What is actually in dog food
Plain explanations of the things you find on a label, from the obvious ones to the ones that sound like chemistry. No opinions about whether an ingredient is good or bad, just what it is and what it does in the bag.
Lamb Stock
The liquid produced by simmering lamb.
Lamb Stock/Broth
The liquid produced by simmering lamb, labeled as either stock or broth.
Lavender Flowers
The dried flower of the lavender plant.
Lecithin
A fatty substance extracted from soybeans or eggs, used as an emulsifier.
Lemon
The fruit of the lemon tree, used in very small quantities.
Lentil Beans
Another name for the dried seed of the lentil plant.
Lentils
The dried edible seed of the lentil plant, used in grain-free recipes as a carbohydrate and plant protein…
Lettuce
The leaf of the lettuce plant.
Licorice Root
The root of the licorice plant.
Lipase
An enzyme that breaks fat into absorbable components.
Liquid Grilled Steak Flavor
A liquid flavoring intended to taste of grilled steak.
Liver
Liver used without the animal being named.
Liver Broth
The liquid produced by simmering liver.
Lobster Broth
The liquid produced by simmering lobster.
Lobster Meal
A concentrated meal rendered from lobster.
Locust Bean
The seed pod of the carob tree.
Locust Bean Gum
A thickener extracted from carob seed.
Lycopene
The red carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes and other red fruit.
Lysine
An essential amino acid that dogs must obtain from food.
Mackerel
The flesh of mackerel, an oily ocean fish.
Mackerel Flakes
Flakes of mackerel flesh.
Mackerel Meal
A concentrated meal rendered from mackerel.
Magnesium Oxide
An inorganic magnesium compound used as a mineral supplement.
Magnesium Proteinate
Magnesium bound to protein to improve absorption.
Magnesium Sulfate
An inorganic magnesium salt used as a mineral supplement.
Malted Barley Extract
A concentrated extract of malted barley.
Malted Barley Flour
Flour milled from germinated and kilned barley.
Manganese Amino Acid Chelate
Manganese bound to amino acids to improve absorption.
Manganese Amino Acid Complex
Manganese complexed with amino acids as a trace mineral supplement.
Manganese Iodate
A compound supplying both manganese and iodine.
Manganese Polysaccharide Complex
Manganese bound to a polysaccharide carrier.
Manganese Proteinate
Manganese bound to protein to improve absorption.
Manganese Sulfate
An inorganic manganese salt used as a trace mineral supplement.
Manganese Sulphate Monohydrate
A hydrated form of manganese sulfate used as a trace mineral supplement.
Manganese Supplement
An added manganese source, without the chemical form being specified.
Manganous Oxide
An inorganic manganese oxide used as a trace mineral supplement.