Here’s What’s Happening in Premium Wet Pet Food Production

Here’s What’s Happening in Premium Wet Pet Food Production

Pet ownership surged in North America with the COVID 19 pandemic. In the first seven months after the pandemic took hold, an estimated 11.38 million households welcomed a new pet. With nearly 50% of pet food buyers being brand loyal but simultaneously experiencing a heightened awareness of health and wellness, it’s only natural that pet owners began to seek new, healthier food options from their favorite pet food brands. More specifically, premium wet pet food products. 

Wet pet food has seen a boom due to its upgraded product quality and packaging coupled with a demand for its high-quality ingredients.

In fact, according to a July 2020 packaged facts survey of U.S. consumers, 49% of dog owners and 66% of cat owners said they feed their pets moist or wet pet food in pouches or cans. With more than half of cat owners feeding their felines wet food and dog owners not too far behind, this market will continue to grow.

Pet food trends have begun to shift away from dry foods and turn to wet food options. New niche varieties of dog food in particular, like grain-free, raw, and high-protein, have ingredients that translate well to premium wet pet food. The current consumer demand for these higher-quality and nutritionally sound wet pet food options has created the need for improved wet pet food production systems for manufacturers, like the DC Norris Jet Process for wet pet food. 

Petfood: Wet Vs. Dry

Most people think of dry kibble when it comes to pet food. Dry pet food contains a mix of ingredients such as meats, fats, and proteins blended together in a dough. The dough is baked and pushed through a small hole under pressure, forming the “kibble” shape. Dry pet food is made with less water and more carbohydrates like corn, wheat, or barley to bind the kibble into its form. 

In contrast, wet pet food contains more protein, water, and fewer carbohydrates than dry food, making it “tastier” to a pet. Wet pet food is also considered a healthier choice, as it does not have as many preservatives, carbohydrates, and additives as dry food. Wet dog food is fast becoming the healthy choice for pet owners who want to provide their animals with the best meal possible.

Jet Process for Wet Pet Food Production

To provide consumers with various wet pet food options for their animals, manufacturers need equipment that provides speed, flexibility, and bulk processing. The DC Norris Jet Process System for wet pet food production is a revolutionary new solution for industrial wet pet food processing. Jet Process can cook, entrain (mix and hydrate hydrocolloid), and sterilize in one complete system. The unique in-line continuous sterilization system reduces the number of processing vessels used, saving time and energy, while improving product quality and profitability. 

The Jet Process system pumps, heats, and mixes products simultaneously, evenly cooking all the pet food ingredients while maintaining the desired level of particulate integrity.  

Learn More About DC Norris Equipment for Wet Pet Food Production

If you are involved in the wet pet food market – investing in the Jet Process System will help your business create nutritious, safe, high-quality wet pet food products. As leaders in the market for food processing systems, we have designed our machines to produce great-tasting products in less time than traditional cooking machinery. Contact us for a customized quote.