Plant extracts, such as olive extract (OE), have been used in human and pet foods for their biological benefits; however, no available data have demonstrated OE’s effect on palatability. The current study aimed to evaluate acceptance of dry and canned dog foods with differing inclusions of OE as a flavor component. Flavor compounds in OE were analyzed by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography, detecting 137 volatile compounds including acetic acid and hydroxytyrosol. Dog kibbles were coated with liquid commercial palatants containing OE that resulted in application rates of 0 (control), 120, 200, and 500 ppm of OE in the diets. OE was also added at 0 (control), 120, 200, and 500 ppm into a wet food formulation with a commercial palatant before retort. Kibble and canned foods were fed to adult beagles (n=5/ treatment and n=4/ treatment, respectively) in a 4×4 Latin square design to determine acceptance rates using monadic testing. Results showed that adding OE up to 500 ppm did not impact food acceptance (P > 0.05). In conclusion, OE as a flavor ingredient can be added into dry or wet dog food applications without deterring effects on palatability.

Plant extracts, such as olive extract (OE), have been used in human and pet foods for their biological benefits; however, no available data have demonstrated OE’s effect on palatability in dogs. The current study aimed to evaluate acceptance of dry and canned dog foods with differing inclusions of OE as a flavor component. Flavor compounds in OE were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography, detecting 137 volatile compounds, including acetic acid and hydroxytyrosol. Dog kibbles were coated with liquid commercial palatants containing OE that resulted in application rates of 0 (control), 120, 200, and 500 ppm of OE in the diets. OE was also added at 0 (control), 120, 200, and 500 ppm into a wet food formulation with a commercial palatant before retort processing. Two separate panels of adult beagles were used for monadic testing to determine acceptance rates for kibble (5/treatment; 20 total) and canned foods (4/treatment; 16 total) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. None of the tested inclusions impacted food acceptance in this preliminary study (p > 0.05). As a flavor ingredient, OE can be added into dry or wet dog food up to 500 ppm without deterring effects on palatability.