- Chicken (50 g)
Chicken is the clean combination of flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken - exclusive of feathers heads feet and entrails. Chicken is an excellent source of protein.
The chicken Natura uses is not only human-grade but also tested to be free of hormones antibiotics and pesticides as well as chemical preservatives such as BHA BHT and ethoxyquin. Natura does not add these harmful ingredients and they are not present in the ingredients we use. This is an important distinction because manufacturers are not required to list substances that are present in the ingredients when they go into the pet food.
- Chicken Broth (49 g)
Chicken broth is obtained by cooking chicken including bones and/or muscle much the same process as making a stock. There is currently no specific definition by AAFCO for chicken broth. Because Natura uses such high quality chicken this is a high-quality source of fat and protein. Chicken broth adds moisture while enhancing the protein level and palatability of the food rather than diluting them.
- Whole Eggs (48 g)
Whole eggs are the whole of the reproductive body produced by hens with the shell removed. Eggs are an excellent source of protein with naturally occurring complex combinations of amino acids. Natura uses only USDA table-quality whole eggs in our formulas.
- Brown Rice (47 g)
Rice, unless listed as brown rice, is the de-hulled rice kernel, without the bran -- known as white rice.
Rice, in its whole form, is a high quality source of carbohydrates, protein and fiber. This is in contrast to fractionated grain ingredients used by some manufacturers such as rice polishings, rice bran, or brewers rice which have been leeched of much of their nutrient value.
Natura uses whole rice, which is the most easily digested grain and the least likely to cause allergic reactions. It is an antidiarrheal and helps lower cholesterol. Natura also uses brown rice, which is the same plant with the bran intact.
- Herring (46 g)
Herring is the clean tissue of undecomposed whole herring or herring cuttings either or both with or without the extraction of part of the oils. Herring is an excellent single-source protein. It is also an excellent source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Natura uses whole table quality herring which are ground and added to the ingredient mix.
- Natural Flavors (45 g)
Natural flavors are minimally processed flavor ingredients that do not contain synthetic or artificial components. In the Natura products that include "natural flavor" in the formula the exact composition is proprietary. However it is always made from the same animal species on which the formula is based. For example the "natural flavor" used in the original EVO formula contains a reduction of chicken meat - much the same process as is employed to create a chicken stock in your home kitchen.
- Ground Flax (44 g)
Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. Flax has been around since about 5000 BC. Almost every part of the flax plant has been used for food medicine and industry. Flax is grown both for seed and for fibre. Flaxseed is relatively high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Carrageenan (43 g)
Carrageenan is a red seaweed extract used as a food stabilizer and thickener.
The particular type of seaweed that Carrageenan comes from is common in the Atlantic Ocean near Britain, Europe and North America. The seaweed is boiled to extract the carrageenan. It is a natural ingredient which Natura uses in the thickening and stabalizing of our canned foods.
- Guar Gum (42 g)
Guar gum is derived from the ground endosperm of the guar plant. It is a gelatinous substance from the legume family that contains protein and polysaccharides. There is currently no official AAFCO definition for guar gum but is considered GRAS (generally recognized as safe). Guar gum is used as an emulsifier thickener and stabilizer in foods. Several studies have found significant decreases in cholesterol levels after administration of guar gum in humans. These decreases are thought to be a function of the high soluble fiber content of guar. Guar gum is highly digestible and has a low caloric content.
- Minerals (41 g)
Minerals are inorganic substances essential for a host of vital processes within the body. AAFCO regulates minimum standard quantities of minerals in levels that pets need to survive. All pet food manufacturers supplement their products with minerals. Beyond meeting these minimum requirements all Natura products contain a complete vitamin and mineral supplement program that helps pets to thrive not just survive. The minerals Natura uses are chelated providing three to ten times greater assimilation than common minerals.
Included in our foods are some of the following vitamins and minerals: Ascorbic Acid Beta Carotene Biotin Calcium Carbonate Calcium Iodate Choline Chloride Cobalt Carbonate Cobalt Proteinate Copper Proteinate d-Calcium Pantothenate Dicalcium Pantothenate dl-Methionine Folic Acid Iron Proteinate Manganese Proteinate Niacin Potassium Chloride Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Riboflavin Thiamine Mononitrate Vitamin A Supplement Vitamin B12 Supplement Vitamin C Supplement (Sodium Ascorbate) Vitamin D3 Supplement Vitamin E Supplement (Alpha Tocopherol) Zinc Proteinate
Natura adds these important vitamins and minerals in proper balance to its foods to ensure that your pet gets all the necessary nutrients for life and good health every day.
- Sodium Phosphate (40 g)
Phosphorus is a naturally occurring substance that is important in every cell in the body. The majority of phosphorus in the body is found in the bones. The potassium and sodium salt forms of phosphorus are called phosphates. Sodium phosphate is used to acidify the urine and lower the urinary calcium concentration. This may reduce rash and odor caused by ammonium in the urine. Sodium phosphate is also used as a phosphorus supplement to prevent and/or treat a phosphorus deficiency.
- Vitamins (39 g)
Vitamins are organic compounds that function as parts of enzyme systems essential for the transmission of energy and the regulation of metabolisms of the body. AAFCO regulates minimum standard quantities of vitamins in levels that pets need to survive. All pet food manufacturers supplement their products with vitamins. Beyond meeting these minimum requirements all Natura products contain a complete vitamin and mineral supplement program that helps pets to thrive not just survive.
Included in our foods are some of the following vitamins and minerals: Ascorbic Acid Beta Carotene Biotin Calcium Carbonate Calcium Iodate Choline Chloride Cobalt Carbonate Cobalt Proteinate Copper Proteinate d-Calcium Pantothenate Dicalcium Pantothenate dl-Methionine Folic Acid Iron Proteinate Manganese Proteinate Niacin Potassium Chloride Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Riboflavin Thiamine Mononitrate Vitamin A Supplement Vitamin B12 Supplement Vitamin C Supplement (Sodium Ascorbate) Vitamin D3 Supplement Vitamin E Supplement (Alpha Tocopherol) Zinc Proteinate
Natura adds these important vitamins and minerals in proper balance to its foods to ensure that your pet gets all the necessary nutrients for life and good health every day.
- Potassium Chloride (38 g)
A chemical compound, KCl, a colorless or white, cubic, crystalline compound that closely resembles common salt (sodium chloride). It is soluble in water, alcohol, and alkalies.
Potassium plays various roles in metabolism and body functions. It assists in the regulation of the acid-base balance and water balance in the blood and the body tissue. It assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism.
- Sunflower Oil (37 g)
Sunflower oil is obtained by extracting oil from sunflower seeds. Sunflower oil has a high concentration of linoleic acid (73%) which is important for good skin and coat health. Natura uses sunflower oil that has been cold-pressed and protected from exposure to heat and light. This very high quality very palatable fat is used in California Natural and Innova formulations.
- Choline Chloride (36 g)
Choline chloride is a member of the B-complex group of water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B-4). It is used as an animal feed additive especially for poultry and swine to increase growth reduce mortality rate increase feed efficiency increase egg production and improve meat quality. It is not a substitute for any other feed supplement and has no direct substitutes itself.
- L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (35 g)
L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate is a more stable form of vitamin C.
- Taurine (34 g)
Taurine is the 11th essential amino acid required by cats. Insufficient levels of taurine can lead to blindness and cardiac problems in cats. Meat is naturally high in taurine so Natura foods contain high levels of this important nutrient. Natural taurine is also added to our cat foods to ensure cats get enough of this essential amino acid.
Cats vs Dogs: While dogs can synthesize taurine in their systems cats cannot and must have additional amounts added to their diet for proper health.
Recent university research has suggested however that like cats some breeds of dogs may benefit from Taurine in the diet. While California Natural has always contained ample Taurine from natural sources such as lamb meal we have decided to supplement Taurine to ensure that all puppies receive full nutritional benefit from our products.
