Sodium Nitrite

caution

This concern applies to dogs specifically.

Sodium Nitrite is a widely used pet food ingredient for dogs. Based on veterinary research, this ingredient has worth keeping an eye on. Below, we explain what we found and list the products that include it.

Why it's flagged

A preservative that can form cancer-linked nitrosamine compounds when combined with proteins during processing. Dogs are less acutely sensitive than cats, but long-term exposure to nitrosamines is a recognized carcinogenic risk.

Sources

Worth et al. 1997, NZ Veterinary Journal (fatal cat cases)
IARC Monographs Vol. 94 (Group 2A, nitrite + nitrosation)
FDA 21 CFR 573.700 (20 ppm limit in pet food)
Christopher et al. 1990, Veterinary Pathology (feline sensitivity)

We found Sodium Nitrite in 101 of the products we analyzed.

Products containing Sodium Nitrite

Meow Mix Poultry Selects Variety Pack

Poultry Selects Variety Pack

Meow Mix

silver #164 of 354 $0.25/oz

Meow Mix Seafood Selects Variety Pack

Seafood Selects Variety Pack

Meow Mix

bronze #256 of 354 $0.25/oz

Meow Mix Tender Favorites Poultry & Beef

Tender Favorites Poultry & Beef

Meow Mix

gold #78 of 354 $0.25/oz

Meow Mix Tender Favorites Surf 'N Turf Variety Pack

Tender Favorites Surf 'N Turf Variety Pack

Meow Mix

gold #40 of 354 $0.27/oz

Meow Mix Tenders in Sauce with Real Chicken & Beef

Tenders in Sauce with Real Chicken & Beef

Meow Mix

gold #325 of 1701 $0.26/oz

Meow Mix Tenders in Sauce with Real Chicken & Liver

Tenders in Sauce with Real Chicken & Liver

Meow Mix

gold #362 of 1701 $0.29/oz

Meow Mix Tenders in Sauce with Real Salmon & Crab

Tenders in Sauce with Real Salmon & Crab

Meow Mix

gold #80 of 1701 $0.29/oz

Meow Mix Tender Favorites with Real Tuna & Whole Shrimp in Sauce

Tender Favorites with Real Tuna & Whole Shrimp in Sauce

Meow Mix

gold #504 of 1701 $0.24/oz

Meow Mix Tenders in Sauce with Real Turkey & Giblets

Tenders in Sauce with Real Turkey & Giblets

Meow Mix

gold #375 of 1701 $0.26/oz

Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy with Real Chicken Breast

Chunks in Gravy with Real Chicken Breast

Meow Mix

silver #1036 of 1701 $0.26/oz

Meow Mix Savory Morsels Seafood Favorites Variety Pack

Savory Morsels Seafood Favorites Variety Pack

Meow Mix

bronze #254 of 354 $0.25/oz

9 Lives Meaty Pate Seafood Platter

Meaty Pate Seafood Platter

9 Lives

bronze #1668 of 1701 $0.15/oz

9 Lives Meaty Pate Super Supper

Meaty Pate Super Supper

9 Lives

bronze #1665 of 1701 $0.15/oz

9 Lives Meaty Pate with Real Chicken & Tuna

Meaty Pate with Real Chicken & Tuna

9 Lives

bronze #1662 of 1701 $0.14/oz

9 Lives Meaty Pate with Real Chicken

Meaty Pate with Real Chicken

9 Lives

bronze #1660 of 1701 $0.14/oz

9 Lives Meaty Pate with Real Ocean Whitefish

Meaty Pate with Real Ocean Whitefish

9 Lives

bronze #1663 of 1701 $0.14/oz

9 Lives Pate Favorites Variety Pack

Pate Favorites Variety Pack

9 Lives

bronze #341 of 354 $0.14/oz

Meow Mix Classic Favorites Tenders in Sauce Variety Pack

Classic Favorites Tenders in Sauce Variety Pack

Meow Mix

gold #35 of 354 $0.25/oz

Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health Formula with Salmon Classic

Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health Formula with Salmon Classic

Purina Pro Plan

bronze #1644 of 1701 $0.45/oz

Iams Proactive Health Lamb Chunks in Gravy

Proactive Health Lamb Chunks in Gravy

Iams

bronze #651 of 861 $0.19/oz

Iams Proactive Health Beef Chunks in Gravy

Proactive Health Beef Chunks in Gravy

Iams

bronze #650 of 861 $0.19/oz

9 Lives Meaty Pate with Real Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Pate

Meaty Pate with Real Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Pate

9 Lives

silver #1090 of 1701 $0.15/oz

9 Lives Tender Morsels with Real Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Bits in Broth

Tender Morsels with Real Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Bits in Broth

9 Lives

bronze #281 of 337 $0.15/oz

Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy Real Salmon & Ocean Fish

Chunks in Gravy Real Salmon & Ocean Fish

Meow Mix

bronze #1671 of 1701 $0.26/oz

Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy Real Tuna & Crab

Chunks in Gravy Real Tuna & Crab

Meow Mix

bronze #1324 of 1701 $0.26/oz

Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy Real Tuna & Salmon

Chunks in Gravy Real Tuna & Salmon

Meow Mix

bronze #1546 of 1701 $0.26/oz

Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy Real Ocean Whitefish & Tuna

Chunks in Gravy Real Ocean Whitefish & Tuna

Meow Mix

bronze #1265 of 1701 $0.26/oz

Meow Mix Pate in Gravy with Real Tuna & Salmon

Pate in Gravy with Real Tuna & Salmon

Meow Mix

silver #816 of 1701 $0.26/oz

Beefeaters Beefeaters Salmon Pate

Beefeaters Salmon Pate

Beefeaters

silver #663 of 1701 $0.32/oz

Cesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Variety Pack Adult Filet Mignon & Grilled Chicken

Classic Loaf in Sauce Variety Pack Adult Filet Mignon & Grilled Chicken

Cesar

bronze #178 of 190 $0.25/oz

Scan your pet's food to check for Sodium Nitrite and other flagged ingredients.