Amla
2 foods contain this ingredient
This is an alphabetical list, not a ranking. Add KL+ to rank foods for your pet in the Food Finder.
About Amla
Amla is the fruit of the Indian gooseberry tree, added to pet foods mainly as a plant-based source of vitamin C and antioxidant polyphenols.
Amla (Indian gooseberry) is used in pet foods and supplements as a natural antioxidant and source of vitamin C, polyphenols and dietary fiber to support immune health, skin and coat condition, and digestive regularity. Although dogs and cats can produce vitamin C endogenously so supplementation is not required for most healthy pets, amla’s antioxidant compounds may be beneficial under oxidative stress; high concentrations or poor-quality extracts can be acidic and cause gastrointestinal upset, so use products formulated for pets and consult your veterinarian.
- Derived from
- fruit of the Phyllanthus emblica (Emblica officinalis) tree
- Primary role
- botanical antioxidant and vitamin C source
Why it's used
Formulators include amla in functional treats and supplements to add a concentrated plant source of polyphenolic antioxidants alongside vitamin C, positioning it as a whole-food alternative to synthetic ascorbic acid in some recipes. Its inclusion is more common in supplements and joint or skin-support blends than in everyday base kibble formulas.
Common concerns
- Vitamin C and oxalate metabolism Ascorbic acid is partly metabolized into oxalate, and veterinary sources note that high-dose vitamin C supplementation has been associated with increased urinary oxalate in animals with a prior history of calcium oxalate stones, so pets with that history are typically advised to avoid extra vitamin C supplementation.
- Unnecessary for most healthy pets Dogs and cats synthesize their own vitamin C from glucose in the liver, so veterinary nutrition sources describe routine supplementation as generally unneeded outside of illness, trauma, or periods of oxidative stress.
Also relevant
Because amla is not a standardized AAFCO feed ingredient, the vitamin C and polyphenol content of amla-derived products can vary by extraction method and processing, which affects potency between products.
3 sources cited
- Dogs and cats synthesize vitamin C endogenously from glucose and typically do not require dietary supplementation except under added physiological stress
- High-dose vitamin C supplementation is metabolized in part to oxalate and has been linked to increased urinary oxalate excretion, a consideration for animals with a history of calcium oxalate urolithiasis
- Dietary oxalate precursors, including ascorbic acid, contribute to urinary oxalate excretion
Common Questions
What category is Amla?
Amla is categorized as a fruit ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Amla part of an allergen group?
No allergen group is linked to Amla in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Amla?
2 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Amla, including Earth Animal, YumWoof.
Foods with Amla
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
Find the right food for your pet
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