Gelling agent

What are gelling agents?

Gelling agents are substances that can form a gel-like mass with water. They are technological additives in dog food that stabilize the food and influence its properties. Gelling agents can be of vegetable, animal or synthetic origin.

Vegetable gelling agents include, for example

• Agar-agar (E 406): A polysaccharide obtained from the cell walls of various algae. Agar-agar has been used as a gelling agent in Asia for many years and is considered a plant-based substitute for gelatine. Agar-agar cannot be digested by the body and is therefore considered a dietary fiber. It is considered harmless, but is said to have a laxative effect in higher doses.
• Pectin (E 440): A polysaccharide found mainly in fruit peel. Pectin is often used to make jam and has a high water-binding capacity. Pectin cannot be digested by the body and is a dietary fiber. It is considered harmless and can even have a positive effect on intestinal health.
• Guar gum (E 412): Polysaccharide obtained from the seeds of the guar gum plant. Guar gum has a very high swelling capacity and can bind large amounts of water. Guar gum cannot be digested by the body and is a dietary fiber. It is considered harmless, but can cause flatulence in high doses.

The main animal gelling agents include

• Gelatine (E 441): A protein obtained from the connective tissue of slaughtered animals such as cattle or pigs. Gelatine has a low gelling power and is often combined with other gelling agents. Gelatine can be digested by the body and provides amino acids that are important for the formation of collagen. Gelatine is considered safe, but can cause allergies in some dogs.

Synthetic gelling agents are e.g:

• Carrageenan (E 407): A polysaccharide derived from red algae. Carrageenan has a high gelling power and is often used in the food industry. Carrageenan cannot be digested by the body and is a dietary fiber. However, carrageenan is controversial, as it is said to have caused inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract in animal experiments.
• Xanthan gum (E 415): Polysaccharide produced by fermentation of sugar with the help of bacteria. Xanthan gum has a high viscosity and is often used as a thickening agent. Xanthan gum cannot be digested by the body and is a dietary fiber. Xanthan gum is considered harmless to health, but can have a laxative effect in high doses.

What are the benefits of gelling agents in dog food?

Gelling agents in dog food can have various benefits, depending on the purpose they are intended to fulfill. For example, gelling agents can

• Make the food last longer by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.
• Make the food more palatable by improving the texture or binding flavors.
• Make the feed more nutritious by providing fiber or promoting nutrient absorption.
• make the food healthier by having a positive effect on the intestinal flora or the immune system.

What are the disadvantages of gelling agents in dog food?

Gelling agents in dog food can also have disadvantages, depending on the type and quantity. For example, gelling agents can

• Make the food inferior by reducing the meat content or the moisture content.
• Make the food less digestible by triggering allergies or intolerances or disrupting digestion.
• Make the food more harmful by promoting inflammation or disease or inhibiting nutrient absorption.

What should you look out for when buying dog food with gelling agents?

When buying dog food with gelling agents, you should pay attention to a few points in order to be able to assess the quality and tolerability of the food. For example, you should

• Read the list of ingredients and check the type and quantity of gelling agent. The higher up a gelling agent is on the list, the more it contains. Make sure that the food has a high meat content, an appropriate moisture content and that the gelling agents are safe.
• Read the declaration of additives and check the function and origin of the gelling agents. Make sure that the food does not contain any unnecessary or controversial additives and that the gelling agents are of plant or animal origin.
• Consider your dog's needs and check the compatibility of the gelling agents. Make sure that the food does not contain any allergens or intolerances for your dog and that the gelling agents do not cause any digestive problems.