Roast Chicken Dog Treats

Rendered Chicken, Chicken Protein Meal, Dehydrated Gallus Gallus Domesticus, Rendered Gallus Gallus Domesticus

Chicken meal is a concentrated protein ingredient derived from rendered, clean chicken flesh and skin, excluding feathers, heads, feet, and entrails. Sourced from animal origin, it serves as a highly digestible protein source, supporting muscle maintenance and overall health in pets. Chicken meal is not used in its natural whole form but is processed and dried to optimise nutrient density and shelf stability.

Chicken meal is included as a concentrated protein source that provides essential amino acids for pet health while allowing manufacturers to optimise protein content cost-effectively. Its low moisture content also contributes to improved product stability and shelf life.

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.

Cassava Starch, Manioc Starch, Yucca Starch, Manihot Esculenta Starch

Tapioca starch is a carbohydrate extracted from the root of the cassava plant, a tropical tuber native to South America. Primarily, it serves as a highly digestible energy source and a natural thickening agent in pet food. Tapioca starch is used in its natural, processed form, not as a whole food, to optimise texture and palatability while supporting digestive health.

Tapioca starch is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides bulk and texture to pet food formulations. It also serves as a binding agent, helping to improve kibble structure and stability.

Solanum Tuberosum Starch, E1401, Native Potato Starch, Potato Flour

Potato starch is a carbohydrate extracted from the tubers of the potato plant (Solanum tuberosum), a plant-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food as a source of easily digestible energy and to improve texture and binding. Potato starch is utilised in its processed, purified form rather than as whole potatoes, ensuring consistency and digestibility in the final product.

Potato starch is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source and bulk-adding agent, helping to optimise product texture and binding. It also contributes to a label-friendly formulation that appeals to consumers seeking grain-free options.

Vegetable Glycerol, Glycerine, E422, Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable glycerine is a clear, odourless liquid derived from plant oils, typically palm, soy, or coconut. It serves primarily as a humectant, helping to retain moisture in pet food and improve texture. Rather than being used in its raw plant form, vegetable glycerine is extracted and purified for safe consumption and optimal functionality in pet nutrition formulations.

Vegetable glycerine is included as a humectant to retain moisture and improve the texture of pet food products, helping to prevent them from drying out. It also enhances palatability, making the food more appealing to pets.

D-Glucitol, E420, D-Sorbitol, Hexahydric Alcohol

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol derived primarily from plant sources such as corn or wheat. It serves as a carbohydrate-based sweetener and humectant, helping to retain moisture and improve texture in pet foods. Sorbitol is not used in its natural raw plant form; instead, it is extracted and purified for safe and effective utilisation in formulated diets.

Sorbitol is included as a humectant to retain moisture and improve the texture of pet food products. It also acts as a cost-effective sweetener to enhance palatability for pets.

Sodium Chloride, NaCl, Table Salt, E535

Salt is a mineral ingredient derived from the combination of sodium and chloride, typically sourced from natural deposits or seawater. It is primarily included in pet food to support electrolyte balance, nerve function, and hydration. Salt is not used in its raw mineral form but is utilised as sodium chloride, a purified compound, to ensure safety, palatability, and optimal absorption in pets.

Salt is included as a palatability enhancer to improve taste and encourage consumption, and also functions as a preservative to help extend product shelf life. Its use allows manufacturers to optimise flavour while maintaining product stability.

Sucrose, Saccharose, E955, Beta-D-Fructofuranosyl Alpha-D-Glucopyranoside

Sugar is a simple carbohydrate derived primarily from plant sources such as sugar cane or sugar beet. It serves as a readily available energy source, supporting metabolic processes and palatability in pet foods. Sugar is incorporated in its natural, refined form rather than as a raw plant material, ensuring consistency and digestibility for pets while enhancing the taste of the final product.

Sugar is included as a cost-effective palatability enhancer to improve taste and encourage consumption. It may also serve as a minor preservative to help stabilise certain formulations.

Dietary Fibre, Roughage, Bulk, E459

Fibres are indigestible carbohydrates derived primarily from plant sources such as grains, vegetables, and fruits. Their main purpose in pet food is to support digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and aiding in nutrient absorption. Fibres are included in their natural form, as whole plant materials or processed plant fractions, to optimise gastrointestinal function and overall wellbeing in pets.

Fibres are included as a cost-effective ingredient to promote digestive health and regulate stool quality in pets. They may also be used to add bulk to the product and support satiety, contributing to weight management formulations.

Rapeseed Oil, Brassica Napus Oil, Brassica Rapa Oil, E471 (when derived from canola)

Canola oil is a plant-derived oil extracted from the seeds of the canola plant (Brassica napus). It serves as a valuable source of energy and provides essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6, which support skin and coat health in pets. Canola oil is used in its refined, food-grade form to ensure safety, palatability, and optimal nutrient absorption.

Canola oil is included as a cost-effective source of fat and essential fatty acids, supporting energy density and skin and coat health in pet food formulations. It also contributes to product palatability and helps optimise texture.

Micronutrients, Essential Nutrients, Dietary Micronutrients, Nutrient Elements

Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients derived from both animal and plant sources, as well as synthesised compounds. They play a critical role in supporting metabolic processes, immune function, and overall health in pets. These nutrients are not used in their natural elemental or raw forms; instead, they are incorporated as specific compounds, such as salts or chelates, to optimise safety, stability, and bioavailability.

Vitamins and minerals are included to ensure the product meets established nutritional standards for complete and balanced pet food, supporting overall health and wellbeing. Their addition allows manufacturers to compensate for any nutrient losses during processing and to optimise the nutritional profile regardless of ingredient variability.

Colouring, Colour Additive, Food Colour, E Number (if specific)

Natural colour refers to pigments derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, or minerals, used to enhance the visual appeal of pet food. Its primary purpose is to provide consistent and attractive colouring without synthetic additives. Natural colours are typically utilised in their extracted or processed forms, rather than as whole foods, to ensure stability, safety, and uniformity in the final product.

Natural colour is included to enhance the visual appeal of the pet food, making it more attractive to consumers without affecting nutritional value. It serves a marketing function by supporting a label-friendly ingredient list.

Bio-Preservative, Biopreservative, E234, Nisin

Natural preservatives are substances derived from plant or mineral origins, incorporated into pet food to inhibit spoilage and extend shelf life. Their primary function is to prevent the growth of harmful microbes and oxidation of fats, thereby maintaining product safety and quality. Natural preservatives are typically used in their extracted or concentrated forms, rather than as whole foods, to optimise efficacy and ensure consistent preservation.

Natural preservatives are included to extend product shelf life and maintain freshness without relying on synthetic additives. Their use supports consumer demand for more label-friendly, naturally derived ingredients.