Palatability enhancers in pet food: Choice-feeding study insights

The most effective and popular pet food formulations use palatants (sometimes known as digests) to ensure that dogs, cats and other animals find their food tasty as well as nutritious. These palatability enhancers play a critically important role; if domestic pets do not enjoy the taste of their food, they will not eat enough to benefit from the nutrients provided. But how effective are pet food palatability enhancers? 

Read on to discover more about the role of palatability in pet food, our choice feeding study insights, and how you can incorporate palatability enhancers into your formulations. 

The importance of palatability in pet food formulations

Palatability is a critical factor in pet food formulation. It influences the first bite, continued consumption, and overall feeding satisfaction. For both dogs and cats, palatability is driven by several factors, including:

• Aroma and flavour profile
• Texture and mouthfeel
• Fat coating and surface application
• Nutrient balance and digestibility

Without prioritising palatability, even the most nutrient-dense, flavour-rich formulations can underperform. Strong palatability ensures consistent intake, directly contributing to animal health and wellbeing.

What role does palatability play in choice feeding?

To improve palatability in pet food, manufacturers need to understand how to evaluate – and influence – feed preference. 

What is choice feeding?

In many households, pets experience elements of free feeding, where food remains available for extended periods. In these settings, factors like aroma retention and texture stability are essential. Choice feeding studies help simulate these real-life consumption patterns and provide valuable insights for manufacturers. 

Key findings from Ohly's choice feeding studies

Palatability solutions have the potential to revolutionise the way manufacturers formulate pet food. Ohly’s research into the performance of meat-free pet food palatants showcases just how significant their impact can be. 

Choice feeding observation in dogs: OHLY-GO^® Meaty

A study involving 60 dogs across 60 households evaluated how dogs responded to dry kibble (without meat ingredients) coated with 0.5% OHLY-GO^® Meaty. 

Study highlights:
The OHLY-GO^® Meaty coated kibbles consistently outperformed the reference product

• 58% total consumption vs 49% for the reference product
• 52% first bite preference vs 46%
• Overall stronger acceptance across diverse dog profiles

These findings demonstrate that targeted palatability enhancers for pet food can significantly increase initial interest and overall intake, even in formulations without meat ingredients. For manufacturers aiming to increase the palatability of dog food, coating with functional yeast extracts provides savoury umami and delicate meaty notes which offers a measurable advantage when it comes to pet food performance.

Choice feeding observation in cats: OHLY-GO^® KTD

In a separate study with 60 cats across 60 households, kibbles coated with 0.5% OHLY-GO^® KTD were tested against an established premium formulation. Cats were offered both products over three days, with researchers assessing overall preference, exclusive consumption and bite frequency. 

Results showed:
OHLY-GO^® KTD enhances both the immediate attractiveness and overall palatability of dry cat food

• 57% overall preference vs 34%
• 17% exclusive consumption vs 12%

Even when applied to an already well-liked premium brand, the OHLY-GO^® KTD coating significantly improved attractiveness and intake. This highlights how advanced palatability enhancers in pet food formulations can differentiate products in competitive markets.

The link between palatability and animal health

Offering food with good palatability is important for ensuring that pets consistently consume their food and take in the nutrients and calories they need to thrive.

This is even more critical for manufacturers who may be trying to incorporate functional food additives, supplements or veterinary medicines with bitter or unappealing flavours. Here, palatability solutions are particularly useful for masking any off-putting flavour notes from pharmaceutical ingredients and enhancing the taste so that the animals eat enough to get the nourishment or medication they need.  

Why partner with Ohly for palatability innovation?

At Ohly, we combine our long-standing expertise in PRECISION EXTRACTION^TM and yeast-based taste modulation solutions with proven choice-feeding validation to deliver advanced vegan palatability solutions for pet food manufacturers. 

• Proven performance and expertise in taste modulation and flavour delivery
• Demonstrated preference in more than 120 household feeding trials
• Increased total consumption and first bite rates
• Effective, even in meat-free formulations

Our portfolio supports enhanced palatability, assisting manufacturers to create nutritionally valuable pet food that delivers both satisfaction and functional benefits.