I apologize to the ppl who were waiting for this, sorry it took me so long!

This is not carved in stone as everyone is entitled to thier own opinions. I am
sharing this with you that I recieved from one of my nutrition classes at
school. It helped me realize a little more about the food I feed my pets as the
common consumer. I am not certified in Pet Nutrition and am not claiming dry
foods/canned foods are better than any other diet you may be feeding your pet.
As always, please check with your veterinarian if you plan to switch your pets
diets around and / or supplements in the case your pet has specific nutritional
needs.

Have you ever wondered "what is this ingredient for?" This is an ingredient list
that will help for Rats, Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Ferrets, etc. (Not All Ingredients
May Be Found) You will find these ingredients in many pet foods whether its for
dogs or small critters. This is some FYI, so print this out and take it with you
the next time you shop for your pet food or plan to change to a new pet food.
This list can help you in making that decision. As this list is intended
specifically for dogs and cats, everything found in small animal foods may not
be listed and can be found by researching. But there still are plenty of
ingredients listed here that is found in small animal foods today.

Thanks and happy learning!


Apples-- Natural source of calcium, iron, and vitamin A,C, K, and high in fiber.

Ascorbic Acid-- Stabilized form of vitamin C (natural antioxidant which works
synergistically with vitamin E.

Barley--The entire barley kernel ground or chopped; a source of carbohydrates
and essential fatty acids.

Biotin-- (a B vitamin) involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, non essential
amino acids, and purine.

Blueberries-- Natural antioxident and high in vitamin C.

Borage oil-- Vegetable oil, source of a-linolenic acid, a non inflammatory omega
6 fatty acid. It helps to maintain skin moisture, block inflammatory substances
and reduce redness and itching of skin.

Brewers Yeast-- Dried non-fermentative yeast (Saccharomyces) resulting from the
brewing of beer; an source of protiens and vitamins; also used to enhance
palatability.

Brewers Rice-- Broken rice; a source of carbohydrates, protien and fiber.

Brown Rice-- Superior carbohydrate source and high in B vitamins; whole, broken
or ground kernals of rice not seperated from the bran.

Calcium Carbonate--mineral supplement containing 38% calcium; source of calcium)
(calcium is necessary for proper bone growth and maintenance, as well as muscle
contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and blood coagulation)

Clacium Iodate-- most stable form of iodine; contains 63.5% iodine.

Calcium Pantothenate-- (pantothenic acid, a B vitamin) involved in carbohydrate,
fat, and protien metabolism.

Canola Oil--Oil with lowest saturated fat thats high in essential fatty acids
(Omega 3); oil obtained from the pressing of grapeseed, which are processed for
edible purposes.

Capsicum-- Natural antioxident that may improve circulation; a derivative of
cayenne pepper.

Chamomile--May have wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties; soothes the
stomach.

Cheese-- Quality protien source; product obtained by dehydrating cheeses--no
more than 10% of the fat may be other than milk fat.

Chelated minerals-- Minerals absorbed by the body easier and retained longer;
minerals attached to amino acids. ( they will end in proteinate)

Chicken-- source of high quality protien ( the clean combination of flesh and
skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole
carcasses of chicken or a combination thereof, exclusive of feathers, heads,
feet, and entrails.)

Chicken by-product meal-- ground rendered, clean parts of chicken, such as
necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers. Source of
protien. (meal=dyhydrated and ground form of the ingredient.) When the word
poultry is used instead of "chicken", the meal contains other poultry sources
such as turkey.

Chicken by-products-- clean parts of chicken, such as necks, feet, undeveloped
eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers. source of protien & fat, lartge
percentage is water. ( When "poultry" is used instead of chicken, the meal
contains other sources such as turkey.

Chicken fat-- (preserved with mixed tocopherals) Highly palatable and high in
Omega 6 and other essential fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid; fat obtained
from the tissues of chicken during the rendering process.
(when the word "poultry" is used instead of chicken, the meal contains other
sources such as turkey.

Chicken Flavor--used in small amounts to coat the outside of kibble- a flavor
enhancer.

Chicken Liver-- Liver obtained from chicken, excellent source of protien and
vitamin A.

Chicken Meal-- dry renedered product from clean poultry flesh and skin without
bone--does not contain feathers, heads, feet, or entrails. good source of
protien, fat, calcium, and phosphorus. When the word "poultry" is used instead
of chicken, the meal contains other sources such as turkey.

Chicory extract-- a source of fructo oligosaccharides (FOS) Stimulates growth of
beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, while inhibiting the growth of
pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria.

Choline Chloride-- complex vitamin B is essential in synaptic transmission of
nerve impulses and is an integral part of cellular membranes.

Chondroitin Sulfate-- Naturally occuring compound associated with joint health
(acts as a building block for health cartilage and inhibits enzymes from
degrading healthy cartilage.

Cinnamon-- May protect against arthritis.

Copper proteinate-- Chelated source of copper ( copper is necessary for the
absorption and transportation of dietary iron)

Copper Sulfate--Non chelated source of copper, not as absobable as copper
proteinate.

Corn cellulose-- purified, mechanically disintegrated cellulose prepared by
processing alpha cellulose obtained as a pulp from fibrous plant material.

Corn Flour-- entire corn kernal ground or chopped, a source of carbohydrates,
fiber and essential fatty acids.

Corn Gluten-- Dried residue from corn after the removal of starch, germ, and
bran. Highly digestable, low ash protein source.

Dandelion-- May act as a blood cleanser.

Dehydrated alfalfa meal-- aerial portion of the alfalfa plant, a potent, natural
antioxident and natural source of vitamins. High in vitamin K.

Dicalcium Phosphate-- antioxident, mineral supplement containing approximately
20% calcium and 18% phosphorus; source of calcium & phosphorus which is
imporatnt for bone growth and maintenance.

DL-methionine--amino acid necessary for growth and protien synthesis; can also
acidify urine (decrease ph)

Died Egg Product-- High quality protien with superior bioavailability (dried
whole puoltry egs freed of moisture by thermal means.)

Dried Enterocococcus diacetylactis fermentation product,
Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product,
Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product,
Dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product,
Dried Lactobacillus lactis fermentation product,
Dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product,:
Products derived from culturing micro organisms on the appropriate medium and
dried in accordance to approved manufacturing processes. Used as a source of
beneficial intestinal bacteria (probiotic). Very fragile, must be aded to food
after extrusion.

Ferrous sulfate-- non cheltaed source of iron.

Fish-- cleaned tissue of whole fish or fish cutings; good source of protien,
fat, calcium and the amino acid in taurine; contains omega 3 fatty acids.

Fish Meal-- ground tissue of undercomposed whole fish or fish cuttings; good
source of proien, fat calcium, phosphorus and the amino acid taurine.

Fish oil-- obtained from fish; source of omega 3 fatty acids.

Flax-- Rich in omega 3 fatty acids, high in fermentable fibers.

Folic acid supplement-- a B vitamin for cellular growth and maturation.

Garlic-- may enhance the immune system.

Ginger-- May enhance the immune system, dried root of the plant.

Glucosamine Hydrochloride-- Naturally occurring compound associated with joint
health. works synergistically with chodroitin sulfate.

Grapefood Extract- potenet antioxident.

Green Tea- an source of polyphenols- potent antioxidents. Also have been shown
to fight viruses, slow aging, and to have other health benefits.

Iron proteinate-- chelated form of iron. Iron is necessary for oxygen
transportation.

Kelp-- Natural mineral supplement. Dried seaweed, source of iodine. ( necessary
for the synthesis of thyroid hormones) and vitamin K.

Lamb- Flesh of lamb, with or without bone, free of other products that are
unavoidable in processing. ( source of protien, fat, calcium, phosphorus,
largest percentage is water)

Lamb Meal--the rendered product from lamb tissue, exclusive of blod, hair, hoof,
horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach, and rumen contents except in such amounts
as may occur unavoidably in processing practices, source of protien and
minerals. Is higher in ash than chicken by product meal or chicken meal.

L-ascorbyl-2-polyophosphate-- absorbic acid derivative (source of vitamin C)

L-carnitine-- helps burn fat & maintain muscle mas during weight loss.

L-lysine-- amino acid for growth and protien synthesis.

Magnesium Oxide- source of magnesium, part of bone and functions in a number of
metabolic reactions.

Maganese Oxide-- non chelated source of maganese.

Manganese proteinate-- chelated source of manganese, a part of cell enzymes
which catalyze metabolic reactions.

Monosodium phosphate-- mineral supplement containing approximatley 21%
phosphorus and 32% sodium, source of phosphorus.

Natural Flavor-- Clean animal tissue or the material from the chemical and/or
enzymatic breakdown of clean animal tissue, used to enhance the palatability of
products.

Niacin supplement-- the third B vitamin which functions in the metabolism of
fats, carbohydrates, and protien.

Oatmeal-- Source of of carbohydrates and fiber, high in iron, consists of broken
and finely ground oat groats along with a small amount of oat hulls. ( lowered
glucose curve after eating helps the pet feel full longer.)

Paprika-- Natural antioxident.

Pea Fiber--a form non fermentable fiber which is used to help prevent hairballs
from forming.

Potassium Chloride-- mineral supplement containing approximatly 52% potassium (
an electrolyte which maintains proper fluid volume required for numerous
enzymatic reactions, and aids in the ransmission of nerve impulses and the
contraction of muscle.) and 48% chloride ( an electrolyte for proper acid base
balance and water balance within the body. is also a part of hydrochloric acid
which initiates digestion within the stomach) Used a a source of potassium and
chloride.

Potassium Citrate-- sodium salt of citic acid- source of potassium.

Powdered Cellulose-- non ferementable fiber- purified, mechanically
disintigrated cellulose prepared by processing alpha cellulose obtained as a
pulp from fiberous plant materials.

Pryridoxine hydrochloride-- Vitamin B-6, for amino acid metabolism, and to a
lesser extent metabolism of glucose and faty acids, also important in the
synthesis of red blood cells.

Riboflavin Suplement-- Vitamin B2, involved in the metabolism of fats,
carbohydrates, and protien.

Rice Flour-- soft, finely ground meal obtained from milling rice; source of
carbohydrates.

Rice gluton-- dried residue from rice after the removal of the starch, germ, and
bran; source of digestable low ash protien.

Rice hulls-- outer coating of white or brown rice; non fermentable fiber source
which helps to form a firm stool.

Rosemary Extract-- extract of rosemary a potenet antioxident.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferementation solubles-- source of mannan
oligosaccharides (MOS) a prebiotic which stimulates the intestinal immune system
and helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Sage- Natural antioxident , dried herb.

Salmon Oil-- the oil from salmon, high in omega 3 fatty acids, and for the
control of inflammation throughout the body.

Salt-- Vital for celluler health; mineral supplement containing aproximatly 39%
sodium and 61% chloride.

Sodium Bisulfate-- Salt.

Sodium caseinate-- solid material obtained from milk by precipitation; source of
high quality protien.

Sodium selenite-- source of selenium. ( selenium protects cell membranes from
oxidative damage. Has a close relationship with vitamin E)

Spinach-- source of lutein and a natural antioxident.

Spray Dried Chicken-- sparyed on food, increases palatability of food.

Spray Dried Chicken Liver-- chicken liver broth sprayed on food, increases
palatability of food.

Spray Dried whole eggs-- egg protien.

Sunflower Meal-- source of B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, iron , and fiber. Up
to 24% protien.

Sweet Potatoes-- High in fiber and vitamin C & E and carbohydrate source. Whole
potatoes and pieces obtained from the processing of potatoes for human
consumption.

Taurine-- amino acd; essential amino acid in cats. New Researches now pointingto
the dietary taurine being important for canine health.

Thiamine mononitrate-- vitamin B-1; more stable than other forms of B-1 in the
presence of water.

Tomato pomance-- Natural source of fiber and vitamin A; solid residue that
remains after juices are extracted.

Tuna Oil-- contains mega 3 fatty acids.

Turkey-- clean combination of poultry flesh and skin with or without bone-- does
not contain feathers, heads, feet or entrails; source of protien and fat.

Vegetable Oil--oil obtained from the seeds of plants, which are processed for
edible purposes; source of energy and essential fatty acids.

Vitamin A acetate-- source of vitamin A.

Vitamin A supplement-- vitamin A for vision, bone growth, reproduction, and skin
maintenance.

Vitamin B12 supplement-- (also called cobalamin) contains the mineral cobalt and
is for fat carbohydrate metabolism and for myelin synthesis. ( coating the
nerves)

Vitamin C supplement-- not considered essential for dogs and cats, (but
necessary for Guinea Pigs) it is added to foods for its potent antioxident
properties.

Vitamin E supplement one of the most potent antioxidents.

Vitamin D3 supplement-- (cholecalciferol) involved in the regulation of calcium
and phosphorus metabolism; can be produced in the skin when the skin is exposed
to sunlight.

Yucca schidigera extract-- may reduce fecal odor, derived from juice and stalk
of plant; reduces ammonia production, increases organic matter digestion.

Zeolite-- mineral used in puppy foods and some cat fods. Aids in decreasing the
risk of diarrhea and helps prevent the absorption of toxins in the intestine.

Zinc Oxide-- non chelated source of zinc.

Zinc proteinate-- chelated source of zinc; influences carbohydrates, fat,
protein, and nucleic acid synthesis. An important factor in cellular immunity
and reproduction. Important for skin and eye health.











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