1ChickenNamed 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
2tapiocaTapioca / tapioca starch▾
● Contextual noteA carbohydrate source that provides energy but limited micronutrients.Sources: NRC 2006
3bamboo fibre▾
● Contextual noteA concentrated insoluble dietary fibre (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) derived from bamboo stalks. Provides bulk, texture, and stool-firming with high water and oil holding capacity, but limited nutritional value beyond fibre. Functionally similar to powdered cellulose; when present as a primary fibre source (high on the ingredient list), it may indicate nutritionally inert filler.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions · Bamboo insoluble dietary fibre fermentation studies 2022 · Nutritional composition data
4carrots▾
● Standard ingredientA root vegetable providing beta-carotene and fibre.Sources: Nutritional composition data
5peasPeas / 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
6essential vitamins and mineralsMinerals (generic)▾
● Standard ingredientA generic term for a mineral premix. Where the label lists the specific mineral compounds in brackets, each is shown and classified below; otherwise the individual minerals are not disclosed. European-style labels declare added trace minerals as numbered additives with doses (e.g. "E4 (copper): 10 mg").Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
7salt▾
● Contextual noteAn essential mineral present in all pet food. Flag only when appearing high on the ingredient list.Sources: NRC 2006
8vegetable oilVegetable oil (generic)▾
● Contextual noteOil from plant sources. Where the label names the plants in brackets, each is shown and classified below; 'and/or' wording means the blend can vary between batches. Unnamed sources limit traceability; named oils (e.g. sunflower oil, canola oil) provide more transparency.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
