Pet food product

Abstract

To provide a pet food product that can lead pets to chew and eat pet food and can prevent fast eating.SOLUTION: The pet food product includes at least ten or more pet food grains that have the same form and the same composition. When the breaking force is measured when ten of the pet food grains are compressed at a constant compression rate under the following test conditions, 50% or more of the pet food grains has, other than the maximum peak of the breaking strength, a plurality of peaks that are at least 1 / 2 of the maximum peak.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to pet food products. [Background technology]

[0002] Pet food can be divided into staple foods and snacks depending on the occasion for which it is given. Staple food is called a "complete nutritional food" and is made so that pets can get all the nutrients they need just by giving them that food and water. On the other hand, "snacks" are pet foods that are intended to be given in limited quantities to pets for training, exercise, or as a reward. They are classified according to purpose into "complete nutritional foods," "snacks," "therapeutic foods," and "foods for other purposes" that do not fall into any of the above categories.

[0003] In terms of the moisture content, pet food is roughly divided into dry food, which has a moisture content of about 10%, soft food, which has a moisture content of about 15-35%, and wet food, which has a moisture content of about 80%. Of these, the demand for dry pet food has been increasing in recent years due to its ease of handling and good storage properties.

[0004] In recent years, pet foods with small outer diameters and thicknesses have become mainstream, particularly for dogs and cats, in order to improve palatability. Pet food with a small outer diameter and thickness is thought to be highly palatable because it is easy to eat. However, if the outer diameter and thickness of pet food is small, pets may swallow it whole without chewing, which can lead to health concerns such as overeating and choking.

[0005] As a method for preventing pets from eating too quickly, Patent Document 1 discloses a pet dish having a lid that takes into consideration preventing pets from eating too quickly and preventing obesity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-130158 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Although there are pet tableware that prevent pets from eating too quickly, such as the pet tableware disclosed in Patent Document 1, no pet food has been developed that can prevent pets from eating too quickly.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a pet food product that can induce pets to chew and eat pet food and prevent them from eating too quickly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present inventors have conducted extensive research in order to solve the above problems. As a result, it was found that controlling the breaking strength of the pet food can induce pets to chew and eat the pet food. More specifically, the present invention employs the following.

[0010] The present invention has the following aspects. [1] A pet food product comprising at least 10 pet food granules which have the same composition and the same shape, wherein when 10 of the pet food granules are compressed at a constant compression speed under the following test conditions to measure the breaking strength, the pet food product comprises 50% or more of the pet food granules which, in addition to the maximum peak of breaking strength, have multiple peaks which are at least half the size of the maximum peak. <Test conditions> Compression tester (Texture analyzer, model number: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Plunger: 10mm diameter canine plunger Platform: Flat plate (inner diameter 26.5mm x depth 4mm) Compression speed: 60mm / min -Plunger lowest point: 4.0mm (compression distance) ·Measurement temperature: 25℃ Break detection start point: 0.035% (0.14N) Test force: Full scale 500N Peak Sensitivity: 0.5% (2.5N) [2] The pet food product according to [1], wherein the pet food granules have a first surface, when the pet food granules are projected in a first direction, that has an arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa1 of less than 14 μm, and a surface, when the pet food granules are projected in a direction other than the first direction, that has an arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa2 of 14 μm or more. [3] The pet food product according to [1] or [2], wherein when the hardness of 10 of the pet food granules is measured, the average hardness is 30 N or less. [4] The pet food product according to [2], wherein when the surface of the pet food granule projected in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is taken as the bottom surface, the height of the pet food granule is longer than the length of the pet food granule in the first direction. [5] The pet food product according to [4], wherein when the height of 10 of the pet food granules is measured, the average height is 10 mm or more. [6] A pet food product having at least 10 pet food granules of the same composition and shape, wherein when 10 of the pet food granules are compressed at a constant compression speed under the following test conditions and the breaking force is measured, the total weight of the pieces remaining in the 7 mm x 7 mm mesh pattern is 90% or more of the weight before measurement for 70% or more of the pet food granules. <Test conditions> Compression tester (Texture analyzer, model number: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Plunger: 10mm diameter canine plunger Platform: Flat plate (inner diameter 26.5mm x depth 4mm) Compression speed: 60mm / min -Plunger lowest point: 4.0mm (compression distance) ·Measurement temperature: 25℃ Break detection start point: 0.035% (0.14N) Test force: Full scale 500N Peak Sensitivity: 0.5% (2.5N) Effect of the Invention

[0011] ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pet food product that can induce pets to chew and eat the pet food product, thereby preventing them from eating too quickly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a plunger used when measuring breaking strength. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a pet food granule in the pet food product according to the first aspect of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing surfaces of a pet food granule in the pet food product according to the first aspect of the present invention, projected from each side. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph showing measurement results of the breaking strength of pet food granules in the pet food products of the Examples. [Diagram 5] 1 is a graph showing measurement results of the breaking strength of pet food granules in a pet food product of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In this specification, the term "pet" refers to an animal kept by a human. In a narrower sense, a pet is an animal kept as a pet by its owner. Furthermore, "pet food" refers to food for pets. The pet food of the present invention can be sold as "animal food" or "animal feed".

[0014] In this specification, "palatability" is an index of whether a food is enjoyed by pets and is determined by the texture, taste, smell, etc.

[0015] In this specification, the value of the moisture content is a value obtained by a normal pressure heating and drying method. In the normal pressure heating and drying method, the material to be measured is crushed in a crusher so that it passes through a 1 mm sieve, and this is used as the analytical sample. 2 to 5 g of the analytical sample is accurately weighed and placed in an aluminum weighing dish. The analytical sample is dried at 135°C for 2 hours and allowed to cool in a desiccator. The analytical sample is then accurately weighed and the moisture content is determined from the difference in weight of the analytical sample before and after drying. More specifically, the object to be measured is crushed in a crusher so that it passes through a 1 mm sieve, and this is used as the analysis sample. The mass (W1 gram) of the aluminum weighing can is measured in advance as a constant value. The analysis sample is placed in this aluminum weighing can and its mass (W2 grams) is weighed. Next, the analysis sample is dried at 135°C for 2 hours using a forced circulation hot air dryer. After allowing the analysis sample to cool in a dry atmosphere (in a silica gel desiccator), its mass (W3 grams) is weighed. The moisture content of the analysis sample is calculated from the obtained masses using the following formula. Moisture content of analytical sample (unit: mass%) = (W2-W3) ÷ (W2-W1) × 100 The moisture content shall be the value measured immediately after opening the final product within 30 days from the date of manufacture, or the value measured under equivalent conditions.

[0016] In this specification, the hardness of the pet food granules is a value obtained by the following method. One pet food granule to be measured is placed on a flat plate (inner diameter 26.5 mm x depth 4 mm), and the plunger is pressed vertically from directly above into the center of the pet food granule at a constant speed to measure the stress. The peak value (maximum value) of the stress is read as the breaking stress value. The breaking hardness unit can be converted to Newton (N) by multiplying the breaking stress (unit: kgw) measured by the compression tester by 9.8. <Test conditions> Compression tester (Texture analyzer, model number: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Plunger: 10mm diameter canine plunger Platform: Flat plate (inner diameter 26.5mm x depth 4mm) Compression speed: 60mm / min -Plunger lowest point: 4.0mm (compression distance) ·Measurement temperature: 25℃ Break detection start point: 0.035% (0.14N) Test force: Full scale 500N Peak Sensitivity: 0.5% (2.5N)

[0017] In this specification, the arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa is measured by observing the surface of pet food pellets (magnification: 40 times, observation field area: 19 to 20 mm) using a non-contact three-dimensional shape measuring instrument VR-3200 (manufactured by Keyence Corporation, using an L filter with a nesting index of 0.25 mm). 2 ) is carried out, and the arithmetic mean roughness Sa of the surface of the pet food granules is calculated.

[0018] (Pet food product of the first embodiment) The pet food product according to this embodiment has at least 10 or more pet food granules that have the same composition and the same shape.

[0019] The pet food product according to this embodiment is preferably a complete nutritional food. A "complete nutritional food" is a pet food product that is intended to be fed to dogs or cats as their main daily meal and is nutritionally balanced so that the pet food and water alone can maintain the health of the pet at a specified stage of growth. For example, the standards for complete nutritional food are those established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). In this specification, a "complete nutritional food" may be one that meets the criteria for any of the following stages, regardless of the growth stage: "puppy / kitten stage / growth stage or growth," "adult dog / adult cat stage / maintenance stage or maintenance," or "pregnancy stage / lactation stage," or it may be one that meets the criteria for "all growth stages" or "for all stages" that meets all three of these stages.

[0020] Each parameter of the pet food according to this embodiment (breaking strength, thickness, minor axis, hardness, etc.) does not mean the value of a single pet food granule, but the average value of the values ​​of 10 pet food granules of the same composition and shape produced under the same conditions. For example, it means the average value of the values ​​of 10 randomly selected pet food granules from among a number of pet food granules contained in a packaged dry-type pet food product. Therefore, when the average value satisfies each parameter, it is a pet food product according to this embodiment.

[0021] In the pet food product according to this embodiment, when 10 pet food granules are compressed at a constant compression speed under the following test conditions and the breaking force is measured, in addition to the maximum peak of breaking strength, 50% or more of the pet food granules have multiple peaks that are at least half of the maximum peak. This parameter can be controlled by appropriately adjusting the expansion time when producing the pet food, the shape of the pet food, etc.

[0022] <Test conditions> Compression tester (Texture analyzer, model number: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Plunger: 10mm diameter canine plunger Platform: Flat plate (inner diameter 26.5mm x depth 4mm) Compression speed: 60mm / min -Plunger lowest point: 4.0mm (compression distance) ·Measurement temperature: 25℃ Break detection start point: 0.035% (0.14N) Test force: Full scale 500N Peak Sensitivity: 0.5% (2.5N)

[0023] More specifically, the canine-tooth-shaped plunger having a diameter of 10 mm has a cylindrical connecting portion A having a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 19 mm, and a conical pressing portion B having a height of 7.2 mm, as shown in FIG.

[0024] When the breaking force of 10 of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is measured when 10 of the pet food granules are compressed at a constant compression speed under the above test conditions, in addition to the maximum peak of breaking strength, 50% or more of the pet food granules have multiple peaks that are at least half of the maximum peak, preferably 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more, and even more preferably 80% or more. The pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment have 50% or more pet food granules that, in addition to the maximum peak of breaking strength, have multiple peaks that are at least half of the maximum peak, so that continuous chewing force is required until the pet food granules are completely crushed, and the pet can be induced to chew the pet food granules multiple times, preventing them from eating too quickly.

[0025] When 10 of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment are compressed at a constant compression speed under the above test conditions and the breaking force is measured, it is preferred that 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more, and even more preferably 90% or more of the pet food granules remain in a 7 mm x 7 mm mesh pattern, and the total weight of the fragments remaining in the mesh pattern is 90% or more of the weight before measurement. The pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment have, when a breaking force measurement is carried out, 70% or more of the pet food granules have a total weight of the fragments remaining in the 7 mm x 7 mm mesh that is 90% or more of the weight before the measurement. As large lumps of granules are likely to remain even after a pet has chewed the pet food once, this encourages repeated chewing and prevents the pet from eating too quickly.

[0026] The pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment preferably have an arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa1 of a first surface obtained by projecting the pet food granules in a first direction that is less than 14 μm, and an arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa2 of a surface obtained by projecting the pet food granules in a direction other than the first direction that is 14 μm or more. In other words, the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment preferably have surfaces with different surface roughnesses. By having surfaces with different surface roughness, the pet food granules can enjoy a variety of textures for pets, further improving palatability.

[0027] Furthermore, in the pet food product according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the height of the pet food granule when the surface of the pet food granule projected in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is taken as the bottom surface is longer than the length of the pet food granule in the first direction. In other words, it is preferable that the pet food granule has a thicker surface that is not rough. In the pet food product according to this embodiment, the height of the pet food granule when the surface of the pet food granule projected in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is taken as the bottom surface is longer than the length of the pet food granule in the first direction. This encourages the pet to begin chewing from the side that is not rough, further improving palatability.

[0028] The height (thickness) of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is preferably 1.10 times longer than the length (major axis) of the pet food granules in the first direction, more preferably 1.13 times longer, and even more preferably 1.15 times longer.

[0029] The arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa1 of the first surface of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is preferably less than 14 μm, more preferably 13 μm or less, and even more preferably 12 μm or less. In the pet food product according to this embodiment, the arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa2 of the surface of the pet food granules projected in a direction other than the first direction of the pet food granules is preferably 14 μm or more, more preferably 16 μm or more, and even more preferably 18 μm or more.

[0030] When the hardness of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is measured, the average hardness is preferably 30N or less, more preferably 29N or less, and even more preferably 28N or less. If the hardness of the pet food granules is equal to or less than the above-mentioned preferred value, the pet food becomes easier to chew, and the palatability is further improved.

[0031] The pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment preferably have a height of 10 mm or greater, more preferably 10.5 mm or greater, and even more preferably 11 mm or greater. By having the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment have a height of at least 10 mm, pets can be induced to chew the pet food granules and eat them, making it possible to further prevent them from eating too quickly.

[0032] The pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment preferably have 50% or more of pet food granules having a height of 10 mm or greater. By having 50% or more of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment have a height of 10 mm or more, pets can be induced to chew and eat the pet food granules, and quick eating can be further prevented. The pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment preferably have 50% or more, more preferably 60% or more, and even more preferably 70% or more of the pet food granules have a height of 10 mm or more.

[0033] The major axis or diameter of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is preferably 5 mm or more, more preferably 7 mm or more, and even more preferably 9 mm or more. The major axis or diameter of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is preferably 13 mm or less, more preferably 12 mm or less, and even more preferably 11 mm or less. For example, the major axis or diameter of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is preferably from 5 mm to 13 mm, more preferably from 7 mm to 12 mm, and even more preferably from 9 mm to 11 mm.

[0034] The minor axis of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is preferably 4 mm or greater, more preferably 6 mm or greater, and even more preferably 8 mm or greater. Furthermore, the minor axis of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is preferably no greater than 11 mm, more preferably no greater than 10 mm, and even more preferably no greater than 9 mm. For example, the minor axis of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is preferably 4 mm or more and 11 mm or less, more preferably 6 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 8 mm or more and 9 mm or less.

[0035] The shape of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as they are a shape suitable for consumption by pets. For example, any shape can be applied, such as a sphere, an ellipsoid (go stone shape), a pellet, a cylinder, a polygonal cylinder, a hexahedron (plate shape), a cloverleaf shape, a heart shape, a star shape, a cross shape, etc. Among these, a cylinder shape is preferable from the viewpoint of more easily achieving the effects of the present invention.

[0036] ≪Raw materials≫ As ingredients for the pet food product according to this embodiment, powder ingredients and liquid ingredients known in the manufacture of pet food can be used. Specific examples of powder raw materials include grains (corn, wheat, flour, wheat bran, rice, bread crumbs, barley, oats, rye, etc.), potatoes (sweet potatoes, potatoes, etc.), beans (whole soybeans, etc.), starches (wheat starch, corn starch, rice starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, sweet potato starch, sago starch, modified starch, etc.), vegetable proteins (corn gluten meal, wheat protein, bean protein, rice protein, potato protein, etc.), meat (beef, pork, sheep, deer, rabbit, etc., chicken, turkey, Examples of ingredients include poultry meat such as quail and poultry; meals (chicken meal, pork meal, beef meal, mixed meals of these), seafood (fish such as tuna, bonito, horse mackerel, etc.; crustaceans such as shrimp and crab; mollusks such as octopus and squid; shellfish such as scallops and turban shells; fish extracts; dried bonito flakes, meals (fish meal), etc.), vegetables, nuts and seeds, mushrooms, eggs, sugars, dairy products, additives (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, flavor ingredients, powdered palatability enhancers, fiber, colorants, phosphates, pH adjusters, seasonings, antioxidants, trehalose, etc.), etc.

[0037] Meal refers to meat or seafood that has been compressed and finely ground into powder. More specifically, powdered palatability enhancers include extracts from animal materials, extracts from plant materials, yeast extracts, dried yeast, and the like. Specific examples of liquid raw materials (including semi-solid raw materials) include water, oils and fats (animal oils and fats such as chicken oil, lard, beef tallow, dairy fat, and fish oil; vegetable oils and fats such as olive oil, cacao oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, coconut oil, and camellia oil), liquid palatability enhancers, liquid sugar, moisturizers, preservatives, emulsifiers, flavorings, colorants, and the like.

[0038] A formulation example of a pet food product (dry type) according to this embodiment is shown below. Grains 40-70%, meat 5-30%, seafood 1-15%, beans 1-15%, fiber 1-10%, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids 1-5%, animal fats and oils 1-10% (total of these is 100%).

[0039] (Pet food product of the second embodiment) The pet food product according to this embodiment has at least 10 or more pet food granules that have the same composition and the same shape.

[0040] The pet food product of this embodiment has at least 70% of the pet food granules such that, when 10 of the pet food granules are compressed at a constant compression speed under the following test conditions and the breaking force is measured, the total weight of the fragments remaining in the 7 mm x 7 mm mesh pattern is at least 90% of the weight before measurement. <Test conditions> Compression tester (Texture analyzer, model number: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Plunger: 10mm diameter canine plunger Platform: Flat plate (inner diameter 26.5mm x depth 4mm) Compression speed: 60mm / min -Plunger lowest point: 4.0mm (compression distance) ·Measurement temperature: 25℃ Break detection start point: 0.035% (0.14N) Test force: Full scale 500N Peak Sensitivity: 0.5% (2.5N)

[0041] When the breaking force is measured when 10 of the pet food granules are compressed at a constant compression speed under the above test conditions, the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment have 70% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more of the pet food granules having a total weight of the pieces remaining in the 7mm x 7mm net pattern of 90% or more of the weight before measurement. When the breaking force is measured, the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment have 70% or more of the pet food granules having a total weight of the pieces remaining in the 7mm x 7mm net pattern of 90% or more of the weight before measurement, so that even after the pet has chewed the pet food once, large chunks of the granules tend to remain, which induces the pet to chew repeatedly and prevents the pet from eating too quickly.

[0042] When the breaking force of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment is measured when 10 of the pet food granules are compressed at a constant compression speed under the above test conditions, it is preferred that at least 50% of the pet food granules have multiple peaks in breaking strength that are at least half of the maximum peak, in addition to the maximum peak, more preferably at least 60%, even more preferably at least 70%, and particularly preferably at least 80%. The pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment have 50% or more pet food granules that, in addition to the maximum peak of breaking strength, have multiple peaks that are at least half of the maximum peak, so that continuous chewing force is required until the pet food granules are completely crushed, and the pet can be induced to chew the pet food granules multiple times, preventing them from eating too quickly.

[0043] Preferred aspects of the pet food granules in the pet food product according to this embodiment are the same as those in the pet food product of the first embodiment described above.

[0044] (Pet food granules in the pet food product according to the first aspect) As a specific aspect of the pet food product according to this embodiment, the pet food granules in the pet food product according to the first aspect will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0045] In the following explanation, an X, Y, Z Cartesian coordinate system will be used as necessary. In this case, the Z direction indicates the height direction (gravity direction). The two directions perpendicular to the Z direction are the X and Y directions. In the drawings, the arrow side is the plus (+) side, and the opposite side to the arrow is the minus (-) side. For example, the +Z side corresponds to the upper side in the height direction, and the -Z side corresponds to the lower side in the height direction.

[0046] 2, the surface of pet food grain D10 projected onto the +X side of the first direction is the first surface D1. Additionally, the surface of pet food grain D10 projected onto the -X side of the first direction is the fourth surface D4. In pet food grain D10, the surface where pet food grain D10 is projected onto the +Z side of the second direction perpendicular to the first direction is the fifth surface D5. Additionally, the surface where pet food grain D10 is projected onto the -Z side of side B of the second direction perpendicular to the first direction is the sixth surface D6. In pet food grain D10, the surface of pet food grain D10 projected onto the +Y side of a third direction perpendicular to the first direction is the second surface D2. Additionally, the surface of pet food grain D10 projected onto the -Y side of a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is the third surface D3.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the surfaces of pet food grain D10 projected in each direction, ie, the first surface D1 to the sixth surface D6. Pet food particle D10 has a first surface D1 to a fourth surface D4 each having an arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa1 of less than 14 μm, and a fifth surface D5 and a sixth surface D6 each having an arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa2 of 14 μm or more.

[0048] The preferred parameters and ingredients of the pet food granules D10 are as described above. EXAMPLES

[0049] The present invention will be described in more detail below using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0050] (Manufacture of complete nutritional pet food) Example 1 The raw materials of the pet food granules in the pet food product of Example 1 were mixed according to the composition shown in Table 1. The resulting raw material mixture was put into an extruder, and while kneading, was subjected to a heat treatment to gelatinize the starch component, and was extruded and granulated into granules at the outlet of the extruder, and after swelling for 0.04 seconds, was cut to obtain granules (swelling time: 0.04 seconds). The obtained granules were dried using a dryer to produce the pet food product of Example 1 having at least 10 pet food granules of the same composition and shape. The shape of the pet food granules in the pet food product of Example 1 is the same as pet food granules D10 shown in FIG. The major axis, minor axis and thickness of 10 randomly selected pet food granules in the pet food product of Example 1 were measured with a vernier caliper and the average values ​​were calculated to be 9.5 mm for the major axis, 8.5 mm for the minor axis and 11 mm for the thickness. In addition, 10 randomly selected pet food granules from the pet food product of Example 1 were allowed to freely drop from a height of 20 cm into a 1 L cup with a diameter of 11 cm, and the average bulk density was determined using the weight that remained in the cup when it was level. The average bulk density of the pet food granules was 285.5 (g / L). In addition, the arithmetic mean surface roughness of 10 randomly selected pet food granules in the pet food product of Example 1 was measured using a non-contact three-dimensional shape measuring device VR-3200 (manufactured by Keyence Corporation, using an L filter with a nesting index of 0.25 mm) to observe the surfaces of the pet food granules (magnification: 40 times, observation field area: 19 to 20 mm 2 ) was carried out to determine the average value of the arithmetic mean roughness Sa for the surfaces of the pet food granules, and the average arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa1 of the first surface D1 to the fourth surface D4 of the pet food granules was 13.1 μm. Furthermore, the average of the arithmetic mean surface roughness of the fifth surface D5 and sixth surface D6 was 19.6 μm.

[0051] Comparative Example 1 The ingredients of the pet food granules in the pet food product of Comparative Example 1 were mixed in the formulation shown in Table 1 (the same formulation as in Example 1). The resulting raw material mixture was put into an extruder, and while kneading, was subjected to a heat treatment to gelatinize the starch components, and was extruded and granulated into granules at the outlet of the extruder while simultaneously cutting to obtain granules (expansion time: 0 seconds). The resulting granules were dried using a dryer to produce the pet food product of Comparative Example 1 having at least 10 pet food granules of the same composition and shape. The major axis, minor axis and thickness of 10 randomly selected pet food granules in the pet food product of Comparative Example 1 were measured with a vernier caliper and the average values ​​were calculated to be 9.0 mm for the major axis, 9.0 mm for the minor axis and 5 mm for the thickness. Additionally, 10 randomly selected pet food granules from the pet food product of Comparative Example 1 were allowed to freely drop from a height of 20 cm into a 1 L cup with a diameter of 11 cm, and the average bulk density was determined using the weight that remained in the cup when it was level. The average bulk density of the pet food granules was 370.0 (g / L).

[0052] [Table 1]

[0053] [Number of peaks that are more than half the maximum peak] For 10 randomly selected pet food granules in the pet food products of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, the breaking force was measured when the pet food granules were compressed at a constant compression speed under the test conditions below, and the number of peaks that were half or more of the maximum peak other than the maximum peak of breaking strength was detected. Specifically, one pet food granule to be measured was placed on a flat plate (inner diameter 26.5 mm × depth 4 mm), and the measurement was performed while pressing the plunger vertically from directly above into the center of the pet food granule at a constant speed. The results are shown in Tables 2 and 3. Additionally, a graph of the measurement results of the food granules of Example 1 is shown in FIG. Additionally, a graph of the measurement results of the food granules of Comparative Example 1 is shown in FIG. <Test conditions> Compression tester (Texture analyzer, model number: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Plunger: 10mm diameter canine plunger Platform: Flat plate (inner diameter 26.5mm x depth 4mm) Compression speed: 60mm / min -Plunger lowest point: 4.0mm (compression distance) ·Measurement temperature: 25℃ Break detection start point: 0.035% (0.14N) Test force: Full scale 500N Peak Sensitivity: 0.5% (2.5N)

[0054] [Hardness] Using the same method as in [Number of peaks equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the maximum peak] above, the maximum peak breaking strength of 10 randomly selected pet food granules in the pet food products of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 was measured. The maximum peak breaking strength value (unit: kgw) was multiplied by 9.8 to convert the unit into Newtons (N). The results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.

[0055] [stroke] Using the same method as in [Number of peaks equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the maximum peak] above, the distance required to reach the maximum peak in breaking strength (the distance from when the plunger comes into contact with the pet food granule until the pet food granule breaks) was measured for 10 randomly selected pet food granules in the pet food products of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. The results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.

[0056] [Fragility] Using the same method as in [Number of peaks equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the maximum peak] above, the difference in breaking strength between the maximum peak and the minimum value to the adjacent peak (convex point - concave point) was measured for 10 randomly selected pet food granules in the pet food products of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. The results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.

[0057] [Table 2]

[0058] [Table 3]

[0059] As shown in Tables 3 and 4, in addition to the maximum peak in breaking strength, the pet food granules in the pet food products of the Examples had multiple peaks that were at least half the maximum peak. Therefore, it is evident that a continuous chewing force is required until the pet food granules are completely crushed.

[0060] [Total weight of pet food grain fragments remaining in the 7mm x 7mm mesh] When the breaking force was measured using the same method as in [Number of peaks equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the maximum peak] above, the total weight of the fragments remaining in the 7mm x 7mm mesh, the weight of the pet food granules before measurement, and the ratio of the total weight of the fragments remaining in the 7mm x 7mm mesh to the weight of the pet food granules before measurement (total weight of fragments / weight of pet food granules before measurement) were calculated. The results are shown in Tables 4 and 5.

[0061] [Table 4]

[0062] [Table 5]

[0063] As shown in Tables 4 and 5, the pet food granules in the pet food products of the Examples had a high proportion of 7 mm x 7 mm mesh-shaped fragments remaining after the breaking force was measured. Therefore, it can be seen that when a pet chews a pet food granule, large pieces tend to remain.

[0064] [Evaluation of the effect of preventing fast eating] The pet food product of Example 1 and the pet food product of Comparative Example 1 were given to dogs, and the time from when the dog started to bite into the food until it finished eating was measured. In addition, the dog's eating was recorded on video, and the average number of times each dog chewed one grain was measured. The results are shown in Table 6.

[0065] [Table 6]

[0066] As shown in Table 6, it was confirmed that the pet food products of the Examples enabled the pets to increase the number of chews and slow down the pace of eating, compared to the pet food products of the Comparative Examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] D10 Pet food granules

Claims

1. A pet food product having at least 10 pet food granules of the same composition and the same shape, The pet food product has, when 10 of the pet food granules are compressed at a constant compression speed under the following test conditions and the breaking force is measured, at least 50% of the pet food granules have, in addition to a maximum peak in breaking strength, multiple peaks that are at least half the size of the maximum peak. <Test conditions> ・Compression tester (Texture analyzer, model number: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Plunger: 10mm diameter canine-shaped plunger Platform: Flat plate (inner diameter 26.5 mm x depth 4 mm) Compression speed: 60 mm / min ・Lowest point of plunger: 4.0 mm (compression distance) ・Measurement temperature: 25℃ Break detection start point: 0.035% (0.14N) Test force: Full scale 500N Peak Sensitivity: 0.5% (2.5N)

2. 2. The pet food product of claim 1, wherein a first surface of the pet food granule projected in a first direction has an arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa1 of less than 14 μm, and a surface of the pet food granule projected in a direction other than the first direction has an arithmetic mean surface roughness Sa2 of 14 μm or more.

3. 3. The pet food product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the hardness of ten of the pet food granules is measured, the average hardness is 30 N or less.

4. 3. The pet food product according to claim 2, wherein a height of the pet food granule when a surface of the pet food granule projected in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is taken as a bottom surface is longer than a length of the pet food granule in the first direction.

5. 5. The pet food product of claim 4, wherein when the height of ten of the pet food granules is measured, the average of the height is 10 mm or greater.

6. A pet food product having at least 10 pet food granules of the same composition and shape, A pet food product having at least 70% of the pet food granules such that when 10 of the pet food granules are compressed at a constant compression speed under the following test conditions and the breaking force is measured, the total weight of the fragments remaining in a 7 mm x 7 mm mesh pattern is at least 90% of the weight before measurement. <Test conditions> ・Compression tester (Texture analyzer, model number: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Plunger: 10mm diameter canine-shaped plunger Platform: Flat plate (inner diameter 26.5 mm x depth 4 mm) Compression speed: 60 mm / min ・Lowest point of plunger: 4.0 mm (compression distance) ・Measurement temperature: 25℃ Break detection start point: 0.035% (0.14N) Test force: Full scale 500N Peak Sensitivity: 0.5% (2.5N)

Images