1Kangaroo meatNamed 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
2Kangaroo mealNamed species meat meal▾
● Beneficial (well-established)Rendered meal from a named animal species: a concentrated protein source with water and fat removed. The species is identified, which supports traceability and allergy checking.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions · Veterinary nutrition references
3Potato starchPotato / sweet potato▾
● Contextual noteDigestible carbohydrate sources. Not harmful in themselves. Often used in grain-free formulations.Sources: NRC 2006
4PeasPeas / 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
5Flaxseed oilFlaxseed / flaxseed oil▾
● Beneficial (supported)A plant-based source of omega-3 (ALA), fibre, and lignans. Note: dogs have limited ability to convert plant ALA to the more bioactive EPA/DHA found in marine sources.Sources: Bauer 2011
6RosehipRosehip (Rosa canina)▾
● Beneficial (emerging)Rosehip powder contains a galactolipid known as GOPO which, in laboratory and human studies, has been associated with lower inflammatory markers and with modest reductions in osteoarthritis pain scores; a 2008 meta-analysis of human trials (Christensen et al., Osteoarthritis and Cartilage) reported a small benefit versus placebo. Canine evidence is limited and tied largely to a single commercial product, so direct evidence in dogs is preliminary. Rosehip is also a recognised source of vitamin C and antioxidant polyphenols.Sources: Christensen R, Bartels EM, Altman RD, Astrup A, Bliddal H (2008). Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. PMID 18407528 · Larsen E, Kharazmi A, Christensen LP, Christensen SB (2003). An antiinflammatory galactolipid from rose hip (Rosa canina) that inhibits chemotaxis of human peripheral blood neutrophils in vitro. J Nat Prod. PMID 12880321 · Rose-Hip Vital Canine trial reported as a conference abstract in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2010 supplement); manufacturer-associated
7PrebioticsPrebiotics (unspecified)▾
● Contextual noteA prebiotic declaration without a named source. Published prebiotic evidence is source-specific (FOS, inulin, beet pulp, each classified separately); where no source is named, the label has not disclosed which, if any, is present. Where the label names the sources in brackets, each is shown and classified below.Sources: Swanson et al. 2002 · AAFCO ingredient definitions
8Probiotics
