Cat Food Ingredients Dictionary

43 ingredients

Browse the dictionary or search for a name from the label.

• Beef protein

  A named mammalian meat ingredient contributing animal protein.

  The complete formula determines its nutritional contribution.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?

• Brewers dried yeast protein

  Dried, inactivated brewing yeast contributing protein and other nutrients.

  Dried brewing yeast is not the same as a live probiotic culture.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Brewers yeast

• Brewers rice carbohydrate

  Broken rice kernels used as a starch ingredient.

  This is rice, not yeast or spent brewing grain.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Broken rice and polished rice

• Brown rice carbohydrate

  Rice with its bran layer retained; mainly a carbohydrate ingredient.

  Brown rice differs from broken rice and rice bran.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Brown rice

• Calcium carbonate supplement

  A calcium-containing mineral ingredient.

  The full formula determines calcium intake and balance.

  Sources: 21 CFR 582.5191: Calcium carbonate

• Carrageenan binder

  A seaweed-derived food ingredient used for thickening and stabilization.

  The dictionary describes food-grade material and does not rate digestive effects.

  Sources: 21 CFR 172.620: Carrageenan

• Cassia gum binder

  A gum included as a thickening or gelling ingredient in pet food.

  Ingredient specifications and use conditions matter.

  Sources: EFSA: Cassia gum for dogs and cats

• Chicken protein

  A named poultry ingredient contributing animal protein.

  Chicken meal and chicken by-products are separate label terms.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?

• Chicken by-product meal protein

  Rendered chicken byproducts used as a protein ingredient.

  Distinct from chicken meal and non-rendered chicken by-products.

  Sources: AAFCO: Byproducts

• Chicken fat fat

  A poultry-derived fat ingredient used for energy.

  A fat ingredient is distinct from the corresponding meat or meal.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?

• Chicken liver protein

  A named poultry organ ingredient.

  Its amount and the rest of the formula determine nutrient balance.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?; AAFCO: Byproducts

• Chicken meal protein

  Rendered chicken material used as a protein ingredient.

  A separate entry from chicken and chicken by-product meal.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?

• Choline chloride supplement

  A choline-containing nutrient ingredient.

  Its listing does not state a nutritional dose.

  Sources: 21 CFR 582.5252: Choline chloride

• Dicalcium phosphate supplement

  A mineral ingredient supplying calcium and phosphorus.

  Mineral balance depends on the whole formula, not a single listed compound.

  Sources: 21 CFR 582.5217: Calcium phosphate

• DL-methionine supplement

  An amino-acid ingredient used in feed formulation.

  This listing does not recommend changing a cat's urinary pH.

  Sources: 21 CFR 582.5475: Methionine

• Dried beet pulp fiber

  Fiber-rich material remaining after sugar is extracted from sugar beets.

  Distinct from whole beet roots; this entry does not recommend an inclusion rate.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Dehydrated sugar beet pulp

• Egg product protein

  An egg-derived ingredient contributing protein and other nutrients.

  The label term does not tell you the product's exact processing or nutrient amounts.

  Sources: AAFCO: Reading labels; FDA: Pet food

• Fish meal protein

  Processed fish material used as a concentrated protein ingredient.

  Different from whole fish and fish oil; ask about species if needed.

  Sources: AAFCO: Reading labels; FDA: Pet food

• Fish oil fat

  Fish-derived oil contributing fats, including variable omega-3 fatty acids.

  The term does not specify the fish species or an EPA/DHA dose.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Fish oil

• Guar gum binder

  A gum used to stabilize food texture.

  The complete recipe and processing determine the final texture.

  Sources: 21 CFR 582.7339: Guar gum

• Meat by-products protein

  Non-rendered mammalian tissues other than the meat portion.

  The term is not an exact species list or a nutritional-quality score.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?; AAFCO: Byproducts

• Mixed tocopherols additive

  Tocopherols used to help preserve fats.

  This label term does not state a vitamin E dose.

  Sources: 21 CFR 582.3890: Tocopherols

• Natural flavor additive

  A label term for a naturally derived flavoring.

  Ask the manufacturer about the source when the exact material matters.

  Sources: 21 CFR 501.22: Animal-food flavors

• Pea protein protein

  A protein-rich fraction separated from peas.

  This is distinct from whole peas or pea starch.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Pea protein concentrate

• Potassium chloride supplement

  A potassium-containing mineral ingredient.

  The label does not give the total potassium concentration.

  Sources: 21 CFR 582.5622: Potassium chloride

• Potato starch carbohydrate

  Potato-derived starch used as a carbohydrate and texture ingredient.

  Potato starch and whole potatoes are distinct materials.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Starches

• Poultry by-product meal protein

  Rendered poultry byproducts used as a protein ingredient.

  Distinct from poultry meal; the name alone does not rate nutritional quality.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?; AAFCO: Byproducts

• Poultry meal protein

  Rendered poultry material used as a protein ingredient.

  The poultry species is not specified by this name.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?

• Powdered cellulose fiber

  A processed plant-cellulose fiber ingredient.

  Its listing does not establish a weight-control or hairball benefit.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Cellulose

• Psyllium husk fiber

  A plant-seed husk used as a fiber ingredient.

  This dictionary does not recommend adding it to an existing diet.

  Sources: FDA: Psyllium seed husk identity

• Pumpkin fiber

  A plant ingredient contributing fiber and other components.

  Its appearance on a label is not a treatment claim.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Pumpkin and other Cucurbita species

• Salmon protein

  A named fish ingredient contributing animal protein.

  Salmon oil is a separate fat ingredient, not the same material.

  Sources: AAFCO: Reading labels; FDA: Pet food

• Salmon oil fat

  Oil labeled as salmon-derived, contributing fat to the recipe.

  Check EPA/DHA amounts with the manufacturer; this is distinct from generic fish oil.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Fish oil; AAFCO: Reading labels

• Salt supplement

  Sodium chloride, a mineral ingredient contributing sodium and chloride.

  The name alone does not give the food's sodium level.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?

• Sunflower oil fat

  A plant oil used as a source of fat.

  Evaluate its contribution within the whole formula.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?

• Tapioca starch carbohydrate

  Cassava-derived starch used as a carbohydrate and texture ingredient.

  This is a starch ingredient, not an animal protein.

  Sources: Feedipedia: Starches

• Taurine supplement

  An amino acid included to support cats' nutritional needs.

  Presence in the list does not establish the amount or overall adequacy.

  Sources: FDA: Regulation of pet food

• Tuna protein

  A named fish ingredient contributing animal protein.

  Check the nutritional adequacy statement for the complete food.

  Sources: AAFCO: Reading labels; FDA: Pet food

• Turkey protein

  A named poultry ingredient contributing animal protein.

  Turkey meal is a different, rendered ingredient.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?

• Turkey meal protein

  Rendered turkey material used as a protein ingredient.

  A separate entry from turkey and turkey by-products.

  Sources: AAFCO: What is in the ingredients list?

• Water moisture

  Water added to adjust the food's moisture and texture.

  Use the label's moisture and calorie information for the whole food.

  Sources: AAFCO: Reading labels; FDA: Pet food

• Xanthan gum binder

  A gum used for thickening and stabilization.

  A food-additive identity is not a prediction of an individual cat's tolerance.

  Sources: 21 CFR 172.695: Xanthan gum

• Yucca schidigera extract additive

  An extract made from the named yucca plant.

  No odor-control or medical benefit is inferred from the ingredient name.

  Sources: CFIA: Yucca-based feed ingredients