Artificial colors
Also appears on labels as: FD&C Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2
Certified synthetic dyes, mostly azo compounds, used to make kibble and treats look like meat, vegetables, or cheese.
Watched ingredients get highlighted on every product panel you open.
- Where it comes from
- Petrochemical synthesis, batch-certified by the FDA.
- Why it's in the product
- Appearance. Nothing else.
- Safety and toxicity
- Approved for use, and the evidence against them at food levels is mixed rather than damning. Some azo dyes are associated with hypersensitivity reactions in a small number of individuals.
- Interactions and who should be careful
- Our reasoning is simpler than a toxicity argument: your pet does not care what color the food is. Any nonzero risk with zero benefit earns a flag.
What the research says
Synthetic dyes are approved for use in pet food, and the evidence against them at food levels is mixed rather than damning. Some studies associate certain azo dyes with hypersensitivity reactions.
Our reasoning is simpler: colors exist to sell the food to you, not to nourish your pet. Any nonzero risk with zero benefit earns a flag, and the best formulas skip dyes entirely.
Placeholder Sources: Source citations for this entry will be linked here once the citations feed is connected. Until then, ask us for the reading list any time: [email protected].
General reference, not veterinary advice. Dose, breed, and existing conditions change the answer, so talk to your vet before changing what your pet eats. Think we got this wrong? Tell us and we log it publicly.
Found in 27 scored products
We flag it by name on 27 of them. Lowest scores first.
Canine Carry OutsSausage Links, Beef Flavorimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
9LivesPlus Careimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
Meow MixTender Centers Salmon & Chickenflagged on this product's score page
Kibbles 'n BitsOriginal Savory Beef & Chickenflagged on this product's score page
CesarFilet Mignon Flavor & Spring Vegetables Garnish Small Breed Dryflagged on this product's score page
9LivesDaily Essentials Dry Cat Foodflagged on this product's score page
TemptationsBlock Party BBQ Flavor Dry Cat Foodimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
PurinaBeggin' Strips Original With Baconflagged on this product's score page
Gravy TrainChunks In Gravy With Chicken Chunksflagged on this product's score page
PedigreeComplete Nutrition Adult Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetableflagged on this product's score page
Milk-BoneBrushing Chews Daily Dental Treats, Small/Mediumflagged on this product's score page
PedigreeAdult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavorimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
Purina Puppy ChowTender & Crunchy With Real Beef & Riceimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
Meow MixOriginal Choice Dry Cat Foodflagged on this product's score page
PurinaDog Chow Complete Adult With Real Chickenflagged on this product's score page
Purina Dog ChowTender & Crunchy With Real Lamb & Turkey Flavorimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
PurinaFriskies Seafood Sensations Dry Cat Foodflagged on this product's score page
Fancy FeastKitten Tender Salmon Feastimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
Fancy FeastSeafood Classic Paté Collectionimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
Special KittyGourmet Formula Seafood Blendflagged on this product's score page
Purina Cat ChowComplete Chicken Dry Cat Foodflagged on this product's score page
PedigreeSmall Dog Food Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetables Flavorimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
FriskiesLil' Grillers Seared Cuts With Tuna In Gravyimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
DingoRawhide Twists With Chickenflagged on this product's score page
3 more scored products list this ingredient. Showing the 24 lowest-scoring.