+Plus Adult Joint Health Formula Dry Dog Food, 31.1-lb bag

1. 1

   chicken

   Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

   protein animal
2. 2

   chicken by-product meal

   Ground organs, bone, and tissue. Nutritionally dense, especially the liver and gizzard fractions. Named species ('chicken') is what matters. Generic 'poultry by-product meal' is the one to worry about.

   protein animal
3. 3

   rice

   Generic rice. Could be white or brown, the label doesn't say. Brown rice would be specified if it were.

   grain
4. 4

   wheat

   Whole wheat. Fine for most dogs, though a portion are sensitive. Not a quality concern, just a fit-for-your-dog question.

   grain
5. 5

   soybean meal

   Concentrated soy protein. Cheap plant protein that pads the label number, common in budget formulas.

   protein plant
6. 6

   whole grain corn

   Whole corn with the kernel intact. Decent fiber and B vitamins, though it can crowd out meat in cheaper recipes.

   grain
7. 7

   corn protein meal

   Concentrated corn protein. Similar in role to corn gluten meal, pads the protein number on the label without matching meat amino acids.

8. 8

   beef fat preserved with mixed tocopherols
9. 9

   oat meal

   Alternate spelling of oatmeal. Gentle whole grain, steady carb energy, soluble fiber.

10. 10

    fish oil

    Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.

    fat
11. 11

    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

    other
12. 12

    glycerin

    Humectant used in soft-moist foods to keep them chewy. Safe in moderation but a signal of a processed semi-moist product.

13. 13

    mono and dicalcium phosphate

    Source of calcium and phosphorus. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

14. 14

    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

    mineral
15. 15

    malted barley extract
16. 16

    calcium carbonate

    Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.

    mineral
17. 17

    potassium citrate

    Source of potassium. Sometimes added in urinary-support formulas to help manage urine pH.

18. 18

    carrots

    Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.

    vegetable
19. 19

    dried peas

    Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

20. 20

    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

    supplement
21. 21

    zinc sulfate

    Inorganic zinc. Effective at AAFCO doses but less well-absorbed than chelated forms like zinc proteinate.

    mineral
22. 22

    ferrous sulfate

    Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.

    mineral
23. 23

    manganese sulfate

    Inorganic manganese. Functional but less well-absorbed than the chelated proteinate form.

    mineral
24. 24

    copper sulfate

    Inorganic copper. Standard, effective at small doses. Premium formulas tend to use copper proteinate instead.

    mineral
25. 25

    calcium iodate

    Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.

    mineral

Showing first 25 of 31. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

23 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.