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Meat and fish sources

Chicken

Chicken is a good source of protein, niacin (B3), vitamin B6, selenium and phosphorous. It is barn-reared (no battery/intensive farming) in the UK, and husbandry is set to the strict criteria stipulated by DEFRA. These legislations state how the birds are fed, cared for and handled. Many Arden Grange products include chicken because it is a well-researched and trusted pet food ingredient.

Fresh chicken 

Our fresh chicken is surplus to the human food industry, so meets a very high standard of quality. Fresh chicken is included for its high palatability as well as its nutritional value. It’s rich in the essential amino acids valine, lysine & methionine that are important for muscle and collagen growth, brain and immune health, and helping to produce enzymes, antibodies and hormones as well as ensuring efficient uptake of minerals by the body. Some sources dislike fresh ingredients, stating that losses during cooking reduce the nutritional value of the food. However, these losses are mainly moisture, which is calorie neutral.

Chicken meal
Our chicken meal comprises meat, bone and some offal. As it is a dry ingredient, it is a concentrated source of nutrients. Bone is a great natural source of minerals, and organ meat supplies vitamins (especially B12) and minerals (including iron). We don’t include any parts of the chicken that are indigestible such as feet, beaks or feathers. With the birds being farmed in the UK, like all livestock originally intended for the human food chain, there are strict antibiotic withdrawal periods, and it is illegal to use growth hormones.

Chicken oil

Our chicken oil is rarely associated with adverse food reactions because it is filtered to remove large antigenic protein molecules (a food allergy is an adverse immune reaction to a dietary protein rather than a fat). Intolerances (where the immune system is not directly involved) are a little different, but as these are more likely to arise in response to less digestible and/or ingredients present at a very high level, the chicken oil inclusion is again rarely problematic. Chicken oil is a highly digestible energy source and supplies Omega-6 Arachidonic Acid (important for a healthy brain, skin, coat, metabolism and reproductive system) and vitamin D.

Chicken digest
Digest is a natural flavouring made primarily from hydrolysed chicken livers. It is rarely associated with any allergic response and is generally considered safe for dogs and cats with chicken sensitivities. Almost all extruded pet food includes digest, but not all manufacturers declare it, and you might see it listed as “gravy”, “broth” or “stock”. If, however you are seeking a canine product that does not include chicken digest, our Sensitive Venison & Potato range includes a vegetarian source, and our fish based products include salmon digest as an alternative.

Duck

Duck is a highly nutritious novel protein source. It is considered a “rich” meat in a human diet, but the duck ingredients used in pet food are very digestible. The ducks are free-range and farmed in the UK.

Fresh duck 

A gamey, tasty meat that most dogs can’t resist. It is a great source of minerals (including iron, magnesium and potassium), and vitamins (especially B6 & B12).

Duck meal

Like all our meat meals, duck meal comprises meat, mineral-rich bone and nutritious, delicious offal. Only the nutritionally valuable parts are included, so no beaks, feathers, or feet are present. Some sources have expressed concerns regarding the use of grain-eating animals in grain-free diets, but during processing, the digestive tract is removed. This means that there will be no gizzard (in the avian species), stomach or intestinal contents present, which ensures the grain free products are safe for dogs and cats with grain sensitivities to eat. In terms of the meat, most of the protein eaten by the bird in the first place is either utilised or excreted, and the small amount of protein that may be present has a very altered structure to that of undigested grains and is very unlikely to have the ability to incite an allergic response.

Lamb

Lamb is another excellent source of meat protein, and it is also rich in many important vitamins and minerals, which we like to derive naturally where possible. The lamb is reared outdoors in the UK, and like the chicken, is surplus to the human food industry - meaning a very high standard of quality. Red meats such as lamb have a high myoglobin content, an iron-rich protein which is what gives it its colour.

Fresh lamb 

Our fresh lamb is an aromatic and tasty ingredient, and its inclusion can often even tempt a dog with the most discerning palate. Cuts of lamb for human consumption are often fatty, but the fat content of our lamb-based diets is only moderate. Lamb is a great source of vitamins (especially B3 and B12 which are important for skin and coat health) and minerals (including iron, phosphorus, selenium and zinc).

Lamb meal

Our lamb meal is rich in calcium and is produced from meat, bone and some offal (including kidney and heart). It does not include wool, blood, heads, hooves, stomach/intestinal contents and specified risk material such as the spinal cord.

Pork

Pork provides an excellent novel protein source for dogs who suffer from allergies or intolerances to the more common meats such as chicken. Like our other meats, the pork is farmed in the UK, and it does not contain antibiotics or growth hormones. Pigs can be host to a type of roundworm called trichinella. However, in the UK, trichinella testing is a legal requirement, so you can be sure that the meat we use is free from this parasite. Pigs can also be affected by tapeworms and toxoplasma, but illness is only associated with eating raw or under-cooked pork meat. None of these organisms would survive our cooking process.

Fresh pork

Fresh pork is a delicious meat that’s rich in vitamins B3, B6 and B12. It also supplies minerals (including selenium, zinc and iron). Cuts of pork for human consumption are often fatty, but the fat content of our pork-based diet is only moderate. Pork is often mistaken for a high sodium meat due to its inclusion in many processed foods such as sausages and bacon, but fresh pork (and pork meal) are very healthy ingredients for dogs.

Pork meal

This high quality, nutrient-rich ingredient comprises meat, bone and some offal. As with our other meals, it does not include any parts of the pig that do not offer a high nutritional value.

Pork liver

Pork liver is one of the main ingredients in our Tasty Pastes. It’s used for its nutritional value, flavour, and to give the product a soft, pâté-like consistency.

Salmon

Salmon is extremely nutritious and a rich source of the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have many health benefits due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Although people are advised to limit oily fish consumption, a properly formulated salmon-based dog food is perfectly safe to feed on a daily basis due to the diversity of ingredients and appropriate nutrient levels. The salmon is derived from fully traceable materials that are fit for human consumption and acceptable to the very stringent control measures imposed by the quality UK supermarkets.

Fresh salmon

Our salmon is reared for meat production in Scotland and is rigorously tested for contaminants to ensure its safety. Fresh salmon is particularly high in selenium, an important nutrient that is involved in DNA synthesis, thyroid hormone metabolism, and reproductive health. It is also a great source of vitamin B12.

Salmon meal

Salmon meal is a concentrated and dried ingredient, which is produced from Scottish farmed fish. It’s protein-dense, and a very good source of various vitamins and minerals. Like our fresh salmon, it is tested for mercury and other heavy metal contaminants.

Salmon digest 

Salmon digest is an aromatic, natural palatant produced from minced fish. Like chicken digest, it’s hydrolysed - an enzyme is added which breaks down the proteins into short peptides to create a liquid consistency. It should not be problematic to dogs who have an oily fish allergy. Hydrolysis breaks down the protein fraction into tiny molecules of a low molecular weight that are very unlikely to annoy the immune system.

Turkey

Turkey is a lean, tasty, tryptophan-rich white meat. Tryptophan is an important precursor to serotonin (the “happy hormone) and melatonin (which is needed for a good night’s sleep). The turkeys are free-range and farmed in the UK.

Fresh turkey

Fresh turkey is a great source of bioavailable protein, minerals (including selenium, zinc, magnesium & potassium) and vitamins (including B3, B6 & B12).

Turkey meal

Turkey meal comprises meat, mineral-rich bone and tasty offal. Only the nutritionally valuable parts are included, so no beaks, feathers, or feet are present. As with the other species, the digestive tract is removed so that any undigested cereals eaten by the birds are not present in the ingredient (which is a concern raised by some owners with dogs with grain sensitivities).

Vension

Venison originally meant the meat of any game animal but now it refers primarily to the meat of antlered ungulates such as elk or deer. Venison is a great option for dogs who require a novel protein source, and it is healthy, lean and flavourful. It is also very highly digestible.

Fresh venison 

Fresh venison is a great protein source for dogs who cannot tolerate the more common meats or for those who simply love the robust flavour and delicious aroma! It’s an especially good source of haem iron (which is absorbed very efficiently). Non-haem iron (from plant sources) is less easily absorbed. Venison is also rich in other minerals and is one of the best nutritional sources of zinc. It’s full of vitamins and is a particularly good source of B6 and B12.
Venison meal

Fresh venison is a great protein source for dogs who cannot tolerate the more common meats or for those who simply love the robust flavour and delicious aroma! It’s an especially good source of haem iron (which is absorbed very efficiently). Non-haem iron (from plant sources) is less easily absorbed. Venison is also rich in other minerals and is one of the best nutritional sources of zinc. It’s full of vitamins and is a particularly good source of B6 and B12.

White fish

Our white fish meets the agreed specifications and quality standards in accordance with national and international food regulations/legislations and is certified by ISO-9001, FEMAS (feed materials assurance scheme), MSC (marine stewardship council) and RFVS (responsible fishing vessel standard). The fish ingredients are screened for a range of heavy metals, including arsenic and mercury, and levels have never approached the permitted legal maximum (dictated by various EU directives and enforced in the UK by the FSA). The white fish species is predominantly haddock, and it is sourced from the North Sea/North Atlantic.

Fresh white fish

Fresh white fish is a healthy, light protein source that’s very digestible and often suited to even the most delicate digestion. It’s rich in many vitamins and minerals and is an especially good source of potassium (an important electrolyte that helps maintain the correct fluid balance within the body).

White fish meal
White fish meal is a concentrated dry ingredient, and an excellent protein source for very sensitive cats and dogs due to the high bioavailability of the amino acids it provides. It’s rich in minerals (calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iodine, iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, selenium and fluorine) and a valuable source of vitamins (especially vitamin B1, B2, B6 and B12).

Fish meal

Some of our products contain a blended fish meal. This is a UK produced ingredient which is composed primarily of whiting and herring. Fish meal is a natural and balanced feed ingredient that is high in protein, minerals, vitamins and micronutrients.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is found naturally in the body, but it is also added to our food for its benefits to the joints. It is a vital part of cartilage and helps it to retain water, thus giving it elasticity. Research has shown that it has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce/block destructive enzymes that break down collagen in the joints. There is always a low level of these enzymes, but when injury or abnormal wear occurs, they multiply. Our chondroitin is derived from poultry.

Eggs

Eggs contain protein of the very highest biological value, and their inclusion ensures products with an excellent amino acid profile (amino acids are the “building blocks” of protein). Eggs are naturally rich in vitamins (including vitamin A, D, B2, B5, B7, B9 and B12) and minerals (including selenium and phosphorous). They are also a good source of choline, which is important for liver function, healthy brain development, muscle movement, the nervous system and metabolism. Our eggs are from barn-reared chickens.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine provides the building blocks to synthesise new joint cartilage, and together with chondroitin and MSM may support joint mobility and longevity. Our glucosamine is derived from crustacean shells.

Krill

Our krill meal is made from sustainably sourced Antarctic krill. It is caught using special technology to ensure that it is brought aboard live and fresh, and without netting any of its natural predators, including sea birds, seals and penguins. The producer is MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified and works with the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Norway. Krill is a superior and pure source of the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA which have many recognised health benefits, and are important to the nervous system, heart and eyes as well as many other cells, tissues and organs in the body. EPA and DHA's anti-inflammatory properties are also well documented. Krill meal’s fatty acids are bound to phospholipids (rather than triglycerides); a form which ensures that tissue uptake is particularly effective. The presence of choline is beneficial since this nutrient supports cell structure and function, gene regulation and fat metabolism. Astaxanthin is also contained within krill meal, and this has very powerful natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Krill meal is also a very nutritionally valuable source of protein with an excellent essential amino acid profile.

l-carnitine

L-carnitine plays an important role in the production of energy by transporting fatty acids to the mitochondria (the “energy packs” of the cells). It increases fat metabolism in the skeletal and cardiac muscle and helps improve stamina. Although it is naturally present in meat, fish and egg, our recipes formulated for dogs that may benefit from increased levels have an L-carnitine supplement added.

Taurine

Taurine is an essential nutrient for cats because they cannot manufacture enough of it themselves, and therefore it is added to our feline range. Taurine is especially important for healthy vision, reproduction and cardiovascular function. The Arden Grange Performance contains a taurine supplement since active, working and sporting dogs may benefit from a higher level to support the heart muscle. It is also included in our grain-free products.