Natural flavor
Also appears on labels as: natural flavoring, natural chicken flavor
A legally protected catch-all for a flavor blend derived from a plant or animal source. It can be hydrolyzed protein, rendered digest, yeast extract, or nearly anything else in that family.
Watched ingredients get highlighted on every product panel you open.
- Where it comes from
- Flavor houses, whose formulas are trade secrets.
- Why it's in the product
- Makes an extruded kibble taste like food.
- Safety and toxicity
- Not dangerous. The problem is that two bags carrying the identical label line can contain completely different things, and you have no way to tell.
- Interactions and who should be careful
- This is the ingredient that quietly wrecks elimination diets. An undisclosed flavor can contain the exact protein you are trying to remove.
What the research says
"Natural flavor" can be almost anything derived from a plant or animal source: hydrolyzed proteins, rendered digests, yeast extracts. Regulators don't require the blend to be named, so two bags with the same label line can contain completely different things.
We flag it for opacity, not toxicity. A label that names every ingredient scores better than one that hides behind a catch-all, because you can check what is actually in it.
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 370 scored products
We flag it by name on 370 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
Milk-BoneSoft & Chewy Training Mini, Filet Mignonflagged 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
Milk-BoneFlavor Snacks Dog Biscuitsflagged 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
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
Beggin'Purina Beggin Flavor Stix With Peanut Butter 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
Milk-BoneOriginal Medium Biscuitsflagged on this product's score page
WhiskasIndoor Cat Chicken Flavorimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
Fancy FeastClassic Paté Chicken Feastflagged 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
flagged on this product's score page
CesarFilet Mignon Flavor Wet Dog Foodflagged on this product's score page
CesarClassic Loaf in Sauce Grilled Steak & Eggs Flavorimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
Fancy FeastCreamy Delights Chicken Feast with a Touch of Real Milkimported, not reviewedflagged on this product's score page
346 more scored products list this ingredient. Showing the 24 lowest-scoring.