Natural Flavor
A flavoring added to make food more appealing. In pet food, "natural flavor" is usually derived from animal tissues or digest (for example, "chicken digest"). It's widely used and generally considered safe, but the term is non-specific — it doesn't tell you exactly what the flavor is made from.
What it's doing there
Palatability enhancer to improve taste.
The concern
A non-specific term — it doesn't disclose the exact source of the flavoring. Generally safe, but less transparent than a named flavor like "chicken liver flavor."
How sure are we
Moderate. There is reasonable information available, but less of it, or less agreement than we would like.
Note: A non-specific flavoring term, usually animal-derived; safe but less transparent than a named flavor source.
How this affects a score
In any product containing it, this ingredient costs points under Transparency. See the full formula →
Products containing Natural Flavor
68 in the catalogue · scroll sidewaysRead this before you trust the number
This application is intended for educational purposes only. Scores are generated using publicly available product information and are not veterinary advice. We are not veterinarians. Always consult your veterinarian regarding medical decisions.
A high score does not mean a product is right for your pet, and a low score does not mean it is dangerous. An individual animal can react to an ingredient that scores well here, and a product with a mediocre score may be exactly what your vet recommends.
The score reads ingredients one at a time. It cannot account for how ingredients interact with each other, with other products you use, or with your pet's medications and conditions. Two ingredients that are each fine on their own may not be fine together. A score is a starting point for questions, not a substitute for professional judgment.