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8 PET FOOD LABEL BASICS
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has pet food guidelines that manufacturers must adhere to. Thanks to these guidelines all pet food must follow labeling requirements and include 8 key components that make it easier to understand what exactly you are feeding your pet.
Source: Pet Food Experts
1. INTENDED SPECIES
This must be conspicuously designated in words on the principal display panel, but may be included in the product name, such as "Beef Dog Food" or "Salmon Treats for Cats". Life stage, breed, and size should also be stated if applicable.
2. QUANTITY STATEMENT
This is the net weight or net volume, and it must be expressed in the correct units and placed on the lower third of the principal display panel. For net weight or volume, both avoirdupois ("pound/ounce") and metric units must be used.
3. MANUFACTURE INFO
This name(s) of the manufacturing company as guarantor of the product. City, state and zip must be shown. If someone else makes the product, companies must show that relationship by using the words "manufactured for:" or "distributed by:".
4. BRAND AND PRODUCT NAME
When it comes to pet food the product name is more than just clever marketing it also has meaning. AAFCO model regulations specify the exact wording of the product names according to how much of the animal-based ingredients the food actually contains.
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The 95% Rule:
If it contains 95% meat, labels will read: Beef Dog Food, Chicken Dog Food, etc.
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The 25% Rule:
If it contains a minimum of 25% meat, labels will read: Chicken Dinner, Recipe or Entree, etc.
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The "with" Rule:
If it contains only 3% meat, labels will read: “With” , “Contains” Beef, Chicken, etc.
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The "Flavor" Rule:
If it contains only trace amounts labels will read: Chicken Flavor! ,
Flavoring, etc.
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5. STATEMENT OF NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY
You may often see that various pet foods will make claims like "complete and balanced" or "100% nutritious". These aren't just phrases that sound good and are slapped on the label to help sell more food. When you see this label on pet food there will also be a nutritional adequacy statement on the packaging as well. This statement assures pet parents that when the pet food is fed as the sole source of nutrition, it meets or exceeds the nutritional requirements for a dog or cat at one or more life stages.
AAFCO requires companies to demonstrate, in one of three ways, that their product is complete and balanced for a particular life stage, adult maintenance or growth and reproduction.
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Meets AFFCO Nutrient Profile
This means that a feeding trial was
not conducted on said product.
-Label will say: Formulated to meet
nutritional levels set by AFFCO -
Feeding Studies
This means feeding trials were
conducted and successful.
-Label will say: Animal feeding tests
using AFFCO procedures. -
Nutrient Profile Families
Company conducted a trial on one
product and any similar products
are assumed to work just as well.-
Requires no label designation.
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6. FEEDING DIRECTIONS
Any and all pet foods labeled as “complete and balanced” for any or all life stages must include feeding directions that, at a minimum, state "Feed (amount) per (weight) of dog/cat". Frequency must also be stated.
Feeding directions are optional for treats, as long as the packaging does not claim to be a “complete and balanced” meal option for dogs/cats. Treats should be labeled as snacks or treats in those cases.
7. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
This lists the percentage of each type of nutrient in the food. The minimum percent of crude protein and crude fat, and the maximum percent of crude fiber and moisture are always required.
Tells you nothing about the sources of the protein, fat, or fiber. For that you will consult the list of actual ingredients. Any product labeled as a snack, treat or supplement are exempt from having to list breakdown.
8. LIST OF INGREDIENTS
The ingredients used must be GRAS ("Generally Recognized As Safe”), approved food additives, or may be otherwise sanctioned for use in animal feeds (for example, defined by AAFCO).
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All ingredients in the product are listed in descending order of predominance by weight
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The most predominate sources of calories and proteins are likely to be among the first five listed.
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Look for food where the first three ingredients are a type of animal protein (chicken, beef, fish, etc.).
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Any ingredient that follows “salt”, on average makes up less than 1% of the total diet.
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The ingredients section is one of the most important parts of the label. The AAFCO has a list of approved ingredients and the names they go by that you can reference to make sure products are following the appropriate standards. Just like you would when shopping for your own health foods looking at the ingredients panel is a great way to determine whether a food will fit what a pet needs (or doesn't need) in their diet.
Now that you have a better understanding about how to read a pet food label, we encourage you to compare nutitional panels and find a brand you can feed with confidence:
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