Adult Toy/Small Breed with Chicken, Vegetables and Rice Dry Food

Wheat is a cereal grain derived from the seeds of the Triticum plant, making it a plant-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food as a source of carbohydrates for energy, as well as dietary fibre and some essential nutrients. Wheat is used in its natural, milled form, such as whole wheat or wheat flour, to optimise digestibility and nutritional value.

Wheat is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides energy and helps bind kibble together for structural integrity. It also serves as a bulk-adding agent, optimising production costs while maintaining product texture.

Corn is a cereal grain derived from the maize plant, a member of the grass family. Primarily included as a carbohydrate source, corn provides energy, dietary fibre, and essential nutrients such as B vitamins. In pet food, corn is typically used in its natural, whole or ground form, rather than as a raw kernel, to optimise digestibility and nutrient availability for companion animals.

Corn is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides energy and bulk to pet food formulations. It also serves as a label-friendly ingredient that can help optimise product texture and processing efficiency.

Poultry refers to the meat derived from domesticated birds such as chicken or turkey, and is of animal origin. It serves as a high-quality source of protein, essential amino acids, and vital nutrients like B vitamins and minerals, supporting muscle development and overall health. In pet food, poultry is typically used in its natural, whole form, ensuring optimal nutrient availability and palatability for pets.

Poultry is included as a primary animal protein source to meet nutritional requirements and enhance palatability for pets. Its use also allows manufacturers to market the product as containing real meat, appealing to consumer preferences.

Poultry by-products are animal-derived ingredients sourced from the non-rendered, clean parts of poultry, such as organs and tissues, excluding feathers, heads, feet, and intestines. They provide a concentrated source of protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, supporting overall pet health. Poultry by-products are used in their processed form, ensuring safety, digestibility, and optimal nutrient availability for pets.

Poultry by-products are included as a cost-effective source of animal protein and essential nutrients, utilising parts of the bird not typically consumed by humans. Their use allows manufacturers to optimise ingredient yield and maintain product affordability while meeting nutritional requirements.

Sorghum is a cereal grain derived from the Sorghum bicolor plant, making it a plant-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food as a source of complex carbohydrates, providing sustained energy and dietary fibre. Sorghum is used in its natural, whole grain form, which helps maintain its nutritional integrity and supports digestive health in pets.

Sorghum is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides energy and bulk to pet food formulations. Its use can also support stable product texture and is often chosen for its label-friendly, gluten-free profile.

Barley is a cereal grain derived from the plant species Hordeum vulgare. As a plant-based ingredient, it is primarily included in pet food for its carbohydrate content, providing a steady source of energy and dietary fibre to support digestive health. Barley is used in its natural, whole or ground form, ensuring pets benefit from its inherent nutrients and fibre profile.

Barley is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides energy and dietary fibre. It also serves as a bulk-adding agent to optimise product texture and manufacturing efficiency.

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.

Natural Chicken Flavour is a palatable ingredient derived from animal sources, specifically chicken, and is used to enhance the taste and aroma of pet food. Its primary function is to improve palatability, encouraging consistent consumption. This ingredient is not used in its whole food form; rather, it is processed and concentrated to deliver a natural chicken taste in a safe, digestible format.

Natural chicken flavour is included to enhance palatability, encouraging dogs to consume the product. It also allows manufacturers to deliver a desirable taste profile without significantly increasing production costs or altering the nutritional composition.

Beet pulp is a fibrous by-product derived from sugar beet plants after sugar extraction. It serves as a valuable source of moderately fermentable fibre, supporting digestive health and stool quality in pets. Beet pulp is incorporated in its dried, processed form rather than as raw beet, ensuring optimal digestibility and nutrient availability for companion animals.

Beet pulp is included as a cost-effective source of dietary fibre to promote digestive health and stool quality in pets. It also serves as a bulk-adding agent, helping to optimise product texture and satiety.

Vegetables are plant-derived ingredients sourced from various edible parts such as roots, stems, leaves, and fruits. They are included in pet food primarily to provide dietary fibre, essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that support overall health and digestion. Vegetables are typically used in their natural, whole form, ensuring pets receive the full spectrum of their nutritional benefits.

Vegetables are included as a source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre, supporting nutritional balance and digestive health. They also serve as a label-friendly ingredient, appealing to consumers seeking natural and recognisable components in pet food.

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.

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.

Sodium tripolyphosphate is a synthetic compound derived from inorganic sources, commonly used in pet food formulations. Its primary function is to act as a preservative and to help maintain the texture and moisture of products. Sodium tripolyphosphate is not used in its natural mineral form; instead, it is utilised as a processed salt to ensure safety, stability, and optimal absorption.

Sodium tripolyphosphate is included as a functional additive to improve product texture and moisture retention, helping maintain palatability and appearance. It also acts as a preservative to extend shelf life and inhibit spoilage.

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.

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.