When doing research on bad ingredients in pet food diets, I found about 756 diets containing of 411 dog food and 345 cat food brand containing carrageenan available on Chewy as of August 2022. I provided key reasons to avoid this ingredient in another post.
What is carrageenan?
Carrageenan is a food additive that is extracted from red seaweed. It is used as a thickener and emulsifier to improve the texture of processed foods. FDA has approved it as G.R.A.S (generally recognized as safe) for human consumption, but the agency has not done any long-term safety studies on carrageenan in animals. FDA has therefore not recommended against its use.
In the 2006 NRC Report on Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, the committee stated:
“Carrageenann and other gums (added at <5 percent of diet dry matter) are used as gelling agents in canned dog and cat foods (Brown, 1989) and, therefore, are a source of fermentable carbohydrates.”
AAFCO which bases its pet food guidelines on the NRC report, has no mention of carrageenan in either the 2006 or earlier editions.
Why is carrageenan added to dog food?
Carrageenan is used as a thickener and emulsifier to improve the texture of processed foods. It can also be used as a vegetarian or vegan alternative to gelatin. Carrageenan is added to many kinds of processed foods, including pet food.
It is important to clarify that there are two types of carrageenan – naturally occurring and synthetic/industrially made which may be degraded. The synthetic form is a known carcinogen and not allowed in human food and this is the type found in pet food diets. This highly-processed form is one that has been linked to various chronic illnesses.
Is carrageenan in both dry and wet dog food?
No, carrageenan is mostly found in wet food and serves as a thickener, emulsifier, and stabilizer.
Carrageenan is commonly used as a thickener in many commercial pet foods. It can also be found in some semisoft cheeses, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, soy milk, almond milk, and other processed foods.
A small amount of carrageenan is also added to some dry dog foods to improve their texture and binding properties. As a stabilizer, it helps prevent separation of ingredients and clumping of the food.
Benefits of carrageenan
Carrageenan has been used as a food additive for centuries. It is derived from red seaweed and is a thickener and emulsifier that can improve the texture of processed foods. Carrageen
Negative health impacts of carrageenan:
Aside from mentioning that it is a source of fiber added to dog food, it didn’t mention anything about its harmful impacts.
- Studies have associated carrageenan exposure with gastrointestinal inflammation, ulcerations, and cancer in animal models.
- Carrageenan has also been shown to trigger an immune response and cause inflammation when applied directly to human cells in laboratory studies.
Is carrageenan safe for dogs?
No, carrageenan is not safe for dogs. Carrageenan has been shown to cause gastrointestinal inflammation, ulcerations, and cancer in animal models. It has also been shown to trigger an immune response and cause inflammation when applied directly to human cells in laboratory studies.
How we found Dog Food Without Carrageenan:
To find dog food diets without carrageenan, we went to our database of more than 4,000 dog food brands and started sorting by ingredient lists those that did not contain the word ‘carrageenan’ on the ingredients list.
From the initial list of 4258 dog food brands including dry, wet as well as treats, only 411 contained carrageenan.
Below is a sample of dog food without carrageenan formulated for puppies, adults and senior dogs;
Puppy Dog Food without Carrageenan:
While it is important to niche down and search a product containing or missing a particular ingredient, it is also important to review all the ingredients in the food to make sure it is a good fit for your pup.
- Nutro Puppy Tender Beef, Pea & Carrot Recipe Bites In Gravy Grain-Free Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 24
- Eukanuba Puppy Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12
- Bil Jac Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food, 6-lb bag
- Royal Canin Small Puppy Wet Dog Food, 3-oz pouch, case of 12
- Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe + Grains with Chicken & Salmon Freeze-Dried Dry Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Formula Large Breed Dry Puppy Food
- Country Vet Naturals 28/18 Healthy Puppy Dog Food
- Royal Canin Giant Puppy Dry Dog FoodBlue Buffalo Freedom Puppy Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Wellness Grain-Free Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Horizon Complete Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food, 25-lb bag
- Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Barley Entree Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
- Diamond Puppy Formula Dry Dog FoodVICTOR Purpose Active Dog & Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food
Adult Dog Food without Carrageenan:
| Product URL on Chewy | Price | Type | Brand Product Name | Does it contain Carrageenan? |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/260507 | $9.49 | Wet Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Pomeranian Adult Loaf in Sauce Canned Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/260515 | $22.99 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Yorkshire Terrier Adult 8+ Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/blue-buffalo-wilderness-natures/dp/269333 | $64.98 | Dry Food | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature’s Evolutionary Diet Plus Wholesome Grains Chicken, Oats & Barley Adult Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/260510 | $85.55 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult 5+ Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/260499 | $50.21 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Pomeranian Adult Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/blue-buffalo-wilderness-natures/dp/269328 | $67.98 | Dry Food | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature’s Evolutionary Diet Plus Wholesome Grains Chicken, Oats & Barley Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, 24-lb bag | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-veterinary-diet-adult/dp/35135 | $131.99 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Selected Protein PV Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-savor-adult-lamb/dp/52513 | $31.08 | Wet Food | Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Lamb & Vegetables Entree Slices in Gravy Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/castor-pollux-organix-grain-free/dp/50611 | $57.48 | Wet Food | Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Butcher & Bushel Organic Chopped Turkey & Chicken Dinner Adult Canned Dog Food, 12.7-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/castor-pollux-organix-grain-free/dp/50609 | $57.48 | Wet Food | Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Butcher & Bushel Organic Shredded Chicken Dinner in Gravy Adult Canned Dog Food, 12.7-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-size-health-nutrition/dp/48228 | $22.99 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Adult 7+ Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/castor-pollux-organix-grain-free/dp/40084 | $47.76 | Wet Food | Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Organic Turkey, Carrot & Potato Recipe Adult Canned Dog Food, 12.7-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-adult-7-turkey/dp/37937 | $30.84 | Wet Food | Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Turkey & Barley Entree Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-size-health-nutrition-x/dp/35405 | $44.63 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition X-Small Adult Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-adult-light-liver/dp/30019 | $30.84 | Wet Food | Hill’s Science Diet Adult Light with Liver Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-adult-chicken-beef/dp/30008 | $30.84 | Wet Food | Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken& Beef Entree Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/29870 | $70.67 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Cocker Spaniel Adult Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/nutro-grain-free-savory-lamb/dp/29533 | $34.56 | Wet Food | Nutro Grain-Free Savory Lamb & Vegetables Stew Cuts in Gravy Adult Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 24 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/nutro-grain-free-roasted-turkey/dp/29532 | $34.56 | Wet Food | Nutro Grain-Free Roasted Turkey, Potato & Pea Stew Cuts in Gravy Adult Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 24 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/eukanuba-adult-chicken-vegetable-stew/dp/29004 | $26.28 | Wet Food | Eukanuba Adult Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/avoderm-natural-grain-free-chicken/dp/28710 | $37.46 | Wet Food | AvoDerm Natural Grain-Free Chicken & Vegetable Stew Recipe Adult & Puppy Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/avoderm-vegetarian-recipe-adult/dp/28700 | $34.07 | Wet Food | AvoDerm Vegetarian Recipe Adult Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-healthy-cuisine/dp/243922 | $34.44 | Wet Food | Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Cuisine Variety Pack Adult Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-variety-pack-adult/dp/243918 | $34.49 | Wet Food | Hill’s Science Diet Variety Pack Adult Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-small-adult-wet-dog-food/dp/208266 | $25.08 | Wet Food | Royal Canin Small Adult Wet Dog Food, 3-oz pouch, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/181545 | $21.38 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Poodle Adult 8+ Dry Dog Food, 3-lb bag | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/181543 | $28.74 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Dachshund Adult 8+ Dry Dog Food, 3-lb bag | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/181541 | $22.12 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Chihuahua Adult 8+ Dry Dog Food, 2.5-lb bag | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/nutro-ultra-grain-free-filets-in/dp/175716 | $23.49 | Wet Food | Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Filets in Gravy Decadent Duos Variety Pack Adult Wet Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 12 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/nutro-ultra-grain-free-filets-in/dp/175710 | $47.76 | Wet Food | Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Filets in Gravy Juicy Duck & Potato Entree Adult Wet Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 24 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/nutro-ultra-grain-free-filets-in/dp/175706 | $47.76 | Wet Food | Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Filets in Gravy Farm-Raised Lamb & Green Bean Entree Adult Wet Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 24 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/nutro-ultra-grain-free-filets-in/dp/175704 | $47.34 | Wet Food | Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Filets in Gravy Savory Chicken & Trout Entree Adult Wet Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 24 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/165956 | $85.55 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Dalmatian Adult Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/165953 | $19.52 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Jack Russell Terrier Adult Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/165948 | $19.74 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Maltese Adult Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/165945 | $19.52 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Cavalier King Charles Adult Dry Dog Food, 3-lb bag | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-breed-health-nutrition/dp/165942 | $50.21 | Dry Food | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Bichon Frise Adult Dry Dog Food | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-adult-7-small-mini/dp/136826 | $54.24 | Wet Food | Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Small & Mini Senior Vitality Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 5.5-oz, case of 24 | No |
| https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-adult-7-senior/dp/136822 | $35.64 | Wet Food | Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Vitality Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12 | No |
10 Senior Dog Foods without Carrageenan:
For senior dogs, carrageenan can contribute to gastrointestinal inflammation, ulcerations, and cancer. In addition, carrageenan can trigger an immune response and cause inflammation when applied directly to human cells in laboratory studies.
- Hill’s Science Diet Variety Pack Senior 7+ Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Small & Mini Senior Vitality Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 5.5-oz, case of 24
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Vitality Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12
- Purina Pro Plan Senior Beef & Rice Entree Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
- Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Senior Adult 7+ Beef & Brown Rice Entree Wet Dog Food
- Merrick Grain-Free Senior Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Senior Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Nulo Freestyle Senior Grain-Free Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Horizon Complete Senior Weight Management Dry Dog Food
- Wysong Senior with Organic Turkey Canned Dog Food, 12.9-oz, case of 12
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
