Bowl Charts
7.3
Acceptable
Overall Rating

Ingredient Audit

Ingredient audit — 57 ingredients in position order.
IngredientRatingTypeToxicityExplanationSource
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 penaltyVague 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 penaltyCosmetic 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 watchRecognizable 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 watchBotanical 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 penaltyGeneric 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 watchRosemary-derived oil may serve as an antioxidant/preservative, but concentrated oil form needs more caution than rosemary extract or mixed tocopherols.Needs verification