Water
Water added during processing. It provides moisture (especially important in wet/canned food and for hydration) and helps blend ingredients. In wet foods, water or broth is naturally the first ingredient because the product is mostly moisture. It's not a concern — though when "water sufficient for processing" appears very high on a dry food, it can mean less room for meat.
What it's doing there
Moisture; carrier for processing, especially in wet food.
The concern
None recorded in our references for topical use as directed.
How sure are we
High. This ingredient is well documented and there is broad agreement about how it behaves.
How this affects a score
This ingredient is functional and unremarkable. It neither raises nor lowers a product's score. See the full formula →
Products containing Water
75 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.