Common Ingredients Used In Pet Food

The ingredients declaration on pet food packaging varies according to legislation in place within a country (link to pet food labelling). 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). 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 1 – Category terms within the European Union

Details in Excel spreadsheet (sheet 3)

Table 2a – Glossary of common ingredients used to make wet pet food in Europe

Details in Excel spreadsheet (Sheet 1)

Table 2b – Glossary of common ingredients used to make dry food in Europe

Details in Excel spreadsheet (Sheet 2)