The front of the bag is for selling. The facts are on the back and sides, in small print. Here is what AAFCO, which writes the model rules most U.S. states follow, and the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee say to look for13.
- Find the nutritional adequacy statement. AAFCO calls it perhaps the most important part of the label1. Look for complete and balanced plus a life stage: growth, maintenance, gestation/lactation or all life stages1. Foods labeled for all life stages are made to meet the needs of growth and reproduction3. Intermittent or supplemental feeding only means it is not a full diet. WSAVA advises keeping such foods to 10% or less of the diet unless your vet is guiding a special diet3.
- Read the name like a code. AAFCO's naming rules1:
- Beef Dog Food: beef is at least 95% of the product, not counting added water (at least 70% counting it).
- Beef Dinner, Entrée or Platter: at least 25% not counting water (at least 10% counting it).
- With Beef: at least 3% beef.
- Beef Flavor: a listed ingredient must supply the beef flavor, but the food does not need to contain much of it.
- Scan the ingredient list. Ingredients are listed by weight, heaviest first. The list does not give amounts, and it may not mention quality or grade1.
- Check the nutrient table. It is printed as the Guaranteed Analysis: minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, maximum crude fiber and maximum moisture. Crude refers to the lab method used to measure them, not to quality1.
- Find the calories. Look under Calorie Content for calories per kilogram and per cup, can or treat12. Feeding directions are a starting point. Your vet can help you set a daily amount for your pet's age, weight and activity2.
- See who makes it. Manufactured by means the company makes the food. Manufactured for or Distributed by means someone else makes it13. WSAVA also suggests checking that the company lists a phone number or email you can use3.
Questions WSAVA suggests asking the company
- Do you employ a qualified nutritionist? WSAVA names a PhD in animal nutrition or board certification by the ACVN or ECVCN3.
- Who formulates your recipes3?
- Does the food meet AAFCO or FEDIAF nutrient profiles based on lab analysis of the finished food, or only on paper using a nutrient database3?
- What research have you done, and is it published in peer-reviewed journals3?
Words that tell you less than you think
- Holistic and premium are unregulated terms with little practical value for judging nutrition3.
- New or improved may only stay on a label for six months of production1.
- Treats and snacks are not required to be complete and balanced1.
Cooking at home?
A 2013 study checked 200 home-cooked dog food recipes from books and websites. 190 of them (95%) came up short on at least one essential nutrient4. If you cook for your pet, ask your vet about working with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
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Sources
- Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Reading Labels. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels/
- AAFCO. Calories. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/calories/
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods (updated March 2021). https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf
- Stockman J, Fascetti AJ, Kass PH, Larsen JA. Evaluation of recipes of home-prepared maintenance diets for dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013;242(11):1500-1505. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.242.11.1500
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