Ingredient Concerns

BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) is a synthetic preservative classified as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinoge...

A preservative that has caused fatal reactions in cats eating commercial pet food. Cats are uniquely sensitive because t...

Ethoxyquin is a synthetic antioxidant originally developed as a pesticide. Banned in pet food in the EU and Australia. T...

Propylene glycol is banned in cat food by the FDA. It damages red blood cells in cats, and unlike dogs or humans, cats c...

An inorganic phosphate additive. The phosphorus in additives like this hits a cat's system much harder than the natural...

A cosmetic dye. Your pet doesn't care what color their food is. Some types of caramel color contain a byproduct (4-MEI)...

An inorganic phosphate source. A cat's body absorbs this kind of phosphorus much more aggressively than the natural phos...

A member of the allium family. Contains thiosulfate compounds that cause oxidative damage to red blood cells. Some dog f...

Red 40 (Allura Red AC) is an artificial dye with zero nutritional purpose, added solely to make food visually appealing...

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is an artificial dye. Requires warning labels in the EU. No nutritional function.

Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) is an artificial dye. No nutritional function.

Titanium dioxide is a whitening agent banned as a food additive in the EU since 2022 due to genotoxicity concerns (EFSA...

A preservative that can form cancer-linked nitrosamine compounds when combined with proteins during processing. Dogs are...

Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow) is an artificial dye. Banned or requires warning labels in several EU countries. No nutritional...

An added sugar with no nutritional value. Used as a flavor enhancer and binder. Contributes to obesity, dental decay, an...

BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is a synthetic preservative. Animal studies show potential liver and kidney effects at hi...

TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) is a synthetic fat preservative. Dogs are the most sensitive species to TBHQ according...

A member of the allium family. Contains thiosulfate compounds that cause oxidative damage to red blood cells (Heinz body...

An added sugar with no nutritional value. Contributes to obesity, dental decay, and insulin resistance over time.

Table sugar added as a flavor enhancer. No nutritional value and contributes to obesity, dental decay, and blood sugar i...

TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) is a synthetic fat preservative. Dogs are the most sensitive species to TBHQ according...

A generic rendered ingredient where the animal source isn't identified. It could be any mammal. FDA testing has found co...

Soy contains compounds called isoflavones that can nudge thyroid hormone levels in cats. What makes this tricky is that...

Menadione sodium bisulfite (synthetic vitamin K3) is banned in human food supplements in some countries. Natural vitamin...

Fish oil, salmon oil, and algal oil deliver EPA and DHA directly, the omega-3 forms pets actually use. Plant sources lik...

Carrageenan is a seaweed-derived thickener. Food-grade carrageenan is GRAS, but degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) is an...

Some foods list multiple forms of the same ingredient (like pea protein, pea fiber, and pea starch instead of just peas)...

In dry food, fresh meat like "chicken" is about 70% water. Ingredients are listed by pre-cooking weight, so meat appears...

Purified plant fiber, essentially wood pulp. Not digestible, but that's the point in weight management formulas: it adds...

An inorganic phosphate additive, commonly used in dental treats for tartar control. Dogs handle inorganic phosphorus bet...

Artificial flavors suggest the base ingredients may lack palatability on their own. Not a health risk per se, but a qual...

Purified plant fiber, essentially wood pulp. Not digestible, but that's the point in weight management formulas: it adds...

A plant-based protein used to bump up the protein number on the label at a lower cost. Cats are obligate carnivores, so...

A plant-based protein used to bump up the protein number on the label at a lower cost. Dogs can use plant proteins bette...

A colorant added to make food look meaty for your benefit, not your pet's. Not harmful, but not doing anything useful ei...

A generic rendered fat where the animal source isn't identified. Named fats like 'chicken fat' or 'beef fat' tell you ex...

A plant-based protein used to bump up the protein number on the label at a lower cost. Dogs can use plant proteins bette...

A plant-based protein used to bump up the protein number on the label at a lower cost. Cats are obligate carnivores, so...

A palatability enhancer made by hydrolyzing unspecified animal tissues into a liquid or powder. The animal source is not...

An inorganic phosphate source. Dogs handle inorganic phosphorus better than cats, but it is still absorbed more aggressi...

A synthetic humectant used in semi-moist dog foods to retain moisture and texture. Banned in cat food (damages cat red b...

Soy is one of the more common food allergens in dogs and contains phytoestrogens (isoflavones) that may affect hormone l...