PetFoodz.Info - Ingredients Glossary Dictionary

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Alfalfa - Source of chlorophyll, dietary fiber.

Alfalfa Concentrate Powder - Excellent source of chlorophyll.

Alfalfa Dehydrated Meal - Excellent source of chlorophyll.

Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate - Good source of chlorophyll, protein and nutrients.

Alpha-lipoic Acid - Added for healthy skin and coat.

Asparagus - Gimmicky.

Barley - Excellent source of nutrients, great grain for pets, but not "whole ground." Can be of any quality.

Barley Grass - Gimmicky additive for dietary "greens," not enough used for nutritional benefits unless listed high on the label.

Basil - Gimmicky.

Beef (Natural Source of Glucosamine) - Gimmicky, not enough available to be therapeutically beneficial, plus it's full of water weight, gets it listed high on the label but robs dry food of meat protein, fine in can food.

Beef Broth - Used instead of plain water for processing, more nutritional, flavor enhancing in dry & wet foods.

Beef Flavor - Usually a broth to improve palatability.

Beef Liver - Source of iron and flavor, too much beef liver can become toxic to the body -- avoid it in dry foods, safe in can foods as secondary, flavor ingredient.

Beef Meal - Dehydrated whole muscle meat, packs more protein pound for pound.

Beta Carotene - Source of Vitamin A precursor, aids immune response, allergy control, slows aging.

Bifidobacterium Longum - Gimmicky probiotic to aid digestion, not enough to help and can not stand up to heat processing.

Bifidobacterium Pseudolongum - Gimmicky probiotic.

Bifidobacterium Thermophilum - Gimmicky probiotic to aid digestion, not enough to help and can not stand up to heat processing.

Biotin - Standard source to promote healthy skin and coat.

Blueberries - Gimmicky, not enough used for benefit to eyes.

Borage Oil - Excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Calcium Ascorbate - Buffered source of Vitamin C.

Calcium Carbonate - Standard source of calcium, promotes strong bones, teeth, cardiovascular health and skeletal strength, used as a buffer to acidic foods.

Calcium Pantothenate - Standard source of a B-complex vitamin B5, supports adrenal activity.

Calcium Iodate - Source of iodine, promotes strong bones, teeth, cardiovascular health and skeletal strength.

Canola Oil - Excellent source of fat for energy and healthy coat contains 10% omega 3 fatty acids and half the saturated fat found in other vegetable oils commonly used in pet food.

Carmine - A crimson pigment made from insects.

Carrots - Natural source of beta carotene (precursor to Vitamin A needed for immune function), excellent fiber.

Carrot Powder - Cheap source of carrot fiber.

Canthaxanthin - A pink colorant from mushrooms, crustaceans, fish.

Catfish - Good source of protein, fatty acids.

Catfish Meal - Good source of protein, fatty acids but some of the natural oils are lost.

Celery - Gimmick.

Cheese Powder - Gimmicky.

Chicory Extract - Concentrated source of innulin, a prebiotic, gimmicky but more effective than plain root or powders.

Chicken Broth - Source of flavor, excellent if used instead of plain water for processing can food.

Chicken Fat - Good source of energy for cats, dogs do best on oils rather than animal fat.

Chicken Fat (Naturally Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) - Good source of energy and flavor, preserved with Vitamin E, but dogs do better with vegetable and fish oils.

Chicken Liver - Excellent source of protein.

Chicken Meal - Concentrated chicken meat, more protein since water weight has been removed. Excellent source of protein for cats, good source for dogs.

Chicken Stock - Better than plain water used for processing canned foods or flavoring dry foods.

Citric Acid - Vitamin C & Natural Preservative.

Citric acid and Rosemary - Natural preservatives although citric acid (Vitamin C) can be harsh on digestive tract.

Clove Bud Oil - Gimmicky.

Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate - Better source of cobalt, improves use, needed for B12 synthesis.

Cobalt Proteinate - Excellent source of cobalt, improves use, needed for B12 synthesis.

Cod - Good protein alternative.

Copper Amino Acid Chelate - Better source of copper, improves use, needed for iron absorption, bone formation, protein metabolism and blood clotting.

Copper Amino Acid Complex (Source of Chelated Copper) - Better source of copper, improves use, needed for iron absorption, bone formation, protein metabolism, blood clotting.

Copper Proteinate - Best source of copper used, aids in bone formation, iron absorption, protein metabolism, bone formation.

Cracked Barley - A nutritive, wonderful grain.

Cracked Pearled Barley - A nutritive, wonderful grain.

DL-methionine - Standard source of methionine, supports healthy skin and nails, liver activity and immune health.

Deboned Lamb - Lamb meat is filled with water, less protein, deboned misleads as to higher quality.

Dehydrated Carrots - Provides good source of nutritional fiber.

Dried Apples - Provides good source of nutritional fiber.

Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Extract - Gimmicky probiotic to aid digestion, not enough to help and can not stand up to heat processing.

Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract - Gimmicky probiotic to aid digestion, not enough to help and can not stand up to heat processing.

Dried Blueberries - Gimmick, not enough is used for therapeutic response.

Dried Buttermilk - Gimmick.

Dried Carrots - Good source of nutrients and fiber.

Dried Cheddar Cheese - Gimmicky, poor quality used.

Dried Cheese - Gimmicky, poor quality used.

Dried Cheese Powder - Gimmicky flavor.

Dried Chicken Cartilage - Gimmicky source of glucosamine, not enough used for therapeutic benefits.

Dried Chickory Root - Source of inulin, a prebiotic, gimmicky, not enough used for therapeutic benefit.

Dried Cranberries - Gimmicky, too little is used for therapeutic response in urinary tract.

Dried Garlic - Excellent antioxidant, antibiotic, flea and tick repellent if listed high on the label.

Dried Ginger - Promotes digestion if listed high enough on label, if not -- gimmicky.

Dried Kelp - Industry standard source of iodine.

Dried Kelp Meal - Good source of iodine for thyroid function and chlorophyll.

Dried Paprika - Gimmicky.

Dried Parsley Flakes - Usually a gimmick, used as deodorant.

Dried Peas - Source of protein/carbohydrates/fiber.

Dried Sweet Potato - Good source of carbohydrates and fiber, less sugar than beets. Can indicate poor feed quality.

Dried Tomato Pomace - Gimmicky filler ingredient, not enough nutrients to help and can not stand up to heat processing.

Dried Yam - Nutritive fiber, less sugar than beets. Can indicate poor animal feed quality.

Duck - Good alternative protein source, less heavy in water weight than chicken.

Eggs - Good source of protein, free of shell.

Egg Noodles - Gimmicky source of carbohydrates.

Enterococcus Faecium - Gimmicky probiotic to aid digestion, not enough to help and can not stand up to heat processing.

Ferrous Sulfate - Standard source of iron, promotes oxygen-rich blood, immune support.

Flax Seed - Whole seeds provide best omega-3 fatty acids and nutritive fiber.

Folic Acid - Needed for blood building and DNA synthesis.

Folic Acid Supplement - Standard source, needed for blood building and DNA synthesis.

Fresh Chicken Liver - Indicates better quality, but can be misleading. Good source of protein.

Fructooligosaccharides - Mostly used as gimmick, prebiotic to aid digestion.

Garlic - Good antioxidant, antibiotic. IS SAFE TO USE!

Garlic Extract - Concentrated form has more health benefits unless listed at bottom of label which indicates a token use.

Garlic Oil - Excellent antioxidant, antibiotic.

Garlic Powder - Excellent antioxidant and antibiotic, more concentrated than plain garlic.

Gelatin - Filler / binder in can food.

Ginger - Aids digestion if listed high on label, if not, it's a gimmick.

Ginger Extract - Good for digestion if listed high on label, if not, gimmicky.

Glucosamine - Gimmicky, not enough can be available to be effective, often listed low on the label as token ingredient. Cooking may effect it's potency.

Glucosamine Hydrochloride - Gimmicky, not enough can be available to be effective, often listed low on the label as token ingredient. Cooking may effect it's potency.

Green Beans - Good source of nutrients and fiber.

Green Tea - Gimmicky, not enough used for therapeutic response unless listed higher on label.

Ground Flax Seed - Is not "whole" ground, just flour that might be lacking in fatty acids.

Ground Whole Grain Barley - Excellent source of nutrients and dietary fiber is low gluten grain, non-allergenic.

Ground Whole Grain Corn - Contains all nutrients/protein of corn.

Ground Whole Peas - Good source of nutrients and fiber.

Ground Whole Grain Sorghum - Cousin to millet, very nutritive grain, alkalizing to the body, easy to digest.

Ground Whole Wheat - Whole ground is excellent, but not considered the best grain choice for dogs.

Halibut - Excellent source of protein, fatty acids.

Herring Meal - Excellent source of protein, poor source of fatty acids as oil is pressed out of fish to make meal.

Herring Oil - Excellent source of fatty acids.

Inositol - Standard source, non-vitamin B-Complex metabolizes blood fats.

Iron Amino Acid Chelate - Better source of iron, improves use, needed for red blood cell production.

Iron Amino Acid Complex (Source of Chelated Iron) - Good source of iron needed for red blood cell production.

Iron Proteinate - Excellent, most expensive source of iron needed for red blood cell reproduction.

L-tryptophan - Gimmicky amino acid, not enough to help and can not stand up well to heat processing.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus - Gimmicky probiotic to aid digestion, not enough to help and can not stand up to heat processing.

Lamb Broth - Used instead of plain water in can foods, as flavoring in dry foods.

Lamb Fat - Source of energy.

Lamb Meal - Excellent protein source, concentrated-more protein for the money. Less likely to cause allergies, easy to digest.

Lamb Stock - More nutritious than simple water used for processing can foods, flavoring in dry food.

Lecithin - A natural antioxidant, very beneficial.

Lentils - Gimmicky.

Lettuce - Gimmicky.

Locust Bean Gum - Non-nutritive binder / filler in can foods.

Mackerel - Good source of cold water fish, high in fatty acids. Bailey likes it.

Malt Extract - Flavor additive, sweetener.

Manganese Amino Acid Chelate - Better source of manganese necessary to development of strong bones and enzyme activators, enhances immune system.

Manganese Oxide - Standard source of manganese, nourishes brain and nervous system, aids in fat and sugar metabolism.

Manganese Proteinate - Best source of manganese, necessary to development of strong bones and enzyme activators, enhances immune system.

Manganese Sulfate - Better source, manganese is necessary to development of strong bones and enzyme activators, enhances immune system.

Manganous Oxide - Standard source, manganese is necessary to development of strong bones and enzyme activators, enhances immune system.

Manganous Proteinate - Excellent source of manganese, nourishes the nerves and brain. Supports immune and enzyme functions.

Managanous Sulfate - Standard source of manganese necessary to development of strong bones and enzyme activators, enhances immune system.

Marigold Extract - Gimmicky supplement, not enough to help, often listed near end of label.

Marigold Meal - Gimmick, not enough can be used in a food (too costly) for therapeutic benefits.

Menhaden Fish Meal - Excellent source of fish, highly concentrated source of protein and good source of fatty acids.

Menhaden Fish Oil - Excellent source of fatty acids.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex - Standard source of Vitamin K activity, necessary for blood clotting, aids as anti-parasitic for intestinal worms.

Milk - Gimmicky.

Natural Color - Harmless additive, non-nutritive.

Natural Flavor - Standard flavor ingredient. Ask the manufacturer.

Natural Chicken Flavor - Gimmicky. Designated as natural, seems better than plain chicken flavor but it's the same. Unless noted as artificial it's all "natural" regardless of quality.

Natural Smoke Flavor - Gimmick.

Natural Poultry Flavor - Non-descriptive source, usually cheaper to use but still "natural".

Niacin - Standard source, promotes proper digestion, healthy skin and nerves.

Niacin Supplement - Standard source, promotes proper digestion, energy production and healthy skin and nerves.

Niacin & Ferrous Sulfate - Standard niacin and iron supplements.

Oat - Good source of fiber and energy but not whole ground for full nutritional value.

Oat Bran - Aids stool regulation, nutritive fiber.

Oat Fiber - Non-nutritive filler.

Oat Groats - Oats are very beneficial grains, groat simply has outer fibrous shell off.

Oat Meal - Crushed oat groats, nutritive fiber, good for colon health, balances body's pH, aids colon health.

Ocean Fish - Quality cold water mixed fish, highly nutritious, high in fatty acids.

Ocean Fish Meal - Concentrated cold water fish, highly nutritious, may have oils expressed leaving it lower in fatty acids.

Ocean Whitefish - Excellent source of protein, fatty acids.

Mixed Tocopherols - Superior source of natural Vitamin E oils.

Pantothenate - Vitamin B-complex factor, aids nervous system and adrenal glands.

Parsley - Gimmicky, a natural deodorizer.

Paprika Oleoresin - Natural red colorant.

Parsley Flakes - Gimmick, not enough used for therapeutic response.

Parsley Oil - Natural deodorizer, gimmicky.

Parsley Powder - Natural deodorizer, gimmicky.

Peas - Excellent source of protein/carbohydrates/fiber.

Pea Fiber - Good source of nutritious fiber.

Pea Protein - Good source of vegetable protein.

Peppers - Gimmicky.

Pearled Barley - Not whole ground, less nutritive but a wonderful grain, low gluten and flavorful.

Potassium Amino Acid Complex (Source of Chelated Potassium) - Better source of potassium, balances acid/alkaline balance.

Potassium Chloride - Standard source of potassium, balances acid/alkaline levels.

Potassium Citrate - Source of Potassium.

Potassium Iodide - Standard source of potassium, balances acid/alkaline levels.

Postassium Sorbate - Used as a Preservative, Mineral-based mold inhibitor.

Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols - Natural Vitamin E preservative.

Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid - Natural Vitamin E and Vitamin C preservatives.

Rabbit - Good alternative meat source.

Rabbit Stock - Better than plain water for processing in can food.

Red Peppers - Gimmicky.

Riboflavin (Source of Vitamin B2) - Standard source, necessary to energy production, fat and carbohydrate metabolism.

Riboflavin Supplement - Vitamin B-2 needed for rich red blood cell production.

Rosemary - Natural preservative.

Rosemary Extract - Natural Preservative.

Sage - Natural preservative.

Shrimp - Good source of protein.

Soya Oil - Soya is "Soybean," why hide the fact? It is not the best oil for fatty acids and a cheaper one to use than other vegetable oils like canola.

Soybean Meal - Dogs can not digest soybeans, can bloat/die. Good source of protein and fiber for cats.

Soybean Oil - Source of fat for energy, healthy coat. Dogs do fine.

Spearmint - Gimmicky.

Spinach - Usually a gimmick, unless listed high up on the label.

Spirulina - Gimmicky ingredient, not enough to help unless listed high up on label.

Sun-Cured Alfafa Meal - Alfalfa meal provides chlorophyll but "sun-cured" a bit gimmicky.

Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) - Gimmicky, cheap source of fat for energy, healthy coat, naturally preserved.

Sweet Potatoes - Good alternative to regular potatoes provides carbohydrates for energy, nutrients, less sugar than beets.

Taurine - Standard source, necessary for cats who do not manufacture taurine on their own, helps regulate nervous system, promotes thyroid and cardiovascular health. Some benefit to dogs.

Thiamine - Standard vitamin B-1, effects nervous system and mental attitude.

Thiamine Mononitrate - Standard source of B-1, effects nervous system and mental attitude.

Thyme - Gimmicky.

Tomato Flakes - Gimmicky.

Tricalcium Phosphate - Anti-caking agent, emulsifier and dietary supplement of Phosphorous needed for body's alkaline/acid balance.

Tuna - Good source of protein and fatty acids.

Tuna Meal - A source of protein but lower in fatty acids.

Turkey Broth - Used instead of plain water for processing, more nutritional, flavor enhancing in dry & wet foods.

Turkey Stock - Better than simple water for processing in can, used as flavoring in dry foods.

Veal - Alternative to standard beef.

Veal Broth - Better than simple water for processing in can, used as flavoring in dry foods.

Vitamin A acetate - Standard source, needed for immune function.

Vitamin A & D3 Supplements - Standard Vitamin A and D3 supplements, needed for immune function, eye sight and calcium absorption.

Vitamin B-12 - Standard source, involved in immune function.

Vitamin B12 Supplements - Standard source, involved in immune response.

Vitamin E - Antioxidant used as food preservative.

Venison - Good alternative to standard meats.

Venison Meal - Excellent alternative to standard meats, in concentrated form for more protein pound for pound. A Good Treat.

Venison Meat - Good alternative to standard meats. A Good Treat.

Venison Stock - Better than plain water for processing in can foods, flavor additive in dry foods.

Watercress - Gimmicky unless listed high on the label.

Whey - Milk protein, indicates a cheaper food low in meat protein.

Whitefish - Good alternative to standard meats.

White Fish - Alternative source of protein.

Whitefish Meal - Good alternative to standard meats in concentrated form for more protein, can have oils expressed.

Whole Brown Rice - Whole grain, nutritive.

Whole Carrots - Good source of beta carotene, nutrients and fiber.

Whole Eggs - Good source of protein, but includes shell which is not well digested.

Whole Ground Barley - Excellent source of nutrients and dietary fiber, is low gluten grain, non-allergenic source of protein.

Whole Ground Brown Rice - Is whole ground, very nutritive grain, source of protein, dietary fiber.

Whole Ground Oats - Excellent grain source, easy on the digestive tract.

Whole Ground Wheat - Is whole ground, very nutritive grain, source of protein, dietary fiber.

Whole Sweet Potatoes - Nutritive carbohydrates, natural sugars promote energy not hyperactivity.

Whole Wheat - Nutritionally complete grain, good source of grain protein but often suspected to cause allergies.

Whole Wheat Flour - Whole ground wheat grain, more nutritious but flour is too processed.

Wild Rice - Gimmicky, but more nutritious than white.

Yellow Squash - Usually a gimmick, unless listed high up on the label.

Yellow Zucchini - Usually a gimmick, unless listed high up on the label.

Yucca Schidigera - Used for stool odor control.

Yucca Schidigera Extract - Used to reduce stool odor, concentrated.

Zinc Amino Acid Chelate - Better source of zinc, improves use, protects against free radicals, essential to insulin formation and immune function.

Zinc Amino Acid Complex - Good source of zinc, protects against free radicals, essential to insulin formation and immune function.

Zinc Oxide - Standard source of zinc, protects against free radicals, essential to insulin formation and immune function.

Zinc Proteinate - Best form of zinc, protects against cell damage and stimulates immune system, but indicates lack of well-rounded supplementation.

Zinc Sulfate - Standard source of zinc, protects against free radicals, essential to insulin formation and immune function.

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