Quality Ingredients

Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate is a mineral compound used to provide calcium. It must contain a minimum of 38% calcium.

Calcium Iodate

Calcium Iodate is a nutritional source of Iodine. Iodine helps the thyroid function properly and perform a multiple of body functions including metabolism, nerve and muscle function, the growth of skin and hair.

Calcium Pantothenate/Pantothenic Acid /d-Calcium Pantothenate

This water-soluble vitamin required to sustain life is also known as Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid. Pantothenic acid is needed to form coenzyme-A (CoA), and is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. This vitamin is necessary for the conversion of fat and sugar into energy and promotes wound healing and antibody formation. Wellness includes this important vitamin in all of our natural dog and cat foods.

Canola Oil

Canola oil is obtained by extracting the oil from rapeseeds. It cannot contain more than 3% impurities. The oil provides the animal with calories needed for energy and the essential fatty acids alpha-linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid necessary for a healthy coat.

Carrageenan Gum

Carrageenan gum is the extract from the red seaweed found in the North Atlantic coastal regions. It is usually used in canned pet foods to bind water to improve the appearance of the product.

Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of fiber and minerals. Also a good natural source of beta carotene, an antioxidant essential for neutralizing free radicals.

Cassia Gum

Is the purified flour from the endosperm of the seeds of Cassia tora or Cassia obtusofolia. Is the product obtained by mechanical separation of the endosperm from the germ and husk in a heated process, which subsequent purification by sieving, pulverization, extraction, and drying. Cassia gum is suitable for use as a stabilizer (thickening and gelling agent) in canned dog and cat food and shall be permitted in concentration up to 4000 ppm.

Chicken

Chicken is the clean combination of skin and flesh derived from whole chickens. It is an excellent source of high quality protein and fatty acids and is the first ingredient in any of our chicken based diets for cats and dogs.

Chicken Fat

Chicken fat is used to coat our foods after cooking as a highly palatable natural flavor that helps achieve the proper fatty acid profile necessary for healthy skin and coat. It is especially good for cats, because it contains arachidonic acid, a fatty acid they cannot produce on their own.

Chicken Liver

Chicken Liver, as the name implies, is liver specifically from chicken. It is an excellent source of high quality protein and a rich source of Vitamins A, D and virtually all of the B vitamins.

Chicken Meal

As the chicken cooks, all of the fat and water are released, creating a concentrated, highly-digestible protein and fat source.  For our cat foods, we source and select special low-ash chicken meal as to control mineral levels that contribute to proper urinary health.

Chicory Root Extract (Inulin)

Chicory is harvested to extract inulin. Inulin is often known as a “Prebiotic” the counterpart to “Probiotics.” Probiotics are good bacteria that stop the growth of the bad bacteria in the digestive tract. The fiber feeds these probiotics so that they can do their jobs.

Choline Chloride

Is a source of the nutrient Choline. Choline is necessary for a number of important functions including energy metabolism and proper nervous tissue function.

Chondroitin Sulfate

Chondroitin Sulfate is part of a large protein molecule which gives cartilage it elasticity. It is believed to be helpful in maintaining cartilage in the animal.

Copper Proteinate/Copper Sulfate

Two compounds which are used as a source of copper. The copper from copper proteinate is highly available while the copper from copper sulfate is less so. A trace mineral found in all body tissues. It works in respiration, synthesis of hemoglobin and production of collagen. It is also an antioxidant and helps prevent oxidation of fatty acids.

Cranberries

Cranberries are rich in antioxidants.

Cranberry extract powder is the dehydrated form of the cranberry plant and is an excellent source of vitamin C. Dried or dehydrated fruits are nutrient dense and allow us to use more than whole fruits, since they have significantly lower water content than whole/fresh fruits.

Cranberry Fiber

Cranberry fiber is the fibrous pulp that includes the flesh and skin of the cranberry. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and also and excellent stool softener. Cranberries have long been known to aid in urinary tract health and since in a majority of fruits, especially cranberries, the “goodness” is found directly in the skin and pulp.

DHA

Docosahexaenoic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid important for neural development of your mammals. DHA is a major structural component of the brain as well as the most abundant fatty acids in the brain. It plays a vital role in the development of the central nervous system and retinal function.

Dicalcium Phosphate

A mineral supplement which contains 20% calcium and 18% phosphorus. The phosphorus is essentially 100% available.

Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product 

A digestive enzyme that helps supports breakdown of protein, fat and carbohydrates and are included at guaranteed level.

Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product

Live, naturally occurring microorganisms (micro-flora) normally found in a healthy digestive tract. Active probiotics like bacillus microorganisms optimize digestion & absorption of vital nutrients. Probiotics are guaranteed to be live & active in all dry recipes.

Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product

Live, naturally occurring microorganisms (micro-flora) normally found in a healthy digestive tract. Active probiotics like bacillus microorganisms optimize digestion & absorption of vital nutrients. Probiotics are guaranteed to be live & active in all dry recipes.

Dried Rhizopus oryzae Fermentation Product 

A digestive enzyme that helps supports breakdown of protein, fat and carbohydrates and are included at guaranteed level.

Dried Trichoderma reesei Fermentation Product

A digestive enzyme that helps supports breakdown of protein, fat and carbohydrates and are included at guaranteed level.

Dried Egg Product

Dried, whole, cooked eggs (minus shells) are often added to pet foods to increase the protein biological value.   Raw egg whites contain avidin which binds to biotin (B Vitamin) to make it unavailable to the pet. Therefore, it is not recommended to feed pets raw eggs.

Dried Kelp

Dried Kelp is the dried product from two families of seaweed. It is an excellent natural source of iodine and also provides beneficial fiber.

Duck

Duck is the clean combination of skin and flesh without bone derived from the parts or whole carcasses of ducks. It is an excellent source of high quality protein and fatty acids.

Enterococcus faecium

See Live Micro-organism

Ferrous Proteinate

Mineral compound used as a source of chelated iron. The iron from ferrous proteinate is highly available while the iron from ferrous sulfate is less so. Of note is the fact that iron from iron oxide is not available but is often found in some pet foods as a coloring agent.

Ferrous Sulfate

Mineral compound used as a source of iron. It provides oxygen to blood and helps with the digestion of fatty acids.

Flaxseed

Also known as linseeds, flaxseeds are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds are high in fiber that adds bulk to the diet. Omega-3 fats in flaxseed also improve the shine of the pet’s coat. It also aids in the movement of food through the digestive system.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is another B-vitamin that is added to most pet foods. It helps form red blood cells and break down amino acids.

Garlic Powder

Garlic is valued for its anti-oxidant properties, as well as its enjoyable flavor.

Glucosamine Hydrochloride

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that plays a role in cartilage formation and repair. It is extracted from shellfish (shrimp and crabs) and is believed to be useful in helping maintain healthy joints.

Ground Rice

See Rice.

Guar Gum

Guar gum is the extract of Cyamopsis tetragonolobus, a legume grown primarily in India and Texas. It is usually used in canned pet foods to bind water to improve the appearance of the product. It can be used in foods for diabetic pets since it also slows the absorption of glucose.

Herring

Herring is the clean tissue of undecomposed whole herring or herring parts. It is a source of protein and long chain Omega 3 fatty acids which are critical for healthy skin and coat, proper body function and enhanced learning of young puppies.

Herring Meal

Herring meal is the clean, dried and ground tissue of undecomposed whole herring with or without the extraction of part of the oil. It must not contain more than 10% moisture. It is an excellent source of high quality protein, calcium, phosphorus and long chain Omega 3 fatty acids which are critical for healthy skin and coat, proper body function and promote brain development in young puppies.

Hydrolyzed Yeast

A protein source rich in amino acids and B vitamins that has an added benefit of naturally enhancing the palatability of a recipe to ensure every pet eats the complete diet he or she needs.

Iron Proteinate

Mineral compound used as a source of chelated iron. The iron from iron proteinate is highly available and it provides oxygen to the blood and helps digestion of fatty acids.

Lactobacillus acidophilus

See Live Micro-organism.

Lactobacillus casei

See Live Micro-organism.

Lactobacillus plantarum

See Live Micro-organism.

Lamb

The clean flesh derived from lambs and is limited to that part of the striated muscle which is skeletal or that which is found in the tongue, or heart, with or without the accompanying and overlying fat and the portions of the skin, sinew, nerve, and blood vessels which normally accompany the flesh. An excellent source of protein.

Lamb Meal

Lamb Meal offers a novel single source animal protein alternative with the water removed, has a lower incidence of allergic response.

L-Carnitine

Carnitine or L-Carnitine is a vitamin like compound made in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine. It is found in animal-based, not plant based, sources of protein. L-carnitine has been used to help with fat metabolism and recent scientific studies suggest that it helps reduce weight in overweight dogs and cats.

Live Micro-organisms

Natural micro-flora (friendly bacteria) that may help improve intestinal microbial balance. Helps the digestion process, thus providing more efficient utilization of food.

Manganese Proteinate/ Manganese Sulfate

Two compounds which are used as a source of manganese. The manganese from manganese proteinate is a chelated source of manganese and is an antioxidant. It activates many enzymes and helps utilize fatty acids. The manganese from manganese sulfate is less available.

Menhaden Fish Meal

Menhaden fish meal is the clean, dried and ground tissue of undecomposed whole menhaden with or without the extraction of part of the oil. It must not contain more than 10% moisture. It is an excellent source of high quality protein, calcium, phosphorus and long chain Omega 3 fatty acids which are critical for healthy skin and coat, proper body function and promote brain development in young puppies.

Mixed Tocopherols

This a mixture of differing forms of Vitamin E most often used as a preservative or antioxidant to stabilize fats to prevent them from becoming rancid. Their stabilizing effect depends on the type of fat used.

Natural Chicken Flavor

Natural Chicken Flavor is a chicken based, natural flavor that is a blend of amino acids and minerals that are highly palatable for both dogs and cats.

Natural Flavor

Natural Flavor is a blend of non-animal, based natural flavor that is a blend of amino acids and minerals that are highly palatable for both dogs and cats.

Natural Fish Flavor

Natural Fish Flavor is a fish based, natural flavor that is a blend of amino acids and minerals that are highly palatable for both dogs and cats.

Niacin

While the B vitamin Niacin is present at high levels in most grains, unless properly treated, most of the niacin in these ingredients is in a bound form and hence unavailable to the pet. For this reason most manufacturers supplement their diets with niacin. It helps process protein, carbohydrates and fat as well as promotes healthy nervous and brain function.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is obtained in the manufacture of rolled oat groats or rolled oats and consists of broken oat groats, oat groat chips and floury portions of the oat groats with only such quantity of finely ground oat hulls as is unavoidable in the usual process of commercial milling. It must not contain more than 4% crude fiber. Oatmeal is an excellent source of highly digestible carbohydrates, protein and nutritional fiber.

Oat Fiber

Oat fiber is a purified form of fiber extracted from oat hulls. It is an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Oat Groats

Oat groats is the husked oat kernel and as a high-quality whole grain, oat groats provide a highly digestible carbohydrate for a pet’s daily energy needs, added dietary fiber for digestive health and rich sources of B vitamins.

Omega Fatty Acids

Defined as polyunsaturated fatty acids which have a double carbon bond in the third (O-3’s) or sixth (O-6’s) from last terminating carbon in the fatty acid. Common Omega fatty acids include Linoleic, alpha Linoleic, EPA and DHA.

Pears

Pears are an excellent source of pectin and water-soluble fiber. 

Peas

Peas are an excellent source of protein and fiber. They are a great representative of the “Green” vegetable group.

Potassium Chloride

A potassium supplement typically found in pet food. It contains 40% potassium and 60% chloride. It is important in helping the pet maintain proper acid-base balance.

Potatoes

Potatoes are whole, freshly cooked potatoes that include the skins. Potatoes provide B vitamins, carbohydrates, zinc, vitamin C, copper, iron, magnesium, niacin and potassium.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are usually composed of chicory root extract, of which the primary compound is inulin. Inulin serves as a food source for the probiotics (see below).

Probiotics

See Live Micro-organisms

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Pyridoxine hydrochloride is the most common form used when supplementing pet foods with the B-vitamin pyridoxine. Pyridoxine is very important in helping the pet metabolize protein.

Quinoa

A complex carbohydrates with included fiber, essential amino, fatty acids and numerous vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, zinc and phosphorus.

Riboflavin

Riboflavin is used to supply the diet with a B-complex vitamin. It helps promote growth and helps assimilation of carbohydrates and amino acids.

Rice/Ground Rice

Unless listed as brown rice, rice is the de-hulled rice kernel, without the bran. Rice is the preferred grain for feline diets as it is low in minerals, specifically magnesium. Controlling the mineral content of a diet is especially important for cats prone to urinary tract disease. Wellness uses some whole rice and some ground rice in the dietary solutions recipes.

Rosemary Extract

Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis) is a highly effective natural preservative high in antioxidants.

Salmon

Salmon is the clean tissue of un-decomposed whole salmon or salmon cuttings. It is an excellent source of high quality protein, calcium, phosphorous and long chain Omega 3 fatty acids, which are critical for healthy skin, coat and proper body function.

Salmon Meal

Salmon is cooked down, creating a concentrated, highly digestible protein and fat source known as salmon meal. It is an excellent source of high quality protein, calcium, phosphorous and long chain Omega 3 fatty acids, which are critical for healthy skin, coat and proper body function as well as promotes brain development of kittens and puppies.

Salmon Oil

Salmon oil is high in Omega 3 fatty acid, specifically EPA and DHA.

Salt/Sodium Chloride

A sodium and chloride supplement typically found in pet food. It contains 39% sodium and 61% chloride. It is important in helping the pet maintain proper fluid balance.

Sodium Selenite

A source of the trace mineral selenium. Since animals require only about 0.1 parts per million of selenium, sodium selenite does not contribute any significant amounts of sodium. This helps to regulate the body’s water balance.

Spinach

Spinach is exceptionally rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lutein, and also contains quercetin, a phytochemical with antioxidant properties. Spinach is also a good source of magnesium and manganese.

Squash

Originally native to North America squash were used as food in Mexico as early as 5,000 BC. The colonists of New England adopted the name squash, a word derived from several Native American words for the vegetable. Squash or zucchini is an excellent source of beta carotene, vitamin C and potassium.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is obtained by extracting the oil from sunflower seeds. It cannot contain by definition more than 3% impurities. The oil provides the animal with calories needed for energy and the essential fatty acid alpha-linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) essential for a shiny coat and healthy skin.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes are excellent source of complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and Beta Carotene. The starch in sweet potatoes converts to sugar easily and provides quick energy. Sweet potatoes are not part of the “Night Shade” family.

Taurine

Taurine is a compound similar to amino acids. It is essential for the proper functioning of the eyes and heart.

Thiamin Mononitrate

Form of thiamin or vitamin B1. Thiamin is easily destroyed by high heat, so most dry foods and all canned foods should be supplemented with additional thiamin.

Tomato Pomace

Tomato Pomace is the mixture of tomato skins, pulp and crushed seeds. It is an excellent source of soluble fiber and rich in the antioxidant lycopene.

Tomatoes

Whole tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and especially rich in the carotenoid lycopene which is an important anti-oxidant.

Turkey

Turkey is the clean combination of skin and flesh without the bone derived from whole turkeys. It is an excellent source of high quality protein and essential fatty acids.

Turkey Meal

As the turkey cooks, all of the fat and water are released, creating a concentrated, highly-digestible protein and fat source. 

Venison

The clean flesh derived from deer and is limited to that part of the striate muscle which is skeletal with or without the accompanying and overlying fat and the portions of the skin, sinew, nerve, and blood vessels which normally accompany the flesh. Venison is an excellent source of protein.

Vitamin A Supplement

This supplement is added to almost all pet foods as a vitamin source. Vitamin A is sometimes labeled as vitamin A-acetate.  It is a fat soluble vitamin, which is required in your pet’s diet.

Vitamin B12 Supplement

Although usually referred to on labels as vitamin B12, this B-vitamin is sometimes called by its chemical name cyanocobalamin. Vitamin B12 is only found in animal based ingredients, and most animals obtain enough vitamin B12 from the microbes in their gut. Animals on antibiotics may require supplemental vitamin B12.

Vitamin C

Also known as Ascorbic Acid or L-Ascorbic Acid.  Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue.  Vitamin C is found in foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes and potatoes.  

Vitamin D3 Supplement

This supplement is added to almost all pet foods as a vitamin source. Vitamin D is sometimes labeled as cholecalciferol.  It is a fat soluble vitamin, which is required in your pet’s diet.

Vitamin E Supplement

This supplement is added to almost all pet foods as a vitamin source. It is sometimes labeled as d-alpha-Tocopherol acetate. It is a fat soluble vitamin, which is required in your pet’s diet.

Whitefish Meal

Whitefish is a concentrated, highly digestible protein and fat source known as whitefish meal. For our cat foods, we source and select special low ash whitefish meal as to control mineral levels that contribute to proper urinary health. It is an excellent source of high quality protein, and long chain Omega 3 fatty acids, which are critical for healthy skin, coat and body function.

Yucca Schidigera Extract

Yucca is a desert plant. It is a natural source of digestive aid. It is also known to reduce fecal odor.

Zinc Proteinate/Zinc Sulfate

Mineral compound used as a source of zinc. Zinc proteinate is highly available (chelated) and is important for proper maintenance of hair, skin, bones, muscles and blood. It also helps with digestion and reproduction.