Linneos Technical Department and DeMorgenstond Kennel, October, 2025.
Introduction
Palatability is a crucial factor in feline nutrition, as it directly influences voluntary food intake and, consequently, the cat’s health and well-being. With the increasing focus on sustainable and ethically responsible ingredients, there is a growing need to develop new strategies that enhance feed acceptance without compromising animal welfare. Exploring innovative and functional alternatives in this field represents a key step toward more conscious and balanced feline nutrition..
Objective
To evaluate the effect of Apsapal® Pets m, a natural palatant of non-animal origin, on feed preference and acceptance by adult cats in a double bowl test.
Experimental animals and diets
The palatability test was carried out using the double-bowl technique for 4 days over 20 dogs.
- Control diet (A): Standard maintenance diet for adult cats with the base digest at the usual dose.
- Treated diet (B): Diet A with Apsapal® Pets liq a 0,5% and Digest at half the usual inclusion rate.
Results
Conclusions
- Apsapal® Pets m allows a reduction in the inclusion percentages of Digests while preserving the functional and organoleptic properties of the formula.
- The inclusion of Apsapal® Pets m in Cats´ Pet food formulations resulted in a significant improvement in palatability and feed acceptance compared to the control diet without Apsapal®, as evidenced by higher feed intake percentages and a greater incidence of first-choice selection.
