The Center for Feed Technology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, led by Dr. Dejan Miladinovic, has presented an academic update on the most effective methods for evaluating the physical quality of pet food. The analysis, aimed at the industry, explores how manufacturing processes transform nutrients into a solid matrix that determines product stability, handling properties and overall performance.
Miladinovic highlights that the physical quality of the pellet —defined by the proportion of fines and crumbles, along with indicators such as durability and hardness— is a critical factor before logistics and distribution. The researcher emphasizes that combining several analytical techniques, rather than relying on a single test, provides a more complete understanding of product behaviour.
The study places particular emphasis on the simultaneous measurement of water activity, moisture, hardness and durability to interpret pellet stability more accurately. It also examines how raw‑material composition, compaction forces and the use of enzymes or binders influence mechanical integrity.
With this update, the Norwegian research center provides manufacturers with scientific tools that support more rigorous control of the physical and nutritional quality of pet food.
