Common Ingredients Used In Pet Food

The ingredients declaration on pet food packaging varies according to legislation in place within a country. In Europe, ingredients can be grouped together under a category term. For example, many minerals can be included under the additives category rather than naming them individually, and ingredients sourced from animals can be included under the group term meat and animal derivatives (Table 1).

TABLE 1: Ingredient categories within Europe - defined by EU Commission Directive 98/67/EC
Term	Definition	Example Ingredients
Meat & animal derivatives	All the fleshy parts of slaughtered warm-blooded land animals fresh or preserved by appropriate treatment and all products or derivatives of the processing of the carcass or parts of the carcase of warm-blooded land animals	Pork, beef, lamb muscle meat, organs such as lung, heart, kidney, liver, chicken muscle meat, carcass, chicken necks, heads, feet, chicken meal, poultry by-product meal
Milk & milk derivatives	All milk products fresh or preserved by appropriate treatment, and derivatives from the processing thereof	Whole semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, milk solids, curds, whey, milk powder, casein, caseinate, milk protein, hydrolyzed milk protein, yoghurt
Eggs & egg derivatives	All egg products fresh or preserved by appropriate treatment and derivatives from the processing thereof	Whole egg, dried egg, frozen egg, egg yolk, egg white, albumin, egg powder, globulin
Oils & fats	All animal and vegetable oils and fats	Sunflower oil, pork fat
Yeasts	Covers Brewers yeast, yeast cultures, nutritional yeast	Brewers yeast
Fish & fish derivatives	Fish or parts of fish, fresh or preserved by appropriate treatment, and derivatives from the processing thereof	Fish heads, frames (bones and flesh scraps), tails, associated flesh, whole eviscerated fish or part fish
Cereals	All types of cereal regardless of their presentation or products made from the starchy endosperm	Wheat flour, whole maize, rice
Vegetables	All types of vegetable and legumes, fresh or preserved by appropriate treatment	Diced frozen carrots, whole frozen peas
Derivatives of vegetables origin	Derivatives resulting from the treatment of vegetable products, in particular cereals, vegetables, legumes and oil seeds	Sugar beet pulp, cellulose
Vegetable protein extracts	All products of vegetable origin in which proteins have been concentrated by an adequate process to contain at least 50% crude protein, as related to the dry matter, and which may be restructured (textured)	Wheat gluten or pea protein
Minerals	All inorganic substances suitable for animal feed	Calcium phosphate, zinc sulphate, magnesium oxide, iodine, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, manganese sulphate
Various sugars	All types of sugar	Sucrose, fructose, glucose, honey
Additives	Substances, micro-organisms or preparations, other than feed material and pre-mixtures, which are intentionally added in order to perform a particular functions; Additives covers vitamins, flavours, preservatives, antioxidants and colours. The majority of additives used in pet food are also used in human food and are included for a purpose either to deliver a nutritional benefit, to preserve ingredients or to create a certain texture.	Vitamin A, vitamin E, preservatives BHA / BHT

Alternatively, a European pet food manufacturer may choose to provide a full ingredients list. Since labelling legislation varies from country to country, pet food manufacturers may be required to list all ingredients. For example, in the USA, a pet food manufacturer must list all ingredients used providing information about any process used to make the ingredients and the chemical names where appropriate (for example, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6). A glossary of commonly used ingredients in the EU is provided in Table 2.

TABLE 2a: Glossary of common ingredients used to make wet pet food in Europe
Group	Ingredient	Description and Use
Meat and Animal Derivatives
Meat and animal derivatives	Beef	Usually fresh or frozen, can include muscle meat and organs such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, tongue, udder, provides a rich source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Meat and animal derivatives	Chicken	Usually fresh or frozen, can include muscle meat and chicken parts such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, intestines, whole carcass, provides a highly digestible source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Meat and animal derivatives	Poultry	Usually fresh or frozen, combination of chicken, turkey, duck or goose parts, can include muscle meat and parts such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, tongue, udder, intestines, whole carcass; provides a highly digestible source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Meat and animal derivatives	Pork	Usually fresh or frozen, can include organs such as heart, lung, liver, kidney; provides a highly digestible source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals; provides a highly digestible source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Meat and animal derivatives	Lamb	Usually fresh or frozen, can include muscle meat and organs such as heart, lung, liver, kidney; provides a highly digestible source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Cereals and Grains
Cereals	Wheat gluten	Residual high protein fraction of wheat flour once starch has been removed
Cereals	Wheat flour	Cereal flour provides carbohydrate primarily as starch and fibre. In wet pet foods cereal flour can be used to help provide chunk texture.
Grains	Rice - can be broken, whole grain or flour.	Provide a highly digestible source of nutrients including carbohydrates, protein and dietary fibre
Gums and Gels
Additives	Xanthan	A polysaccharide thickening agent secreted by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris used to thicken gravies
Additives	Carrageenan	A polysaccharide gelling agent, sourced from seaweed, used to create gravies and jellies. Food grade carrageenan has been extensively reviewed and approved for use in foods, including pet food. Due to pet food labelling regulations, food grade carrageenan may appear on the package simply as carrageenan. This should not be confused with degraded carageenan which has been linked to intestinal inflammation and is not permitted in food for humans or pets.
Additives	Cassia	A vegetable gum obtained from seeds of the Cassia tree used to provide chunk structure and jelly texture
Additives	Carob	A vegetable gum extracted from the seeds of the carob tree, used as a thickening agent in gels and gravies
Additives	Guar	A vegetable gum extracted from the seeds of the guar bean, used as a thickener and to provide structure to chunks
Additives	Arabic	Also known as acacia gum, from the hardened sap of the Acacia tree, used as a thickening agent in gels and gravies
Vitamins
Additives	Vitamin D3	A supplement that delivers the essential nutrient Vitamin D. Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot produce their own Vitamin D from sunlight so adding Vitamin D into their food is essential for delivering complete and balanced nutrition.
Additives	Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for normal function of the nervous system.
Additives	Vitamin B7 (Biotin)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for normal function of the nervous system and in skin and coat health.
Additives	Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for healthy metabolism. A deficiency can cause skin, nerve and blood disorders and therefore it is essential to be included in the food as part of complete and balanced nutrition.
Additives	Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for healthy skin and coat.
Additives	Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for healthy skin and coat.
Additives	Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for normal function of the skin and coat health.
Additives	Vitamin B12	One of the B-group vitamins essential for normal function of the nervous system and in skin and coat health.
Additives	Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for healthy nerve function.
Additives	Vitamin E acetate	Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that supports a healthy immune system and plays a role in maintaining healthy vision.
Amino Acids
Additives	L-carnitine	An amino acid that assists with fat metabolism
Additives	Methionine	An essential amino acid, often supplemented in pure form to ensure the level required for complete and balanced nutrition
Vegetable Derivatives
Vegetable derivatives	Pea protein	Peas are rich in proteins and some essential amino acids
Vegetable derivatives	Sugar beet pulp	A by-product from production of sugar, derived from sugar beet, provides a source of dietary fibre and support gut health. It is a good source of both moderately fermentable and non-fermentable fibre and can therefore improve general digestive function as well as benefiting stool quality.
Oils and Fats
Oils and fats	Fish oil	Provides omega 3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and are essential for healthy growth.
Oils and fats	Sunflower oil	Provides a source of dietary energy, essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins
Minerals
Minerals	Mineral supplements added in refined form	Required to ensure food is nutritionally complete and balanced. For example Zinc Sulphate, Manganese Sulphate, Magnesium Oxide, Copper Sulphate, Di-Calcium Phosphate. There are many approved versions of these minerals salts that can be used in pet food based on the formulation required.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables	A range of fruits or vegetables may be included in pet foods to add variety, examples include carrots, apples, peas	Can be added in fresh, frozen or dried form. Must select vegetables appropriate for cats / dogs
Various Sugars
Sugars	Caramel	Caramel liquid used to provide natural source of brown colouring
Sugars	Dextrose	A natural sugar used in tiny amounts in pet food. During cooking dextrose reacts with proteins (Maillard reaction) and creates natural flavours and aromas.
Sugars	Xylose	A natural plant sugar used in tiny amounts in our petfood. During cooking xylose reacts with proteins (Maillard reaction) and creates natural flavours and aromas.

TABLE 2b: Glossary of common ingredients used to make dry pet food in Europe
Group	Ingredient	Description and Use
Meat and Animal Derivatives
Meat and animal derivatives	Chicken Meal	Chicken parts, may include muscle meat, carcass, necks, intestine, heads, feet. Parts are dried and fat removed creating a meal, provides a highly digestible source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Meat and animal derivatives	Poultry Meal / Poultry by-product meal	Poultry parts from chicken, goose, duck or turkey; may include muscle meat, carcass, intestine, heads, feet; dried with fat removed creating a meal, provides a highly digestible source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Meat and animal derivatives	Pork meal / bone meal	Can include muscle meat, organs such as heart, lung, liver, may contain bone, dried with much of the fat removed creating a meal. A highly digestible source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Meat and animal derivatives	Beef meal / bone meal	Can include muscle meat, organs such as heart, lung, liver, may contain bone, dried with much of the fat removed creating a meal. A highly digestible source of protein, amino acids, fats, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Meat and animal derivatives	Hydrolysed feather meal	Partially digested (hydrolysed) feathers from chicken, goose, duck or turkey; highly digestible source of protein and essential amino acids
Cereals and Grains
Cereals	Maize / Corn	Usually finely ground prior to use provides carbohydrate primarily as starch and fibre, starch is readily digested and provides energy, fibre contributes to digestive health.
Cereals	Maize flour	Milled maize, provides carbohydrate primarily as starch and fibre, starch is readily digested and provides energy, fibre contributes to digestive health. Nutritionally no different to whole maize but flour produces a finer texture
Cereals	Wheat	Usually finely ground, provides carbohydrate primarily as starch and fibre, starch is readily digested and provides energy, fibre contributes to digestive health
Cereals	Wheat flour	Milled as it is for human food, provides carbohydrate primarily as starch and fibre, starch is readily digested and provides energy, fibre contributes to digestive health.
Cereals	Flax seed	Seeds from the flax plant, also known as linseed; a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids
Grains	Rice - can be broken or whole grain.	Provide a highly digestible source of nutrients including carbohydrates, protein and dietary fibre
Grains	Rice flour	Flour produced from rice milling, provides a highly digestible source of nutrients including carbohydrates, protein and dietary fibre. Nutritionally similar to whole rice.
Vegetable protein extracts
Vegetable protein extracts	Maize / corn gluten meal	Extracted high protein fraction of maize / corn once starch has been removed, an excellent source of digestible protein and essential amino acids
Vegetable protein extracts	Wheat gluten meal	Extracted high protein fraction of wheat once starch has been removed, an excellent source of digestible protein and essential amino acids
Vegetable derivatives
Vegetable derivatives	Sugar beet pulp	A by-product from production of sugar, derived from sugar beet, provides a source of dietary fibre and support gut health. It is a good source of both moderately fermentable and non-fermentable fibre and can therefore improve general digestive function as well as benefiting stool quality.
Vegetable derivatives	Kelp	Dried seaweed powder; natural source of iodine
Vegetable derivatives	Chicory extract	An extract from the root of the chicory plant containing inulin which acts as a prebiotic promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut
Vegetable derivatives	Yucca extract	An extract from the Yucca plant that can help to reduce odiferous flatulence
Vegetable derivatives	Cellulose	A concentrated fibre source, included to support digestive health
Oils and Fats
Oils and fats	Fish oil	Provides omega 3 fatty acids, which can have anti-inflammatory properties and are essential for healthy growth.
Oils and fats	Sun flower oil	Provides a source of dietary energy, essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins
Oils and fats	Coconut oil	Provides a source of dietary energy, essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins
Oils and fats	Chicken fat	Fat from chicken usually obtained during preparation of chicken meal, provides a source of dietary energy, essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins
Oils and fats	Poultry fat	Source can be chicken, turkey, duck, goose or quail usually obtained during preparation of poultry meal, provides a source of dietary energy, essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins
Oils and fats	Pork fat	Usually obtained during preparation of pork meal, provides a source of dietary energy, essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins
Preservatives
Additives	BHA	Butylated hydroxyanisole; a synthetic antioxidant preservative used to help prevent food spoilage. Usually used alongside BHT
Additives	BHT	Butylated hydroxytoluene, a synthetic antioxidant preservative that helps prevent food spoilage. Usually used alongside BHA
Additives	Propylene gallate	A synthetic antioxidant preservative that helps prevent food spoilage
Additives	Potassium sorbate	Commonly used as a food preservative to inhibit mould and yeast formation, also used in human food such as yoghurt, cheese and wine.
Additives	Vitamin C - ascorbate	A natural antioxidant preservative, usually used alongside Vitamin E. Less effective than synthetic preservatives resulting in a shorter shelf-life
Additives	Vitamin E - tocopherol	A natural antioxidant preservative when sprayed on the outside of dry food, usually used alongside Vitamin C. Less effective than synthetic preservatives resulting in a shorter shelf-life
Additives	Sodium hydroxide	Used as an acidity regulator and in the production of caramel colour. Also used for human food in soft drinks and ice-cream
Additives	L-Cysteine Hydrochloride	A sulphur amino acid often used as flavour enhancer in pet food. Cysteine is also an essential amino acid that works in synergy with methionine for healthy skin and coat.
Amino Acids
Additives	Methionine	A sulphur amino acid (a building block of protein) which works in synergy with cysteine, important for skin and coat health particularly important for healthy hair growth. Maintenance of healthy skin and hair can use up to 30% of an adult dog's daily protein requirement.
Additives	Taurine	An essential amino acid required by cats, may also be beneficial for large breed dogs. In pet food manufacturing taurine is registered as a vitamin.
Vitamins
Additives	Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for healthy nerve function.
Additives	Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for normal function of the skin and coat health.
Additives	Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for healthy metabolism. A deficiency can cause skin, nerve and blood disorders and therefore it is essential to be included in the food as part of complete and balanced nutrition.
Additives	Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for normal function of the nervous system.
Additives	Vitamin B12	One of the B-group vitamins essential for normal function of the nervous system and in skin and coat health.
Additives	Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for healthy skin and coat.
Additives	Vitamin B7 (Biotin)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for normal function of the nervous system and in skin and coat health.
Additives	Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)	One of the B-group vitamins essential for healthy skin and coat.
Additives	Vitamin E acetate	Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that supports a healthy immune system and plays a role in maintaining healthy vision.
Additives	Vitamin A	It is an essential vitamin required to maintain healthy vision and healthy skin.
Additives	Vitamin D3	A supplement that delivers the essential nutrient Vitamin D. Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot produce their own Vitamin D from sunlight so adding Vitamin D into their food is essential for delivering complete and balanced nutrition.
Additives	Vitamin C	Not essential in the diet of cats and dogs but may be included in the form of Vitamin C monophosphate for its antioxidant properties and to support the immune system
Minerals
Minerals	Mineral supplements added refined form	Required to ensure food is nutritionally complete and balanced. For example Zinc Sulphate, Manganese Sulphate, Magnesium Oxide, Copper Sulphate, Di-Calcium Phosphate, Calcium Iodate. There are many approved versions of these minerals salts that can be used in pet food based on the formulation required.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables	A range of fruits or vegetables may be included in pet foods to add variety. Examples include carrots, apples, peas	Can be added in fresh, frozen or dried form. Must select vegetables appropriate for cats / dogs.