Sweetener - Feed Ingredient

Sweetener is a general term for additives used to enhance the sweetness and palatability of feed and supplement products. In equine nutrition, sweeteners may be natural (e.g., molasses, honey, or fruit powders), nutritive (e.g., sucrose, glucose, fructose), or non-nutritive/artificial (e.g., saccharin, sucralose, stevia). These substances are not added for nutritional benefit but to improve flavor acceptance, particularly in feeds containing unpalatable ingredients.

Sweeteners are commonly included in oral pastes, powdered supplements, or pelleted feeds to encourage voluntary intake. Their use is especially helpful for picky eaters or during times of stress, medication, or dietary transition. Natural sweeteners may also provide some energy due to their carbohydrate content, while artificial sweeteners are used at much lower inclusion rates and contribute negligible calories.