1LambNamed 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
2Ocean FishUnnamed fish / fish derivatives▾
● Contextual noteA fish ingredient where the species is not named (for example 'fish', 'ocean fish' or 'fish derivatives'). Naming the species would give fuller disclosure of the source.Sources: Label transparency
3Flaxseed 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
4RosehipRosehip (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
5PrebioticsPrebiotics (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
6Probiotics
7Superfood BlendSuperfood blend (marketing term)▾
● Standard ingredientA marketing name for a blend of fruits, vegetables, and botanicals. Where the label lists the blend's contents in brackets, each is shown and classified below. The term itself is not a defined ingredient category.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
