Red Bandanna Ingredient Definitions

An educated consumer is our best customer. If you are looking at the list of ingredients, you care about what is going into your dog or cat’s body. Red Bandanna Pet Food suggests you compare our labels with the brand of food you are feeding your pet now. In the majority of cases, you will find by-products as one of the primary ingredients and chemical preservatives such as, BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and propyl gallate in the other major brands of pet food. Many feline formulas will not have the added taurine, essential to keeping your cat’s eyes and heart healthy. The ash and magnesium content of most brands of cat food is higher than the brands sold at Red Bandanna Pet Food (higher ash and magnesium contribute to Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorder and “crystals”).

Do not hesitate to contact us with questions concerning ingredients in our pet food or the ingredients in a competitor’s pet food. We are proud to put only the finest ingredients in our food and are happy to help you in any way we can.

Amylase	Enzyme which breaks down carbohydrates
Ammoniated Glycyrrhizin	A sweetener-considered a potent drug-further study for safety
Ascorbic Acid	A crystalline Vitamin C found in citrus, fresh fruits, tomatoes, potatoes and green leafy vegetables
Alfalfa	Alfalfa products supply protein, calcium, carotene, water-soluble vitamins, alpha tocopherols (Vitamin E), and Vitamin D.
Amino Acids	Component part of all protein
Aspergillus Niger	Enzymes
Bacillus Subtilles & Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation	Friendly bacteria, applied after cooking and fat application to ensure the bacteria is not destroyed because of the heating process
Bacillus Subtilus	Enzymes
Beet Pulp	Best source of fiber – helps develop good fecal consistency; acts as a calming base for forming the stool in the colon. Made by drying residual beet chips after sugar extraction
BHA – Butylated Hydroxyanisole	Poorly tested chemical preservative implicated as a cause of cancer, especially stomach cancer.
BHT – Butylated Hydroxytolune	Poorly tested chemical preservative implicated as a cause of liver damage, metabolic stress, fetal abnormalities and serum cholesterol increase
Biotin	Part of B-Complex vitamins. An important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and protein.
D-Biotin Supplement	B-complex vitamins
Blood Meal	Cheap ingredient made from dried blood
Breakfast By-Products	A by-product left after the manufactureof dry breakfast foods.
Bromelain	Enzymes from pineapple plant.
By-Products	Products not fit for human consumption from any source. Includes feathers, hides, bones, intestines, heads and feet of slaughtered animals
Calcium	Mineral for bones, teeth and muscles
Calcium Pantothenate	Source of vitamin B5
Whole Chicken	Fresh, whole chicken without any by-products, feet, heads, feathers or intestines. Excellent source of amino acids, fatty acids and Biotin
Chicken Meal	Moist-cooked fresh chicken meat without by-products, feet heads, feathers or intestines that is fine ground into a meal
Chicken Fat	An excellent source of palatability, essential fatty acids and energy
Choline	For growth and maintenance
Choline Chloride	Mineral
Citrus By-Products	Residue of citrus pulp and seed products result from production of citrus juices
Cobalt Proteinate	Chelate of Cobalt (Cobalt wrapped in an easy-to-digest protein (kelp) for better absorption)
Cod – Liver Oil	Excellent source of unsaturated fatty acids and Vitamin A. Important for cats.
Copper	A small amount of copper improves utiliaztion of iron.
Copper Sulfate	Source of copper
Copper Proteinate	Chelate of Copper
Cottage Cheese & Whole Egg	High quality protein; including tryptophan, calcium, and lecithin from the egg yolk
DL – Methionine	Amino Acid Group
Enzymes	Enzymes are catalysts – required by all food for enzymatic action to be digested. Plant enzymes can be taken with food to aid in digestion. Enzymes are a food that is natural to the body.
Ethoxyquin	Chemical Preservative. Developed for the production of of rubber and used as a pesticide. Most suspect of causing severe health problems in dogs. (Lisa Newman describes EQ as very similar to Agent Orange, and notes " the documented cases of serious side-effects, resulting from exposure to or ingestion of this chemical. Humans who were working with it in the rubber industry, reported a dramatic rise in such diseases as liver/kidney damage, cancerous skin lesions, loss of hair, blindness, leukemia, fetal abnormalities and chronic diarrhea. In animals it has been linked to immune deficiency syndrome, spleen, stomach and liver cancer, as well as the above mentioned diseases. The steady increase in animal cancer and serious diseases has paralleled the increased use of chemical preservatives in the pet food industry during the last twenty-five years." (1))
Fat	For energy, skin and coat. Essential to dogs and cats in correct quantities
Ferrous Sulfate	Source of Iron
FISH:
Fish Meal	Ground white fish, Sardines and anchovies. Excellent source of methionine, selenium, and lysine
Flax Seed	High proportion base of unsaturated essential fatty acids. Aids in the baking process
Folic Acid	For blood, reproduction and normal metabolic maintenance. Vitamin B –complex
Food Coloring	Red, Yellow and Blue. Dyes banned from human food. Added to please the human eye since pets don'’ see color.
Garlic	Helps tone digestive tract and discourage worms and other parasites, including fleas
Grapeseed Oil	Rich in vitamin E and is loaded with omega 6 (linoleic) fatty acids which is excellent for the skin and coat. Contains nearly 76% essential omega 6 and 3 is highly stable.
Iodine	For prevention of goiter. Has profound effect on growth and development. The Thyroid gland stores and uses iodine.
Iron	For healthy blood. More important for dogs as cats eat more meat. A deficienly of iron causes nutritional anemia.
Iron Proteinate	Chelate of iron
Kelp	Dried Kelp: Seaweed – source of iodine as well as an easy to digest protein wrapping for chelated minerals
L –Lysine	Essential amino acid
Lecithin	Phosphorized fat from plants/animals. Important for body tissue and cells. Protects cell membrane from damage caused by oxidation. Largely composed of the B vitamin choline. As an emulsifier, it provides an excellent addition to the diet facilitating fat soluble vitamin absorption.
Linoleic Acid	For skin and coat (studies have shown linoleic acid to be a natural anticarcinogen in mice and rats. Further study needed for other animals and humans)
Lipase	Enzyme, aids in proper fat absorption – important for healthy skin and coat.
Magnesium	Mineral needed for healthy muscles, blood and bones
Manganese Proteinate	Chelate of Manganese
Manganous Oxide	Source of Magnesium
Meat	Clean, wholesome flesh of slaughtered animals
Meat By-Products	Products not fit for human consumption, from any meat source.
Monosodium Phosphaic	Sodium
Niacin	Water-soluble Vitamin B3. Helps to maintain normal function of skin, nerves, digestive system.
Oats	Toasted oats are highly nutritious, have natural palatability enhancements and combined with whole oat flour, provide extraordinary grain based nutrition. An excellent source of protein without the allergy causing glutens found in wheat and other grains. Rich soluble fiber for better health.
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)	For appetite, normal growth and development, and digestion
Papain & Alphy Amylase Enzymes	Enzymes added to facilitate digestion and absorption of protein and carbohydrates. Amylase activity is derived from aspergillus niger, a microorganism in the mod genera fmaily, which produces an enzyme that helps to break down starches into simple sugars for energy and metabolism.
Papain	Vegetable enzyme, used as a difestive aid (from Papaya)
Potassium	Mineral vital in proper muscle functioning and growth
Potassium Chloride	A source of Potassium
Potassium Sorbate	A chemical preservative
Potatoes	Rich in potassium, lysine and other minerals. An excellent carbohydrate source (energy)
Poultry By-Products	Products not fit for human consumption from any source of poultry. Includes feathers, intestines, heads and feet.
Poultry Fat	(Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Ascorbic Acid)
Probiotics	Used to facilitate good health and wellness. They inhibit unfriendly bacteria proliferation, help nutrient absorption and facilitate digestion.
Protein	For Growth and Maintenance. Most important is the type of protein in the food, not the quantity. The “Crude Protein” lists the amount of protein in the not, not the amount that can be digested.
Propyl Gallate	Chemical preservative, suspected of causing liver damage.
Propylene Glycol	Chemical preservative known to cause illness in dogs (additive found in anti-freeze)
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)	Promotes normal red-blood-cell formation. Maintains chemical balance among body fluids. Regulates excretion of water. Helps in energy production and resistance to stress. Acts as co-enzyme in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride	Source of Vitamin B6
Quinoa	A highly nutritious, gluten free, grain (vegetable) from South America. A high Andes grain that is 100% organically grown, rich in amino acids and is an excellent energy source.
Riboflavin (B2)	Mineral necessary for red blood cell formation, antibody protection, cell respiration, and growth. It alleviates eye fatigue
Rice:	Excellent carbohydrate source
Ground Rice	Product obtained by coarse grinding the whole grain rice
Rice Bran	The bran or internal germ of the rice
Rice Flour	Product obtained by fine grinding the whole grain rice
Rosemary Extract	Concentrated with rich, naturally occurring phenolic compounds that provide excellent anti-oxidant activity to protect the fats – preventing harmful peroxide and free radical formulation that reduces the nutrient quality
Safflower Oil	Highly unsaturated oil extracted from safflower seeds – excellent for the skin and coat
Sage Extract	Concentrated with rich, naturally occurring phenolic compounds that provide excellent anti-oxidant activity to protect the fats – preventing harmful peroxide and free radical formulation that reduces the nutrient quality
Screenings	Foreign material obtained in the process of cleaning grains and seeds
Sodium Chloride	“Salt” Maintains normal body functions (digestion, pH, ability of muscles to contract), healthy skin and coat
Sodium Selenite	Source of Selenium, one of the 7 trace minerals considered essential in a pet’s diet. Selenium acts to naturally “detox” an animal’s cells
Soybean Oil	Oil extracted from the soybean. Source of protein, a glyceride ester of 90% fatty acids. Good for the skin and coat
Sucrose	Simple Table Sugar
Taurine	Essential Amino Acid in a cat’s diet. Helps prevent blindness, helps prevent heat problems
Thiamin (Vitamin B1)	For appetite, growth, and muscles
Thiamine Mononitrate	Source of Vitamin B1
Tocopherols	Closely related Vitamin E fat soluble compounds in vegetables. Antioxidant and natural preservative
DL-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate	Source of Vitamin E
Tomato Flakes and Pomace	Excellent source of protein, vitamins (especially A&C), minerals and fiber. Aids in digestion
Vegetables:	Rich in bioflavinoids (Vitamin P). Helps with Vitamin C absorption and are natural antioxidants
Dehydrated and Freeze Dried Vegetables	Carrot flakes, peas, tomato flakes, celery, garlic granules, spinach, parsley flakes, and green bell peppers
Viscera	All the organs in the great body cavity, including the intestines
Vitamins:
Vitamin A Supplement	For eyes, appetite and growth
Vitamin B-12 Supplement	For growth and blood
Vitamin D-3 Supplement	For bones and teeth – responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestines and subsequent deposition as bone
Vitamin E	An antioxidant helps preserve and protect the Vitamin A and other fatty acids. Needed for reproduction, fights disease and minimizes the effects of pollution
Wheat:
Ground Whole Wheat	Course ground whole-wheat grain
Whole Wheat flour	Very fine ground whole-wheat grain
Wheat Germ Meal	Ground wheat
Whey	Dried Whey (dried milk)
Yeast	High protein. Natural source for biotin and folic acid
Brewer’s Dried Yeast	High protein. Natural source for biotin and folic acid
Yucca Schidigera Extract	Reacts with the urease enzyme activity to reduce amonia production in urine and feces. Significantly reduces the odor. Yucca extract is derived from the yucca plant, pulp, and juices
Zinc	Important for growth and immune system function
Zinc Oxide	Source of zinc

1. Animal Protection Institute of America
P.O. Box 22505, Sacramento, CA 95822 2831

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