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.
Mannan Oligosaccharides
Complex sugars from yeast cell walls, used as a prebiotic.
Marigold
The flower of the marigold plant, a natural source of lutein.
Marigold Extract
A concentrated extract of marigold flower.
Marigold Flowers
The flower of the marigold plant.
Meat and Bone Meal
A rendered product made from mammal tissue including bone, without specifying the animal.
Meat Broth
Broth from simmering meat, without the animal being named.
Meat By-Products
The parts of a mammal left after the flesh is removed, without the animal being named.
Meat Meal
A rendered product made from mammal tissue, without the species being named.
Meat Protein Isolate
A concentrated protein separated from meat tissue, with fat and moisture removed.
Medium-Chain Triglyceride Vegetable Oil
A plant oil composed mainly of medium chain fats.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
A stable added source of vitamin K activity.
Menhaden Fish Meal
A concentrated meal rendered from menhaden, a small oily fish caught specifically for oil and meal.
Menhaden Fish Oil
Oil extracted from menhaden, a small oily fish caught for oil and meal.
Methionine
An essential sulfur-containing amino acid.
Millet
The small round seed of the millet plant, a gluten-free cereal.
Minnesota Wild Rice
Wild rice harvested in Minnesota. Botanically a grass seed rather than true rice.
Mint
The leaf of the mint plant.
Mixed Tocopherols
A blend of the naturally occurring forms of vitamin E, used to keep fats from turning rancid.
Mixed Tocopherols with Citric Acid
Natural vitamin E forms combined with citric acid as a preservative system.
Modified Starch
Starch treated to change how it thickens and holds together.
Modified Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch treated to improve its thickening behavior.
Molasses
The thick syrup left after sugar is refined from cane or beet.
Monkfish
A lean deep-water fish used as a protein source.
Mono Oligosaccharides
Short chains of sugars that resist digestion, used as a prebiotic.
Monocalcium Phosphate
A calcium and phosphorus compound used as a mineral supplement.
Monosodium Phosphate
A sodium phosphate salt used as a mineral source and buffer.
Monosodium Sulfate
A sodium sulfate salt used as a processing aid and sulfur source.
Monterey Jack Cheese
A mild cow's milk cheese, used in small amounts for flavor.
Montmorillonite Clay
A natural clay used as an anti-caking agent and binder.
Mung Bean
The dried seed of the mung bean.
Mustard Greens
The leaf of the mustard plant.
Natural Beef Burgundy Flavor
A flavoring intended to taste of beef burgundy.
Natural Beef Tenderloin Flavor
A flavoring intended to taste of beef tenderloin.
Natural Caramel Color
A brown coloring made by heating sugar.
Natural Celery Flavor
A flavoring derived from celery.
Natural Chicken & Pork Flavor
A flavoring derived from chicken and pork.