Bowl Charts

7.6

Acceptable

Overall Rating

Positive

Acceptable

Concern

Ingredient Audit

Ingredient audit — 28 ingredients in position order.
Ingredient	Rating	Type	Toxicity	Explanation	Source
Chicken	Positive	—	—	—	—
Cracked Pearled Barley	Acceptable	—	—	Processed barley fraction. It can be a usable carbohydrate ingredient, but it is less complete than clearly listed whole barley.	AAFCO ingredient labeling framework
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
Brewers Rice	Acceptable	—	—	Refined grain fraction. It can be usable as a carbohydrate source, but it is less meaningful than a whole grain or whole-food carbohydrate ingredient.	AAFCO ingredient labeling framework
Whole Grain Wheat	Positive	—	—	Clearly named whole grain carbohydrate ingredient.	Veterinary nutrition references for grains; AAFCO labeling framework
Whole Grain Corn	Positive	—	—	Clearly named whole grain carbohydrate ingredient.	Veterinary nutrition references for grains; AAFCO labeling framework
Corn Protein Meal	Acceptable	—	—	Processed corn protein ingredient. Useful as a plant protein source, but more of a formulation tool than a whole-food ingredient.	AAFCO ingredient labeling framework
Chicken Meal	Positive	—	—	Named rendered animal meal and concentrated animal protein ingredient. The animal source is transparent.	AAFCO rendered product / meal ingredient definitions
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
Chicken Liver Flavor	Acceptable	—	—	Named animal-source flavoring. It is more transparent than generic natural flavor, but it is still mainly a palatability aid rather than a core food ingredient.	AAFCO pet food ingredient labeling framework
Soybean Meal	Acceptable	—	—	Processed plant protein ingredient. Can contribute protein, but not equivalent to whole legumes or named animal protein.	AAFCO ingredient labeling framework; veterinary nutrition references
Dried Beet Pulp	Positive	—	—	Recognized functional fiber source often used for stool quality and fermentable fiber support.	Veterinary nutrition references; AAFCO ingredient labeling framework
Soybean Oil	Acceptable	—	—	Named plant oil/fat ingredient. Useful as a fat source, but not as strong a functional signal as named animal fat or fish oil.	Merck Veterinary Manual fat/nutrient reference; AAFCO labeling framework
Lactic Acid	Acceptable	—	—	Common acidifier/preservative-support ingredient. Useful in formulation but not a whole-food signal.	FDA/AAFCO ingredient and food additive framework
Flaxseed	Positive	—	—	Recognizable seed ingredient with fiber and fat-related nutritional value.	Veterinary nutrition references for fats/fiber; AAFCO labeling framework
Pork Liver Flavor	Acceptable	—	—	Named animal-source flavoring. More transparent than generic natural flavor, but still mainly a palatability aid.	AAFCO pet food labeling framework
Potassium chloride	Acceptable	—	—	Named potassium/chloride source used for electrolyte/mineral balancing.	Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference
Iodized Salt	Acceptable	—	—	Salt with iodine contribution. Useful for electrolyte/mineral balancing, but it is a formulation nutrient rather than a whole-food ingredient.	Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference
Whole Grain Oats	Positive	—	—	Clearly named whole oat grain ingredient.	Veterinary nutrition references for grains; AAFCO labeling framework
Fructooligosaccharides	Positive	—	—	Recognized prebiotic fiber ingredient used to support beneficial gut bacteria.	Veterinary prebiotic/probiotic references; Today’s Veterinary Practice
Choline chloride	Acceptable	—	—	Named choline source used for nutrient balancing.	Merck Veterinary Manual nutrient reference
Calcium carbonate	Acceptable	—	—	Named calcium source used for mineral balancing.	Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference
Vitamins	Concern	—	Not toxic, but quality/transparency penalty	Generic supplement group without individual compounds listed.	AAFCO/FDA pet food labeling framework
Taurine	Acceptable	—	—	Named amino acid-like nutrient supplement used for formulation support.	Merck Veterinary Manual amino acid/nutrient reference
Minerals	Concern	—	Not toxic, but quality/transparency penalty	Generic supplement group with no specific compounds listed. Low transparency for nutrient sources.	AAFCO/FDA pet food labeling framework
Mixed Tocopherols	Positive	—	—	Natural antioxidant/preservative commonly used to protect fats from oxidation.	FDA/AAFCO ingredient and food additive framework; veterinary nutrition references
Natural Flavors	Concern	—	Not toxic, but quality/transparency penalty	Vague flavoring term without clear source. Adds palatability but weakens ingredient transparency.	AAFCO/FDA pet food labeling framework
Beta-Carotene	Acceptable	—	—	Useful nutrient-related supplement and vitamin A precursor, but it functions mainly as nutrient support rather than a whole-food ingredient.	Merck Veterinary Manual nutrition reference