Cassava
1,189 foods contain this ingredient
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About Cassava
Cassava is a starchy tropical root vegetable, also called yuca or manioc, processed into flour or starch for pet food and treats.
Used primarily as a carbohydrate/starch and binder in dog and cat foods and treats, cassava provides digestible energy and a gluten‑free alternative to cereal grains. It is low in protein and micronutrients but supplies calories and some fiber; raw cassava contains cyanogenic compounds that must be thoroughly processed to prevent cyanide toxicity, and its high glycemic index may be a consideration for overweight or diabetic pets.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- root of Manihot esculenta
- Primary role
- starch source and grain-free binder
Why it's used
Manufacturers use cassava flour or starch as a binding agent that helps hold kibble and treat pieces together while contributing digestible carbohydrate energy. It is a common base for grain-free formulas because it is naturally gluten-free.
Common concerns
- Cyanogenic compounds requiring processing The Merck Veterinary Manual lists Manihot esculenta (cassava) among cyanogenic glycoside-containing plants of veterinary importance, since raw roots contain linamarin, which releases hydrogen cyanide if the plant tissue is not properly processed.
- Goitrogenic (thyroid-related) effect of residual cyanogens Nutrition research on cassava-based diets in animals describes how incompletely detoxified cassava leaves residual thiocyanate in the body, which can competitively inhibit iodine uptake by the thyroid gland if the diet is not adequately processed or iodine intake is low.
4 sources cited
- Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is listed as a cyanogenic glycoside-containing plant relevant to veterinary cyanide poisoning
- Linamarin is the primary cyanogenic glycoside in cassava and requires hydrolysis to release cyanide
- Residual thiocyanate from incompletely detoxified cassava competitively inhibits thyroid iodine uptake, a goitrogenic effect described in cassava nutrition literature
- Milling reduces the goitrogenic potential of cassava
Common Questions
What category is Cassava?
Cassava is categorized as a starch ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Cassava part of an allergen group?
No allergen group is linked to Cassava in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Cassava?
1,189 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Cassava, including NaturVet, Now Fresh, Nutro.
Foods with Cassava
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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