°C during pressing, nutrients are better preserved. If grains are included in the kibble, they are pre-cooked to make them more digestible.
Due to the pressing process, pressed kibbles do not contain air and are more compact and softer than extruded kibble. As a result, you need to feed your dog proportionally less. Pressed kibble disintegrates in the stomach, taking up less space and putting less strain on the stomach. This type of kibble is very suitable for dogs that have trouble digesting kibble and for dogs that are very active. You can also combine pressed kibble well with fresh meat.
Extruded kibble is made using an extruder. Both dry and fresh raw ingredients can be used for extruded kibble. These ingredients are heated in the extruder between 90°C and 140°C. The kibbles coming out of the extruder are cooled and dried. They are then coated with fat and/or oil. This helps protect the kibble and enhances the smell and taste.
Extruded kibble is not pressed, so they contain more air. They also have a harder, crunchier texture. The layer of fat makes the kibble smell and taste more appealing. This type of kibble is very suitable for dogs that get nauseous quickly from an empty stomach. Dogs also have to chew better on extruded kibble, so it can help reduce plaque.
Whether you choose pressed or extruded kibble depends mainly on your dog. Does your dog have stomach or intestinal problems? Then pressed kibble may be the way to go. Is your dog a picky eater? In that case, it is more likely to eat the extruded kibble. If you want to switch from one type of kibble to another, do not mix the kibble. Finish the 'old' kibble first and then start with the 'new' kibble.
