1PorkNamed 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
2Seasonal VegetablesAssorted seasonal vegetables and/or fruits▾
● Contextual noteAn intentionally vague ingredient declaration indicating the formulation may change based on seasonal availability. The specific vegetables and fruits are not identified, limiting allergen assessment and consistency.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
3ChickpeasPeas / 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
4EggsWhole eggs / dried egg product▾
● Beneficial (well-established)Egg protein has the highest biological value of any common protein source, providing a complete amino acid profile.Sources: NRC 2006 · Protein biological value studies
5Apple▾
● Standard ingredientA whole fruit providing fibre and vitamins.Sources: Nutritional composition data
6Alfalfa▾
● Contextual noteA legume plant used as a source of fibre, protein, and micronutrients including natural vitamin K1 (an alternative to synthetic menadione/vitamin K3). As a legume, it is within the broader scope of the FDA DCM investigation, though typically included at low levels.Sources: NRC 2006 · Nutritional composition data
7Coconut OilCoconut oil / MCT oil▾
● Beneficial (supported)MCT oil is rich in the medium-chain triglycerides (C8 and C10) used in studies of cognitive support in aging dogs. Coconut oil contains some MCTs but is mostly lauric acid, so those findings apply mainly to purified MCT oil.Sources: Pan et al. 2010
8TurmericTurmeric / 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)
