Check the Panel
Menu
Get recall alerts

Ingredient library

Doing real work · Oilseed

Flaxseed

Also appears on labels as: flax, whole flaxseed, ground flaxseed, organic flaxseed, flaxseed meal, organic flaxseed meal

Small oilseeds rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a short-chain omega-3, plus soluble fiber and lignans.

Watched ingredients get highlighted on every product panel you open.

Where it comes from
Oilseed farms, mostly Canadian.
Why it's in the product
Omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat, and fiber.
Safety and toxicity
Safe. One honest limitation: dogs convert plant ALA to the useful long-chain EPA and DHA very inefficiently, and cats barely at all. Flax is not a substitute for fish oil if omega-3 is the reason you picked the food.

General reference, not veterinary advice. Dose, breed, and existing conditions change the answer, so talk to your vet before changing what your pet eats. Think we got this wrong? Tell us and we log it publicly.

Found in 80 scored products

Lowest scores first. Its presence here is not what drove those scores.

Panel Score 83 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
EarthbornWild Sea Catchcommunity import
Panel Score 83 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Next Level Super Premium Pet FoodHero’s Salutecommunity import
Panel Score 83 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Heart to TailDeboned Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dog Foodcommunity import
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
MerrickGrain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Earthborn HolisticEarthBites Lamb Meal Recipe Grain-Free Moist Dog Treatscommunity import
Panel Score 86 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Blue BuffaloDuck Recipecommunity import
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Next LevelNormally Active Healthy Weight Adult
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Next LevelPerformance Plus Large Breed Adult
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Heritage Ranch by H-E-BAdult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipecommunity import
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Mars Petcare USFeline Greenies Dental Treats Catnip Flavorcommunity import
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Pure Balance Small BreedPure Balancecommunity import
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Pure BalanceChicken & Pea Recipe Dog Foodcommunity import
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Simply NourishLimited Ingredient Diet Puppy Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipecommunity import
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Simply NourishLamb & Brown Rice Recipecommunity import
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Ahealth ShredsChicken & Rice Formulacommunity import
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Nulo FreestyleGrain-free Cat & Kitten Chicken & Cod Recipecommunity import
Panel Score 87 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
Heart to TailSalmon and Sweet Potato Recipe Dog Foodcommunity import
Panel Score 88 out of 100, grade B: Good, check the flags
IamsProactive Health Adult MiniChunks
Panel Score 90 out of 100, grade A: Pretty good
Natural BalanceOriginal Ultra Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
Panel Score 90 out of 100, grade A: Pretty good
Blue BuffaloLife Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
Panel Score 90 out of 100, grade A: Pretty good
WellnessComplete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal
Panel Score 90 out of 100, grade A: Pretty good
Blue BuffaloTastefuls Adult Chicken & Brown Rice (Cat)
Panel Score 90 out of 100, grade A: Pretty good
NutroNatural Choice Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
Panel Score 90 out of 100, grade A: Pretty good
Diamond NaturalsChicken & Rice All Life Stages

56 more scored products list this ingredient. Showing the 24 lowest-scoring.