Cereal Food Fines - The by-product of breakfast cereal production which consists of particles of the foods.

Flaxseed - Is also known as Linseed. It is very high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Once a container of this is open it will spoil rapidly. It is best to keep it under refrigeration.

Linseed Meal - The residue of flaxseed oil production, ground into a meal.

Mesquite Bean Meal- This is full of essential nutrients, helps regulate blood sugar, and is an excellent source of carbohydrates.

Oatmeal - Is a heart smart food that is an excellent fiber source and is clinically proven to lower cholesterol.

Meats and Meat by-Products
Meat or Meat Based - Meat is the clean flesh of slaughtered cattle, swine, sheep or goats. The flesh can include striated skeletal muscle, tongue, diaphragm, skeletal muscle, tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus, overlying fat, and the portions of skin, sinew, nerves, and blood vessels normally found with that flesh. This is what some people would call on the hoof or "wet - state". This applies equal to all livestock whether it be Beef, Chicken, Lamb, etc. After processing these meats can loose up to 80% of their weight. Thus when looking at the ingredients list you might find it as number one but in truly reality after processing it will fall between 4, 5 or even 6 on a ingredients list.

Meat Meal - Rendered meal made from animal tissue. It cannot contain hair, hoof, blood, horn, hide trimmings, stomach or rumen (the first stomach) contents, or manure except for amounts that may not be avoided during processing. It cannot contain any added foreign matter and may not contain more than 14% indigestible materials. Indigestible crude protein in the meal cannot be more than 11%. Meals are also use after processing and give a more true actual weight on the list of ingredients for placement over whole meats or "wet - state" meats.

Meat By-Product - Clean parts of slaughtered animals, not including meat. These parts include lungs, kidneys, brain, spleen, liver, bone, blood, partially defatted low-temperature fatty tissue, stomach, and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, teeth, hooves or horns. Only 14% may be indigestible residue and no more than 11% indigestible crude protein.

Chicken Liver - Organic meat , highly usable protein source containing vitamins A , K and Foliate. It also contains minerals Phosphorus and potassium. Many Amino Acids are also found in Chicken Liver.

Poultry By-Product - Clean parts of slaughtered poultry, such as heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, feet, abdomen, intestines, and heads and must not contain feces or foreign matter except that which is unavoidable and then only in trace amounts.

Poultry By-Product Meal - Made up of ground, rendered, and clean parts of slaughtered poultry, such as undeveloped eggs, necks, feet, and intestines. It does not contain feathers except those which are unavoidable during processing.

Dehydrated Eggs - Whole poultry eggs which are dried.

Meat and Bone Meal - Rendered from meat and bone, but it does not include hair, blood, horn, hoof, manure, hide trimmings, stomach, or rumen contents except that which is unavoidable during processing. It does not include any foreign matter. Like meat meal, only 14% may be indigestible residue and no more than 11% indigestible crude protein.

Whole Fresh eggs - This is the Highest rated source of usable Protein, and rates above all meats and meat products. Shells are a great source of Calcium Carbonate good for strong healthy teeth.

Beef Tallow - This is the Very Hard white fatty substance which is rock hard and looks like a bone. Most dogs have great difficulty in digesting this substance.

Animal By-Product Meal - Consists of rendered animal tissue which does not fit in any of the other categories. It cannot contain hoof, hide trimmings, extra hair, horn, stomach or rumen contents, manure or any foreign matter.

Animal Digest - A powder or liquid made by taking clean under-composed animal tissue and breaking it down using chemical and or emblematic hydrolysis. It does not contain horn, teeth, hair, hooves, or feathers except in trace amounts which are unavoidable, Digest names must be descriptive of their contents - that is, chicken digest must be made from chicken and beef digest made from beef.

Fish Meal - Clean, dried, and ground tissue of un-decomposed whole fish or fish cuttings which may or may not have the oil removed. It is also considered an excellent source for Omega 3 fatty acids.

Salmon - Excellent source of protein and fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6.

Turnip Greens - Contains some calcium, Omega-3 and vitamin A & C.

Tomatoes - Abundant in carotenoids, beta-carotene, and vitamins A & C. They are also an acidifier and a fiber source.

Peas and Carrots - Are used as an excellent source of vitamins and minerals they also provide a flavor that both dogs and cats love.
 
Oranges - Contain the pure Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) good for immune support, reduces cholesterol, powerful anti-cancer tool. A natural preservative and a digestive cleanser, The peel contains oils that stimulate the immune system ( used in cancer treatment.)

Grapefruit - Has calcium, high in vitamin C & A, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin K, carbohydrates, and increases the effectiveness of nutrient absorption and potency of other fruits and vegetables when combined. It acts as a preservative and lowers cholesterol. Combines with orange to form and effective cancer fighting tool.

Beet Pulp - The dried residue from production of sugar from sugar beets.

Biotin - Vitamin essential to cellular metabolism, it helps metabolize fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Biotin prevents anemia, muscular pain, and skin disorders. It also helps prevent heart disease. Is a concentrated, non-processed natural food source of active enzymes, probiotics cultures, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and various other micronutrient.

Dried Whey - The thin part of milk separated from the curd, or thicker part, when milk coagulates. Dried whey is this milk part, dried, and is not less than 11% protein or less than 61% other grains or 10% wild oats.

Probiotics and Probiotics - This is the natural micro-flora like enzymes and friendly bacteria that help in the digestive process. They provide for more efficient utilization of food. It is important to note that they are also heat sensitive.

Peanut Hulls - The outer hull of the peanut shell.

Dried Kelp or Dried Seaweed - The maximum percentage of salt and minimum percentage of potassium and iodine must be declared.

Ginkgo Biloba - This is a rejuvenating herb that helps with memory and mental functions of older animals by increasing blood flow to the brain. It is also believed to help improve hearing and equilibrium.

Glucosamine - This is made up of sugars (glucose) and amino acids (glutamine). It is the general believed that it also help in the treatment of osteoarthritis by helping to develop health bones and cartilage.

Fossil Mineral Flour - Finely ground Coral and Fossilized rock. These tiny crystals are eaten by parasites in the intestinal tract and lead to their expulsion from the body. It is one of natures ways of eliminating parasites. Another is Garlic.

Lecithin - A Rich Nutrient that lowers Blood Cholesterol levels. It is believed to that it strengthens arteries thus controlling blood pressure. It also helps to reduce the fat content within arterial walls.

Blue-Green Algae - Humectant, Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, High in B-12, all essential amino acids, sulfonolipids and glycolipids, diverse spectrum of vitamins, contains a 95% usable protein complex, 17 bata-carotenoids, thousands of enzymes, and a vast mineral array.

Olive Oil - Is monounsaturated, one of the finest sources of fat and lowers blood cholesterol especially the most harmful variety. The useful fat in olive oil helps carry important vitamins through your pet's body like A, D, E and K.

Apple Cider Vinegar - Contains cholesterol-reducing pectin and the perfect balance of 19 minerals. It contains 93 different components that can help regulate blood pressure, fight off infections, relieve arthritis pains, promote healthy digestion, and improve metabolism. Cleans out toxins from tissues and joints.

Shark Cartilage - This is an excellent source of Calcium and it is also believed that it will help strengthen bones and prevent osteoarthritis.

Sodium Bentonite - Sodium Bentonite is basically a small amount of inert clay which is used as a binder to aid in the formulation of small pellets of food. Side advantage of this ingredient is that it is said to aid in the digestive process.

PRESERVATIVES
(These terms are also used in the Dog Food Comparison Charts)

Brine - Is a pickling solution. Poured off after pickling leaving only a minimal salt residue.

Brown Sugar - Used as a pickling agent, moisture stabilizer, and a source of minerals.
Calcium Propionate -This chemical has been around for a long time.
 
BHA and BHT - These are both preservatives. BHA is butylated hydroxyanisole. BHT is butyhlated hydroxytoluene. Both BHA and BHT have been associated with liver damage, fetal abnormalities, and metabolic stress. They also have a questionable relationship to cancer.

Ethoxyquin - This preservative has been the most highly debated item in dog foods for the last several years. It is a chemical preservative that has been widely used to prevent spoilage in dog foods and some human foods as well. It is alleged that ethoxyquin has caused cancer, liver, kidney and thyroid dysfunctions, reproductive failure, and more, although the allegations have not been proven in tests to date, it is highly suspect.

Potassium Sorbate - This chemical has been around for a long time.

Propylene Glycol - This chemical preservative was designed for use in antifreeze, oil and waxes. It causes irregularities in the red blood cells of cats. Dogs and Cats can become addicted to it. It can cause skin problems, hair loss, dull coat, diarrhea, overweight and even death in both dogs and cats.

Sodium Nitrate - Used both as a food coloring (RED) and as a preservative. When used as a preservative, it produces carcinogenic substances called nitrosamines. NOTE: Accidental ingestion of sodium nitrate by people can be fatal.

Tocopherols (Vitamins C and E) - Naturally occurring compounds used as natural preservatives. Tocopherols function as antioxidants, preventing the oxidation of fatty acids, vitamins, and some other nutrients. These are being used more frequently as preservatives, as many dog owners are more concerned about chemical preservatives. Tocopherols have a very short shelf life, especially once the bag of food has been opened.