Food & Feeding

Ingredient Spotlight

Nicole Groshek  |  August 29, 2023  |  4 minute read

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The quality of our pet food recipes comes from our commitment to using only the finest ingredients from suppliers we know and trust. Let us teach you why these ingredients are the absolute best for your dog or cat!

Raw Organ Meat

Organ meat (also called “offal”) is any animal organ that can be eaten. The raw organ meats we use in our dog and cat food recipes are:

• Beef heart, kidney, liver & tripe
• Chicken heart & gizzards (stomach)
• Lamb heart, liver & spleen
• Pork kidney & liver
• Rabbit liver
• Venison lung, spleen & liver
• Turkey heart, gizzards & liver

Benefits of raw organ meat:

• Organ meats are nutrient rich, making them premium natural sources of protein and fat, as well as many different vitamins and minerals
• Organ meats are part of a dog or cat’s ancestral diet (what their wild ancestors would’ve eaten)
• All our meats come from USDA-inspected facilities (or similar inspection agencies outside the United States)

All of the animal proteins in our recipes are responsibly sourced from trusted partners (and USDA-inspected facilities) and free from added hormones or antibiotics. We use cage-free poultry and grass-fed beef, lamb, and venison throughout our diets.

Stella & Chewy’s has also partnered with the Pet Sustainability Coalition as part of our commitment to creating a more sustainable pet food industry.

Organic Spinach

Spinach is a great source of essential nutrients like vitamins, iron and beta carotene. Spinach also has insoluble fiber (aka functional fiber) which helps promote healthy digestion and regularity.

Known as a ‘superfood’ for humans, spinach also offers health benefits for dogs and cats (as part of a balanced diet). Spinach is rich in vitamins A and C, which promote a healthy skin and coat. Vitamin A also helps with eye health, and vitamin C supports the immune system. Spinach also contains many antioxidants and plant compounds (like lutein, quercetin and chlorophyll to name a few) which can help reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy immune system.

Organic Cranberries

Cranberries contain a chemical compound called proanthocyanidins which can help prevent urinary tract infections by preventing harmful bacteria in the bladder (though it won’t treat an existing UTI, so always seek medical care if your pet is experiencing a UTI). Proanthocyanidins have even been studied for their potential to deter harmful bacteria in the mouth and colon, which may help prevent cavities and gastrointestinal issues. Cranberries are also packed with antioxidants (like phenols, flavanols and anthocyanins) that can help reduce inflammation and support immune health.

Pumpkin & Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin is a great source of soluble fiber, which aids intestinal health in dogs and cats. Packed with nutrients that help keep your pet healthy, pumpkin has vitamin A, which helps with eye health, and vitamin C which supports the immune system. Pumpkin also provides calcium for bone health and lutein (an antioxidant related to beta carotene) which helps maintain a healthy skin and coat.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients that help support the health of dogs and cats. Just like pumpkin flesh, the seeds have plenty of fiber, as well plant protein. Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – both of which are anti-inflammatory and can help with joint health, immune function and skin/coat health.

Both pumpkin and pumpkin seeds supply essential minerals pets need to support whole-body health, including iron, zinc, potassium and manganese.

Pearled Barley

Pearled barley has had the outer husk and bran layer removed, giving it a lighter, smoother appearance (hence the name). Pearled barley is a good source of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and can help your dog stay satisfied between meals.

Barley is also low on the glycemic index, which means it helps moderate (rather than spike) blood sugar. Low-glycemic ingredients like barley can be helpful when you need to manage your dog’s weight, and they also help reduce inflammation.

Be aware that barley does contain gluten, so dogs with a gluten sensitivity or allergy should avoid it.

Dog & Cat Food Ingredients: Foundation for Health

The food you feed your dog or cat needs to contain all the nutrients they need to thrive. That’s why most Stella & Chewy’s raw dog food and raw cat food recipes contain complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages. Learn more about our story and nutritional philosophy, or see how simple it can be to add the benefits of raw to your pet’s diet:

Introducing your dog to a raw food diet

Introducing your cat to a raw diet