7.3
Acceptable
Overall Rating
15
Positive
38
Acceptable
4
Concern
Ingredient Audit
| Ingredient | Rating | Type | Toxicity | Explanation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deboned Beef | Positive | — | — | Clear named animal protein. Transparent and nutritionally meaningful when judged independently. | AAFCO meat ingredient definitions |
Chicken Meal | Positive | — | — | Named rendered animal meal and concentrated animal protein ingredient. The animal source is transparent. | AAFCO rendered product / meal ingredient definitions |
Brown Rice | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole-food carbohydrate/grain ingredient. Brown rice is treated as a positive independent ingredient under the Bowl Charts model. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; veterinary nutrition references for grains/carbohydrates in commercial diets |
Oatmeal | Positive | — | — | Recognizable oat-based grain ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for grains; AAFCO labeling framework |
Barley | Positive | — | — | Recognizable grain/carbohydrate ingredient. Under the Bowl Charts model, clearly named grains such as barley can be positive whole-food carbohydrate ingredients when judged independently. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; veterinary nutrition references for grains/carbohydrates in commercial diets |
Peas | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole pulse ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for legumes/carbohydrates |
Chicken fat | Positive | — | — | Named animal fat source. Transparent and useful as a fat/palatability/energy ingredient. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; Merck Veterinary Manual fat/nutrient reference |
Flaxseed | Positive | — | — | Recognizable seed ingredient with fiber and fat-related nutritional value. | Veterinary nutrition references for fats/fiber; AAFCO labeling framework |
Natural flavor | Concern | — | Not toxic, but quality/transparency penalty | Vague flavoring term without a clear source. | AAFCO/FDA pet food labeling framework |
Dried tomato pomace | Positive | — | — | Recognized plant fiber ingredient that may contribute functional fiber. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; veterinary nutrition references |
Fish meal | Acceptable | — | — | Animal meal source is fish, but the specific fish species is not named. Useful but less transparent than salmon meal or whitefish meal. | AAFCO fish meal/rendered product definitions |
Dried yeast | Acceptable | — | — | Yeast ingredient may support palatability, nutrients, or fermentation-derived components, but function depends on type and amount. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; Needs verification for intended function |
Salt | Acceptable | — | — | Common sodium/chloride source used for electrolyte balancing and palatability. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets | Acceptable | — | — | Processed plant/botanical ingredient that may contribute fiber and plant nutrients, but the pellet form and role are more supportive than core food-quality signaling. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; Needs verification for pet-specific form/use |
Potassium chloride | Acceptable | — | — | Named potassium/chloride source used for electrolyte/mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Calcium carbonate | Acceptable | — | — | Named calcium source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition 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 |
Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate | Concern | — | — | — | — |
Choline chloride | Acceptable | — | — | Named choline source used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual nutrient reference |
DL-Methionine | Acceptable | — | — | Named amino acid supplement used to balance the amino acid profile or support formulation needs. | Merck Veterinary Manual amino acid/nutrient reference |
L-Threonine | Acceptable | — | — | Named amino acid supplement used to balance the diet’s amino acid profile. | Merck Veterinary Manual amino acid/nutrient reference |
Dried Sweet Potatoes | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole-food carbohydrate/vegetable ingredient. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance; veterinary nutrition references |
Carrots | Positive | — | — | Safe recognizable vegetable ingredient. Positive independent food ingredient signal. | ASPCA pet-safe snack guidance |
Taurine | Acceptable | — | — | Named amino acid-like nutrient supplement used for formulation support. | Merck Veterinary Manual amino acid/nutrient reference |
Zinc Amino Acid Chelate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated zinc source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Zinc sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named zinc source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Vegetable Juice for color | Concern | — | Not toxic, but quality/transparency penalty | Cosmetic color ingredient. Even if natural-sounding, the stated purpose is color rather than nutrition. | FDA/AAFCO color additive/labeling framework |
Ferrous sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named iron source used for mineral balancing. | 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 |
Iron Amino Acid Chelate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated iron source used for mineral balancing. Useful but not a whole-food ingredient. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Blueberries | Positive | — | — | Recognizable fruit ingredient. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance |
Cranberries | Positive | — | — | Recognizable fruit ingredient. Good independent food ingredient signal, though recipe-level impact depends on amount. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance |
Barley Grass | Acceptable | — | — | Recognizable plant/botanical ingredient, but its functional value depends on form, amount, and intended use. It is acceptable/supportive rather than a clear core food-quality signal. | Needs verification |
Parsley | Positive | — | — | Recognizable herb/botanical ingredient commonly used as a food herb. | ASPCA pet-safe plant/food references; Needs verification for form/dose |
Turmeric | Acceptable | — | — | Recognizable botanical/spice, but functional value depends on form, dose, and intended use. | Needs verification |
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 |
Glucosamine Hydrochloride | Acceptable | — | — | Joint-support supplement, but ingredient name alone does not disclose a meaningful functional dose. | Veterinary nutrition/joint supplement references; Needs dose verification |
Yucca schidigera extract | Acceptable | — | Mild watch | Botanical extract often used functionally, but extract form, active compounds, and dose are not clear from the ingredient name alone. | Needs verification |
Niacin | Acceptable | — | — | Named B vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Calcium pantothenate | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B5 source used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Copper sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named copper source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Vitamin C source | Concern | — | Not toxic, but quality/transparency penalty | Generic nutrient-source wording without identifying the actual compound. | AAFCO/FDA pet food labeling framework |
L-Lysine | Acceptable | — | — | Named amino acid supplement used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual amino acid/nutrient reference |
Biotin | Acceptable | — | — | Named B vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Vitamin A supplement | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin supplement used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Copper Amino Acid Chelate | Acceptable | — | — | Named chelated copper source used for mineral balancing. Useful, but it is a formulation nutrient rather than a whole-food quality signal. | Merck Veterinary Manual nutrient/mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Manganese sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named manganese source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Manganese Amino Acid Chelate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated manganese source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Thiamine mononitrate | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B1 form used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Riboflavin | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B2 nutrient used for vitamin balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Vitamin D3 | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Vitamin B12 | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Pyridoxine | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B6 form used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Calcium Iodate | Acceptable | — | — | Named mineral/iodine source used for nutrient balancing. Useful, but it is a formulation ingredient rather than a food-quality signal. | AAFCO nutrient profiles / Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition references |
Folic acid | Acceptable | — | — | Named B vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Sodium selenite | Acceptable | — | — | Named selenium source used for trace mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Oil of Rosemary | Acceptable | — | Mild watch | Rosemary-derived oil may serve as an antioxidant/preservative, but concentrated oil form needs more caution than rosemary extract or mixed tocopherols. | Needs verification |