Game Blend and Climate Smart Rice Dry Dog Food

Meat refers to the edible muscle tissue derived from animals, commonly sourced from species such as chicken, beef, or lamb. It serves as a high-quality source of protein, essential amino acids, and vital nutrients like iron and B vitamins, supporting muscle maintenance and overall health. In pet food, meat is used in its natural form, ensuring optimal nutrient availability and palatability for pets.

Meat is included as a primary protein source to support essential amino acid requirements and overall nutritional value in pet food. Its presence also enhances palatability, making the product more appealing to pets.

Animal derivatives are ingredients sourced from various parts of animals, including meat, organs, and by-products not typically consumed by humans. They provide essential proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, supporting overall health and energy in pets. Animal derivatives are not used in their raw, unprocessed state; instead, they are rendered or processed to ensure safety, digestibility, and optimal nutrient availability.

Animal derivatives are included as a cost-effective protein source, utilising by-products from meat processing to maximise resource efficiency. They also contribute essential nutrients while helping manufacturers meet regulatory labelling requirements for pet food.

Field peas are a plant-derived legume commonly included in pet food formulations. Sourced from Pisum sativum, they provide a valuable source of plant protein, dietary fibre, and essential micronutrients. Their primary nutritional benefit is to support muscle maintenance and digestive health. Field peas are used in their natural, whole form, ensuring optimal nutrient retention and digestibility for pets.

Field peas are included as a cost-effective source of protein and carbohydrates, helping to optimise the nutritional profile while managing production costs. They also serve as a label-friendly, grain-free alternative that appeals to consumer preferences.

Broad beans are edible seeds from the plant Vicia faba, belonging to the legume family. Sourced from plants, they are included in pet food primarily for their protein, fibre, and micronutrient content, supporting digestive health and energy. Broad beans are used in their natural, whole form, ensuring pets benefit from their inherent nutrients without the need for chemical modification or processing into extracts.

Broad beans are included as a cost-effective plant protein and carbohydrate source, helping to optimise nutritional content while managing production costs. They may also serve as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to consumers seeking grain-free or novel protein pet food options.

Vegetable broth is a liquid derived from simmering a variety of plant-based ingredients such as carrots, celery, and herbs. It serves as a natural flavour enhancer and provides hydration, trace minerals, and phytonutrients to pet food formulations. Vegetable broth is used in its natural, liquid form, ensuring the retention of its nutritional and functional properties without further chemical modification.

Vegetable broth is included as a label-friendly ingredient to enhance palatability and improve the product’s appeal to consumers seeking recognisable, plant-based components. It may also serve as a moisture source and contribute to the overall flavour profile.

Brown rice is a whole grain derived from the rice plant (Oryza sativa) and retains its bran and germ layers, making it a plant-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food as a source of complex carbohydrates, dietary fibre, and essential nutrients. Brown rice is used in its natural, unrefined form, providing slow-release energy and supporting digestive health in pets.

Brown rice is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides energy and bulk to pet food formulations. It is also considered a label-friendly ingredient that appeals to consumers seeking whole grains in their pets’ diets.

Beef fat is an animal-derived ingredient obtained from the adipose tissue of cattle. It serves primarily as a concentrated source of energy and essential fatty acids, supporting skin and coat health in pets. In pet food, beef fat is typically rendered and purified rather than used in its raw form, ensuring safety, palatability, and optimal nutrient absorption for companion animals.

Beef fat is included as a cost-effective source of animal-derived energy and to enhance palatability, making the product more appealing to pets. It also contributes to the overall fat content required for nutritional balance in pet food formulations.

Salmon fat is a lipid ingredient derived from the tissue of salmon, commonly used as a source of dietary fat in dog food. It is typically added in rendered or purified form rather than as raw fish tissue. Salmon fat provides essential fatty acids, including omega‑3s such as EPA and DHA, which support skin, coat, and cognitive health in dogs. When included at appropriate levels, it is considered safe and beneficial, though excessive intake may contribute to obesity or gastrointestinal upset.

Salmon fat is included in dog food formulations to provide a source of essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3s, which support skin and coat health, while also enhancing palatability and serving as a practical, stable fat source for manufacturers. Its use benefits both the dog and the manufacturer by improving nutritional value and product appeal.

Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich plant ingredient derived from the Medicago sativa species, commonly used in premium pet foods. It serves as a natural source of dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals, supporting digestive health and overall wellbeing. Alfalfa is included in its natural, dried form, ensuring pets benefit from its full spectrum of nutrients without synthetic alteration.

Alfalfa is included as a cost-effective source of plant protein, fibre, and micronutrients, contributing to the nutritional profile of the product. It also serves as a label-friendly ingredient that appeals to consumers seeking natural or wholesome additions in pet food.

Venison meat refers to the muscle tissue derived from deer, commonly used as a novel protein source in dog food. It is typically included in its whole, cooked, or dehydrated form rather than raw. Venison provides high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and important micronutrients such as iron and zinc. When used appropriately, it supports muscle maintenance and may be suitable for dogs with sensitivities to more common proteins like chicken or beef. There are no known risks when venison is included as part of a balanced diet.

Venison meat is included in dog food formulations to provide a novel protein source that can benefit dogs with sensitivities to more common meats, while also allowing manufacturers to differentiate their products in a competitive market. Its use may increase production costs, but it appeals to consumers seeking alternative protein options for their pets.

Coconut oil is a plant-derived oil extracted from the flesh of mature coconuts. It is primarily included in pet food for its energy-dense medium-chain triglycerides, which support healthy skin, coat, and metabolism. Coconut oil is used in its natural, refined form, ensuring it is safe and readily digestible for pets while delivering its functional nutritional benefits.

Coconut oil is included as a source of medium-chain triglycerides, which are marketed for their potential health benefits and digestibility. It also serves as a label-friendly ingredient that appeals to consumers seeking natural or premium pet food formulations.

Yeast is a single-celled fungus of microbial origin commonly derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is included in pet food primarily as a source of high-quality protein, B vitamins, and functional compounds that support digestive and immune health. Yeast is utilised in its deactivated, dried form rather than as a live organism, ensuring safety and optimal nutrient availability for pets.

Yeast is included as a palatability enhancer and natural flavour source to improve the taste and aroma of pet food, encouraging consumption. It may also serve as a cost-effective source of protein and B vitamins, supporting nutritional labelling claims.

Chicory root is a plant-derived ingredient sourced from the root of the chicory plant (Cichorium intybus). It is primarily included in pet food for its high inulin content, a prebiotic fibre that supports digestive health and beneficial gut bacteria. Chicory root is used in its natural, dried, and ground form to optimise its functional benefits in pet nutrition.

Chicory root is included as a source of inulin, a prebiotic fibre that supports digestive health and can improve stool quality. It also serves as a label-friendly ingredient that appeals to consumers seeking functional health benefits in pet food.

Kangaroo is a novel animal protein sourced from wild Australian kangaroos. It is prized for its lean, highly digestible meat, offering a rich source of essential amino acids, iron, and B vitamins. Kangaroo is primarily included in pet food to support muscle maintenance and overall vitality. This ingredient is used in its natural, whole food form, ensuring optimal nutrient availability and palatability.

Kangaroo is included as a novel, high-protein meat source that appeals to consumers seeking hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diets for their pets. Its use also serves as a marketing differentiator, positioning the product as premium and suitable for pets with common protein sensitivities.

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.

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.

Kelp is a type of large, edible seaweed sourced from marine environments and classified as a plant-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food for its rich supply of natural iodine, which supports healthy thyroid function. Kelp is used in its dried, ground natural form, allowing pets to benefit from its trace minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants in a bioavailable manner.

Kelp is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers and enhance product marketing, as it is associated with natural sources of vitamins and minerals. It may also serve as a trace mineral supplement to support nutritional completeness in pet food formulations.

GutIH™ is a proprietary postbiotic ingredient derived from the fermentation of specific bacterial strains. It is supplied as a dried, stabilised powder containing inactivated microbial cells and their metabolic by-products. GutIH™ is included in dog food to support digestive health by promoting a balanced gut microbiome and enhancing intestinal barrier function. When used at recommended levels, it is considered safe, with no known adverse effects reported in dogs.

GutIH™ is included in dog food formulations primarily for its functional benefits in supporting digestive health, which can improve stool quality and overall gut function in dogs, while also offering manufacturers a value-added point of differentiation in a competitive market. Its use is based on both its practical benefits for dogs and its appeal as a premium ingredient.

Sea salt is a mineral ingredient derived from the evaporation of seawater. It is primarily included in pet food to provide essential electrolytes, such as sodium and chloride, which support hydration and nerve function. Sea salt is not used in its raw crystalline form but is refined and utilised as a food-grade compound to ensure safety, palatability, and optimal nutrient absorption.

Sea salt is included as a palatability enhancer to improve flavour and encourage pet consumption. It may also function as a mineral source and assist in product preservation.

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.

Methionine is an essential amino acid derived from animal or plant sources, crucial for protein synthesis and overall metabolic health in pets. It primarily supports healthy skin, coat, and liver function. Methionine is not used in its raw elemental form; instead, it is incorporated as a specific compound, such as DL-methionine, to optimise safety, stability, and bioavailability in pet food formulations.

Methionine is included as an essential amino acid to support protein synthesis and overall health in pets, particularly when animal protein sources are limited or variable. It also serves as a cost-effective way to meet nutritional requirements and optimise the amino acid profile of the final product.

Natural antioxidant refers to a substance, typically derived from plant sources, that helps protect pet food from oxidative damage and spoilage. Its primary function is to preserve freshness and extend shelf life by inhibiting the oxidation of fats and oils. In pet food, natural antioxidants are used in their natural form, ensuring safety and effective absorption without the need for chemical modification.

Natural antioxidants are included to help preserve the freshness and stability of pet food by slowing the oxidation of fats and oils, thereby extending shelf life. They also serve as a label-friendly alternative to synthetic preservatives, appealing to consumers seeking more natural ingredients.