Puppy Growth Chicken with Rice Wet Food Trays

Gallus Gallus Domesticus, Poultry Meat, Domestic Fowl, Broiler Meat

Chicken is a high-quality animal protein sourced from poultry, commonly used in pet foods for its rich amino acid profile and palatability. It provides essential nutrients to support muscle maintenance and overall health. In premium pet foods, chicken is typically included in its natural, whole form, ensuring optimal nutrient availability and digestibility for pets.

Chicken is included as a primary animal protein source to meet nutritional requirements and enhance palatability for pets. Its recognisable presence on the label also appeals to consumers seeking high-quality, meat-based ingredients.

Ovis Aries, Mutton, Lamb, Ovine

Sheep is an animal-derived ingredient sourced primarily from Australian livestock. It provides high-quality protein and essential amino acids, supporting muscle maintenance and overall health in pets. Sheep is typically included in pet food as fresh meat or meal, ensuring optimal nutrient availability. This ingredient is used in its natural form, offering a rich source of nutrients without synthetic alteration.

Sheep is included as a novel animal protein source to cater to pets with common protein sensitivities and to differentiate the product in the market. It also serves as a label-friendly ingredient that appeals to consumers seeking alternative or premium protein options.

Oryza Sativa, Paddy, Oryza Sativa Grain, Oryza Spp.

Rice is a cereal grain derived from the seeds of the Oryza sativa plant, making it a plant-based ingredient. It serves primarily as a highly digestible source of carbohydrates, providing energy for pets. In pet food, rice is typically used in its natural, whole or milled form, rather than as a processed extract, to optimise digestibility and nutrient availability.

Rice is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides energy and helps create a desirable texture in pet food. It is also easily digestible, making it suitable for sensitive digestive systems and appealing for marketing as a familiar, label-friendly ingredient.

Dietary Minerals, Inorganic Nutrients, Essential Minerals, Bulk Elements

Minerals are essential inorganic nutrients derived from the earth, not produced by animals or plants. They play a critical role in supporting various physiological functions, such as bone development, nerve transmission, and enzyme activity. In pet food, minerals are not used in their natural raw or metallic state; instead, they are incorporated as specific compounds (such as sulphates or chelates) to optimise safety and bioavailability.

Minerals are included to meet essential nutritional requirements for pets, supporting overall health and proper bodily functions. They are often added in precise amounts to ensure the product complies with regulatory standards and nutrient profiles.

Stabiliser, Thickener, E Number, Hydrocolloid

Gelling agent refers to a functional ingredient, typically derived from plant or seaweed sources such as guar gum, carrageenan, or agar, used to modify the texture and consistency of pet food. Its primary purpose is to bind moisture and create a stable, palatable gel structure. Gelling agents are not used in their raw plant form but are processed and utilised as purified extracts or compounds for optimal performance and safety.

Gelling agents are included to modify the texture and consistency of pet food, ensuring a uniform and appealing product structure. They also help stabilise moisture content, which can extend shelf life and improve product handling.

Edible Vegetable Oil, Edible Plant Oil, Plant Oil, Oleum Vegetabile

Vegetable oil is a plant-derived fat extracted from various seeds or fruits, such as sunflower, canola, or soybean. It serves primarily as an energy source and supports the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in pet food. Vegetable oil is used in its refined, edible form rather than as raw plant material, ensuring safety, palatability, and optimal nutrient availability for pets.

Vegetable oil is included as a cost-effective source of dietary fat and energy, supporting palatability and contributing to the texture of the final product. It may also be used to deliver essential fatty acids and improve the appearance of the kibble.

Fish Liver Oil, Oleum Piscis, Oleum Jecoris, Oleum Piscarium

Fish oil is a nutrient-rich oil derived from the tissues of oily fish, making it an animal-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin, coat, and joint health. Fish oil is utilised in a purified, liquid form rather than as whole fish, ensuring optimal absorption and safety for pets.

Fish oil is included as a source of omega-3 fatty acids to support skin, coat, and joint health, enhancing the nutritional profile of the product. Its presence also serves as a marketing point, appealing to consumers seeking functional health benefits for their pets.

Dietary Fibre, Plant Fibre, Fibre, E460

Vegetable fibres are plant-derived components sourced from various vegetables and are included in pet food formulations. Their primary purpose is to support digestive health by providing insoluble and soluble fibre, which aids in healthy bowel function and stool quality. Vegetable fibres are used in their natural form, ensuring pets receive the functional benefits of whole plant material.

Vegetable fibres are included as a cost-effective source of dietary fibre to support digestive health and promote stool quality. They also serve as a bulk-adding agent, helping to optimise product texture and satiety.

Micronutrients, Essential Micronutrients, Vital Nutrients, Accessory Food Factors

Vitamins are organic compounds derived from both plant and animal sources, essential for numerous metabolic and physiological functions in pets. Their primary purpose is to support immune health, vision, bone development, and cellular processes. In pet food, vitamins are not used in their natural, raw forms but are instead incorporated as stabilised compounds or premixes to ensure safety, stability, and optimal bioavailability.

Vitamins are included to ensure nutritional adequacy and meet regulatory requirements for complete and balanced pet food. They may also be added to compensate for nutrient losses during processing and storage.

2-Aminoethanesulphonic Acid, L-Taurine, E107, 2-Aminoethane-1-Sulphonic Acid

Taurine is a naturally occurring amino sulfonic acid derived from animal sources, particularly meat and fish. It is added to pet food to support cardiovascular health, vision, and proper immune function, especially in cats who cannot synthesise it sufficiently. Taurine is not used in its raw form; instead, it is incorporated as a purified, synthesised compound to ensure stability, safety, and optimal absorption.

Taurine is included to ensure adequate levels of this essential amino acid, particularly in diets where animal protein content may be insufficient to meet canine or feline nutritional requirements. Its addition supports cardiovascular health and is often used to address consumer concerns about diet-associated heart issues.

L-Amino Acids, α-Amino Acids, Proteinogenic Amino Acids, E620-E640

Amino acids are organic compounds derived from both animal and plant sources, serving as the fundamental building blocks of proteins. Their primary nutritional benefit is to support muscle development, tissue repair, and overall metabolic function in pets. In pet food, amino acids are not used in their isolated natural form but are typically included as specific, bioavailable compounds to optimise absorption and efficacy.

Amino acids are included to ensure the product meets essential protein and nutrient requirements for pets, supporting overall health and development. They may also be added to optimise the amino acid profile of the food, compensating for any deficiencies in the primary protein sources.

Antioxidant Agents, Free Radical Scavengers, E306, E321

Antioxidants are compounds sourced from both plant and synthetic origins, commonly added to pet food to protect fats and oils from oxidation, thereby preserving freshness and nutritional quality. Their primary function is to neutralise free radicals, supporting cellular health. Antioxidants are not used in their raw or isolated chemical state; instead, specific forms such as mixed tocopherols or ascorbate compounds are utilised for safety and efficacy.

Antioxidants are included to prevent the oxidation of fats and oils, thereby extending the product’s shelf life and maintaining nutritional quality. They also help preserve colour and flavour, supporting product stability and consumer appeal.

Botanical Extracts, Herbal Extracts, Phytochemical Extracts, Plant-Derived Extracts

Plant extracts are concentrated substances derived from various parts of plants, such as leaves, roots, or seeds. Sourced from botanical origins, they are included in pet food primarily for their bioactive compounds, which may support antioxidant activity, flavour, or digestive health. Plant extracts are not used in their whole, natural form but are instead utilised as refined concentrates to optimise efficacy and consistency.

Plant extracts are included to provide natural sources of flavour, colour, or antioxidants, enhancing palatability and product appeal. They may also serve as label-friendly ingredients to support marketing claims of naturalness or added health benefits.