Pawdit presents manufacturer-declared facts and attributes every note to its published source. We do not rate, grade or rank products. This assessment is generated by an algorithmic methodology based on published sources. It is not a guarantee of product quality or safety. Always consult your veterinarian.
Beneficial. Linked to benefits in published research. Tiers show evidence strength.
Restricted or banned. Restricted or banned by a regulator in at least one country.
Under research review. Being studied or re-evaluated by researchers or regulators.
Contextual. Not flagged, but there is a note worth reading.
Standard. Everyday components like vitamins and minerals.
Not yet classified. Not in our dictionary yet. Always still listed.
Counts include what's inside compound entries like vitamin premixes, so they can add up to more than the label's ingredient count.
1BeefNamed single-species whole meat▾
● Beneficial (well-established)Whole meat from a named animal species. Both the species and the form are identified, which supports traceability and allergy checking. Published nutrition references associate named whole meats with high protein quality.Sources: AAFCO 2024 · NRC 2006 · Amino acid bioavailability studies
2ChickenNamed single-species whole meat▾
● Beneficial (well-established)Whole meat from a named animal species. Both the species and the form are identified, which supports traceability and allergy checking. Published nutrition references associate named whole meats with high protein quality.Sources: AAFCO 2024 · NRC 2006 · Amino acid bioavailability studies
3Coconut ExtractCoconut (flesh)▾
● Standard ingredientThe flesh of the coconut, providing fat and fibre; distinct from coconut oil.Sources: Nutritional composition data
4ChickpeasPeas / lentils / chickpeas▾
● Contextual noteWhole legumes provide protein, fibre, and micronutrients. The FDA investigated (2018-2022) a potential association with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs when legumes are used as a primary ingredient, did not establish a causal link, and has paused public updates pending new science.Sources: FDA DCM Investigation 2018-2022 · Freeman et al. 2018 JAVMA
5TapiocaTapioca / tapioca starch▾
● Contextual noteA carbohydrate source that provides energy but limited micronutrients.Sources: NRC 2006
6PotatoPotato / sweet potato▾
● Contextual noteDigestible carbohydrate sources. Not harmful in themselves. Often used in grain-free formulations.Sources: NRC 2006
7Sea SaltSalt▾
● Contextual noteAn essential mineral present in all pet food. Flag only when appearing high on the ingredient list.Sources: NRC 2006
8SugarAdded sugar / sucrose▾
● Under research reviewSweetener and palatant with no nutritional purpose in pet food. Established associations with dental disease in the veterinary dental literature. May be added to increase palatability.Sources: NRC 2006 Nutrient Requirements · Veterinary dental health consensus
Show all 13 ingredients ▾
9TurmericTurmeric / curcumin▾
● Beneficial (emerging)Curcumin has well-documented anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies, but its bioavailability in standard oral forms is poor without specific enhancement (piperine, lipid carrier, or phytosomal formulation). In several randomised controlled trials in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis, diets and supplements containing bioavailability-enhanced curcumin (for example phosphatidylcholine/phytosome complexes), usually combined with other ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, hydrolysed collagen or green-lipped mussel, were associated with owner- and veterinarian-reported improvements in pain and mobility (e.g. Comblain et al., 2017); objective gait measures were often unchanged, and these effects have not been demonstrated for the small amounts of plain turmeric found in most foods.Sources: Colitti et al. 2012 · Comblain et al., BMC Veterinary Research 2017, DOI 10.1186/s12917-017-1317-8 · Feline osteoarthritis diet with EPA/DHA, turmeric extract and hydrolysed collagen, Animals 2024;14(22):3298 · Moreau et al., Veterinary Record 2003;152(11):323 (counter-evidence: curcumin nutraceutical did not improve objective gait vs NSAIDs) · Pye et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice 2024 (review)
A factual disclosure checklist from public records and the brand's own statements. Items we haven't verified show as not confirmed: a data gap, not a judgment. Are you Hero Bites? Claim your brand to confirm or correct this record.
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● Contextual noteA preservative declaration. Where the label names the specific agents in brackets, each is shown and classified below. Where no agent is named, it is not possible to tell whether a natural system or a synthetic antioxidant under research review is present.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions · EU Regulation 767/2009
11Natural ColoursNatural colour▾
● Standard ingredientA colouring agent derived from natural sources (e.g., beetroot, turmeric, annatto). No nutritional purpose. Generally considered safer than synthetic colours.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
12Natural Smoke FlavourSmoke flavour▾
● Contextual noteA flavouring agent providing a smoky taste, derived from wood smoke or produced synthetically. EFSA's 2023 re-assessment of the smoke flavouring primary products on the EU list either found genotoxicity concerns or could not rule them out, and the EU withdrew the list's authorisations in 2024 with phase-out periods. The label does not disclose which smoke product is used.Sources: EFSA 2023 smoke flavouring primary products opinions · Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2067 · AAFCO ingredient definitions
● Standard ingredientNatural preservation agents such as tocopherols or rosemary extract. Where the label names the agents in brackets, each is shown and classified below; 'including' wording means others may be present without being listed.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
