7.8
Acceptable
Overall Rating
21
Positive
32
Acceptable
2
Concern
Ingredient Audit
| Ingredient | Rating | Type | Toxicity | Explanation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deboned Chicken | Positive | — | — | — | — |
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 |
Sorghum | Positive | — | — | Recognizable grain/carbohydrate ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for grains; AAFCO labeling framework |
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 |
Salmon meal | Positive | — | — | Named fish meal from a specific species. Concentrated animal protein ingredient with transparent source. | AAFCO meal/rendered product definitions |
Peas | Positive | — | — | Recognizable whole pulse ingredient. | Veterinary nutrition references for legumes/carbohydrates |
Oatmeal | Positive | — | — | Recognizable oat-based grain 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 |
Flaxseed | Positive | — | — | Recognizable seed ingredient with fiber and fat-related nutritional value. | Veterinary nutrition references for fats/fiber; AAFCO labeling framework |
Salmon Oil | Positive | — | — | Named fish oil/omega fat source. | Merck Veterinary Manual fat/nutrient reference |
Natural flavor | Concern | — | Not toxic, but quality/transparency penalty | Vague flavoring term without a clear source. | AAFCO/FDA pet food labeling framework |
Salt | Acceptable | — | — | Common sodium/chloride source used for electrolyte balancing and palatability. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition 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 |
Dried chicory root | Positive | — | — | Recognized prebiotic fiber source, commonly used for inulin/fructan-type prebiotic support. | Veterinary prebiotic/probiotic references; Today’s Veterinary Practice |
Taurine | Acceptable | — | — | Named amino acid-like nutrient supplement used for formulation support. | Merck Veterinary Manual amino acid/nutrient reference |
Choline chloride | Acceptable | — | — | Named choline source used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual nutrient reference |
Spinach | Positive | — | — | Recognizable leafy vegetable ingredient. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance |
Broccoli | Positive | — | — | Safe recognizable vegetable ingredient. Positive independent food ingredient signal, though amount matters for recipe-level significance. | ASPCA pet-safe snack guidance |
Vitamin E supplement | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin supplement used for nutrient balancing and antioxidant nutrient support. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Carrots | Positive | — | — | Safe recognizable vegetable ingredient. Positive independent food ingredient signal. | ASPCA pet-safe snack guidance |
Parsley | Positive | — | — | Recognizable herb/botanical ingredient commonly used as a food herb. | ASPCA pet-safe plant/food references; Needs verification for form/dose |
Apples | Positive | — | — | Recognizable fruit ingredient that is generally acceptable for dogs when prepared appropriately. Good independent ingredient signal, but recipe-level impact depends on amount. | ASPCA pet-safe snack guidance |
Blueberries | Positive | — | — | Recognizable fruit ingredient. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance |
Kale | Positive | — | — | Recognizable leafy vegetable ingredient. Good independent food ingredient signal when used appropriately. | ASPCA pet-safe fruit/vegetable guidance; veterinary nutrition references |
Mixed Tocopherols | Positive | — | — | Natural antioxidant/preservative commonly used to protect fats from oxidation. | FDA/AAFCO ingredient and food additive framework; veterinary nutrition references |
Niacin | Acceptable | — | — | Named B vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Zinc proteinate | 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 |
Ferrous sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named iron source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Iron proteinate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated iron 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 |
Vitamin C | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin/antioxidant nutrient. Useful, but still a supplement rather than a whole-food ingredient. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Thiamine | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B1 nutrient used for vitamin balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Copper sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named copper source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Calcium pantothenate | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B5 source used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Copper proteinate | Acceptable | — | — | Chelated copper source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference; AAFCO nutrient profile context |
Sodium selenite | Acceptable | — | — | Named selenium source used for trace mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Pyridoxine | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B6 form used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Manganese sulfate | Acceptable | — | — | Named manganese source used for mineral balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual mineral nutrition reference |
Riboflavin | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin B2 nutrient used for vitamin 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 |
Biotin | Acceptable | — | — | Named B vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
Vitamin D3 | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin used for nutrient balancing. | Merck Veterinary Manual vitamin/nutrient reference |
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 |
Vitamin B12 | Acceptable | — | — | Named vitamin 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 |
Dried Enterococcus Faecium | Acceptable | — | Mild watch | Named probiotic organism, but strain, CFU, survivability, and safety details are not shown in the ingredient name. | Today’s Veterinary Practice / veterinary probiotic references; Needs verification for strain-specific safety |
Dried Bacillus Licheniformis | Acceptable | — | — | Listed microbial ingredient, but strain, intended function, CFU guarantee, and survivability are unclear. | Needs verification |
Dried Bacillus Subtilis | Acceptable | — | — | Listed microbial ingredient, but strain ID and guaranteed CFU are not provided in the ingredient name. | Today’s Veterinary Practice / veterinary probiotic references; AAFCO labeling context |
Rosemary Extract | Positive | — | — | Natural antioxidant/preservative ingredient when used in standard pet-food form. | FDA/AAFCO ingredient and food additive framework; veterinary nutrition references |
Green Tea Extract | Concern | — | Mild watch | Concentrated extract where caffeine status, catechin level, form, and dose are not clear. This creates safety and transparency uncertainty. | ASPCA/Pet Poison Helpline caffeine toxicity context; Needs verification for extract form and caffeine status |
Spearmint | Acceptable | — | — | Recognizable herb, but pet-food functional value depends on form, amount, and intended use. | Needs verification |