PET FOOD LABELS

Requirements

By law, labels must include:

• Product name
• Net weight (including water)
• Species for which food is intended
• Manufacturer or distributor contact information
• Guaranteed (chemical) analysis of the food
• Ingredient list
• Nutritional adequacy statement
• Directions for use
• Date code

Ingredient List

Pet food labels must include a complete list of ingredients, with ingredients shown in decreasing order. For dry foods, the order is based on the ingredient weight before the food is dried.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pet food labels must include a “Guaranteed Analysis” of the food’s major nutrients. The guaranteed analysis is designed to confirm that the product meets minimum requirements for protein, fat and other ingredients, and does not exceed maximum requirements for water, fiber and other ingredients. Because these percentages are provided in terms of minimums or maximums, it’s impossible to know the exact percentage of any of these items.

Nutritional Adequacy Statement

Most pet foods are formulated to meet or exceed requirements for the most demanding stages of life, such as growth or pregnancy. Other options are specifically formulated for certain life stages, such as foods for young or senior/mature animals.

Formulations for certain conditions, like weight management or hairball control, are classified as limited purpose or special need diets. Some pet foods are designed to provide all of the animal’s nutritional needs, while others are suitable only as treats or snacks. Some examples would be:

• Complete and balanced food
• Treat
• For all life stages
• For kittens
• Maintains health of urinary tract
• Reduces plaque and tartar

In some cases, similar statements may appear elsewhere on the label. Unless claims like “Hairball formula for cats” or “For better digestion” appear in the Nutritional Adequacy Statement, they are informational or promotional, rather than a legal claim backed up by research.

Date Codes

This is the expiration date which indicates when the food should be eaten to ensure freshness and avoid spoilage. At Doggie Style Pets any food in inventory that is 60 days from expiration is to be marked down by 50%.