Evaluation of quality and acceptability of pet treat incorporating poultry shank powder

The growing demand for high-quality and sustainable pet treats has driven the exploration of alternative protein sources, including poultry by-products. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional, physicochemical and palatability attributes of pet treats formulated with poultry shank powder at two inclusion levels: 35 per cent (T1) and 40 per cent (T2). The base formulation comprised cereal flour, chicken, coconut oil, egg and additives, with poultry shank powder incorporated in addition to this standard composition. The ingredients were homogenised, moulded using specialised moulds, steam-cooked and dried under optimised conditions prior to packaging. Physicochemical analyses revealed that increasing the shank powder concentration significantly (p T2: 11.98 per cent), indicative of a higher mineral composition. Conversely, nitrogen-free extract (NFE) content was reduced and significantly (p