AAFCO requires the use of scientific (common) names of pet food ingredients be used on bags and labels. Ingredients on bags and labels must also be listed by weight/content. Our pet foods are a healthy blend of ingredients, rich in protein, free of grain, and complete with vitamins and minerals for the health and vitality of your pet.
- Apple Pomace is a rich source of carbohydrate, pectin, crude fiber, and minerals, and as such is a good source of micronutrients (polyphenols).
- Ascorbic Acid: Source of vitamin C, which is essential in many enzyme systems. It is necessary in forming collagen. It is involved in the production of certain neurotransmitters and adrenal gland hormones. Helps in maintaining the immune system and lowering the risk of certain cancers.
- Beets: Fiber and antioxidant rich, beets contain a long list of vitamins and minerals – Vitamin C, Folate (Vitamin B for heart health and tissue growth), iron, potassium and magnesium.
- Biotin: A B vitamin that is required by the body in energy metabolism to carry carbon dioxide out of the cell. Also needed in the catabolism of both fatty acids and amino acids.
- Blueberries: A tasty and excellent source of Vitamins A & C, potassium and fiber.
- Calcium Carbonate: A natural source of calcium promoting strong teeth and bones.
- Calcium Iodate: Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth. Iodine is needed for proper thyroid function, which regulates growth, development and metabolic rate.
- Carrots: Low calorie, high fiber food with beta carotene/vitamin A.
- Celery: Rich in vitamins and minerals – Vitamin A, vitamin B, Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and iron.
- Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols): A positive palatant and major source of essential energy in pet foods. It is a major source of omega 6 fatty acids and some omega 3. When used in conjunction with fish oil an optimum balance can be achieved in the omega 6:3 ratios.
- Mixed tocopherols, natural forms of Vitamin E, are resistant to high temperature food processing steps, and have low volatility and good solubility in fats and oils, serving to naturally preserve food.
- Chicken By-Product Meal: Is produced through a process or cooking, drying and separation of animal fats and proteins. It contains a dehydrated combination of meat (or cuts or parts) including lungs, spleen, kidneys, livers, blood, bones, necks, undeveloped eggs and intestines.
- Chicken Meal: The dry rendered product from a combination of clean chicken flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from whole carcasses of chicken, exclusive of feathers, hands, feet, and entrails. A highly digestible protein source that supplies essential amino acids as well as whole proteins needed by carnivorous pets. It also supplies a quality energy source from the retained fat and the macro minerals Ca, P, K, Na, Mg.
- Chickpeas: Highly digestible protein and fiber rich bean without saturated fat, cholesterol or sodium.
- Choline Chloride: The source of the B vitamin Choline, a methyl donor for the body synthesis of amino acids and proteins (builds cell membranes).
- Chondroitin SO4: Combined with glucosamine HCL for the support of healthy joints and mobility.
- Citric Acid: Acidifier and stabilizer of fats; acts as an antioxidant by protecting vitamins in food.
- Copper Proteinate: See Copper sulfate and proteinates. (See iron proteinate.)
- Copper Sulfate: Source of Copper (Cu). Copper is a micro mineral involved in many enzyme and co-enzyme systems, especially those involved in producing enzymes that help protect the cell from oxygen free radicals, which would otherwise break down the cells.
- Cranberries: A natural source of Vitamin C, which promotes a strong immune system.
- d-Calcium Pantothenate: Feed source of pantothenic acid, an essential B vitamin. As a co-enzyme, it is essential in energy metabolism as with the other B vitamins. It is also necessary in the building of fat, cholesterol, bile, vit D, RBC’s, hormones and nerve transmission.
- Dried Apple: Flavor adding quality carbohydrate.
- Egg Product: A great source of animal protein in pet foods, providing a balanced source of amino acids.
- Field Peas: Low in fat with a good fatty acid profile, protein rich field peas are a good source of essential amino acids, especially lysine.
- Flax Seed Meal: The ground seed of the flax plant, delivering balanced fatty acids and a good source of fiber.
- Folic Acid: An essential B vitamin and co-enzyme that helps convert B12 to synthesize DNA in a rapidly growing cell.
- FOS – Fructooligosaccharide: A popular prebiotic for promoting intestinal bacteria culture. (Prebiotics are a source of food for probiotics to grow, multiply and survive in the digestive tract.)
- Glucosamine HCL: Helps support healthy joints and mobility.
- Ground Cumin: Flavor and color enhancing, aromatic ground seed of the plant (part of the parsley family).
- Ground Red Chili Pepper: A natural way to enhance the flavor and color of food.
- Ground Thyme: A common herb that enhances flavor.
- Herring Meal: Herring are harvested primarily for their roe (fish eggs). The fresh whole fish is then ground. When dried, the meal contains high amounts of high quality protein and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
- Iron Proteinate: Again, the proteinated iron is more bioavailable for absorption. (The binding of a protein and trace element creates chelated proteinate minerals to aid in absorption in the digestive process.)
- Iron Sulfate: A source of iron, which is a vital component of hemoglobin, the molecule that transports oxygen.
- Kelp Meal: Organic source of iodine (I). Kelp meal is an integral part of two thyroid hormones that help regulate growth and metabolic rate.
- Lecithin: (Less-a-thin) Lecithin emulsifies the fats in the kibble and enhances the digestion of those emulsified fats. A source of choline and a B vitamin, it aids in the synthesis of amino acids and proteins. Lecithin contains natural antioxidants, inositol, linoleic acid, and is a source of phosphorous.
- Lentils: In the legume family, lentils provide a healthy starch and are a good source of protein, iron and fiber.
- Lettuce: Good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals including Vitamin K, A, C and folate.
- L-Lysine: An essential amino acid. (Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which makes up a large portion of cells, muscles and tissue. Amino acids influence the function of organs, glands, tendons and arteries.)
- Manganese Proteinate: See definitions in Zinc and Iron proteinate.
- Manganese Sulfate: Source of Manganese (Mn). Mn is involved in growth and development, bone formation and protein and energy metabolism.
- Manganous Oxide: Source of manganese, a different absorption site than Mn Sulfite and Mn Proteinate.
- Menhaden Fish Oil: A positive palatant and excellent source of essential unsaturated Omega 3 fatty acids.
- Methionine: A natural amino acid, which serves as a urinary acidifier. Methionine is a principle supplier of sulfur, which prevents disorders of the hair, skin and nails. It helps lower cholesterol levels by increasing the liver’s production of lecithin, reduces liver fat and protects the kidneys. Methionine also regulates the formation of ammonia and creates ammonia-free urine, which reduces bladder irritation.
- Mustard Seed Powder: In small amounts, a natural flavor and color-enhancing source of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Natural Flavor: A proprietary blended palatant. (NO MSG!)
- Niacin Supplement: Source of the B vitamin niacin (B3). Niacin is a co-enzyme necessary in the break down of proteins and fats and the building back of body proteins, fats and hormones; aids in the formation of red blood cells.
- Organic Dried Kelp: See Kelp Meal.
- Parsley: Nutritive and rich in protein, fiber, Vitamins A, C, B1, B2 and K, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.
- Pea Protein: Used with quality starches, concentrated pea protein is a good source of protein, Vitamin A, potassium, and fiber to help support GI health.
- Peas: A good source of protein, Vitamin A and potassium. Peas are packed with fiber to help support GI health and provide a nutritious alternative for carbohydrates in grain- free pet food.
- Pork Meal: Protein rich source of essential amino acids, critical for building muscle mass and repair. Pork is a rich source of protein, B vitamins, iron and zinc.
- Pork Meal: Risidual meat, offal (organs), connective tissue and, in some cases, bones. These ingredients are dehydrated down to a dry powder.
- Potassium Chloride: Source of Potassium. The higher the dietary protein the higher the requirement for Potassium (K), which helps maintain blood pressure, contract muscles and nerve transmissions.
- Potato Product or Flakes: Used in high fresh meat diets as a source of starch and a very good binder in a grain free diet.
- Pumpkin Meal: Low in calories and provides Vitamin A and fiber.
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6): Vitamin B6 is a co-enzyme required in synthesis of amino acids, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) synthesis and red blood cell building.
- Riboflavin Supplement: Source of vitamin B2 and is a co-enzyme required in energy metabolism from carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Helps regulate certain other hormones; required in growth and development.
- Sodium Selenite: Source of Selenium (Se). Se is a micro mineral essential in the production of a body antioxidant system known as glutathione that prevents the breakdown of polyunsaturated fats in the body. Helps spare Vitamin E another antioxidant vitamins.
- Spinach: Contains vitamins A, C, B, K, beta-carotene and plant crude fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis and improve defecation. Vitamin C and vitamin K can promote healthy bones for dogs. Spinach is rich in folate and iron, which can improve blood circulation and treat anemia. Recent research found that spinach is a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are great for dog’s eyes. Their antioxidant effect can protect the retina from the damage and improve dog’s vision.
- Tapioca Starch: A gluten-free, non-GMO source of carbohydrates used as a binder. Tapioca flour is rapidly growing in popularity with the gluten-free consumer.
- Taurine: An essential amino acid for cats, taurine provides added health benefits for dogs as a natural antioxidant and for healthy eyesight, hearth health and hearing.
- Thiamine Mononitrate: A source of Vitamin B1 and co-enzyme (enzymes and co-enzymes are necessary in all body metabolic functions) required in carbohydrate, protein, and metabolism.
- Vitamin A Acetate: Source of Vitamin A, essential in maintaining vision and necessary for the retina to transform the light into brain nerve impulses; also necessary in protecting the epithelial cells. Vitamin A enhances immunity by boosting the function of white blood cells.
- Vitamin B12 Supplement: Source of B12, essential in DNA synthesis. B12 is also critical in the nervous system as it helps maintain the integrity of the myelin sheath around nerve fibers.
- Vitamin D3 Supplement: The metabolically active form of vitamin D in the body, which is essential in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous from the intestines.
- Vitamin E Supplement: Boosts the activity of vitamin E, an important antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals.
- Watercress: High in Vitamins K and C, along with Vitamins A, E, B-6, calcium, manganese, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, and phosphorus.
- Whole Ground Flax Seed: Containing flax seed oil, whole ground flax seed is an excellent source of Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and coat. It is also a great fiber source that aids in digestion.
- Yucca Schidigera Extract: From the yucca plant, a source of a prebiotic providing the gut the nutrients to grow beneficial gut flora.
- Zinc Oxide: Source of Zinc, (Zn) a different absorption site than Zinc Sulfate and Proteinate.
- Zinc Proteinate: Source of chelated (protected) Zinc. Proteinated minerals, including Zinc, are easier or more readily absorbed from the intestine. They are also absorbed in a different location within the intestine from the sulfate and oxide forms, which can help maintain a metabolic supply even in an animal with intestinal inflammation.
- Zinc Sulfate: Source of Zinc, (Zn). Zinc is involved in hundreds of enzymes for the metabolic processes including growth, development, immune functions, blood clotting, wound healing, sperm production and in activating Vitamin A.