Tapioca is an all natural ingredient that is extracted from the root of the cassava plant via a series of washing, peeling, grating, and drying steps, a process that removes any cyanogenic glycosides. It is a grain-free and gluten-free starch that is 98% digestible. There are no known allergies to tapioca, and many veterinary teaching hospitals incorporate tapioca rather than potato into their hypoallergenic, homemade recipes for food allergies and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Nature’s Variety includes tapioca in our grain-free Instinct kibble diets. Without some sort of natural starch as a binder, the ingredients in dry dog or cat foods do not hold together during the cooking process.

Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats (and some breeds of dogs), which means that these pets cannot synthesize Taurine on their own; they lack the proper liver enzymes. Without sufficient levels, pets may develop eye and heart issues. Raw meat is the best source of taurine since cooking reduces the bioavailability – for this reason, all of our kibble and canned diets include a taurine supplement.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is a water soluble vitamin also known as thiamin or thiamine hydrochloride. Thiamine Mononitrate is required for normal functioning of all body cells, especially nerves and peristaltic movement in the GI tract. Vitamin B1 is involved in numerous body processes that break convert food into energy and strengthen heart muscle. Vitamin B1 deficiency may lead to weakness, GI disorders, and weight loss. Because this vitamin is water-soluble, excesses are excreted in the urine rather than stored, and a daily supply of the vitamin is necessary.

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. The tomato boasts several healthy nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin C, lycopene, and iron. The USDA classifies tomato as a vegetable, but it is actually a fruit. Tomatoes used by Nature’s Variety do not contain green stems or leaves, the portion of the plant that is toxic; our diets use only the non-toxic ripe, red parts of the fruit.

Tomato pomace is the mixture of tomato skins, pulp, and crushed seeds fruit that remains after the juicing process. Tomato pomace is a rich source of protein, fiber, iron, and lycopene; it aids in proper stool formation. Tomato pomace used by Nature’s Variety does not contain green stems or leaves, the portion of the plant that is toxic; our diets use only the non-toxic ripe, red parts of the fruit.

Tricalcium Phosphate is a calcium salt of phosphoric acid. It is a balanced source of calcium and phosphorus, two necessary compounds for dogs and cats of all life stages.

Turkey is the clean combination of flesh and skin (with or without accompanying bone), that comes from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey. Turkey is an excellent source of highly digestible, lean protein. Turkey is also a complete protein meaning it contains all essential amino acids. Nature’s Variety uses only high quality turkey muscle that never contains added growth hormones or antibiotics.

Turkey hearts are a nutrient-rich organ meat, and a good source of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and most importantly, taurine.

Turkey liver is a very good source of lean protein. Our nutritious turkey liver is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including thiamine, manganese, vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, iron, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and selenium. These vitamins and minerals help provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs and cats.

Turkey meal is the clean combination of the flesh and skin of turkey (with the moisture removed). Our high quality turkey meal is an excellent source of highly digestible, lean meat protein, and never contains added growth hormones. Turkey meal is also rich in essential amino acids, such as tryptophan. Turkey proteins are NOT considered to be cross-reactive with chicken proteins. In other words, pets with allergies to chicken should NOT have an allergic reaction when they eat turkey.