Pulverized ingredients put pet food processing in focus

A consumer-facing post from Truth about Pet Food is drawing attention to a largely invisible part of kibble manufacturing: many pet food ingredients aren’t simply “ground,” but processed into very fine powders through pulverization before extrusion. In her April 7, 2026, article, Susan Thixton argues that this distinction matters because pulverization is a more intensive physical process than conventional grinding, even though it may not be obvious to pet parents reading a label. AAFCO’s current official feed terms define “powder, powdered” as pulverizing a feed or feed ingredient into fine or very small particle size, and list “pulverized, pulverizing” as a process term tied to grinding. FDA, meanwhile, continues to oversee animal food ingredients through its Center for Veterinary Medicine and its animal food ingredient review pathways. (truthaboutpetfood.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the takeaway isn’t that pulverized ingredients are inherently unsafe, but that processing intensity can shape how pet foods are formulated, manufactured, and discussed with pet parents. Industry sources note that fine particle size supports uniform mixing, hydration, cooking, and extrusion performance, which can improve consistency in finished diets. At the same time, equipment manufacturers and processing experts have noted that size reduction and friction can generate heat, raising questions about nutrient stability in some ingredients. That leaves room for a more nuanced clinical conversation: not all “processed” foods are the same, and ingredient form, manufacturing method, digestibility, safety controls, and the finished diet’s nutrient adequacy all matter. (petfoodindustry.com)

What to watch: Watch for whether this discussion stays in the realm of consumer advocacy or prompts broader scrutiny of how processing terms are explained in pet food labeling and veterinary nutrition conversations. (aafco.org)