Ingredient Information / Benefits

• Back to Basics "chicken meal", "pork meal", "salmon meal" - Meat proteins listed as "meal" have been ground or otherwise reduced in particle size. Proteins in their "meal" state are equal in nutritional content with whole protein sources; with the added benefit that 75% of the moisture has been removed. Meats in their original, "wet" form still contain up to 75% water. Once food is cooked , the meat will have shrunk to as little as 1/4 of the original amount, while "meals" remain the same and contains more concentrated protein per pound.
• Chicken meal (Included in Chicken variety only) - Back to Basics uses special low-ash chicken meal to control mineral levels that contribute to proper urinary health. Chicken meal is high in many vitamins, minerals and 9 essential amino acids; it is a good source of vitamins; E, and A, magnesium, thiamine, niacin (used for energy metabolism).
• Pork meal (Included in Pork variety only) - Pork "The Other White Meat" is healthier than ever. Pork is a lean source of high quality protein. Pork, at 93.9%, has the highest digestibility of all protein sources (except fish) and is highly palatable. Pork contains Vitamin B-l (Thiamin), B-2, B-12 and the minerals iron and zinc.
• Salmon meal (Included in both Chicken and Pork varieties) - Salmon, a type of fish, is highly palatable and highly digestible. Salmon is low in calories and saturated fat, yet high in protein and a unique type of health-promoting fat; omega-3 essential fatty acids. In addition to being an excellent source of omega-3s, salmon are an excellent source of selenium, niacin and vitamin B12, B6 and D; it is also a good source of phosphorus, magnesium.
• Whole Eggs - Eggs are a high quality source of very digestible protein. Eggs are one of the few foods containing all the essential amino acids. With these, our bodies can make whatever non-essential proteins they need. Eggs are rich in vitamins A, D, E and B and rich in minerals iron, phosphorus and zinc as well as choline.
• Brown rice - Brown rice contains Vitamin E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folacin, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, and over dozen other nutrients (brown rice contains far more of these nutrients than white rice). Brown rice also contains substantially more dietary fiber than white rice (75% more).
• Pearled barley - Pearled Barley is a good source of B vitamins, vitamin E, and folic acid. It is very palatable and is good for animals with diabetes (by improving blood sugar levels); Barley contains both soluble and insoluble types of fiber which help to lower cholesterol and is good for animals that struggle with obesity.
• Oatmeal - Oatmeal is coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is a good source of calcium and fiber... Oatmeal is a good source of carbohydrates for energy. Oatmeal contains essential nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, iron, zinc and protein.
• Chicken fat - Chicken fat is used as a highly palatable natural flavor that helps achieve the proper fatty acid profile necessary for healthy skin and coat. It contains arachidonic acid, a fatty acid animals cannot produce on their own. Chicken Fat which is also a natural source of Vitamin E.
• Tocopherols - Tocopherols are fat soluble antioxidants, consisting of vitamin E. They are used as a natural preservative.
• Oat fiber - Oat fiber is the edible part of the common oat plant (Avena sativa). It is an excellent source of both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber which aids in lowering cholesterol. Oat fiber is added because it has long "strands" of fiber compared to other sources of fiber.
• Alfalfa - Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a flowering plant in the pea family. It is a good source of protein (aids in muscle growth and strengthening), fiber, calcium (aids in healthy bone growth), and iron (it provides oxygen to the blood and helps digestion of fatty acids).
• Tomato pomace - Tomato pomace is the dried mixture of tomato skins, pulp and crushed seeds. It is a good source of B Vitamins and Vitamin A. It is used as a dietary fiber which aids in firmer stools and increases the palatability of pet diets.
• Natural flavor - "Natural flavorings" is what AAFCO calls the palatability enhancer that is applied to the outside of the kibble. It's called natural flavorings, but it is actually made up of dried liver. Some of the foods palatability is lost in the cooking process; adding the natural flavorings helps to add to the foods palatability. The natural flavor Back to Basics uses comes from the same sources as our high quality meat proteins.
• Dried cheese - Cheese provides high levels of protein, contains Vitamin A and is a good source of calcium, Cheese contains a high concentration of essential nutrients: calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and high-quality protein. Dried cheese is fresh cheese with the water removed.
• Calcium carbonate - Calcium carbonate is a dietary supplement used to add calcium to the diet. Calcium is needed by the body for healthy bones, muscles, nervous system, and heart.
• Lecithin - Lecithin protects cells from oxidation. Lecithin is phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid that is part of the cell structure in both animals and plants. Phospholipids are needed by every cell in the body and are key building blocks of cell membranes; without it, the cell membranes would harden.
• Sea Salt (sodium chloride) - Sodium and chloride are considered essential minerals in dog and cat diets. It is important in helping the pet maintain proper fluid balance. Salt is actually essential for the regulation of blood pressure - in conjunction with water.
• Potassium chloride - (KCl) is a compound containing both potassium and chlorine. Potassium is needed for normal bodily functions, including those affecting the heart, nerve conduction, muscle contraction and normal kidney functions. It helps restore the body's electrolytes and water levels. Helps prevent and treat dehydration.
• Fish oil - Fish oil is oil made from processing whole fish. It is the most popular source of dietary omega-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids in fish oil have been found to be a rich source of omega fatty acids such as DHA and AA, which helps to support the cardiovascular system.
• Canola oil - Canola is a type of edible oil. This vegetable oil from the Canola seed is very stable, high in Oleic Acid and rich in vitamin E. It is an excellent emollient and moisturizer and helps reduce skin irritation.
• Prebiotic Micro FOS - (FOS) is used for its prebiotic effects. It aids in digestion and overall GI Tract health. It serves as a substrate for microflora in the large intestine, increasing the overall gastrointestinal tract (GI Tract) health. It is extracted from fruits and vegetables.
• Vitamin E supplement - Prevents blood cells from sticking to each other and to the blood vessels they travel. This will help promote clear and flexible blood vessels and lower blood pressure. It is an antioxidant.
• Niacin supplement - Helps process protein, carbohydrates and fat as well as promotes healthy nervous and brain function.
• D-calcium pantothenate - Also known as Vitamin B5 or 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.
• Vitamin B12 supplement - Vitamin B12 is necessary for processing carbohydrates, proteins and fats and to help make blood cells. Vitamin B-12 is important for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood.
• Vitamin A acetate - Involved with vision, immune defenses, maintenance of body linings and skin, bone and body growth, normal cell development, and reproduction. Vitamin A helps form and maintains healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin.
• Vitamin D-3 supplement - Vitamin D-3 supplement stays in your system longer and has more effect than other vitamin d sources. It is vital for normal functioning of the nervous system, bone growth, and maintenance of bone density. Vitamin D is essential for efficient utilization of calcium by the body.
• Biotin - This B-vitamin is found in the intestinal tract and helps prevent dermatitis. It is essential for normal metabolism of fat and protein.
• Riboflavin supplement - Riboflavin is used to supply the diet with a B-complex vitamin. It helps promote growth and helps assimilation of carbohydrates and amino acids. Riboflavin-B2 plays a central role in the release of energy from food. It also helps promote the proper functioning of nerves, normal appetite, good digestion, and healthy skin.
• Thiamine mononitrate - Form of thiamin or vitamin B1. Thiamine helps convert glucose into energy.
• Pyridoxine hydrochloride - Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a common form of the B-vitamin pyridoxine. Pyridoxine is very important in helping the pet metabolize protein.
• 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.
• Dried carrots - Carrots are an excellent source of fiber and minerals. It is also a good natural source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant essential for neutralizing free radicals.
• L-lysine - Lysine is an essential amino acid for pets. Lysine helps maintain respiratory and ocular health, especially in pets that are physically stressed.
• DLmethionine - Methionine is an essential amino acid for both dogs and cats; it provides significant protection against oxidative damage.
• L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate - It is a stabilized source of vitamin C; which aids in boosting the immune system and acting as a preservative.
• Chelated minerals - Specially formulated minerals bound to a small protein or a group of amino acids, designed to improve absorption of the mineral into the body.
• Iron amino acid chelate - Specially formulated minerals bound to a small protein or a group of amino acids, designed to improve absorption of the mineral into the body. It provides oxygen to the blood and helps digestion of fatty acids.
• Manganese amino acid - Chelated source of manganese and is an antioxidant. It slows down the process of aging, activates many enzymes, and helps utilize fatty acids.
• Chelate - Specially formulated minerals bound to a small protein or a group of amino acids, designed to improve absorption of the mineral into the body.
• Zinc amino acid chelate - It is a natural mineral that is important for proper maintenance of hair, skin, bones, muscles, and blood. It also helps with digestion and reproduction.
• Copper amino acid chelate - It is 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.
• Ferrous sulfate - It is a source of iron; which is required in animal's diets. Iron is part of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of the blood. Iron is also part of myoglobin, which helps muscle cells store oxygen.
• Zinc oxide - It is a natural mineral that is important for proper maintenance of hair, skin, bones, muscles, and blood. It also helps with digestion and reproduction.
• Manganous oxide - It is an antioxidant that slows down the process of aging, activiates many enzymes and helps utilize fatty acids.
• Copper sulfate - It is 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.
• Sodium selenite - It is 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.
• Cobalt carbonate - It is a mineral required in the manufacture of red blood cells.
• Ethylenediamine dihydriodide (EDDI) - EDDI is an organic source of iodine and is in the food to supply the necessary iodine nutrient level. EDDI is the most available source of iodine.
• Yucca shidigera extract - Yucca is a desert plant. It is a natural source of digestive aid. It is also known to reduce fecal odor. It has been used for treatment of arthritis for centuries. It is rich in minerals due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product - It is natural micro-flora (friendly bacteria) that may help the digestion process, thus providing more efficient utilization of food and production of bacteriocins which act as natural antibiotics that kill undesirable micro-organisms. Improves digestive health, prevents Antiobic Associated Diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridium Difficile (C Difficile), Reduction of symptoms of lactose intolerance and immune stimulation, Improving Immune Function and Preventing Infections, Reducing Inflammation, improving Mineral Absorption.
• Dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product - It is natural micro-flora (friendly bacteria) that may help the digestion process, thus providing more efficient utilization of food and produce bacteriocins which act as natural antibiotics that kill undesirable micro-organisms. Improves digestive health, prevents Antiobic Associated Diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridium Difficile (C Difficile), Reduction of symptoms of lactose intolerance and immune stimulation, Improving Immune Function and Preventing Infections, Reducing Inflammation, improving Mineral Absorption.
• Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product - It is natural micro-flora (friendly bacteria) that may help the digestion process, thus providing more efficient utilization of food and produce bacteriocins which act as natural antibiotics that kill undesirable micro-organisms. Improves digestive health, prevents Antiobic Associated Diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridium Difficile (C Difficile), Reduction of symptoms of lactose intolerance and immune stimulation, Improving Immune Function and Preventing Infections, Reducing Inflammation, improving Mineral Absorption.