The moment you open a tube of Nutripet® by Troy, it hits you — a warm, rich, almost molasses-like smell. It’s unmistakable. And it immediately raises the question: Is there sugar in this?
No. And the real reason is far more interesting.
That irresistible aroma is not a marketing trick. It’s nutrition doing exactly what it’s meant to do.
At its core, Nutripet is built on a dense base of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, delivering around 1500 kilojoules of metabolisable energy per 100 grams. The proteins used are typically meat- or liver-derived and hydrolyzed. When proteins are broken down this way, they release natural scent compounds that smell rich, malty, and syrupy — the same reason liver treats and recovery diets have such a powerful smell without added fragrance.
Then comes the gel. The fat-rich paste doesn’t just carry calories — it carries aroma. Fats trap scent molecules and release them slowly, making the smell linger. To humans, it may register as sweet. To pets, it signals one thing: food and energy.
Layered into this base is a broad vitamin and mineral blend — Vitamins A, D, E, and B-complex, along with magnesium, manganese, and iodine. These don’t act as perfume. They add depth, richness, and nutritional purpose.
Glycerin-type carriers and natural palatants finish the formula. They smooth the texture, enhance existing aromas, and make the product harder for pets to refuse — especially those that are sick, stressed, or refusing food.
What matters just as much is what’s missing. There’s no artificial fragrance. No cosmetic scent masking. No added molasses. The smell is simply the by-product of functional ingredients interacting exactly as intended.
That’s why Nutripet smells the way it does. It’s not designed to impress people. It’s designed to be irresistible to pets, helping deliver calories and nutrients when appetite is low and recovery matters most.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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