Ingredients. We think of them when we’re shopping in grocery stores for ourselves or family members. We’re conscious of purchasing the right cuts of meat, picking the freshest produce, or choosing the right grains for dishes to prepare and serve to loved ones. 

What about the food we serve to our four-legged family members? Pets can’t shop for themselves, and only have the option to eat what they are given by their owners.Treats Unleashed avoids foods with artificial preservatives and colorings, so you can know you’re shopping from natural options when you browse our shelves. Still, knowing natural ingredients and how to read them on labels is important for choosing the best option for your pet.

Our pets are living beings, and just like with all living beings, the food they ingest can greatly impact their bodies, brains and quality of life. 

Let’s talk about why ingredients matter in our pet’s food, and how you can feel better and more informed next time you go to fill your furry family member’s bowl.

Why Ingredients Matter

• Age: Pets of different ages require different nutrients to grow or thrive at different life stages.

  • Growing puppies and kittens need a higher amount of all nutrients in comparison to adult dogs and cats, but should not be fed adult pet food formula due to the excess calories and calcium levels.

  • Food options for senior pets can include formula adjustments like reduced calories to prevent weight gain from a more sedentary lifestyle, or added fiber to aid digestion.

• Allergies: Just like humans, pets can have allergies to specific ingredients. Allergies involve the immune system mistaking a certain type of nutrient as a bacteria or virus. Low-allergy pet food brands avoid these common, inflammatory ingredients for pets with sensitive immune systems. 

  • Some of the most common pet allergens are the proteins found in eggs, chicken, beef, lamb, dairy, soy, or wheat.

  • On the other hand, pets with a food sensitivity (not the same as allergies) might just have difficulty digesting or processing too much of a certain ingredient. Food sensitivities are rarely life-threatening but can make your pet ill, usually leading to an upset stomach.

  • Identifying these ingredients can help pet parents learn what to avoid when shopping for food options.

• Hair & Skin: Fish-based diets have great natural sources of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Look for food options that contain ingredients like salmon, trout, and other oily fish.

  • Need a boost? Salmon oil or Ulta Oil supplements can be added to food as a supplement for pets experiencing dry, flaky skin.

  • Vitamin E is another ingredient that hav help repair your pet's hair be strengthening the follicles, helping to promote thick and shiny hair growth.

• Digestion: Did you know dogs and cats have different digestion systems, even down to how their stomachs break down food? Dogs have a more acidic stomach, which means they are less likely to get pathogens like salmonella. They also tear, not chew, their food based on the design of their jaws. For both dogs and cats, creating a good gut biome is very important. Choosing foods that specifically include probiotics can help with keeping the gut active and maintain proper digestion. 

• Diets: Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their diets must have an emphasis on high amounts of protein (chicken, beef, land, fish). Felines do not digest carbs (wheat and grains) as well. As such, Treats Unleashed only carries grain-free recipes for cats. Dogs are not obligate, so they can thrive on healthy grain options. Some veterinarians might specifically recommend grain-inclusive options for some dogs. Treats Unleashed carry both no-grain and regular options for dogs.

• Moisture: Fresh or more perishable ingredients are going to contain more moisture, as they have not undergone a preservation process. At Treats Unleashed, these foods can be found in our freezer section. Ingredients in these options are going to be minibal as well. Options like goat’s milk and bone broth are safe for both dogs and cats and are natural, nutrient-dense way to soften your pet’s favorite dry food while adding beneficial collagen and essential vitamins. 

  • Cats require more moisture to flush the minerals from their bladder, as they are more susceptible to mineral deposits accumulating into crystals, resulting in blockage. 

  • Wet pet food also contains less carbohydrates than kibble, and usually has a higher percentage of protein and fat. The higher protein and moisture level make wet food a great meal choice for cats at all times of the day.

  • Since dry food contains less moisture, it usually has a higher concentration of nutrients per volume. 

• Texture: Ingredients don’t only impact taste. How often has your pet turned up their nose at food because of the texture? Ingredients impact the texture of food, as well as the palatability. Foods containing raw ingredients like meat or herbs/veggies are going to retain more moisture than foods that have been steam-dried or air-dried, thus have a different texture as well from dry options. From a human perspective, think of a collagen and nutrient-rich pot of meat stew compared to a protein-rich jerky. Both options can be nutrient dense and tasty, but are just delivered in various forms. 

Some ingredients are easy for us humans to pick out, like ‘beef’ or ‘wheat.’ Others are less self-explanatory. In fact, sometimes reading the ingredient list on pet foods can feel like trying to decipher a second language. Here’s some insight into some common ingredients you may encounter when reading your pet’s food label: 

• Ash: It’s not the ash we humans think of from fires or burning. In pet food, “crude ash,” is a term used to describe the mineral content (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, etc.). These minerals are crucial to your pet’s health and wellness, contributing to bones, teeth, fluid balance, immune system function, blood clotting, muscle and nerve function, and more throughout the entire body.

• Citric Acid: Citric Acid is made of citrus fruit and preserves valuable antioxidants in your pet’s food. It’s especially important in foods that do not use artificial/chemical preservatives.

• Meal: A common misconception is that “meal” in your pet’s food is non-nutritious or filler. Meal, in reality, is a more concentrated, no water/no fat version of the protein. When you see ‘meal’ as an ingredient, make sure it's from specific protein like chicken or beef. For example, you might see ‘lamb meal’ as an ingredient.

• Mixed Tocopherols: Mixed Tocopherols are a natural preservative made of Vitamin E that is beneficial to your pet’s eyes, skin and coat. 

Need some help putting your new knowledge to use? Treats Unleashed offers a free Personalized Feeding Plan Consultation to all customers. This is a great option for cat or dog parents that want to rotate in a new food option, or try a new one. Plus, it’s of no-cost. Just fill out a simple form and provide some simple facts about your pet, and one of our team members will provide you with a custom list of options tailored to your pet’s needs and lifestyle.

We’re not veterinarians. Treats Unleashed staff are well educated, and our writing is well-researched, but neither the advice of a Treats Unleashed staff member nor reading Treats Unleashed's written materials can substitute for visiting a veterinarian. We offer carefully chosen, natural solutions, but we believe that veterinary conditions should be diagnosed and treated by professionals.