Reading a pet food label can be confusing, but understanding the information can help you choose the best diet for your four-legged friend. Our Williamsburg Animal Clinic team helps you interpret your pet’s food label.
Pet food product name rules
The product name can provide information about the food’s ingredients. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has established guidelines and standards to ensure pet food quality and safety, including four rules concerning the product name:
- The 95% rule — The 95% rule states that if a pet food name uses a specific ingredient term, such as beef or chicken, that ingredient must make up at least 95% of the total weight of the product, excluding water content. If water is included, the named ingredient must make up 70% of the product. For example, if a product is named “Beef Dog Food,” beef must constitute at least 95% of the total product weight, not including the water added during processing.
- The 25% rule — The 25% rule applies to pet food described as dinner, entree, platter, formula, or recipe in their product names. This rule states that a pet food product that includes a descriptive term and names one or more specific ingredients, those ingredients must constitute at least 25%, but less than 95%, of the product’s total weight, excluding the water used for processing.
- The “With” rule — The “With” rule stipulates that if a pet food product name is followed by “with” an ingredient, that ingredient must constitute at least 3% of the product total weight, excluding the water used for processing.
- The flavor rule — A pet food product that claims to have a specific flavor must contain enough of the ingredient to impart the claimed flavor, although the ingredient does not need to meet specific percentage requirements. The flavor can be provided by natural flavor sources, such as meat or broth, or flavor additives.
Pet food ingredients list
The pet food’s ingredient list is one of the most important label components. Ingredients are listed by weight, with the heaviest first. Ensure high-quality protein sources, such as beef, chicken, or fish, top of the list.
Don’t be dissuaded if the ingredient list includes byproducts. These can contain nutritious substances, such as liver, blood, meat meal, bone, and stomach, which can help provide your pet with a balanced diet.
Pet food nutritional adequacy statement
The nutritional adequacy statement indicates the food meets the AAFCO-established nutritional levels. This statement often identifies the pet life stage for the food formulation. The AAFCO recognizes growth, maintenance, gestation/lactation, and all life stages. Products labeled for more specific life stages, such as senior or specific sizes or breeds, must meet only adult maintenance requirements.
Pet food feeding directions
The feeding directions typically recommend how much to feed your pet, but your pet’s needed daily calorie intake depends on multiple factors, such as their weight, body condition, life stage, activity level, and spay or neuter status. Use the guidelines as a starting point and adjust as needed depending on your pet’s needs.
Pet food descriptive terms
Descriptive marketing terms are often used to entice pet owners, but they don’t necessarily mean the food is better for your pet. Here are a few meanings:
- Organic — Organic pet food must meet the ingredient, production, and handling requirements of the USDA’s National Organic Program. Stipulations include no artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavoring, no antibiotics or growth hormones, and little or no fillers.
- Natural — Natural typically means no synthetic ingredients, but is not strictly regulated.
- Human grade — All ingredients in human-grade foods must be human edible and manufactured, packed, and held in accordance with federal regulations.
- New proteins — These foods contain protein derived from atypical sources, such as kangaroo, bison, and rabbit. They may be suitable for pets with food allergies to beef, chicken, or other meats.
Tips to select your pet’s food
Navigating pet nutrition can be difficult. These tips should help you select a good diet for your pet:
- Consult our veterinary team for nutrition guidance based on your pet’s specific health needs, age, and lifestyle.
- Choose reputable brands with a history of quality control and transparency in their ingredient sourcing.
- Monitor your pet’s reaction to new food, looking for changes in energy levels, coat condition, and stool quality.
If you have questions about your pet’s diet, contact our Williamsburg Animal Clinic team, so we can help you formulate a diet that meets their individual nutritional needs.
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