Ash
label termalso called: crude ash, ash content, mineral content
What it is
Not an ingredient that is added to food. Ash is what remains after a food sample is burned away in a lab furnace - the total mineral fraction, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and trace minerals. It appears in the guaranteed analysis of many cat foods as a percentage, even though nothing called ash exists in the bag.
Why it gets discussed
Ash percentage is one of the most misread numbers on a cat food label. Owners often read it as filler or burnt material mixed into the recipe. In practice it is simply a measurement of minerals the food already contains, and a moderate ash figure mostly reflects the bone and mineral content of the formula. It is frequently discussed in connection with urinary health, which is veterinary territory - this page describes what the number means, not what any cat should eat.
Where it sits on the label
Listed inside the guaranteed analysis panel, not in the ingredient list. Some brands omit it, in which case the figure can only be obtained by asking the manufacturer.
Foods in our database that do not list it
- Fresh Ground Bird / Smooth Bird by Smalls
- Fresh Pulled Bird by Smalls
- Fresh Ground Other Bird / Smooth Other Bird by Smalls
- Fresh Pulled Other Bird by Smalls
- Fresh Smooth Fish by Smalls
- Fresh Ground Cow / Smooth Cow by Smalls
- Fresh Smooth Pig by Smalls
- Fresh Smooth Bird & Fish Dish by Smalls
- Grilled Chicken Feast in Gravy by Fancy Feast
- Gravy Lovers Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Feast Pate in Gravy by Fancy Feast
- Wilderness Chicken Recipe (Adult Dry) by Blue Buffalo
- Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Flaked Trout Feast by Blue Buffalo
- Seafood Sensations (Salmon, Tuna & Shrimp Flavors) by Friskies
- Tender & Crunchy Combo (Chicken, Beef, Carrots & Green Beans Flavors) by Friskies
- Land & Sea Adventures (Chicken & Ocean Fish Flavors) by Friskies
- Gravy Swirlers (Chicken, Salmon & Gravy Flavors) by Friskies
- Pate Salmon Dinner by Friskies
- Extra Gravy Pate With Tuna in Savory Gravy by Friskies
- Meaty Bits With Ocean Fish in Sauce by Friskies
- Perfect Portions Healthy Adult Paté Chicken Recipe by Iams
- Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Cuts in Gravy Chicken Recipe by Iams
- Selections Filets in Broth Chicken & Shrimp Recipe (Meal Complement) by Sheba
- Selections Filets in Broth Chicken & Tuna Recipe (Meal Complement) by Sheba
- Adult Weight Management Chicken & Rice Formula by Purina Pro Plan
- Complete Essentials Salmon & Rice Entrée in Sauce by Purina Pro Plan
- +Plus High Protein Ideal Weight with Chicken by Purina ONE
- All Life Stages Salmon Entrée Classic by Purina Pro Plan
"Do not list" means the ingredient does not appear on the label text we transcribed for that product. It is not a certification, and recipes change - always confirm on the current packaging.