Plant Based Jerky Dog Treats

Ipomoea Batatas, Kumara, Batata, Camote

Sweet potato is a root vegetable of plant origin, valued for its rich content of complex carbohydrates, dietary fibre, and essential micronutrients such as vitamin A. In pet food, sweet potato serves primarily as a digestible energy source and supports digestive health. It is incorporated in its natural, whole form, ensuring optimal nutrient retention and palatability for companion animals.

Sweet potato is included as a cost-effective, highly digestible carbohydrate source that provides energy and dietary fibre. It also serves as a label-friendly ingredient appealing to consumers seeking natural, whole-food components in pet food.

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.

Groundnut Paste, Arachis Hypogaea Paste, Nut Paste, Groundnut Butter

Peanut butter is a plant-derived spread made from ground, roasted peanuts. Sourced from legumes, it is included in pet food primarily for its palatability, healthy fats, and protein content. Peanut butter is used in its natural form, though often without added salt or sugar, to provide energy and support skin and coat health while enhancing flavour and texture in pet diets.

Peanut butter is included as a palatability enhancer to improve taste and encourage consumption, particularly in treats and specialty products. It also serves as a label-friendly ingredient that appeals to pet owners seeking familiar, human-grade components.

Vaccinium Corymbosum, Vaccinium Angustifolium, Bilberry, E163

Blueberry is a small, nutrient-rich fruit of plant origin, commonly sourced from the Vaccinium genus. It is included in pet food primarily for its antioxidant properties, supporting immune health and cellular protection. Blueberry is used in its natural, whole form, ensuring pets benefit from its full spectrum of vitamins, fibre, and phytonutrients as found in fresh fruit.

Blueberry is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers, leveraging its reputation as a source of antioxidants. Its presence supports marketing claims of added nutritional benefits, though it is typically used in small quantities with minimal impact on the overall nutritional profile for pets.

Glycerol, 1,2,3-Propanetriol, E422, Propane-1,2,3-Triol

Glycerine is a colourless, odourless liquid derived from plant or animal fats. In pet food, it serves primarily as a humectant, helping to retain moisture and improve texture. Glycerine is not used in its natural, raw state but is refined and purified for food-grade applications to ensure safety and optimal absorption. It also aids in palatability and shelf-life extension.

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 acts as a mild sweetener to enhance palatability for pets.

Gelatin, E441, Hydrolysed Collagen, Collagen Hydrolysate

Gelatine is a protein derived from animal collagen, typically sourced from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of cattle or pigs. It serves as a gelling agent, providing structure and texture to pet foods while also contributing to protein content. Gelatine is not used in its raw animal form but is processed and purified to ensure safety, digestibility, and optimal functional performance.

Gelatine is included as a functional binding and gelling agent to improve the texture and cohesiveness of pet food products. It also serves as a cost-effective protein source that can enhance palatability.

Acacia Senegal, Acacia Seyal, E414, Acacia Gum

Gum Arabic is a natural plant-derived gum obtained from the sap of Acacia trees, primarily Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal. It serves as a functional ingredient in pet food, acting as a stabiliser, emulsifier, and source of soluble dietary fibre. Gum Arabic is used in its natural, dried exudate form, ensuring safety and optimal digestibility for companion animals.

Gum Arabic is included as a stabilising and thickening agent to improve the texture and consistency of pet food products. It also helps to maintain ingredient suspension and extend shelf life, supporting product quality during storage and distribution.

Curcuma Longa, Indian Saffron, Jiang Huang, E100

Turmeric is a vibrant yellow spice derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, making it a plant-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food for its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting overall health and wellbeing. Turmeric is used in its natural powdered form, ensuring pets benefit from its active compound, curcumin, in a safe and bioavailable manner.

Turmeric is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers due to its association with natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Its presence may also support marketing claims related to holistic or functional pet foods, despite being used in small quantities with minimal direct nutritional impact for pets.

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.

Rosa Canina, Rose Haw, Dog Rose, Cynosbati

Rosehip is the fruit of the wild rose plant, primarily sourced from Rosa canina. It is included in pet food for its rich content of vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fibre, supporting immune health and overall wellbeing. Rosehip is used in its natural, dried, and ground form, ensuring pets benefit from its nutrients as they occur in the whole fruit.

Rosehip is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers, as it is associated with natural sources of vitamin C and antioxidants. Its addition may also support marketing claims related to immune health, despite limited direct benefits for pets at typical inclusion rates.

Pimaricin, E235, Streptomyces Natalensis

Natamycin is a naturally occurring antifungal compound derived from the bacterium *Streptomyces natalensis*. It is primarily utilised in pet food as a preservative to inhibit the growth of moulds and yeasts, thereby extending shelf life and maintaining product safety. Natamycin is not used in its raw microbial form; instead, it is purified and applied as a food-grade additive for optimal efficacy and safety.

Natamycin is included as a preservative to inhibit the growth of moulds and yeasts, thereby extending the product’s shelf life and maintaining quality during storage. Its use helps manufacturers ensure product stability without significantly altering flavour or appearance.