About Our Ingredients
Want to know what a particular ingredient does for your pet? Read the ingredient definitions below for more information.
A B C D E F I L M N O P R S T V Y Z
A
Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C. Acts as an antioxidant in the feed (preserves shelf life, prevents rancidity). Non-essential vitamin for dogs and cats (they can produce adequate amounts on their own).
B
Biotin
B vitamin required for metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, and non-essential amino acids. Water soluble vitamin. Required for normal skin and haircoat.
Bison
Bison is a lean meat, highly digestible and an excellent source of essential amino acids. This ingredient would be considered a unique or unusual protein source, so it is a great choice for pets that have some food sensitivities or allergies.
Blueberries
Rich in fiber and antioxidants, blueberries are a natural boost to the immune system.
C
Calcium Pantothenate
Source of pantothenic acid, a B vitamin. This vitamin is necessary for normal intestinal function, growth, and haircoat color.
Canola Oil
Naturally preserved. Provides a blend of omega fatty acids for optimal skin and coat health. Contains alpha-linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid. Also a source of vitamin E.
Chicken Meal
Lean carcass (muscle and bone). No feathers or internal organs. We use a specially processed, low ash meal. Protein, phosphorus, and calcium come from the meal.
Chicory Root (dried)
A moderately fermentable carbohydrate source. Fermentation of chicory root (FOS-fructooligosaccharide) in the colon produces short chain fatty acids that are an energy source for colonocytes (cells lining the colon) as well as for the good bacteria in the colon.
Choline Chloride
A B-complex vitamin. Choline is required for normal nervous system function, normal growth in young animals, and protection of the kidneys. It can be synthesized in the liver, but is a dietary requirement.
Copper Proteinate
Chelated form of copper. Copper is an important mineral for maintaining coat color and also regulates reproduction in cats. Chelated minerals are attached to amino acids for better absorption from the digestive tract.
Copper Sulfate
An inorganic form of copper, a required mineral element. Copper is involved in normal reproduction as well as responsible for maintaining normal coat pigmentation.
D
Dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract
A digestive enzyme derived from yeast extracts, this ingredient helps promote healthy digestion.
Duck
Food grade duck that is mechanically deboned and is certified hormone and antibiotic free. The meat is kept chilled until it is used in the recipe, within 72 hours of processing.
Duck meal
Dry protein source used in formulas that contain duck meat as an ingredient. The dry protein ingredients are made from meat and bone that is ground and cooked. Excellent source of protein and vitamins and minerals.
E
Egg Product
Cooked and dried whole eggs, free of shells and other non egg material. A high quality, highly digestible source of protein.
Enterococcus faecieum
A probiotic, or beneficial bacteria, that helps promote a healthy digestive system by suppressing populations of the "bad" bacteria within the GI tract. Also supports a healthy immune system.
F
Ferrous sulfate
Inorganic form of iron. Added to enhance the iron content of the food. Iron is responsible for the transport of oxygen throughout the body.
Flavor (natural)
Made from dried liver. Sprayed on the outside of the kibble.
Folic Acid
A water soluble B vitamin necessary for formation of red blood cells and for normal function of the nervous system and reproduction (fetal development).
I
Iron Proteinate
Chelated form of iron. Necessary for the transport of oxygen throughout the body. Chelated minerals are attached to amino acids for better absorption from the digestive tract.
L
Lactobacillus acidophilus
A probiotic, or beneficial bacteria, that helps promote a healthy digestive system by suppressing populations of the "bad" bacteria within the GI tract. Also supports a healthy immune system.
Lactobacillus casei
A probiotic, or beneficial bacteria, that helps promote a healthy digestive system by suppressing populations of the "bad" bacteria within the GI tract. Also supports a healthy immune system.
M
Manganese proteinate
Chelated form of manganese. Manganese is important for proper bone formation, growth and reproduction. Chelated minerals are attached to amino acids for better absorption from the digestive tract.
Manganese Sulfate
The manganese salt of sulfuric acid and is needed for proper bone formation, growth and reproduction. Manganese is a micro mineral which functions as a component of several cell enzymes that catalyze metabolic reactions. Naturally occurring Manganese deficiency has not been reported in dogs or cats.
Manganous oxide
The oxide form of manganese that is needed for proper bone formation, growth and reproduction. Manganese is a micro mineral which functions as a component of several cell enzymes that catalyze metabolic reactions. Naturally occurring Manganese deficiency has not been reported in dogs or cats.
Methionine
An essential amino acid which contains sulfur. Important for both dogs and cats, but more critical in cats since they have an increased demand for this amino acid. This is also a urine acidifier.
N
Niacin
Vitamin B3. Important for maintenance of hair, skin, nervous system, and energy metabolism. Dogs synthesize niacin from tryptophan (an amino acid) but cats must have it provided in their diet.
O
Ocean fish meal
A high quality source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources, EPA and DHA, provide nutrition for optimal skin and coat health as well as excellent overall health.
P
Peas
Natural source of dietary fiber and B vitamins.
Potassium Iodide
Potassium salt that is required for body fluid maintenance, nerve conduction (including normal heart rhythm), and certain metabollic processes. Potassium is the main electrolyte in intracellular fluid.
Potato fiber
Used as a natural fiber source to help promote normal stools and a healthy digestive tract. Added to formulas that contain potatoes already to help limit the number of different ingredients.
Potato protein
The protein portion of potatoes. Excellent back-up source of protein in high protein recipes to help keep the ash low.
Potatoes
A highly digestible carbohydrate source. Carbohydrates provide energy for everyday activity.
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
Vitamin B6. Water soluble. Necessary for blood cell formation and nervous system function.
R
Raspberries
These powerhouse berries are full of antioxidants that protect overall good health and may also help fight cancer.
Riboflavin
Vitamin B2. Water soluble. Antioxidant necessary for nervous system function, utilization of energy, healthy skin and coat, and tissue repair.
Roasted bison
Roasted for great flavor, this lean protein source will help keep your pet in optimal lean body condition. A great choice for pets with food sensitivities or allergies.
Roasted duck
Roasted for great flavor. An excellent protein source to provide your pet with essential amino acids.
Roasted quail
Roasted for great flavor. This lean protein source will help keep your pets in optimal lean body condition.
Roasted venison
This meat is roasted for great flavor. Lean source of essential amino acids to help keep your pet in ideal lean body condition.
S
Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation solubles
A digestive enzyme derived from yeast extracts, this ingredient helps promote healthy digestion.
Salmon (fresh)
Mechanically deboned, ocean caught salmon. Salmon is one of the lowest mercury content ocean fish available. When salmon is fully cooked, as it is in our pet foods, there is no risk to the health of dogs consuming it.
Smoked salmon
Smoked for great flavor. This excellent source of protein also provides essential omega fatty acids, only available from marine sources. Fatty acids help keep the skin and coat healthy as well as supporting excellent overall health.
Smoked turkey
Lean meat, smoked for great flavor. Not only will your pet love the taste, he will get the benefits of lean protein for overall lean body condition.
Sodium Selenite
Form of selenium, an essential trace mineral necessary for normal immune function and reproduction.
Sweet Potatoes
A power packed vegetable! Rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and beta carotene, this is one ideal complex carbohydrate source that provides all day energy.
T
Taurine
Amino acid essential for cats that maintains healthy eyes and heart. Considered to be conditionally essential for dogs (meaning certain dogs require it in their diet under certain conditions - particularly true when the dog is eating a lamb formula that has low protein content).
Thiamine mononitrate
Vitamin B1. Required for protein and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as to maintain normal nervous system function.
Tomato pomace
A soluble fiber source that helps promote digestive health and small, firm stools.
Tomatoes
A natural source of vitamin C and lycopene, important antioxidants.
V
Venison
Lean protein source, excellent source for essential amino acids. Unique protein source, so a great choice for pets with food sensitivities or food allergies.
Vitamin A Supplement
Active source of vitamin A, required by cats. Dogs can convert inactive vitamin A (beta-carotene) to active vitamin A. Necessary for reproduction, vision, normal skeletal and tooth development, immunity, and tissue integrity.
Vitamin B12 Supplement (Cobalamin)
The only B vitamin that can be stored by the body. Necessary for formation of red blood cells and normal nervous system function.
Vitamin D Supplement
Regulates calcium and phosphorus balance and bone calcification.
Vitamin E Supplement
Helps protect cell membranes, regulates intracellular respiration, and immune function.
Y
Yucca Schidigera Extract
Natural plant extract that has been proven to reduce stool odor.
Z
Zinc Proteinate
Chelated form of zinc. Zinc is necessary for the formation of proteins in the body, normal immune system function, skin and wound healing, growth and reproduction. Chelated minerals are attached to amino acids for better absorption from the digestive tract.
Zinc Sulfate
Non-chelated form of zinc. Zinc is necessary for the formation of proteins in the body, normal immune system function, skin and wound healing, growth and reproduction. There is a genetically influenced abnormality in zinc absorption and metabolism in some breeds (Malamutes and Siberian Huskies) which may result in an increased dietary requirement for zinc.