8.5
Positive
Overall Rating
28
Positive
20
Acceptable
2
Concern
Ingredient Audit
| Ingredient | Rating | Type | Toxicity | Explanation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beef | Positive | — | — | Clear named animal protein. Named animal proteins are transparent and useful dog food ingredients when judged independently. | AAFCO meat ingredient definitions |
Pork | Positive | — | — | Clear named animal protein. | AAFCO meat ingredient definitions |
Beef meal | Positive | — | — | Named animal meal and concentrated animal protein ingredient. | AAFCO meal/rendered product definitions |
Whole red lentils | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole pulse ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for legumes/carbohydrates; AAFCO labeling framework |
Whole pinto beans | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole pulse/bean ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for legumes/carbohydrates; AAFCO labeling framework |
Whole green peas | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole pulse ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for legumes/carbohydrates; AAFCO labeling framework |
Pork meal | Positive | — | — | Named animal meal and concentrated animal protein ingredient. | AAFCO meal/rendered product definitions |
Beef fat | Positive | — | — | Named animal fat source. Transparent source and useful as an energy/fat/palatability ingredient. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; Merck Veterinary Manual fat/nutrient reference |
Whole green lentils | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole pulse ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for legumes/carbohydrates; AAFCO labeling framework |
Whole chickpeas | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole pulse ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for legumes/carbohydrates; AAFCO labeling framework |
Whole yellow peas | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole pulse ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for legumes/carbohydrates; AAFCO labeling framework |
Lamb | Positive | — | — | Clear named animal protein. | AAFCO meat ingredient definitions |
Fish Oil | Positive | — | — | Useful omega fat ingredient. Even when fish species is not named, fish oil is a recognized functional fat source under this model. | Merck Veterinary Manual fat/nutrient reference |
Lentil fiber | Acceptable | — | — | Processed lentil-derived fiber fraction. It can be useful as fiber, but it is not the same as whole lentils. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; veterinary nutrition fiber references |
Natural pork flavor | Acceptable | — | — | Named animal-source flavoring. More transparent than generic natural flavor, but still primarily a palatability aid rather than a core food ingredient. | AAFCO/FDA pet food labeling framework |
Pea starch | Acceptable | — | — | Processed pea-derived starch fraction. Usable as carbohydrate/binder/formulation ingredient, but less meaningful than whole peas. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework |
Beef tripe | Positive | — | — | Named species animal organ/by-product ingredient. Source is transparent and ingredient is recognizable. | AAFCO by-product labeling framework; Tufts Petfoodology organ meat/by-product guidance |
Beef liver | Positive | — | — | Named animal organ ingredient from a clear species. Clear animal-derived food ingredient and useful protein/nutrient source. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; Tufts Petfoodology organ meat/by-product guidance |
Beef kidney | Positive | — | — | Named animal organ ingredient from a clear species. Organ meats can be useful animal-derived food ingredients when transparently named. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; Tufts Petfoodology organ meat/by-product guidance |
Pork liver | Positive | — | — | Named animal organ ingredient from a clear species. Clear animal-derived food ingredient. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; Tufts Petfoodology organ meat/by-product guidance |
Pork kidney | Positive | — | — | Named animal organ ingredient from a clear species. Transparent animal-derived food ingredient. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; Tufts Petfoodology organ meat/by-product guidance |
Salt | Acceptable | — | — | Common sodium/chloride source used for electrolyte balancing and palatability. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Vitamin E supplement | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin supplement used for nutrient balancing and antioxidant nutrient support. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Dried Kelp | Acceptable | — | Mild watch | Recognizable seaweed ingredient often used as a mineral/iodine source, but iodine content and dose can matter. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; Needs verification for iodine level/source |
Whole pumpkin | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole vegetable ingredient and fiber/carbohydrate source. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance; veterinary nutrition references |
Zinc proteinate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated zinc source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Collard greens | Positive | — | — | Recognizable leafy vegetable ingredient. Good independent whole-food ingredient signal. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance |
Whole apples | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole fruit ingredient. Positive independent food ingredient signal. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance |
Whole pears | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole fruit ingredient. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance |
Mixed Tocopherols | Positive | — | — | Natural antioxidant/preservative commonly used to protect fats from oxidation. | FDA/AAFCO ingredient and food additive framework; veterinary nutrition references |
Taurine | Acceptable | — | — | Named amino acid-like nutrient supplement used for formulation support. | Merck Veterinary Manual amino acid/nutrient reference |
Calcium pantothenate | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B5 source used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Freeze-dried beef | Positive | — | — | Named animal protein with processing method disclosed. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework |
Freeze-dried pork | Positive | — | — | Named animal protein with processing method disclosed. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework |
Freeze-dried lamb | Positive | — | — | Named animal protein with processing method disclosed. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework |
Riboflavin | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B2 nutrient used for vitamin balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Folic acid | Acceptable | — | — | Named B vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Vitamin A acetate | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin A supplement form used for nutrient balancing. Useful but not a whole-food ingredient. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Vitamin D3 supplement | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin supplement used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Dried chicory root | Positive | — | — | Recognized prebiotic fiber source, commonly used for inulin/fructan-type prebiotic support. | Veterinary prebiotic/probiotic references; Today’s Veterinary Practice |
Turmeric | Acceptable | — | — | Recognizable botanical/spice, but functional value depends on form, dose, and intended use. | Needs verification |
Sarsaparilla root | Concern | — | Mild watch | Botanical root ingredient with unclear pet-food safety, active compounds, form, and dose. | Needs verification |
Althea root | Acceptable | — | — | Botanical/root ingredient. It may have functional intent, but form, dose, and pet-food relevance are not clear from the name alone. | Needs verification |
Rose hips | Acceptable | — | — | Recognizable botanical/fruit ingredient, but pet-food value depends on form, amount, and intended function. | Needs verification |
Juniper berries | Concern | — | Mild watch | Botanical berry ingredient with dog-specific safety and dose uncertainty. Functional value and extract/whole-berry form are unclear. | Needs verification |
Citric Acid | Acceptable | — | — | Common acidifier/preservative-support ingredient. It can be useful in formulation but is not a whole-food ingredient or strong quality signal. | AAFCO/FDA ingredient labeling and food additive framework |
Rosemary Extract | Positive | — | — | Natural antioxidant/preservative ingredient when used in standard pet-food form. | FDA/AAFCO ingredient and food additive framework; veterinary nutrition references |
Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product | Acceptable | — | — | Named microbial fermentation product, but strain ID, guaranteed CFU, and survivability details are missing. | Today’s Veterinary Practice / veterinary probiotic references |
Dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product | Acceptable | — | — | Named microbial fermentation product, but strain and guaranteed live count details are missing. | Today’s Veterinary Practice / veterinary probiotic references |
Dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product | Acceptable | — | — | Named microbial fermentation product, but strain ID, guaranteed CFU, end-of-shelf-life viability, and survivability evidence are not provided in the ingredient name. | Today’s Veterinary Practice / veterinary probiotic references; AAFCO labeling context |