6.8
Acceptable
Overall Rating
6
Positive
35
Acceptable
1
Concern
Ingredient Audit
| Ingredient | Rating | Type | Toxicity | Explanation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicken by-product meal | Acceptable | — | — | Named poultry by-product meal. It can be a usable animal-derived protein/mineral ingredient, but it is less transparent and less desirable as a quality signal than chicken meal because by-product composition can vary. | AAFCO poultry by-product meal definition |
Wheat flour | Acceptable | — | — | Processed wheat fraction. Acceptable carbohydrate/formulation ingredient, but less strong than whole grain wheat. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; veterinary nutrition references |
Whole grain ground corn | Positive | — | — | Clearly identified whole grain corn ingredient, with ground form describing processing. | Veterinary nutrition references for grains; AAFCO labeling framework |
Rice bran | Acceptable | — | — | Processed rice fraction. Can be useful but is not the same as whole rice or brown rice. | AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; veterinary nutrition references |
Grain sorghum | Positive | — | — | Clearly identified grain/carbohydrate ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for grains; AAFCO labeling framework |
Dried plain beet pulp | Positive | — | — | Recognized functional fiber source used in pet foods. | Veterinary nutrition references; AAFCO ingredient labeling framework |
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 |
Egg product | Positive | — | — | Named animal-derived protein/nutrient ingredient. | AAFCO egg product ingredient definition; veterinary nutrition references |
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 |
Natural flavor | Concern | — | Not toxic, but quality/transparency penalty | Vague flavoring term without a clear source. | AAFCO/FDA pet food labeling framework |
Flaxseed | Positive | — | — | Recognizable seed ingredient with fiber and fat-related nutritional value. | Veterinary nutrition references for fats/fiber; AAFCO labeling framework |
Calcium carbonate | Acceptable | — | — | Named calcium source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Potassium chloride | Acceptable | — | — | Named potassium/chloride source used for electrolyte/mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Salt | Acceptable | — | — | Common sodium/chloride source used for electrolyte balancing and palatability. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition 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 |
Choline chloride | Acceptable | — | — | Named choline source used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual nutrient reference |
Dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product | Acceptable | — | — | Named microbial fermentation product, but strain and guaranteed live count details are not shown. | Today’s Veterinary Practice / veterinary probiotic references |
Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product | Acceptable | — | — | Fermentation product/probiotic-style listing, but strain ID, guaranteed CFU, and survivability details are not provided. | Today’s Veterinary Practice / veterinary probiotic 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 Enterococcus faecium fermentation product | Acceptable | — | Mild watch | Named microbial fermentation product, but strain, CFU, survivability, and strain-specific safety details are not provided. | Today’s Veterinary Practice / veterinary probiotic references; Needs verification for strain-specific safety |
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 |
Vitamin E supplement | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin supplement used for nutrient balancing and antioxidant nutrient support. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Iron proteinate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated iron source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Zinc proteinate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated zinc source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Copper proteinate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated copper source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Ferrous sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named iron source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Zinc sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named zinc source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Manganese sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named manganese source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Copper sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named copper source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Potassium iodide | Acceptable | — | — | Named iodine source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Thiamine mononitrate | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B1 form used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Manganese proteinate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated manganese source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Vitamin A supplement | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin supplement used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Biotin | Acceptable | — | — | Named B vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
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 |
Sodium selenite | Acceptable | — | — | Named selenium source used for trace mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Pyridoxine hydrochloride | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B6 form used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Vitamin B12 supplement | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin supplement 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 supplement | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin supplement used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Folic acid | Acceptable | — | — | Named B vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |