GUIDE • UK
Dog Food Ingredients to Watch — Additives & Red Flags
Reviewed by lucas-martins on 2026-05-14
# Dog food ingredients to watch
PetFoodFix content is educational and does not diagnose or treat illness. If your dog is unwell, has a diagnosed condition, is under 12 months old, is pregnant or lactating, is on a prescription diet or chronic medication, or has vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in stool, collapse, severe pain, breathing difficulty, refusal to eat for more than 24 hours, marked weight loss, severe itching, or suspected poisoning, contact your vet before changing food.
## Introduction
The most common ingredients to watch on a UK dog food label are vague protein sources ('meat and animal derivatives'), artificial colours (E102, E110, E129), synthetic preservatives (BHA/BHT), and unspecified cereals. Named meats with declared percentages are the most transparent.
## Ingredient-by-ingredient guide
### 1. Meat and animal derivatives
Umbrella term for any animal-sourced ingredient. Low transparency — you cannot know which animal or parts. Not harmful, but brands naming specific meats are more trustworthy.
### 2. Artificial colours (E102, E110, E129)
Synthetic dyes with no nutritional benefit. Added for owner appeal, not the dog. Clearest indicator of a lower-quality formulation.
### 3. BHA and BHT (E320, E321)
Synthetic preservatives. Permitted but concerns exist about long-term consumption. Premium brands use natural alternatives like mixed tocopherols.
### 4. Vegetable protein extracts
Plant protein that inflates total protein cheaply. Often soya-based. Not harmful in small amounts, but should not be the primary protein source.
### 5. Sugar / caramel
No nutritional value. Can contribute to dental issues and weight gain. More common in semi-moist foods.
### 6. Cereals (unspecified)
Vague category that can include any grain. Listed first = grain-heavy food. Specified grains (rice, barley) are more transparent.
### 7. Named fresh meat (e.g., "chicken 26%")
Gold standard for transparency. Named source with declared percentage. Fresh meat is ~70% water, so the cooked proportion is lower.