Dried Vegetable Broth
Our ingredient score: 2 / 5 · Flavoring · How We Score
Dried vegetable broth is broth made from vegetables and dried to a powder. In cat food it is used mainly for flavor. The label does not say which vegetables it is made from, so you cannot tell from the label what is in it. Cats are meat eaters, and vegetables add little to their nutrition. In the small amounts used, it is a flavoring rather than a source of nutrients.
Common Questions
What vegetables are in dried vegetable broth?
The label does not say. Pet food labels list it under this general name, so the vegetables are not named.
Is dried vegetable broth safe for cats?
Dried vegetable broth is a powdered broth made from vegetables and used mainly for flavor. The label does not say which vegetables were used. FDA requires ingredients to be listed by a common or usual name that describes the basic nature of the food, in descending order by weight. No authority we found raises a concern at the small amounts used. If your cat has a medical condition, check with your veterinarian.
Source: fda.gov
Why is dried vegetable broth in cat food?
It is added for flavor and to give the food a savory, brothy taste. Broth powders are a common way to make dry food more appealing. Since the amount is small and the base is plants, it adds little protein. The meat ingredients do the real nutritional work.
Do cats need vegetables?
No, cats have no dietary requirement for vegetables. They are obligate carnivores, and research on cat nutrition describes needs that animal tissue meets, such as preformed vitamin A and taurine. Vegetables in cat food mostly add fiber or flavor. A complete and balanced food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles whether or not it contains them.
Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Is vegetable broth a source of protein for cats?
Not in any meaningful way. Vegetables are low in protein to begin with, and a broth extracts mostly flavor compounds and minerals. Cats get the protein they need from the animal ingredients higher up the list. Vegetable broth in cat food is there for taste.
How does Pettings score dried vegetable broth?
Pettings gives dried vegetable broth 2 out of 5 and lists it as a flavoring. It appears on 1 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. The score reflects an ingredient that adds flavor but little nutrition for a meat eater, and the vegetables are not named. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.
How Foods With Dried Vegetable Broth Compare
Dried Vegetable Broth is on the label of 1 of the 149 dry cat foods we list.