Beef with Kiwifruit Air Dried Dog Treats

Bovine Meat, Bos Taurus, Ox Meat, Cow Meat

Summary

Beef is the muscle meat derived from cattle, categorised as an animal-based ingredient. It serves as a rich source of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, iron, and B vitamins, supporting muscle maintenance and overall health in pets. In premium pet foods, beef is typically included in its natural, whole-food form, ensuring optimal nutrient availability and palatability.

Manufacturer Benefits

Beef is included as a primary animal protein source to meet nutritional requirements and enhance palatability for pets. Its presence also serves as a marketing advantage, appealing to consumers seeking recognisable, high-quality ingredients.

Vegetable Glycerol, Glycerine, E422, Vegetable Glycerin

Summary

Vegetable glycerine is a clear, odourless liquid derived from plant oils, typically palm, soy, or coconut. It serves primarily as a humectant, helping to retain moisture in pet food and improve texture. Rather than being used in its raw plant form, vegetable glycerine is extracted and purified for safe consumption and optimal functionality in pet nutrition formulations.

Manufacturer Benefits

Vegetable glycerine is included as a humectant to retain moisture and improve the texture of pet food products, helping to prevent them from drying out. It also enhances palatability, making the food more appealing to pets.

Chinese Gooseberry, Actinidia Deliciosa, Yang Tao, Mihou Tao

Summary

Kiwifruit is a nutrient-rich fruit derived from the Actinidia deliciosa plant, commonly grown in New Zealand and Australia. It is included in pet food primarily for its high vitamin C content, dietary fibre, and antioxidant properties, supporting immune health and digestion. Kiwifruit is used in its natural, whole form, ensuring pets benefit from its complete nutritional profile.

Manufacturer Benefits

Kiwifruit is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers, leveraging its association with antioxidants and vitamins. Its addition may also provide a minor source of dietary fibre and micronutrients, though its functional impact on pet nutrition is typically limited at the inclusion levels used.

Allium Sativum, Allium Sativum Bulb, Eaten Garlic, Ajo

Summary

Garlic is a plant-derived ingredient sourced from the bulb of Allium sativum. It is included in pet food primarily for its natural antioxidant properties and potential to support immune health. In pet food formulations, garlic is used in its natural, dried, or powdered form rather than as a raw bulb, ensuring safe inclusion levels and optimal nutrient availability.

Manufacturer Benefits

Garlic is included in pet food formulations primarily as a label-friendly ingredient, appealing to consumers due to its perceived health benefits and natural origin. Its functional contribution to the animal is minimal at the low inclusion rates used, serving more as a marketing tool than a nutritional or palatability enhancer.

Sodium Chloride, NaCl, Table Salt, E535

Summary

Salt is a mineral ingredient derived from the combination of sodium and chloride, typically sourced from natural deposits or seawater. It is primarily included in pet food to support electrolyte balance, nerve function, and hydration. Salt is not used in its raw mineral form but is utilised as sodium chloride, a purified compound, to ensure safety, palatability, and optimal absorption in pets.

Manufacturer Benefits

Salt is included as a palatability enhancer to improve taste and encourage consumption, and also functions as a preservative to help extend product shelf life. Its use allows manufacturers to optimise flavour while maintaining product stability.

Natural Flavouring, Flavouring Substance, Flavouring Preparation, Flavouring Complex

Summary

Natural flavour is a food additive derived from animal or plant sources, designed to enhance the palatability of pet food. Its primary purpose is to improve taste and encourage consistent consumption. Rather than being used in its original raw form, natural flavour is typically processed and concentrated to ensure safety, stability, and uniformity in pet food formulations, while maintaining its natural origin.

Manufacturer Benefits

Natural flavour is included to enhance palatability, encouraging pets to consume the product. It also allows manufacturers to improve taste without specifying individual flavouring agents, supporting flexible formulation and label-friendly marketing.

Cider Vinegar, Malus Domestica Vinegar, Acetic Acid Solution (Malus Domestica), Fermented Apple Vinegar

Summary

Apple cider vinegar is a liquid derived from the fermentation of apple juice, making it a plant-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food for its potential to support digestive health and act as a natural preservative. Apple cider vinegar is used in its natural liquid form, not as a concentrated extract or synthetic compound, ensuring safety and palatability for pets.

Manufacturer Benefits

Apple cider vinegar is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers and enhance product marketability. It may also serve a minor functional role in supporting palatability and mild preservation.

Tocopherol, Mixed Tocopherols, E306, Rosemary Extract

Summary

Natural antioxidant refers to a substance, typically derived from plant sources, that helps protect pet food from oxidative damage and spoilage. Its primary function is to preserve freshness and extend shelf life by inhibiting the oxidation of fats and oils. In pet food, natural antioxidants are used in their natural form, ensuring safety and effective absorption without the need for chemical modification.

Manufacturer Benefits

Natural antioxidants are included to help preserve the freshness and stability of pet food by slowing the oxidation of fats and oils, thereby extending shelf life. They also serve as a label-friendly alternative to synthetic preservatives, appealing to consumers seeking more natural ingredients.