Normally 1 to 2% fat will supply the necessary amount of essential fatty acids. The remainder of the dietary fat is used as an energy source. Since fat is a concentrated source of energy, it is used as a convenient ingredient to increase the dietary energy. Fat tends to make feeds and some food more palatable to animals and people.
Other nutrients must be properly adjusted in high-fat diets to ensure that the animal still gets the proper balance of essential nutrients as they are satisfied on less feed.
The product fact sheet includes levels of fatty acids in the diets. Some individual fatty acids are listed, and then the levels of fatty acids by groups, omega-3 fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, and monosaturated fatty acids are listed. Considerable research attention has been given to omega-3 fatty acids in recent years. In the LabDiet® products, omega-3 fatty acids are derived primarily from the use of fish meal and soy oil in the products and so we have included the levels in the fact sheets.
Antioxidants are used to help prevent rancidity. As fat is oxidized, the rancidity increases the destruction of fat-soluble vitamins, creates unpleasant odors and decreases palatability. Antioxidants are not added directly to most LabDiet® products, but they are added at low levels by suppliers of some ingredients, such as fish meal, meat meal or animal fat to prevent oxidative rancidity.