Vitamin E

Why this ingredient is used

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is the body's primary fat-soluble antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. In pet food it serves a dual role: nutritional supplement for the animal AND natural preservative for the fat in the kibble. When brands list 'preserved with mixed tocopherols' or 'natural antioxidant vitamin E', they are using vitamin E to replace BHA/BHT. Premium brands use high-dose vitamin E (300 to 500 IU per kg of food) which both preserves the product and provides above-minimum nutritional levels. Vitamin E works synergistically with selenium.