When it comes to dog food, there’s no shortage of ingredient buzzwords floating around — many of them hard to pronounce and even harder to understand. But behind the science-y names, some ingredients genuinely pull their weight. Green-lipped mussels, taurine, and prebiotics are three such examples.
Here’s why they matter.
🦪 Green-Lipped Mussels
Supporting mobility, comfort, and the kind of movement dogs love.
Native to New Zealand, green-lipped mussels are a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin — all well-known for their role in joint health.
Including them in a dog’s diet helps support:
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Reduce inflammation in joints
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Support the repair of cartilage and connective tissue
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Maintain ease of movement, particularly as dogs age
For dogs with years ahead of them or those simply needing a bit of extra joint support, green-lipped mussels can make a quiet, meaningful difference in how they move and feel.
❤️ Taurine
One small molecule with a big role in whole-body health.
Taurine is an amino acid that plays a part in heart health, neurological function, and vision. While many dogs can make taurine on their own, others — particularly those on grain-free or highly processed diets — may not get enough.
Adding taurine helps support:
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Normal cardiac function
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Development and maintenance of the nervous system
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Retinal health and eye clarity
It’s a small addition that speaks to the growing understanding of breed-specific needs and the impact of diet on long-term wellbeing.
🦠 Prebiotics
Feeding the gut to support the rest.
Prebiotics act as nourishment for the beneficial bacteria living in the digestive system. When these bacteria are well-fed, they’re better equipped to support everything from digestion to immunity.
Dogs with prebiotics in their diet helps support:
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Better nutrient absorption
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Fewer digestive upsets
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Healthier skin and coat from reduced inflammation
There’s also something to be said for smaller, more consistent poos — a practical bonus for dog parents and a sign of things working as they should.
Thoughtful Choices, Not Just Additions
Each of these ingredients brings something specific to the table. They weren’t chosen for how they sound or how they look on the back of a pack. They’re there because they do something valuable — and because a well-fed dog is one that’s more likely to thrive, play, rest well, and grow old gracefully.
Sometimes, it’s the quiet choices in a recipe that speak the loudest about what really matters.