You Are What You Eat: How to Read Pet Food Labels
With so many food options at the pet store, finding the right fit for your furry friend can be daunting. Let’s decode some aspects of the pet food label to help guide you!
Nutritional Adequacy Statement
The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) oversees the labeling of pet food. If a bag does not have an AAFCO statement (usually found on the back or side in small print), the food company may be making claims but not meeting the standards.
Life Stage
For AAFCO approval, the diet must pass a feeding trial for one of these life stages: growth, maintenance, lactation, or all life stages.Guaranteed Analysis
This part lists the minimum or maximum levels of key nutrients:
● Crude Protein: Necessary for growth and muscle maintenance.
● Crude Fat: An important energy source and for healthy skin, coat, and joints.
● Crude Fiber: Aids in digestion and supports the gastrointestinal tract.
● Moisture Content: Helps compare the nutrient density of different foods.
Ingredient List
Ingredients are listed by weight, starting with the heaviest. Choose a diet that lists a protein source as the first ingredient, unless it’s dehydrated, in which case it will appear lower on the list because the water content has been removed. This is why the protein percentage in the guaranteed analysis is more important than just looking at the ingredient list. Here are some ingredients you might find:
● Chicken or Other Meat By-Products: Parts of the animal that are not considered prime cuts, like organs and bones. Trusted brands use quality by-products that provide vital nutrients (e.g., liver and heart).
● Meat Meals (ex. Chicken Meal): Concentrated meat with most water removed. They provide high protein and often have higher digestibility.
● Grains (Corn, Wheat, Rice, Oats): Sources of Vitamin E and B, and Linoleic Acid for the skin and coat. These grains are more digestible than some proteins.
● Sweet Potatoes and Potatoes: Popular in grain-free formulas and offer carbohydrates, fiber, and some vitamins.
● Fats & Oils (Chicken Fat, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed Oil): A great source of energy and essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 – for a shiny coat and soft skin.
● Taurine: A required amino acid, especially for cats, that plays a crucial role in heart and eye function.
Preservatives
These are the most common preservatives:
● Natural Preservatives (ex. Vitamin E, Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin C): These extend shelf life without the use of artificial chemicals.
● Artificial Preservatives (ex. BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin): Synthetic additives which also prolong shelf life, but are less desirable due to potential health concerns.
If you want a preservative-free diet, use canned or frozen pet food, or homemade meals. Kibble must be preserved; otherwise, the nutrients will expire quickly. To keep kibble fresh, store it in an airtight bag or container, or buy smaller bags of kibble.
Final Tip
Opt for reputable brands that base their recipes on scientific research.
Remember, a healthy outside starts from the inside: a nutritious diet!
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