The Dog Nutrition Glossary
Plain-language definitions of the dog nutrition and dog food label terms every dog parent should understand. No jargon, no spin — just clear answers so you can read any label and ask the right questions.
AAFCO
The Association of American Feed Control Officials. AAFCO establishes the nutrient profiles that pet foods must meet to be labeled 'complete and balanced.' An AAFCO statement on a label tells you whether a food is a full diet and for which life stage. Every Loyal Saints formula meets AAFCO profiles for all life stages.
Bioavailability
The proportion of a nutrient that is actually absorbed and used by the body. A food can list high protein on its label, but if that protein is poorly bioavailable, the dog absorbs little of it. Freeze-dried raw protein is highly bioavailable because it isn't denatured by high-heat processing.
By-product / By-product meal
Animal parts left over after the parts intended for human consumption are removed, often rendered into a meal. By-products are of variable, uncertain quality and origin. Loyal Saints never uses by-products or by-product meal — only named, whole, human-grade meats and organs.
Complete and Balanced
A label term, governed by AAFCO, meaning a food provides all essential nutrients in the right proportions to serve as a dog's sole diet for the stated life stage. The opposite is 'intermittent or supplemental feeding only' — a topper or treat, not a full meal.
Crude Protein
The total protein content of a food as measured on the guaranteed analysis. 'Crude' refers to the testing method, not quality — it doesn't distinguish between highly bioavailable animal protein and poorly usable plant or rendered protein. Source matters as much as the number.
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
A long-chain omega-3 fatty acid essential for brain and eye development and cognitive health. DHA is found in marine sources like salmon. It's especially important for puppies' development and for supporting senior cognitive function.
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
A long-chain omega-3 fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties that support skin, coat, joint, and heart health. EPA, like DHA, comes from marine sources such as salmon and salmon oil — far more bioavailable for dogs than plant-based ALA omega-3.
Extrusion
The high-heat, high-pressure manufacturing process used to make most kibble. Ingredients are cooked and forced through a die at 160–200°C. The heat destroys enzymes, degrades heat-sensitive vitamins, and reduces protein bioavailability — which is why extruded foods are then sprayed with synthetic vitamins and fats.
Feed-grade vs. Human-grade
Feed-grade ingredients meet standards for animal feed and may include material not fit for human consumption. Human-grade means every ingredient and the finished product meet standards for human food. Loyal Saints uses human-grade ingredients — the same quality you'd eat yourself.
Freeze-drying (Lyophilization)
A preservation method that removes moisture without heat. Food is frozen, then placed under vacuum where the ice converts directly to vapor (sublimation). The result is shelf-stable while retaining the nutrition, enzymes, and structure of raw food. It's the most nutrient-preserving shelf-stable method available.
Guaranteed Analysis
The label panel listing minimum crude protein and fat, and maximum fiber and moisture. Because moisture content varies widely between food types, comparing a freeze-dried food to kibble fairly requires converting to a 'dry matter basis.'
Heme Iron
The most absorbable form of dietary iron, found in animal sources like red meat and organ meats. Heme iron supports healthy red blood cells and oxygen transport. Beef and beef liver in Loyal Saints are excellent natural sources.
MCT (Medium-Chain Triglycerides)
A type of fat that is absorbed and metabolized quickly to provide readily usable energy. MCTs, found in coconut oil, have been studied for supporting metabolism and cognitive function, particularly in senior dogs.
Rendered Protein / Meat Meal
Protein produced by cooking down (rendering) animal tissue into a concentrated, dried meal. While high in protein by weight, meals are of variable quality and uncertain origin compared to named whole meats. Loyal Saints uses whole meats and organs, never rendered meal.
Synthetic Premix
An added blend of synthetic (lab-produced) vitamins and minerals used by most pet foods — including most premium and freeze-dried brands — to reach AAFCO completeness. Loyal Saints is distinctive in achieving completeness through whole-food ingredients (organ meats, kelp, produce) rather than a synthetic premix.
Taurine
An amino acid important for heart health and cardiac muscle function. Taurine has become a focus in canine nutrition discussions around heart health. It occurs naturally in animal tissues, especially heart muscle — which is why Loyal Saints includes real beef heart in its Beef formula.
Whole-food Nutrition
An approach to nutrition built from real, recognizable foods rather than synthetic isolates and fillers. Nutrients from whole foods come packaged with the cofactors and companion compounds that aid absorption — the way the body evolved to process them. It's the foundation of the Loyal Saints philosophy.
Now you can read any label.
Loyal Saints keeps it simple: real whole foods, no fillers, no synthetic premix, complete and balanced. Everything you just learned to look for.
