RecallSep 8, 2026FI Supplements: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
877 products scored223 ingredients explainedNo paid placement

Ingredient library

Doing real work · Vitamin and antioxidant

Vitamin C

Also appears on labels as: ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin c), l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (vitamin c), l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin c), l-ascorbyl-2-po osphate (source vitamin c)

Ascorbic acid, or the stabilized polyphosphate form that survives extrusion instead of breaking down in the extruder.

Watched ingredients get highlighted on every product panel you open.

Where it comes from
Fermentation and synthesis.
Why it's in the product
Antioxidant. Note that dogs and cats synthesize their own vitamin C, so this is a bonus rather than a requirement.
Safety and toxicity
Safe. Excess is simply excreted.
Interactions and who should be careful
Very high doses acidify urine, which is relevant in opposite directions depending on the type of bladder stone a pet forms. Worth a vet conversation if your pet has a stone history.

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 111 scored products

Lowest scores first. Its presence here is not what drove those scores.

Panel Score 60 out of 100, grade C: Proceed with caution
Purina Puppy ChowTender & Crunchy With Real Beef & Riceimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 72 out of 100, grade C: Proceed with caution
Bil JacDry Food Senior Select Formula With Chicken & Oatmealimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 72 out of 100, grade C: Proceed with caution
Hill's Prescription DietKidney Care k/d Chicken & Vegetable Stewimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 76 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Hill's Prescription DietWeight Loss r/d Chicken Flavorimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 79 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Purina Pro PlanComplete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice
Panel Score 79 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Purina Pro PlanBright Mind Small Breed Formula For Senior Dogs (Adult 7+)imported, not reviewed
Panel Score 79 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Purina Pro PlanTrue Nature Natural Turkey & Rice Recipeimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 79 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Purina Pro PlanVeterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Feline Formulaimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 82 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
FinnDigestive Probiotics
Panel Score 82 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Natural BalanceTargeted Nutrition Zen Life Canned Dog Foodimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 83 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Ark NaturalsBrushless Toothpaste Dental Chews, Original
Panel Score 83 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
PedigreeDentastix Original Dental Treats, Large
Panel Score 83 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
BenefulSimple Goodness With Farm-Raised Beefimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 83 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Hill's Bioactive RecipeGrow + Learn Puppy Formulaimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Rachael Ray NutrishReal Chicken & Veggies Recipe
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Taste of the WildPacific Stream Canine Recipe
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
InstinctRaw Boost Grain-Free Chicken
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Rachael Ray NutrishReal Beef & Brown Rice Recipe
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Natural BalanceL.I.D. Sweet Potato & Fish
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Earthborn HolisticEarthBites Lamb Meal Recipe Grain-Free Moist Dog Treatsimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Blue BuffaloTrue Solutions Weight Control Chicken & Oatmeal Recipeimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
NutriSourceDry Dog Food Chicken & Rice Recipe For Large Breed Dogsimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Rachael Ray NutrishGrain Free Wet Food Beef & Chicken Catteroleimported, not reviewed
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Royal CaninBreed Health Nutrition Chihuahua Adult Loaf In Sauce Appetite Stimulationimported, not reviewed

87 more scored products list this ingredient. Showing the 24 lowest-scoring.