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3% of the product
- The “With” Rule When you see a dog food label, such as “Doggie Dinner with Beef,” the “with…” ingredient need only be at least 3% of the product. Just the addition of that one word — “with” — dramatically changes the percentage requirement of the ingredient in the food and is a good reason to pay attention to the product name.
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Jun 21, 2024 · Reading a dog food ingredients list can feel like a bit of a minefield — and trying to compare the labels on the back of two different brands can feel even more overwhelming. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be.
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- Dog Food Label Format
- Product Name
- Quantity
- Guaranteed Analysis
- Ingredients
- Nutritional Adequacy Statement
- Feeding Directions
- Deciphering The Descriptive Terms
- Cheat Sheet For Reading Pet Food Labels
All pet food labels follow roughly the same format: 1. Product and brand name or unique identifier. 2. Quantity in terms of product weight, liquid measure, or count, depending on the formulation of the food. 3. Guaranteed analysis, which specifies the amount of specific nutrients. 4. Ingredients, which must be listed in descending order by weight. ...
Quick Tip: It’s all in the wording. There’s more to the product name than clever marketing. The name will actually give you your first clue about the ingredients. Because so many pet owners base their buying decision on a specific ingredient, brands will try to highlight that ingredient in the product name. But it’s all in the wording. The Associat...
Quick Tip: Don’t go by looks. The quantity listed on the label tells you how much of the food is in the container. This may be measured by weight, liquid measure, or by count. Products can vary in density (think wet food vs. dry food, for example). So if you really want to know how much a product costs, do a cost-per-ounce or cost-per-pound compari...
Quick Tip: Look at the basic four: protein, fat, fiber, and water. Many states have regulations requiring the minimum amount of nutrients a pet food must contain, as well as the maximum amount of moisture and crude fiber. Dog food labels must display the percentage of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and water. For those who like to get reall...
Quick Tip: Ingredients are listed in order by weight. According to Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC’s chief veterinary officer, the ingredients section is the most important part of the label to read. Ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight. Each ingredient must be listed individually, and, according to AAFCO regulations, terms describing ...
Quick Tip: Look for the fine print on the side or back of the package. Many dog foods claim to be “complete and balanced” or “100 percent nutritious.” These aren’t just marketing terms. Dr. Klein says, “The phrase means that the food has met specific government standards and provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages of adult dogs...
Quick Tip: Feeding directions are guidelines, not regulations. Regardless of what the package says, consult your vet. This is pretty straightforward — the label tells you how much you should feed your dog. This is listed either by the weight of the food per pound or measure of food per cup. However, as the FDA says, breed, temperament, environment,...
There are so many new trends in pet food that it can be difficult to know exactly what you’re getting. Is “organic” the same as “natural”? What does “lite” mean? Is “grain-free” a good thing? Does my dog need “new proteins”? AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by adve...
You probably now know more than you ever thought possible about all those words on your dog’s food packaging. This information should make you a better-informed consumer, helping you to choose the best possible diet for your pup. Here’s a quick cheat sheet to help you remember all of this when you’re standing in the dog food aisle: 1. The ingredien...
- Product Name. This is most likely to be one of the easiest things to locate and you’d be well within your rights to think it’s a fairly self-explanatory description of what can be found inside.
- Other Descriptors. As well as named ingredients, pet food manufacturers are no strangers to littering titles with positive-sounding adjectives. However, some of these are meaningless, while others can only be used if certain standards are reached.
- Ingredients. In the AAFCO’s Model Regulations that many states have adopted into their law books, there’s a requirement for pet food manufacturers to include a comprehensive list of ingredients on the packaging.
- Guaranteed Analysis. OK, so you’ve read the ingredient list, but it’s hard to tell from these words alone how nutritious the recipe is. This is where the Guaranteed Analysis comes in handy.
Simply put, including the words “with” or “similar” allows an ingredient to be included in the product name or anywhere else on the label at an inclusion rate of at least 3% of each named ingredient. “Honest Jack’s Dog Food With Chicken” should contain at least 3% chicken, while “Cynthia’s Super Cat Food with Tuna and Rice ...
Mar 12, 2024 · In this article, we will discuss how to read a dog food label, explore some interesting trends in the pet food industry, address common concerns, and provide expert advice on selecting the best food for your canine companion. How To Read A Dog Food Label: 1.
Jul 12, 2024 · 1. Dog Food Name: 95% Rule. You can gain a lot of information just from the name of the dog food. High-quality dog food will include its first ingredient in its name. When a name includes an ingredient, it must make up at least 95% of the weight of the recipe.
Mar 11, 2024 · When it comes to deciphering dog food labels, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to understand that ingredients are listed in order of weight, with the main ingredient being the most prominent.
