Production of dog food and cat food – quality and sustainability
As a manufacturer of dog food and cat food, we follow strict requirements and rules to ensure the best food for the healthiest pets
Healthy nutrition yields long-lasting health benefits, and a good diet is essential for a long and healthy pet life. Appetitt offers a wide range of cat and dog food, perfectly adapted to the needs of your pet.
Appetitt dog food and cat food offers a wide selection of super premium food made with a high proportion of high-quality Norwegian ingredients!
The feed is produced in Norway and the short journey from the production site to the retailer will always provide fresh dog food and high-tasting cat food. The use of Norwegian raw materials, local production and a short route to the consumer results in a lower burden on the environment.
In Norway, we have zero tolerance for salmonella in feed for animals and genetically modified ingredients. Norwegian animal health status is unique, with very restrictive use of antibiotics. That means we can make the world’s best feed with the world’s best raw materials here in Norway!
In 2022, we switched to a premium monomaterial solution for the packaging we use in the Appetitt series. This is a plastic material tailored for complete recycling. This means that we have made a sustainable choice for Appetitt, which offers superior product protection and supports a circular economy.
Appetitt is developed and manufactured in Norway, and the range has a high proportion of unique Norwegian, circular ingredients. All varieties have a high proportion of hydrolysed protein sources from marine and animal sources (salmon and/or chicken).
The feed contains functional ingredients from natural sources, including natural glucosamine and chondroitin from salmon and chicken, as well as high-quality omega-3 from Antarctic krill from sustainable fishing.
Quality controls to ensure good raw materials and the quality of the final product
All raw materials come from approved suppliers. All the raw materials we use in our feed are GMO-free and proof that the raw material is free of salmonella is required before the raw material can enter our production facility. For each lot of product produced, a reference sample is kept if analyzes are needed at a later time (additional analyses). Ready-made dog food and cat food are routinely analyzed for nutritional content, hygienic quality and physical properties. The production and quality system are approved by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority also audits the production facility.
Research
We have extensive in-house research where we conduct tests of raw materials and finished feed. We focus on taste and digestibility, health and stool quality, coat and skin quality.
The origin of the raw materials
The vast majority of animal-based raw materials are of Norwegian origin. Examples of this are raw materials from chicken and fish. The fat sources we use are chicken fat, which is also a Norwegian raw material.
Correct dog food and high feed and water intake are, together with training, the factors that determine the dog’s ability to perform to the maximum during activity. Active dogs, such as hunting dogs, can have an energy requirement of from 3 to 8 times the normal maintenance requirement and it is almost impossible to meet this high energy requirement without giving the dog a high-energy feed, and there is often a need for additional supplements in the form of energy-rich wet food, fat, rumen, freeze-dried tripe e.g.. If dog’s energy needs are not met, the result will be reduced performance and reduced holding.
The energy in a dog food comes from the three main nutrients protein, fat and carbohydrates. Fat provides twice as much energy as protein and carbohydrates, and increased fat content is the easiest and most effective way to increase the energy content of a dog food. A dry pet food that will work well during training and hunting should have a fat content of at least 22 – 25% and over 30% during long-term hunting, competitions and races. This provides extra energy when fat burning goes into high gear during long training trips. Carbohydrates are a good source of energy and through short or more intensive training trips, the supply of glucose from the starch will contribute to increased performance. Proteins can also contribute as a source of energy, but are primarily building materials in the body and necessary to form cells and tissues. In an adult dog, the need for proteins is relatively low.
Preparations for increased activity should start well in advance. Here we are talking about training muscle mass and making the body’s ability to convert nutrients and energy more efficient. Through systematic and correct training methods, as well as good feeding for preferably 2-3 months before the hunting or racing season, you achieve that the dog is in top form when it really matters. The transition from normal dog food to a high-energy food should take place in connection with the start of the training period. In this way, the increased energy demand can be more easily met right from the start.
The most important thing is that the dog gets enough water along the way. Dehydration will reduce performance.
Increased exercise requires adaptations to ensure that the dog gets enough nutrition. To increase feed intake, used of soaked tripe mixed with the dry feed can make the ration more palatable..
Within Appetitt dog food range, you will find two varieties of dog food that are specially adapted to active working dogs, Appetitt ENERGY and Appetitt EXTREME
Puppies grows fast! The puppy’s stomach is small, and the digestive tract is not fully developed in the first months of life. Therefore, feed for puppies should be concentrated and easily digestible to compensate for the low volume of food the puppy can eat.
In the period up to weaning, the puppy’s nutritional needs will be covered by the mother’s milk. It is important that the bitch has enough milk and this is especially true with large litters. The puppies must have “easy” and free access to clean water in addition to mother’s milk. From the puppies, are approx. 3-4 weeks old, you can start carefully by giving food adapted to puppies. Normally, the puppies will seek the bitch food bowl and start eating there. For the puppies, it is therefore an advantage that the bitch gets the same dog food as the puppies. But mother’s milk will still be the most important thing for a couple of weeks to come.
The growth period lasts until the puppy is 10 – 24 months old, depending on the breed. Small breeds can reach adult weight already at 8 – 10 months of age, while large breeds can be growing up to 24 months of age. The highest daily growth is usually seen at 3 – 5 months of age, and some breeds can then grow by up to 400 grams per day.
If there is too much protein and energy in the dog food, the growth rate can go to fast and at the same time might the puppy become overweight. Being overweight is a not beneficial for skeleton and bones and might increase the risk of bone and joint disorders. Appetitt Puppy Large Breed has a moderate protein content and perfectly adapted to large breed puppies.
Dogs are normally referred to as small, medium and large size breed. This corresponds respectively to adult weight up to 10 kg, between 10 and 25 kg and above 25 kg. In addition to different growth rates, it is also a fact that small breeds have faster metabolic processes than large breeds. Therefore, small breeds need more energy and nutrients per kg body weight than large breeds.
Ideal amounts of feed are individual, and we recommend to use the feeding guidelines printed on the packaging or to be found in the product data sheets as a start and regularly check the puppy’s body condition score. Always remember free access to fresh drinking water.
As a pet parent, you are constantly faced with a number of products to choose from when buying food for your pet. And it may not be so easy to maneuver in the “jungle” of quality levels, breed adaptations, size adaptations and adaptations to different sensitivities your pet may have.
The nutritional content should be adapted to the pet’s activity level. A dog or a cat that are ageing, does not have the same needs as an active dog or cat. Taking life stage and lifestyle into account is important when choosing a food for your cat or dog.
On the feed bag there is a declaration of the feed’s nutritional content, describing which raw materials and additives the feed consists of, and with feeding guidelines.
The following information must be declared (on the bag):
There is a lot of focus on which raw materials the feed consists of. In general, one can say that dog food should contain nutrients from animal and marine sources, such as chicken or fish. The reason for this is that there is a nutritional intake of proteins and fats from animal and marine raw materials.
Cats are strict predators and are thus classic
carnivores. In the wild, cats feed exclusively on prey such as rodents and small birds. Cats are generally picky and prefer eating small portions
throughout the day. Your cat’s food should be highly palatable and smell appealing. This will
ensure that it eats enough to meet its nutritional needs.
Choose a dog food with nutritional content based on your dog’s age, size, life stage and activity level. Ideal amounts of dog food are individual, but it is recommended to follow the feeding tables on the bags.
Read our advice on feed for your puppy and how much food the puppy should have.
Here are some of our bestselling dog food. Click the product to read more for to read more !
As a manufacturer of dog food and cat food, we follow strict requirements and rules to ensure the best food for the healthiest pets
The dogs breeding period is calculated from the time around conception to the weaning of the puppies. The correct choice of dog food and feeding during this period is important to achieve many, healthy and viable puppies.
Puppies grow quickly and it is important to ensure proper nutrition, especially in the dog’s first year of life. Puppies have a very specific nutritional need because the immune system, digestive system, muscles and skeleton develop rapidly during the puppyhood period.
Regardless of which food you choose for your kitten, it is important that you choose complete food that provides a balanced feed with support for growth.
It is important that you give the cat food that you are sure covers the nutritional needs in the relevant life stages. There should be a correct balance between energy and the main nutrients protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Obesity Obesity is occurring more and more common and an ideal body weight is important for good health and well-being