Sugars
additive · base score -1 · also listed as sugars, sugar
What is it?
Sugars 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
- 110 products
- Also listed as
- sugars, sugar
Common questions about sugars
Is Sugars 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 sugars?
110 UK products list sugars as an ingredient in our database. The full list is shown below, sorted by rating.
What else is sugars called on labels?
Manufacturers list it under several names: sugars, sugar. We match all of these to the same glossary entry when we read a label.
How does Open Dog Food grade sugars?
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.
Why are sugars in dog food?
Sugars may be added to dog food as a flavouring or to improve texture and palatability. They are usually found lower down the ingredient list, which means smaller amounts. If your dog has weight concerns or a sensitive stomach, speak to your vet.
Are sugars bad for dogs?
Sugars are not poisonous to dogs, but they add calories without extra nutritional value beyond energy. Many owners prefer to limit added sugars in their dog's diet. Speak to your vet if you are worried about your dog's overall nutrition.
