Pet food labels are designed to inform regulators. They are not designed to inform consumers. Here is how to read one anyway.
The First 5 Ingredients (20 seconds)
Ingredients are listed by pre-cooking weight. The first ingredient is the most abundant by mass before water is removed.
Green flags: Named animal protein first: Chicken, Beef, Salmon, Turkey, Duck, Lamb. Organ meats in top 5. Whole vegetables and fruits.
Red flags: Unnamed proteins: Poultry, Meat. Corn, wheat, or soy in first 3 ingredients. Multiple forms of the same grain (ingredient splitting).
The ingredient splitting trick: Manufacturers can split one ingredient into multiple smaller forms Brown Rice, Rice Flour, Rice Bran each appearing lower on the list than if combined. Add them up mentally.
The AAFCO Statement (15 seconds)
Better: based on feeding trials using AAFCO procedures actual dogs, actual blood work, actual proof.
Acceptable: formulated to meet AAFCO standards mathematically calculated to meet minimums.
Avoid: for intermittent or supplemental feeding only not complete nutrition.
The Guaranteed Analysis (15 seconds)
Four numbers: Crude Protein, Crude Fat, Crude Fiber, Moisture.
Dry matter conversion: Take protein percentage and divide by (100 minus moisture percentage). A kibble showing 24% protein with 10% moisture equals 26.7% dry matter protein. A canned food showing 9% protein with 78% moisture equals 40.9% dry matter protein. Now they are comparable.
The Checklist
- Named animal protein is the first ingredient
- No unnamed proteins in top 5
- No corn, wheat, or soy in top 3
- No BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin in preservatives
- No artificial colors
- AAFCO statement present and says complete and balanced
- Life stage matches your dog
Four or more checks: probably fine. Seven checks: Truva-standard territory.