Dog food ingredients glossary
464 ingredients, decoded in plain English - what each one is, how good it is, and which foods contain it. How the scores work
464ingredients decoded
38recognised allergensflagged on every label they appear on
Ingredients to avoid
The red list: vague catch-alls, artificial additives and fillers that cost points on every label they appear on. Each one links to the full explanation.
Animal fat (unspecified)
Artificial colours
Artificial flavours
BHA (E320)
BHT (E321)
Caramel
Cereals (unspecified)
Currants
Derivatives of vegetable origin
Digest (unspecified)
EC permitted additives (unspecified)
Ethoxyquin
Glycerol
Grapes & raisins
Hops
Leek
Meat and animal derivatives
Meat meal (unspecified)
Meat meal & gravy
Menadione (synthetic vitamin K3)
Molasses
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Nitrite / nitrate preservatives (E249-E252)
Oils and fats (unspecified)
Onion
Pecan nut shells
Propyl gallate (E310)
Propylene glycol
Rawhide
Sorbitol
Sugar
Sulphite preservatives (E220-E228)
Syrup / glucose syrup
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Walnut
Xylitol
A
- Acai A named berry with strong antioxidant credentials - a small but honest extra.
- Acerola A small cherry that is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C. Often added as a…
- Activated charcoal
- Agar A seaweed-based gelling agent - the least controversial way to set a wet food.
- Agrimony A traditional herb used to support digestion and the skin. A gentle botanical extra in small amounts.
- Alfalfa A nutrient-rich forage plant (also sold as lucerne) - minerals and vitamins, plus a little plant protein.
- Algae Marine algae - one of the few vegetarian sources of DHA omega-3.
- Algal oil DHA omega-3 from farmed algae - the fish-free way to the same nutrient.
- Aloe vera A soothing plant gel used in small amounts for the gut and skin. The de-bittered (aloin-free) form used…
- Amaranth A naturally gluten-free pseudo-grain that brings protein, fibre and minerals. A decent, wholesome carbohydrate for grain-free-leaning recipes.
- Amino acids Individual building blocks of protein (such as lysine) added to balance a recipe. A normal, useful part of…
- Anchovy Tiny named oily fish - sustainable and omega-rich.
- Animal fat (unspecified) Fat from an unspecified animal. Fat itself is fine - dogs need it - but "animal fat" tells…
- Animal Plasma A spray-dried blood-plasma protein used for palatability and gut support - functional, but a vaguely-named animal derivative.
- Aniseed A named aromatic seed dogs find weirdly compelling - the canine catnip.
- Aniseed & fenugreek A traditional herb pairing - aroma dogs love plus digestive support.
- Antioxidants (unspecified) "Antioxidants" without naming which - usually harmless tocopherols, but the label leaves you guessing. Named would be better.
- Apple A named fruit - fibre and vitamin C in sensible amounts.
- Apple cider vinegar A fermented vinegar added in small amounts as a traditional tonic and mild acidifier. Harmless and popular, though…
- Apple pulp The fibre left from apple juicing - a reasonable by-product fibre, named for what it is.
- Aronia berry Also called chokeberry, one of the most antioxidant-rich berries there is. A genuinely wholesome addition when included in…
- Artichoke A fibre-rich vegetable (Jerusalem artichoke is a natural prebiotic thanks to its inulin). A genuinely useful addition for…
- Artificial colours Dye for the human buying the food - your dog cannot see the pretty colours and did not…
- Artificial flavours Synthetic taste - decent food does not need to fake its flavour.
- Asparagus A named vegetable - fibre and vitamins, honestly labelled.
B
- Bamboo fibre Powdered plant fibre from bamboo - it adds bulk and firms stools, but it does not feed your…
- Banana A named fruit - potassium and quick energy, best in small amounts.
- Baobab
- Barley A solid named wholegrain with decent fibre. Contains gluten, so not for grain-sensitive dogs.
- Basil A named herb with antioxidant compounds - a small aromatic extra.
- Bay leaf A named herb used in trace amounts for aroma.
- Beans A generic legume - protein and fibre, but vaguely named and worth watching in quantity.
- Bee pollen
- Beef Named fresh beef - a strong, clearly declared protein.
- Beef Bone Ground bone in a raw or fresh recipe - a natural calcium source when clearly named.
- Beef fat Named fat - more saturated than poultry fat, but declared and consistent.
- Beef Heart A muscle-rich organ meat, high in protein and taurine - a genuinely good named ingredient, not a vague…
- Beef kidney Named organ meat packed with B vitamins and selenium.
- Beef liver One of the most nutrient-dense ingredients going - vitamin A, copper, iron. Organ meat done properly.
- Beef Lung A named organ meat, lower in nutrients than muscle or liver but honestly declared.
- Beef meal Concentrated named beef protein - identifiable and honest.
- Beef trachea Cartilage-rich organ part - a natural source of chondroitin. Whole-animal feeding in practice.
- Beef tripe Stomach lining - smells appalling, dogs disagree. A traditional, digestible organ ingredient.
- Beet Greens Leafy vegetable tops, a source of vitamins and fibre.
- Beet pulp The fibre left after sugar extraction from beets - the sugar is gone, despite the name. The internet…
- Beetroot A named root vegetable with folate and manganese - not to be confused with beet pulp, its by-product…
- Bergamot A citrus fruit whose extract is rich in polyphenols and used for its antioxidant reputation. A functional botanical…
- Beta-carotene A natural plant pigment and provitamin A - an antioxidant added in tiny amounts.
- Beta-glucans Immune-supporting fibres from yeast or oats.
- BHA (E320) An artificial preservative classified as a possible carcinogen and banned from many human foods. Natural alternatives exist; recipes…
- BHT (E321) BHA's chemical sibling - an artificial preservative with the same cloud over it and the same natural alternatives…
- Bilberry The wild European blueberry - antioxidants in a small package.
- Birch leaves
- Black Pepper A spice added in trace amounts for flavour - harmless at the levels used.
- Blackberry A dark berry rich in antioxidants and fibre. A wholesome, if small, addition - the leaves are sometimes…
- Blackcurrant A named berry, high in vitamin C and anthocyanins.
- Blue mussel
- Blueberry A named berry with real antioxidant credentials - a small but honest extra.
- Bone broth Slow-cooked broth - flavour and a little collagen, plus marketing warmth.
- Borage oil A named oil rich in GLA, often added for skin and coat support.
- Boswellia A plant resin with reasonable evidence for joint comfort - one of the more credible botanicals.
- Botanical Blend A small blend of herbs and botanicals added for flavour and claimed wellness benefits - benign at the…
- Brewers rice The broken fragments left over from rice milling - same plant, lower grade. Cheaper for the manufacturer, not…
- Brewers yeast A by-product that earns its keep - B vitamins, minerals and flavour dogs like.
- Broad beans A named legume adding plant protein and fibre.
- Broccoli A named cruciferous vegetable - fibre, vitamin C and genuine micronutrients.
- Broth, stock or gravy (unspecified) Cooking liquid that adds moisture and flavour but little else. It is mostly water, so it pads out…
- Brown rice Rice with the bran left on - a little more fibre and minerals than white rice, equally digestible…
- Brussels sprouts A named brassica. Yes, they cause in dogs exactly what you think they cause.
- Buckwheat A gluten-free pseudo-grain, a reasonable carbohydrate source.
- Buffalo A named lean red meat, a quality novel protein.
- Burdock root A named root herb with prebiotic inulin - traditional skin and liver support.
- Butternut squash A named squash - gentle fibre and beta-carotene.
C
- Cabbage A named brassica - fibre and vitamins at low cost, honestly labelled.
- Calcium carbonate A calcium source - sometimes listed as limestone, which sounds worse than it is.
- Caramel Sugar, browned - there to make the food look meatier to you. Dogs gain nothing from it but…
- Caraway A seed herb added for flavour and digestion - benign in trace amounts.
- Carline thistle
- Carob A naturally sweet pod used as a dog-safe stand-in for chocolate and as a fibre source. Harmless and…
- Carrageenan A seaweed-derived gelling agent in wet foods - food-grade carrageenan is approved, but the gut-inflammation debate around it…
- Carrot A named vegetable bringing beta-carotene and fibre - honest, recognisable food.
- Cartilage A natural source of collagen and chondroitin for joint support - whole-animal feeding in practice.
- Cassia gum A seed-derived thickener for canned foods - approved, unremarkable.
- Cauliflower A named vegetable adding fibre and vitamins.
- Celery A named vegetable - mostly water and fibre, entirely harmless.
- Celery seeds A named seed with traditional joint-support use.
- Cellulose Purified plant fibre used to bulk food and manage weight. Zero nutrition by design.
- Centaury A traditional bitter herb used to support digestion. A minor botanical extra, present in small amounts.
- Cereals (unspecified) Which cereals? The label will not say, which usually means whichever grain was cheapest that month. A named…
- Chamomile A named calming herb - traditional digestive and settling support.
- Chard A leafy green vegetable, a source of vitamins and fibre.
- Cheese A named dairy protein most dogs find irresistible - fine unless your dog is dairy-sensitive.
- Chestnut flour
- Chia seeds A named seed dense in omega-3, fibre and minerals.
- Chicken Named fresh chicken - digestible, lean and exactly what a label should say. Remember it is weighed raw,…
- Chicken & turkey meal Rendered chicken and turkey, both named. Concentrated protein from identified birds - what meat meal should look like.
- Chicken bone Ground bone as a natural calcium and phosphorus source - standard and sensible in raw recipes.
- Chicken digest A chicken-based flavour coating. At least the species is named; nutritionally it is a seasoning, not a protein…
- Chicken fat A named, digestible energy source rich in linoleic acid. Named fat from a named bird - no complaints.
- Chicken Giblets Named poultry organs (heart, liver, gizzard) - nutritious and clearly declared.
- Chicken gravy Chicken cooking liquid for flavour. Fine, but it is mostly water - it pads the chicken percentage without…
- Chicken heart Organ meat rich in taurine and protein. A good sign of a recipe using the whole bird properly.
- Chicken liver Nutrient-dense organ meat - vitamin A, iron, B vitamins. Dogs would order it by name if they could.
- Chicken meal Chicken with the water removed before weighing - so gram for gram it carries more protein than fresh…
- Chickpeas A named legume - decent fibre and protein, best in supporting amounts.
- Chickweed A traditional named herb for skin support.
- Chicory The usual source of prebiotic inulin - a small root with a real digestive job.
- Chicory Prebiotic A prebiotic fibre from chicory that feeds beneficial gut bacteria.
- Chitosan A fibre made from crustacean shells, used to bind fat and support weight and urinary formulas. A functional…
- Choline chloride An essential nutrient supporting liver and nerve function - a routine, useful addition.
- Chondroitin Glucosamine's usual partner for joint support - same advice: the dose matters more than the mention.
- Cinnamon A named spice - safe at food doses, mostly there for aroma.
- Citric acid A natural acidity regulator and preservative helper - routine and benign.
- Citrus extract Citrus bioflavonoids added as natural antioxidants - a small functional extra.
- Citrus pulp The fibrous leftovers from juicing citrus fruit. A cheap source of fibre and pectin - fine in small…
- Cleavers A named hedgerow herb, traditionally used for lymphatic support.
- Clinoptilolite A volcanic clay (a zeolite) added to bind moisture and toxins and firm up stools. Harmless in the…
- Cloves A named spice used in trace amounts for flavour - harmless at the levels used.
- Coconut A source of medium-chain fats and fibre.
- Coconut oil A named oil with medium-chain triglycerides - easily digested energy.
- Cod Named white fish - lean, clean protein.
- Cod liver oil A named fish oil rich in omega-3s plus vitamins A and D. A genuinely valuable addition for skin,…
- Cold pressed oils (named blend) A grouped oils entry - fine when the label names what is in the blend underneath.
- Collagen The structural protein of skin, joints and connective tissue, often added hydrolysed for easier absorption. A sensible joint-…
- Colostrum The first milk, rich in antibodies and growth factors, added for immune and gut support. A valuable supplement…
- Coltsfoot
- Comfrey A traditional soothing herb used externally and in small internal amounts. A minor botanical addition kept to low…
- Coriander A fresh herb and seed used for flavour and as a traditional digestive aid. A wholesome botanical addition…
- Courgette A named squash - light, digestible fibre.
- Cranberry A named berry often added with urinary health in mind - evidence is modest, the fruit is fine.
- Cranberry extract Concentrated cranberry - the urinary-support evidence is thinner than the marketing, but it does no harm.
- Crustacean shell Shellfish shell - a natural source of glucosamine and chitin for joint support.
- Cucumber
- Cumin A warming spice used in small amounts for flavour and as a traditional digestive aid. A harmless, pleasant…
- Currants
D
- Dandelion A named herb used as a traditional liver and digestion tonic - the lawn weed with a CV.
- Derivatives of vegetable origin A catch-all for plant by-products - could be decent fibre, could be floor sweepings from milling. The wording…
- Devils claw A named root herb with reasonable evidence for joint comfort.
- DHA The omega-3 that builds brains and retinas - especially valuable in puppy food.
- Dicalcium phosphate A calcium and phosphorus source for bone health - standard mineral chemistry.
- Digest A palatant sprayed on to boost flavour - usually a hydrolysed animal or vegetable liquid. Fine in tiny…
- Digest (unspecified) A flavour coating made from hydrolysed animal tissue - which animal, the label does not say. Named versions…
- Dill A named herb added for flavour and digestion - benign in small amounts.
- Dried Fruit Mix A generic dried-fruit blend - some fibre and antioxidants, but vaguely named.
- Dried Herb Mix A small blend of herbs added for flavour - benign in trace amounts.
- Dried Vegetable Mix A generic vegetable blend - useful fibre, but not individually named.
- Duck Named fresh duck - a rich, palatable red-ish poultry that fussy eaters tend to vote for.
- Duck fat Named fat with good palatability. Declared and identifiable, which is the point.
- Duck meal Concentrated named duck protein. Water out, protein in - a proper ingredient.
E
- EC permitted additives (unspecified) The label admits additives went in but refuses to name them. If they were the good kind, they…
- Echinacea A named herb with traditional immune-support use.
- Egg The reference protein - eggs have the amino acid profile every other protein is measured against. Dried or…
- Egg products
- Egg Shell Membrane A natural source of collagen and joint-support compounds.
- Egg Yolk A nutrient-dense named ingredient, rich in fats and vitamins.
- Elderberry A dark berry prized for its antioxidants and traditional immune support. A wholesome botanical fruit, usually in small…
- Elk
- Ethoxyquin A preservative developed as a pesticide, suspended from EU food use. If it appears, put the bag down.
- Eugenia A botanical (of the myrtle family) added for its antioxidant and digestive-support reputation. A traditional herbal extra rather…
- Evening primrose oil A named GLA-rich oil used for skin support.
F
- Fatty acid salts Calcium or sodium soaps of fatty acids, used as an emulsifier and a rumen-stable fat. A technical additive…
- Fennel A herb added for digestion and flavour - harmless in the small amounts used.
- Fenugreek A named seed with traditional digestive credentials.
- Fermentation co-products
- Fish and fish derivatives Fish of some sort, parts unspecified. Better than anonymous meat derivatives, but a label that names its fish…
- Fish digest A fish-based flavour coating - seasoning, not substance.
- Fish meal (unspecified) Rendered fish, species not named. Decent protein and omegas, but "fish" covers a lot of ocean.
- Fish oil Omega-3-rich oil - naming the fish would be even better, but the fatty acids do their job.
- FOS (prebiotic) A prebiotic fibre that feeds beneficial gut bacteria - commonly from chicory.
- Fulvic acid A plant-derived compound marketed as a carrier for trace minerals. Likely harmless, but the health claims run ahead…
- Functional Topper A small functional add-on blend - marketing-led, benign, and a minor part of the recipe.
G
- Game Named game meat - decent quality wild protein, though naming the exact species (venison, rabbit, boar) would tell…
- Garlic A pungent bulb used in tiny amounts as a flavouring and traditional tonic. Fine in the small quantities…
- Gelatine A protein gelling agent from animal collagen - a binder more than a nutrition source.
- Gelling agents (unspecified) Unnamed thickeners - probably harmless gums, but "probably" is the label's fault, not ours.
- Gentian A bitter root used traditionally to stimulate appetite and digestion. A classic herbal addition, included in small, supportive…
- Ginger A named root with genuine anti-nausea evidence.
- Ginseng A named adaptogenic root - evidence in dogs is thin, harm is thinner.
- Glucosamine The standard joint-support supplement. Check the mg/kg dose though - token sprinkles look good on labels and do…
- Glycerol A sweet-tasting humectant that keeps semi-moist food chewy and palatability tests happy - a processing trick, not nutrition.
- Goat A named lean red meat, a quality protein used in novel-protein diets.
- Goat Named fresh goat - a genuinely novel protein for elimination diets.
- Goji berry A bright orange berry high in antioxidants and vitamin C. A wholesome superfood-style addition, though usually present in…
- Golden rod A named herb traditionally used for urinary support.
- Goose Named goose - a rich, dark poultry meat, honestly labelled.
- GOS (prebiotic) A prebiotic fibre that feeds beneficial gut bacteria - a close cousin of FOS and MOS.
- Grapefruit A citrus fruit added for vitamin C and antioxidant plant compounds, usually as an extract in small amounts.…
- Grapes & raisins
- Grapeseed extract Antioxidant polyphenols - and no, it is not the toxic part of the grape.
- Green beans A named vegetable - low-calorie fibre, a classic diet-food filler in the good sense.
- Green tea extract Concentrated tea polyphenols - antioxidants in tiny, safe amounts.
- Green-lipped mussel A shellfish with genuine evidence behind it for joint support - one of the few supplements that earns…
- Guar gum A plant-based thickener for wet foods - generally fine, occasionally loosens stools.
- Guinea fowl
H
- Haddock Named white fish - lean, digestible protein.
- Hake A named whitefish - a lean, high quality protein source.
- Hawthorn A named herb traditionally used for heart and circulation support.
- Heartsease (pansy)
- Hemp Seeds A plant source of omega fatty acids and protein.
- Hempseed Oil A plant oil providing a balanced omega profile.
- Herring Named oily fish - small, sustainable and rich in omega-3s.
- Herring Oil A named fish oil rich in omega-3s.
- Honey A natural sweetener with trace antioxidants. Pleasant and largely harmless, but it is still sugar, so it belongs…
- Hops
- Horehound A named herb with a traditional reputation for soothing digestion and coughs.
- Horse A named lean red meat and a genuine novel protein - clearly declared and useful for dogs reacting…
- Horsetail A named herb providing silica, traditionally used for coat and connective tissue.
- Huito
- Hydrolysed animal proteins (unspecified) Animal protein broken down into small fragments, species unspecified. Common as a palatant; as a main protein it…
- Hydrolysed feather meal
- Hydrolysed poultry liver Liver-based palatant - the reason kibble tastes of something. Nutritionally minor at the amounts used.
- Hydrolysed poultry protein Poultry protein broken into small fragments, often for digestibility or flavour. At least the bird group is named.
- Hydrolysed Protein A protein broken down for palatability or hypoallergenic diets - functional but not a primary nutrition source.
- Hydrolysed soya protein isolate Highly processed soya protein, usually in hypoallergenic formulas where the processing is the point.
- Hydrolysed starch Starch broken down into simple sugars, used as a binder and energy source. It is a refined carbohydrate…
- Hydrolysed yeast Broken-down yeast used as a palatant and a source of prebiotic MOS.
I
J
K
L
- L-carnitine An amino acid derivative that helps burn fat for energy - common in senior and light recipes.
- Lamb Named fresh lamb - a quality single-species protein, popular in sensitivity diets.
- Lamb fat Named fat from a named animal - a declared energy source.
- Lamb gravy Lamb cooking liquid for flavour - mostly water, pleasant aroma, minor nutrition.
- Lamb Liver Named organ meat, rich in vitamin A and iron.
- Lamb meal Concentrated named lamb. Rendered, yes - anonymous, no. That distinction is most of the battle.
- Lamb Organs Named lamb offal - honest labelling of nutritious organ content.
- Lard Named pork fat - a declared, digestible energy source.
- Lavender A calming botanical included in trace amounts.
- Lecithin A natural emulsifier, usually from soya or sunflower, that helps blend fats and carries a little choline. A…
- Leek
- Lemon balm A named calming herb (also sold as melissa) - traditional settling support.
- Lentil Fibre A legume-derived fibre - functional bulk, watch total legume load.
- Lentils A named legume with respectable fibre and plant protein. Same DCM caveat as all legumes - moderation over…
- Lignocellulose Powdered plant fibre, essentially refined wood fibre. It adds bulk and firms stools; it does not feed your…
- Lingonberry A tart Nordic berry (also called cowberry) rich in antioxidants. A wholesome fruit addition, usually in small amounts.
- Linseed Also sold as flaxseed - a named seed carrying plant omega-3, lignans and fibre. A quiet overachiever on…
- Linseed oil A named plant oil high in ALA omega-3 - dogs convert it inefficiently, but it still helps.
- Liquorice A root used traditionally to soothe the gut and support the skin. A common herbal addition, included in…
- Liver (named on label) Liver declared as such - nutrient-dense organ meat, though naming the species would be even better.
- Locust bean gum A carob-seed thickener for wet foods - benign.
- Lupin A named legume adding plant protein and fibre. A recognised allergen for some dogs and worth watching as…
- Lutein A natural antioxidant pigment that supports eye health.
- Lycopene
M
- Maca
- Mackerel Named oily fish, generous with omega-3s.
- Maize Maize is not the villain some sites make out, but it is not doing your dog favours either…
- Maize flour Milled maize - cheap carbohydrate in powder form.
- Maize Germ The germ fraction of maize - an energy source with modest nutrition.
- Maize gluten meal The protein fraction of maize - a cheap way to raise the protein figure without meat.
- Maize oil A named plant oil (also called corn oil) - heavy on omega-6, which most dog diets already have…
- Maize protein Concentrated maize protein - lifts the label protein number on the cheap.
- Maize starch Pure starch - energy and binding, nothing more.
- Malt extract A sweet, sticky extract made from sprouted barley, used as a binder and mild flavouring. It is essentially…
- Mango A sweet tropical fruit bringing vitamins A and C and fibre. A wholesome addition, typically present in small…
- Marigold A named flower providing lutein for eye and immune support.
- Marjoram A named herb from the oregano family - a gentle digestive botanical.
- Marshmallow Root A soothing botanical traditionally used for digestive comfort.
- Meat and animal derivatives The vaguest term on any UK label - it can mean almost any animal part from almost any…
- Meat Greaves The rendered residue left after extracting fat from meat - a low-value protein by-product.
- Meat meal (unspecified) Rendered meat from unnamed species. Meal itself is concentrated protein and not inherently bad - the problem is…
- Meat meal & gravy Unnamed rendered meat plus unnamed cooking liquor. The "with chicken" on the front of the bag is usually…
- Melon A hydrating fruit that brings a little vitamin C and antioxidants. A pleasant, wholesome addition, usually in small…
- Menadione (synthetic vitamin K3) A cheap synthetic vitamin K, banned in human supplements, that keeps turning up in pet food buried in…
- Methionine An essential amino acid supplemented to balance the protein profile - a normal, useful addition.
- Microalgae oil Concentrated DHA from microalgae - a premium omega-3 source.
- Milk Dairy - many adult dogs handle lactose poorly, which is why it is rare in good recipes.
- Milk thistle A named herb with genuine evidence for liver support - one of the better botanicals.
- Millet A small gluten-free grain - unremarkable, inoffensive.
- Mineral Clay A clay added for gut binding and mineral content - a functional additive.
- Mineral Mix A blend of added minerals - a normal, necessary part of a complete food.
- Minerals The standard mineral premix that makes a recipe nutritionally complete - unglamorous and necessary.
- Mint A named herb - digestive support and fresher breath.
- Mistletoe A traditional botanical used in small, controlled amounts in herbal blends. A minor supportive extra rather than a…
- Mixed herbs / botanicals A grouped herbs entry - a nice touch when the label names them individually, a shrug when it…
- Mixed Named Meat A blend of named meats declared together - honest when each is broken down by percentage, which our…
- Mixed named meats A grouped meat entry where the label names the actual species and amounts underneath. The grouping is fine…
- Mixed seeds A blend of seeds the label does not fully name. Seeds bring useful fats and fibre, but without…
- Molasses Sugar industry residue - marginally more minerals than white sugar, still sugar.
- Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Added to fake a savoury, meaty taste when there is not enough real meat to do the job.…
- Moor (peat) extract
- Moringa A named nutrient-dense leaf - vitamins, minerals and a little plant protein.
- MOS (prebiotic) A prebiotic fibre from yeast cell walls that feeds good gut bacteria - a small ingredient with fair…
- MSM An organic sulphur compound rounding out most joint blends.
- Mugwort
- Mulberry A named berry with antioxidants - a minor, honest inclusion.
- Mushrooms Named culinary mushrooms - B vitamins and a bit of umami for the fussy.
N
- Naked oats A husk-free oat variety - slightly more digestible energy than standard oats, same good grain.
- Named Organ Meal A rendered organ or carcass meal - concentrated protein, but processed at high heat and lower quality than…
- Natural flavouring A natural flavour coating added for palatability - fine in tiny amounts, vague when it climbs the list.
- Navy Beans A legume protein and fibre source - watch total legume load.
- Nettle A named herb surprisingly rich in minerals - stingless once dried.
- Nitrite / nitrate preservatives (E249-E252) Preservatives that keep processed meat looking pink. The colour is for you; the nitrosamine question is for your…
- Nucleotides Cell-building blocks usually derived from yeast - some evidence for immune support.
- Nutritional Yeast A B-vitamin-rich yeast added for flavour and nutrition.
O
- Oat feed The husks and residue left from oat milling. Filler fibre at a filler price.
- Oats One of the better grains - good soluble fibre, gentle on digestion, honestly named.
- Ocean Fish Named whitefish or herring - a good quality protein when the species group is stated.
- Oils and fats (unspecified) Unnamed oils and fats of unknown origin and quality. Named fats like chicken fat or salmon oil cost…
- Olive oil A named oil rich in monounsaturated fats and polyphenols.
- Omega-3 Supplement A concentrated omega-3 source (often algal or fish derived) supporting skin, coat and joints.
- Onion Toxic to dogs even in modest amounts - it attacks their red blood cells. It occasionally hides in…
- Orange A named fruit - a little vitamin C and fibre, used in small amounts.
- Oregano A named herb rich in antioxidants.
- Organ Meat A named organ meat - nutritious offal, honestly labelled rather than hidden.
- Ostrich
- Oyster
P
- Papaya A tropical fruit bringing vitamin C and the digestive enzyme papain. A wholesome addition in the small amounts…
- Paprika Ground sweet pepper used as a natural colour and mild flavouring, carrying useful antioxidants. A harmless, wholesome extra…
- Parsley A named herb with vitamin K and a folk reputation for fresher breath.
- Parsnip A named root vegetable - fibre and gentle energy.
- Pea Fibre A legume-derived fibre used for stool quality - functional filler.
- Pea meal Milled peas - carbohydrate and plant protein in one cheap package.
- Pea protein Concentrated pea protein - a plant-based protein number booster. When it sits high on a label, the meat…
- Pea starch The starch fraction of peas - binder and energy, little else.
- Peanut
- Peanut butter
- Pear A fruit added for fibre and natural sweetness in small amounts.
- Peas A named legume adding protein and fibre - fine as a supporting act. Heavy legume loads are under…
- Pecan nut shells
- Pectin A natural fibre from fruit used to gel and thicken. Harmless and mildly beneficial for the gut, but…
- Peppermint A named mint used for digestive comfort.
- Pheasant A lean game bird - a named, single-source poultry that is a good sign on any label. A…
- Phosphoric acid An acidity regulator - functional formulation chemistry, used in tiny amounts.
- Pigeon
- Pineapple A tropical fruit that brings vitamin C and the enzyme bromelain. A wholesome addition in the small amounts…
- Pinto Beans A legume protein and fibre source - watch total legume load.
- Plum
- Pollock Oil A named fish oil, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Pomegranate A named fruit with polyphenol antioxidants.
- Pomegranate extract Concentrated pomegranate polyphenols - an antioxidant garnish.
- Pork Named fresh pork - underrated, digestible and usually well tolerated.
- Pork gravy Pork cooking liquid added for flavour - mostly water, pleasant aroma, minor nutrition.
- Pork liver Named organ meat, rich in vitamin A, iron and B vitamins - nutritious offal, honestly declared.
- Pork meal Concentrated named pork protein.
- Postbiotics
- Potassium chloride A potassium source and electrolyte balancer - routine formulation chemistry.
- Potassium citrate A mineral salt used to balance urine acidity and support urinary health. A functional, well-understood addition often seen…
- Potato A gluten-free starch - clean energy, modest nutrition. Fine in moderation; as a lead ingredient it is padding.
- Potato protein Concentrated potato protein - another way to raise the protein figure without meat.
- Potato starch Pure starch used as a binder - energy, nothing else.
- Poultry fat Fat from unspecified poultry. A usable energy source and better than anonymous "animal fat", but a named fat…
- Poultry gravy Poultry cooking liquid added for taste. Mostly water and aroma - pleasant, not nutritious.
- Poultry meal Rendered poultry - decent concentrated protein, but "poultry" is a category, not a species. Chicken meal or turkey…
- Prairie meal A proprietary blended meal whose exact make-up the label does not spell out. Treat it as a mixed…
- Prebiotics A grouped prebiotics entry - good when the label says which (MOS, FOS) and how much.
- Preservatives (unspecified) The label says the food is preserved but not with what. It could be a natural antioxidant or…
- Probiotic Live beneficial bacteria added to support digestion - a genuinely useful functional addition.
- Probiotics Live beneficial bacteria - one of the few additives with solid digestive evidence, if the strain and count…
- Propyl gallate (E310) An artificial preservative with unresolved safety questions - not something your dog needs to be the test case…
- Propylene glycol A sweet humectant that keeps semi-moist food chewy - a processing aid, not nutrition, and best avoided where…
- Psyllium A soluble fibre that regulates digestion in both directions - a workhorse in gastrointestinal diets.
- Pumpkin A named squash famous for settling dog stomachs - soluble fibre that actually works.
- Pumpkin seed A named seed with zinc and vitamin E.
Q
R
- Rabbit Named fresh rabbit - lean, novel and clearly declared.
- Rabbit meal Concentrated named rabbit protein.
- Rapeseed meal
- Rapeseed oil A named plant oil with a better omega balance than most - unglamorous but decent.
- Raspberry A named berry - fibre and antioxidants in small, safe amounts.
- Rawhide
- Red Pepper A vegetable rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
- Reindeer
- Ribwort A common plantain herb used traditionally to soothe the airways and gut. A gentle botanical addition in small…
- Rice A digestible, gluten-free named grain - a perfectly reasonable energy source that grain-free marketing loves to demonise.
- Rice Germ The nutritious germ fraction of rice.
- Rice protein Concentrated plant protein from rice - it lifts the protein number without adding meat.
- Rice starch
- Rose petals A named botanical used in trace amounts - gentle, decorative and harmless.
- Rosehip The vitamin-C-rich fruit of the wild rose - a traditional extra with some joint-support evidence.
- Rosemary A named herb whose antioxidants also do natural preservation work.
- Rosemary extract A natural preservative - the herb doing chemistry's job.
- Rye A named cereal with gluten - less common, nutritionally middling.
S
- Safflower oil A plant oil high in omega-6 linoleic acid, useful for skin and coat. A decent named oil, though…
- Sage A named culinary herb with antioxidant compounds.
- Salmon Named fresh salmon - quality protein plus naturally occurring omega-3s. A label that says exactly what it means.
- Salmon meal Concentrated named salmon - the omega-3s mostly survive rendering, the water does not.
- Salmon oil A named fish oil delivering EPA and DHA omega-3s - skin, coat, joints and brain all benefit.
- Salmon stock Fish cooking liquid for flavour - mostly water.
- Salt Added salt - dogs need some sodium, but declared salt often signals a recipe leaning on palatability tricks.
- Sardine Small named oily fish - low in the food chain, high in omega-3s.
- Saskatoon Berry A nutritious berry, a natural antioxidant source.
- Sea buckthorn A named berry rich in vitamins and antioxidants - a small functional extra.
- Sea Salt Added salt - necessary in tiny amounts, a concern only when high on the list.
- Seaweed / kelp A named marine plant rich in iodine and trace minerals - a small inclusion doing real micronutrient work.
- Sesame oil A named seed oil - vitamin E and antioxidant lignans.
- Shellfish
- Shrimp
- Silica An anti-caking mineral additive - functional, not nutritional.
- Slippery Elm A soothing botanical often added to sensitive-stomach recipes for digestive comfort.
- Sodium butyrate
- Sodium hexametaphosphate A polyphosphate added to reduce tartar - modest evidence, mild controversy, tiny doses.
- Sodium tripolyphosphate A polyphosphate added to control tartar - modest evidence, mild controversy, tiny doses.
- Sorbitol
- Sorghum A gluten-free grain with a slower energy release than maize - middling but honest.
- Soya Cheap plant protein and a recognised canine allergen. "Hipro" just means high-protein soya - it is still soya.
- Soya meal Processed soya protein - it makes the analysis look meatier than the recipe is.
- Soya oil A named but cheap plant oil, heavy on omega-6 - functional rather than beneficial.
- Spearmint A named mint - gentler than peppermint, same idea.
- Spelt An ancient wheat relative - still contains gluten, slightly better mineral profile.
- Spices (unspecified) A catch-all for flavouring spices the label does not name. Usually harmless and used in tiny amounts, but…
- Spinach A named leafy green with iron, vitamin K and folate.
- Spirulina A blue-green algae dense in protein and antioxidants - tiny amounts, genuine nutrients.
- Sprat Small whole named fish - a favourite natural treat for good reason.
- St John's wort A well-known calming herb used in small amounts in some recipes. A traditional botanical addition rather than a…
- Strawberry A named fruit - safe for dogs in moderation and rather popular with them.
- Sugar Added sugar in dog food serves the manufacturer's palatability tests, not your dog's teeth or waistline.
- Sulphite preservatives (E220-E228) Preservatives that quietly wreck vitamin B1. Used to keep cheap meat looking fresh - a genuine safety red…
- Sunflower cake
- Sunflower oil A named plant oil - plenty of omega-6, which dog diets rarely lack. Named and consistent, just not…
- Sunflower seed A named seed adding vitamin E and healthy fats.
- Swede A named root vegetable - honest fibre and vitamin C.
- Sweet potato A quality named carbohydrate - slower energy release than white potato plus beta-carotene and fibre.
- Syrup / glucose syrup Liquid sugar by another name - see sugar.
T
- Tangerine A citrus fruit added for vitamin C and antioxidant plant compounds. A minor but wholesome inclusion.
- Tapioca A gluten-free starch from cassava root - clean energy and a kibble binder, with next to no other…
- Taurine An amino acid vital for heart health - a reassuring sight on any label, especially grain-free ones.
- Thyme A named herb with natural antimicrobial compounds.
- Titanium dioxide (E171) A white pigment used to make food look brighter, banned from human food in the EU over safety…
- Tocopherols (natural preservative) Vitamin E compounds used as a natural preservative - the good answer to "how is this food kept…
- Tomato A named fruit adding lycopene and fibre - fine in the small amounts used (ripe fruit only; the…
- Tomato pomace The skins and pulp from tomato processing - an economical fibre source, honestly a by-product.
- Trout Named fresh trout - an oily fish bringing protein and omega-3s.
- Tryptophan An essential amino acid, sometimes added for its calming reputation.
- Tuna Named fish protein with useful omega-3s.
- Turkey Named fresh turkey - a lean, digestible protein that many dogs with chicken sensitivities handle well.
- Turkey fat Named poultry fat - a clean, declared energy source.
- Turkey Liver Named poultry organ meat, nutrient dense.
- Turkey meal Concentrated turkey with the water already removed. A named meal that does more protein work per gram than…
- Turmeric A named root with anti-inflammatory curcumin - poorly absorbed alone, but a fair inclusion.
V
- Valerian A named calming herb - traditional settling support.
- Vegetable fibre (unspecified) Fibre from an unnamed plant source. Fibre is useful; anonymity is not. Named fibre sources like beet pulp…
- Vegetable oil (unspecified) Oil from an unnamed plant. Usually cheap and heavy on omega-6, which most dog foods already have too…
- Vegetable protein extracts Concentrated plant protein from unnamed sources, used to push the protein number up cheaply. Protein on paper is…
- Vegetable stock Cooking liquid used for flavour and moisture. Harmless, but it is mostly water - do not read it…
- Vegetables (mixed) A grouped vegetables entry. Fine when the label breaks the group down into named vegetables with percentages; weaker…
- Venison A named lean game meat, high quality and often used in novel-protein recipes.
- Venison Named fresh venison - a lean novel protein often used for dogs with common-meat sensitivities.
- Venison meal Concentrated named venison protein.
- Vinegar
- Vitamins The vitamin premix - the difference between food and complete food.
- Vitamins and minerals The combined premix that tops up whatever the ingredients alone cannot cover - standard and sensible.
W
- Walnut
- Water Water added for processing - it carries no nutrition and is mostly cooked off, but it is honestly…
- Watercress
- Watermelon
- Wheat A cheap named grain and one of the more common canine intolerances. Fine for many dogs, but heavy…
- Wheat feed A milling by-product - the bits left after flour production. Cheap bulk and some fibre, not a lot…
- Wheat gluten The protein fraction of wheat - used to bump protein numbers cheaply. Not what "protein" should mostly mean…
- Wheatgerm The nutrient-dense heart of the wheat grain and its oil - a good source of vitamin E and…
- Wheatgrass A named young cereal grass - chlorophyll, vitamins and fibre in small amounts.
- Whey A dairy by-product protein - cheap and digestible, with the usual dairy caveat.
- White fish Named white fish - lean and gentle on sensitive stomachs.
- Wild boar Named wild boar - a novel red meat, clearly declared.
- Wild yam A root used traditionally for its soothing, tonic reputation. A herbal extra present in small, supportive amounts.
X
Y
No matches for that
Try a shorter word - labels love odd spellings - or clear the filters.
Good quality
Acceptable / watch the amount
Red flag