JustfoodfordogsHealthy Weight Dog Food, Human Grade

A red-meat protein, nutritionally similar to beef and fattier than poultry. The meal form is the concentrated one; fresh pork is mostly water. Pork is less commonly reported as a pet allergen than beef, chicken or lamb, which has made it a useful alternative protein. Pork liver, plasma and fat appear under their own names.

A vegetable that contributes a little fiber and beta-carotene and a lot of label appeal. In dry food it is usually present in small amounts well down the list. It is not an allergen of concern and not a meaningful protein or calorie source. Fine to see; not a reason to choose one food over another.

A small fruit added mostly for its association with urinary health. Cranberry compounds can make it harder for some bacteria to cling to the bladder wall in laboratory studies, but there is no good evidence that the amount in a pet food prevents or treats urinary infections. At label levels, a small amount well down the list, treat it as a minor fruit that adds a little fiber and antioxidants.

A plant source of omega-3 fat (alpha-linolenic acid) and fiber, used in about a third of dog foods for coat and stool quality. Dogs and cats convert plant omega-3 to the useful forms inefficiently, so fish oil does the job better. Flax is not a documented common allergen, though some pets tolerate it poorly, most often as loose stool. Fine in a food; not a reason to prefer it over one using fish oil.