Gelling agents and thickeners
additive · base score -1 · also listed as gelling agents, thickeners
What is it?
Gelling agents and thickeners is an additive, such as a preservative, flavouring or colouring. Graded poor: cheap, vague or of questionable value, so it drags a product’s score down.
At a glance
- Category
- additive
- Grade
- poor
- Base score
- -1 (from −1 to 1; higher is better)
- Found in
- 8 products
- Also listed as
- gelling agents, thickeners
Common questions about gelling agents and thickeners
Is Gelling agents and thickeners good for dogs?
We grade it as a poor ingredient: typically cheap, vague or of questionable nutritional value, so it drags a product’s score down. One poor ingredient does not make a food bad on its own, but a recipe built from several usually scores low.
How many UK dog foods contain gelling agents and thickeners?
8 UK products list gelling agents and thickeners as an ingredient in our database. The full list is shown below, sorted by rating.
What else is gelling agents and thickeners called on labels?
Manufacturers list it under several names: gelling agents, thickeners. We match all of these to the same glossary entry when we read a label.
How does Open Dog Food grade gelling agents and thickeners?
We grade it poor, our lowest grade, used for cheap, vague or low-value ingredients. Every ingredient is converted to its dry-matter share and scored from our glossary before a recipe gets its 1-100 rating; the full method is on our methodology page.
What are gelling agents and thickeners in dog food?
They are ingredients such as carrageenan, guar gum or cassia gum used to give wet foods a firm texture and keep water and solids from separating. They are common in canned and pouched dog foods.
Can gelling agents and thickeners upset a dog's stomach?
Some dogs may be sensitive to certain thickeners, leading to loose stools or digestive discomfort. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, check the specific thickener listed and speak to your vet.
