NEWS

Over the past two years, Shanghai Hensin Industrial Co., Ltd. has seen steady growth in the export of its beef tallow products. To meet customer demand, the company has also developed a range of beef tallow products, including natural beef tallow for pet food and refined beef tallow for food applications.

So, what is beef tallow?

In the context of pet food, beef tallow (also known as beef fat) does not refer to “butter” used in cooking. Instead, it is derived from beef fatty tissues (such as suet and trimmed beef fat). Its main components are triglycerides, containing a high proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA), some monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and small amounts of essential fatty acids (such as linoleic acid). At room temperature, beef tallow is a solid or semi-solid, usually white or pale yellow in color.

 Applications of Beef Tallow in Pet Food

1. Energy Source

   Beef tallow has high energy density (around 9 kcal/g), making it a valuable energy supplement in dog and cat food.

   Particularly suitable for working dogs, sporting dogs, and high-energy formulations.

2. Palatability Enhancer

   Beef tallow has a distinctive animal-derived flavor and is commonly sprayed onto kibble surfaces to improve palatability.

   In cost-sensitive formulas, beef tallow is often combined with chicken fat to stimulate appetite in dogs and cats.

3. Nutritional Functions

   Provides essential fatty acids (though in limited amounts).

   Supports coat shine and aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

   Compared to chicken fat and fish oil, beef tallow offers more basic nutritional value.

4. Cost Advantage

   Beef tallow is usually cheaper than fish oil, and slightly cheaper or close in price to chicken fat, offering a strong cost-performance ratio.

  Widely used in economical or large-scale pet food production.

5. Usage Methods

 In-process addition: Mixed with proteins and grains during extrusion to provide energy.

Post-extrusion coating: Sprayed onto dry kibbles to improve taste.

Blended application: Combined with chicken fat, fish oil, or vegetable oils to balance cost, palatability, and nutrition.

6. Considerations

Fatty acid profile: Beef tallow is high in saturated fat; excessive use may cause imbalances in formulation.

Oxidation stability: Requires antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin E, rosemary extract) to prevent rancidity.

Application scope: More common in dog food; also used in cat food but usually alongside chicken fat and fish oil.

�� Summary

Beef tallow is a refined fat product derived from cattle, primarily serving as an energy source and palatability enhancer in pet food.

Advantages: Cost-effective, high energy, good flavor.

Limitations: Lower nutritional value compared to chicken fat and fish oil; higher saturated fat content.

Applications: Commonly used in economical pet food, or in blends with chicken fat and fish oil, where it plays a supporting role in mid- to high-end formulations.