Palm Oil
Palm oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the mesocarp of the oil palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis), rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, mainly palmitic and oleic acid. In standard feed/pet food grade form, it is a viscous yellow to reddish oil at room temperature, which may partially solidify at lower temperatures. In dog and cat nutrition, palm oil is used as part of the overall fat system in dry, semi‑moist and wet foods, as well as in treats, where it provides energy and contributes to product texture and stability. Thanks to its stable structure and good performance under heat treatment, it is widely used in economical and standard pet food formulations.
Source
- Produced by mechanical pressing and/or extraction of the oil palm fruit pulp, followed by refining, bleaching and deodorizing.
- Feed/pet food grade palm oil implies controlled refining, low free fatty acid content, adequate oxidative stability and compliance with contaminant regulations.
- Typically sourced from tropical regions (Southeast Asia, West Africa, Latin America), with certified sustainable sources (e.g. RSPO) often preferred in premium brands.
Variations
- Refined palm oil with neutral odor and taste – the most common form in feed and pet food applications.
- Palm olein (more liquid fraction) and palm stearin (harder fraction) – allow fine adjustment of hardness and melting point of the fat system in kibbles and treats.
- Blends of palm oil with other vegetable and animal fats, tailored to requirements for palatability, smoke point and processing behavior.
Applications In The Industry
Dogs
In dog food, palm oil is used as a cost‑effective energy source and structural fat in extruded diets, canned products and semi‑moist foods. In dry extruded kibbles it can form part of the internal fat system, as well as the surface coating together with animal fats to improve palatability and stability. In baked and pressed treats (biscuits, sticks, filled snacks), palm oil is applied to achieve the desired consistency, crunchiness or softness and to control fat separation during storage. Because of its robust behavior at higher temperatures, it is well suited for extrusion and baking processes.
Cats
In cat nutrition, palm oil is usually applied at lower inclusion levels as part of a combined fat system with animal fats and other vegetable oils, to deliver stable texture and energy while maintaining high palatability. In canned cat food it supports the consistency of gravies and jellies and helps to keep fat evenly dispersed without phase separation. In dry cat food, palm oil can be used both in the internal fat matrix and partially in the surface coating, but is typically combined with stronger‑flavor fats (e.g. poultry or fish fat) to enhance feed acceptance. In functional and standard cat treats, palm oil helps achieve the targeted softness or firmness of the product.
Benefits Of Use
- Stable and cost‑competitive energy source with good oxidative resistance compared to several other vegetable oils.
- Favorable technological properties (controlled melting point, good performance at high temperatures) make palm oil suitable for extrusion, baking and pelleted pet food and treat production.
- Enables fine tuning of product texture, hardness and lubricity when used in combination with other fats and oils.
- Broad applicability in complete diets, complementary feeds and treats for dogs and cats, with good compatibility with common processing technologies.
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