Dog and Cat Nutrition Glossary
A glossary of 26 ingredients, additives and label components found on dog and cat food packaging, each classified as positive, neutral or a point of concern — these are the terms that feed the IDNM/IPFI technical score of every food.
Artificial colors
Point of concernSynthetic chemical substances added to pet food only to change its color. They have no nutritional value and are meant to appeal to owners, not cats.
Cats do not choose food by color — they rely on smell. Artificial colors are unnecessary additives that can cause allergic reactions. The presence of artificial colors penalizes a food by -10 points on the IPFI.
Beet pulp
NeutralA by-product of the sugar industry, rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. It is the most commonly used fiber source in pet food.
Beet pulp is a moderate fiber source that helps with stool formation and intestinal health in cats. It is a functional ingredient, not a filler.
BHA
Point of concernButylated hydroxyanisole, a synthetic artificial preservative used to keep fats in pet food from oxidizing. It is one of the most controversial preservatives in the pet food industry.
Studies have linked BHA to possible carcinogenic effects in laboratory animals. In the IPFI algorithm, the presence of BHA results in a penalty of -6 points (or -12 if combined with BHT).
BHT
Point of concernButylated hydroxytoluene, a synthetic artificial preservative used to preserve fats and oils in pet food. It often appears alongside BHA.
Like BHA, BHT is associated with long-term health risks. The presence of BHT penalizes a food by -6 points on the IPFI (or -12 if combined with BHA).
Chicken meal
NeutralA processed protein made by grinding chicken parts after cooking and drying. More concentrated in protein than fresh meat, but industrially processed.
It is an acceptable protein source, but processing can reduce the bioavailability of some amino acids. When it appears as the first ingredient instead of fresh meat, the overall quality of the food is somewhat lower.
Chondroitin
PositiveA natural component of cartilage that helps retain water and maintain joint elasticity. It usually appears combined with glucosamine.
Chondroitin helps prevent cartilage breakdown in cats, maintaining mobility and joint comfort. Combined with glucosamine, it earns +2 points on the IPFI.
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
PositiveA long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that is essential for brain and vision development. Usually sourced from fish oil.
DHA is fundamental for neurological development in kittens and for maintaining cognitive health in adult and senior cats. Declaring EPA/DHA earns +4 points on the IPFI.
Dried yeast
PositiveDehydrated yeast (usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae), used as a source of B-complex vitamins, minerals and natural prebiotics (MOS).
Dried yeast improves the palatability of the food and provides nutrients such as B vitamins and MOS, which benefit the cat's intestinal health and immune system.
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
PositiveA long-chain omega-3 fatty acid, usually sourced from fish oil. It acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.
EPA helps reduce inflammation, improves skin and coat health in cats, and supports kidney function. Declaring EPA/DHA earns +4 points on the IPFI.
Feeding trials
PositiveFeeding tests conducted with real cats over controlled periods, following AAFCO protocols. They verify whether the food actually nourishes the animal in practice.
Feeding trials are the most reliable way to validate a food, because they test it on real cats. Gold Evidence earns +15 points, Silver +8 points and Bronze +4 points on the IPFI.
Fish oil
PositiveA concentrated source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), extracted from fish such as salmon, sardines and anchovies.
Fish oil is the best source of EPA/DHA for cats, supporting skin health, a shiny coat, cognitive function and inflammation control.
FOS (fructooligosaccharides)
PositivePrebiotic fibers that feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut. They occur naturally in some fruits and vegetables.
FOS stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the cat's gut, improving digestion and nutrient absorption. The presence of prebiotics earns +3 points on the IPFI.
Fresh meat / Fresh chicken
PositiveRaw meat or chicken that has not been heat-processed before being added to the food. It has a high moisture content and better preserves amino acids.
Fresh meat as the first ingredient indicates a higher-quality food, with protein that is more bioavailable to the cat. Foods with fresh meat as the main ingredient receive +15 points on the IPFI.
Glucosamine
PositiveA natural substance found in cartilage. When supplemented, it helps maintain and repair joints.
Glucosamine protects the cat's joints and is especially beneficial for senior or overweight cats. The presence of glucosamine and chondroitin earns +2 points on the IPFI.
GMO ingredients
Point of concernGenetically modified ingredients (GMOs), such as genetically engineered corn and soy. They are widely used in the animal feed industry.
Although there is no scientific consensus on direct risks, the presence of GMO ingredients indicates less control over ingredient quality. The presence of GMO ingredients penalizes a food by -5 points on the IPFI.
Grain-free
PositiveFoods formulated without grains such as corn, wheat, rice or oats. They replace grain carbohydrates with sources such as sweet potato, peas or chickpeas.
Cats are obligate carnivores and have no nutritional requirement for grains. Grain-free foods tend to have a lower carbohydrate content, which aligns better with the natural feline diet.
Ingredient splitting (grains)
Point of concernThe practice of breaking a single grain into sub-ingredients on the ingredient list (e.g., "whole grain corn", "corn bran", "corn gluten meal"). This makes each fraction look smaller on its own.
Splitting masks the real amount of grain in the food. Added together, the corn sub-ingredients could be the first ingredient. This practice penalizes a food by -9 points on the IPFI.
Inulin
PositiveA soluble prebiotic fiber extracted from chicory root. It feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut, much like FOS.
Inulin improves the cat's digestive health by stimulating the growth of good bacteria such as Bifidobacterium. Foods with prebiotics (including inulin) receive +3 points on the IPFI.
L-Carnitine
PositiveAn amino acid that helps transport fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are converted into energy. It supports fat metabolism.
L-Carnitine is especially important for spayed and neutered cats, which tend to gain weight. It helps keep the metabolism active and prevent feline obesity.
MOS (mannan-oligosaccharides)
PositivePrebiotics derived from the cell wall of yeast. They help block pathogenic bacteria from attaching to the intestinal lining.
MOS strengthen the cat's intestinal barrier and support the immune system, helping prevent gastrointestinal infections. The presence of prebiotics earns +3 points on the IPFI.
Natural preservatives
PositiveSubstances of natural origin used to preserve pet food, such as mixed tocopherols (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and rosemary extract.
Natural preservatives protect the food from oxidation without the risks associated with BHA/BHT. Using natural preservatives exclusively earns +8 points on the IPFI.
Poultry by-product meal
NeutralA rendered by-product made by grinding poultry internal organs (liver, heart, gizzard, etc.) after cooking and drying. It is a concentrated source of protein.
Although it is a reasonable protein source, it is a lower-quality ingredient than fresh meat. When it appears as the first ingredient on the list, it indicates the food does not use high-quality protein as its main base.
Probiotics
PositiveBeneficial live microorganisms (such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) added to pet food to colonize the gut and improve the intestinal flora.
Probiotics improve digestion, strengthen the immune system and help prevent diarrhea in cats. The presence of probiotics earns +2 points on the IPFI.
Soy protein isolate
NeutralA plant-based protein source obtained through industrial extraction processes from soybeans. It has a high protein content, but of non-animal origin.
Cats are obligate carnivores and make better use of animal protein. Soy protein can inflate the crude protein content of a food without providing the ideal amino acid profile for felines.
Taurine
PositiveAn essential amino acid for cats that the feline body cannot produce in sufficient quantities. It must be supplemented in the diet.
Taurine deficiency in cats can cause dilated cardiomyopathy (a serious heart disease) and retinal degeneration, leading to blindness. Foods that declare taurine receive +4 points on the IPFI.
Unnamed protein
Point of concernA protein ingredient listed generically on the package, without naming the animal species it comes from (e.g., "meat meal" without saying which animal).
Unnamed proteins make quality control harder and can be a problem for cats with food allergies. The presence of an unnamed protein penalizes a food by -8 points on the IPFI.