Doug Bice, market development director for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, said key benefits of using sorghum in pet food are blood sugar balance and glycemic index control. He said this characteristic fits quite well in feline and canine food, particularly for older, obese pets.
“[Sorghum] is also great for digestive health because of resistant starch and the fiber content, which is a big plus. Sorghum is an excellent source of fiber, and that has a big impact on reduced waste,” Bice said. Sorghum also provides micronutrients like phosphorus and B6.
On a personal level, Bice has seen an improvement in his own dogs’ skin coats while using sorghum-based pet food.
Compared with other grains, sorghum saves energy and water when extruding pellets for dry pet feeds, Bice added.
According to SorghumCheckoff.com, 15 pet food companies are using sorghum in more than 130 products.
Benefits of using sorghum in pet food include:
Low glycemic index;
Gluten-free;
Rich in antioxidants;
Measurable dietary fiber;
Rich in lysine;
Good palatability;
Nutritionally similar to corn and rice; and
Environmentally friendly.
