The following
looks at each ingredient in Pet Chef Express’ Salmon & Potato Premium
Natural Blend Dog Food, by order of concentration, providing a definition
along with its purpose and our commentary.
Ingredient (purpose)
AAFCO
Definition
Comment
Wild Pacific Salmon meal (protein)
Fish Meal definition - The clean,
dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings,
either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil.
It must contain not more than 10% moisture. If it contains more than
3% salt (NaCl), the amount of salt must constitute a part of the
brand name, provided that in no case must the salt content of this
product
exceed 7%.
Salmon Meal is ground salmon. Only Pet Chef Express guarantees the
salmon to be human-grade, non-farmed from Canadian Pacific waters –
(a hot topic of late on the BC coast as wild fish stocks are being
contaminated by farmed Atlantic stock).
This
makes up 25% of the food concentration.
Salmon is an excellent source of protein and Omega 3 essential fatty
acids, which play a vital role in the structures of cell membranes.
Essential fatty acids stimulate growth, benefit skin, fur and
eyesight, and maintain the nervous system in good working order as
well as enhancing learning ability.
Oats (carbohydrate)
No AAFCO definition.
AAFCO has a series
of definitions for Oat products, including oats with the hulls
removed (Oat Groats) and also the hull of oats (Oat Hulls). No
definition of whole oats, which is what Pet Chef uses.
This accounts for
20% of the food concentration.
Oats are a good
source of carbohydrates, rich in B Vitamins, and an excellent source
of fiber.
The oats act as a
natural binding agent, and therefore gluten and artificial binding
agents are not required.
Millet (carbohydrate)
No
AAFCO definition.
Ground millet is a variety of cereal grasses cultivated extensively
in Europe, Africa, India, and Asia.
Millet accounts for 20% of the food concentration.
Although typically used in North America for birdseed, Millet is
very popular for human consumption in other parts of the world.
Known for its easy digestion, millet has almost twice the
nutritional value of rice or wheat and is exceptionally rich in
protein, B vitamins, and iron.
Hulless barley (carbohydrate)
No AAFCO definition.
This is barley with
the hulls removed. Note, AAFCO has a definition for barley hulls.
Barley accounts for
20% of the food concentration.
In addition to being a good carbohydrate source, barley also
provides additional protein, oil, and vitamins and minerals, and
acts as a natural binding agent, similar to oats. Very easily
digested.
Canola oil (fat)
No
AAFCO definition.
Pressing canola seeds produces canola oil.
Canola oil is balanced with Omega 3 and 6 oils, unlike Sunflower
oil, which only contains Omega 6.
Canola oil helps keep skin and fur healthy, along with all the other
benefits of Omega oils.
According to AAFCO
definition, any fish oil can contain cannery refuse; Although Pet
Chef is bound by the AAFCO definition, we use quality oil from wild
Pacific salmon, which is not only highly nutritional but greatly
enhances food palatability.
Whole ground carrot (fruits and
vegetables)
No
AAFCO definition.
Carrots are rich in anti-oxidants.
Whole ground potato (fruits and vegetables)
No AAFCO definition.
Whole ground
potatoes – not just skins as used in lesser pet foods (i.e. “potato
product”) – are rich in B vitamins, zinc, and copper.
Potassium chloride (supplement)
Potassium salt of hydrochloric acid generally expressed as KCI.
Potassium is critical to all forms of life. Sodium and potassium
work together to maintain water balance in the cell tissue, ensuring
the proper heart rate and nerve responsiveness.
Garlic (fruits and vegetables)
No AAFCO definition.
Garlic is the clove
of the garlic plant, highly prized for its antioxidant properties,
as well as its enjoyable flavor. Dogs love garlic, and so this
greatly enhances palatability. This is sprayed on Pet Chef food
after the kibble has been formed, to maintain potency.
Flax (carbohydrate)
No
AAFCO definition.
Flaxseed is the whole seed of the flax plant.
AAFCO only defines Flaxseed Screenings Meal and Flax Plant Product,
which are both of lesser quality.
Flaxseed is a good source of Omega 6 and Omega 3 essential fatty
acids.
Whole Eggs (protein)
No AAFCO definition.
Whole eggs, produced
by chicken hens, with the shells removed provide an excellent source
of protein.
Inulin, from chicory root
(supplement)
The
dried, non-roasted root Cichorium intybus L., intended as a source
of inulin, as soluble, fermentable fiber. It shall contain no less
than 50% inulin and no more than 13% moisture.
Chicory root is a member of the sunflower family that aids in
digestion combating unfriendly bacteria in the digestive tract. It
also aids in calcium absorption and in purifying the liver.
The concentration of
the solubles of mechanically ruptured cells of a selected strain of
yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It may be dried or concentrated. It
must contain not less than 9% crude protein.
Yeast promotes
friendly intestinal bacteria and also impedes the growth of bad
bacteria. This contributes to better intestinal tract health and
improved digestion. Rich in B vitamins, mannon-oligiosaccharieds
work in tandem with Inulin
Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin C (supplement)
Crystalline Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is essential to the health of
teeth, bones and skin as well as aiding in the healing of wounds.
Vitamin A Acetate (supplement)
Vitamin A Acetate
Vitamin A is
essential for proper eyesight and important for maintenance of the
digestive urinary tracts, skin and lungs.
Cholecalciferol ,Vitamin D
(supplement)
Obtained by activation of a sterol fraction of animal origin with
ultra-violet light or other means.
Vitamin D3 is also known as cholecalciferol. Its main function is to
stimulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which aids in
keeping bones and teeth healthy.
dl
Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate, Vitamin E (supplement)
Feeding material
used for its vitamin E activity. It must contain a minimum vitamin E
activity equal to 10,000 International Units of vitamin E per pound.
Vitamin E is also
known as tocopherol, an antioxidant. It protects fat and vitamin A
in the body's tissues from destruction by oxygen fragments called
free radicals, and protects the lungs from pollution.
Ferrous Sulfate (supplement)
Iron
salt of sulfuric acid generally expressed as FeSO4 and
its hydrated forms.
Also
known as Iron, this mineral is considered essential for proper
health. Deficiencies may result in anemia and chronic fatigue.
Zinc Proteinate (supplement)
Metal Proteinate is
the product resulting from the chelation of a soluble salt with
amino acids and/or partially hydrolyzed protein. It must be declared
as an ingredient as the specific metal proteinate.
Chelated for better
absorption, zinc is important to the digestion of protein and
maintenance of normal levels of vitamin A. Zinc also helps combats
kidney disease and high stress levels.
Zinc Oxide (supplement)
Oxide from of zinc generally expressed as ZnO.
Another form of Zinc (see above).
Niacin (supplement)
Crystalline Nicotine
Acid
Also known as
vitamin B3, it helps convert food into energy and is essential for a
healthy nervous system and brain function.
Calcium Pantothenate (supplement)
Crystalline Calcium Pantothenate
Also
known as Vitamin B5, it helps heal wounds and protects against
stress, infection, and pre-mature aging.
Copper Sulfate (supplement)
Copper salt of
sulfuric acid generally expressed as CuSO4, and its
hydrated forms.
Copper helps
regulate metabolism and is necessary for normal absorption and
transport of iron. Copper deficiency results in disorders similar
to that seen with iron deficiency.
Copper Proteinate (supplement)
Metal Proteinate is the product resulting from the chelation of a
soluble salt with amino acids and/or partially hydrolyzed protein.
It must be declared as an ingredient as the specific metal
proteinate.
The
chelated form of Copper (see above) for better absorption.
Manganous Oxide (supplement)
An oxide form of
manganese generally expressed as MnO.
Manganese is
necessary for bone and cartilage development and for reproduction.
Manganese Proteinate (supplement)
Metal Proteinate is the product resulting from the chelation of a
soluble salt with amino acids and/or partially hydrolyzed protein.
It must be declared as an ingredient as the specific metal
proteinate.
The
chelated form of Manganese (see above) for better absorption.
Riboflavin (supplement)
Crystalline
Riboflavin
Also known as B2 –
very important for normal growth and development, the production of
and regulation of certain hormones, and formation of red blood
cells.
Calcium Iodate (supplement)
Calcium salt of iodobehenic acid generally expressed as CA(C21H42ICO2)2
and the monohydrate form.
Calcium Iodate is a source of iodine, which is needed for proper
thyroid functioning, which regulates metabolism and use of oxygen by
cells.
Thiamine Mononitrate (supplement)
Crystalline
Mononitrate of Thiamin
Also known as
Vitamin B1, it is required for normal functioning of all body cells,
especially nerves.
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (supplement)
Crystalline Choloride of Pyridoxine
Also
known as Vitamin B6, it processes carbohydrates and fat. It aids in
the absorption of protein and the production of red blood cells.
Folic Acid (supplement)
Crystalline Folic
Acid
Folic acid is a
Vitamin of the B complex, with its main function being the
maintenance of cells.
Biotin (supplement)
Biotin
Biotin purpose is to metabolize fats, proteins and carbohydrates,
and aid in the transfer of carbon dioxide and assists in various
metabolic chemical conversions.
Sodium Selenite (supplement)
Sodium salt of
selenious acid generally expressed as Na2SeO3
and its hydrated forms.
Sodium Selenite is
involved with iodine metabolism, pancreatic function, DNA repair,
immunity and the detoxification of heavy metals.
Cobalt Carbonate (supplement)
Cobalt salt of hydrochloric acid generally expressed as CoCl2,
and its hydrated forms.
Cobalt promotes normal red blood cells formulation and is helps
produce Vitamin B12.
Menadione Sodium Bisulphite Complex, Vitamin K (supplement)
The addition product
of Menadione and Sodium Bisulfite containing not less than 30% of
menadione.
Vitamin K’s chief
purpose is to prevent blood clots.
Vitamin B12 (supplement)
Feeding material used for its vitamin B12 activity. It
must contain a minimum vitamin B12 activity of 1.5
milligrams per pound.