| We cannot stress enough how important it is for all | | | | The Back of the Pet Food Label |
| dog owners to learn how to decipher dog food labels. | | | | - Now let's turn to the back of the label and decipher |
| Most consumers are completely misinformed and, | | | | the ingredients list. The first point to keep in mind is |
| unknowingly, are very likely feeding their beloved | | | | that dog food ingredients are listed by weight |
| pets something entirely different than the label would | | | | (before processing), in descending order. |
| have them believe. | | | | - Be aware that a meat protein which is not |
| To illustrate this point, let's take a look at why we | | | | dehydrated or in meal form, is very high in moisture |
| choose to use the word "decipher", and why this | | | | and weighs a lot more than its dried counterpart. |
| word applies so aptly to dog food labels. | | | | Therefore, just because the first ingredient listed on |
| The definition of "decipher", according to the Oxford | | | | the label might be "Beef", this does not necessarily |
| English Dictionary is: "(1) Convert from code into | | | | mean that the dog food is plentiful in beef. It simply |
| normal language. (2) Succeed in understanding | | | | means that, including its water content, beef is the |
| (something hard to interpret)." | | | | single heaviest ingredient. If the water were to be |
| Indeed, much of the wording on pet food labels is | | | | extracted from the beef, it would need to be listed |
| liable to be encoded and subject to interpretation. It | | | | much further down on the list of ingredients. |
| is deliberately misleading. | | | | Therefore, it is very important to examine all the |
| There are many different factors and angles to | | | | ingredients listed, particularly those mentioned before |
| consider when deciphering a dog food label. To | | | | the named fat, in order to get a more complete |
| simplify matters, here's an overview of the | | | | picture of the true quality of the product. |
| information AAFCO (The Association of American | | | | - Be on the lookout, also, for "ingredient splitting". |
| Feed Control Officials) requires pet food companies | | | | What this means, is that a large amount of a lower |
| to include on their labels, and some significant tips to | | | | quality ingredient or filler can be split into lighter |
| help you read between the lines. | | | | weight components, and listed separately on the |
| The Front of the Dog Food Label | | | | label. By so doing, the unsuspecting consumer is |
| - Ignore almost everything you see on the front of | | | | unaware that this ingredient is in fact quite possibly |
| the packaging. All those glamorous pictures and | | | | the bulk of the product. An example is corn. You |
| elaborate words are, more often than not, | | | | may see it mentioned in several positions on the label |
| extravagant and meaningless marketing ploys | | | | as "corn", then further down "corn meal' and still |
| designed to appeal to your emotions and sway your | | | | further down as "corn flour". In these cases, in all |
| assessment of the product. | | | | likelihood, the product you are looking at has an |
| - Words such as "Recommended by Veterinarians", | | | | extremely high ratio of corn! |
| "Premium", "Holistic", "All Natural", "Organic", etc., have | | | | - Take note of whether the product is labeled |
| no official meaning at all! In fact, any product labeled | | | | "Complete" or "Balanced", known as AAFCO's |
| as such, does not need to contain any higher quality | | | | Nutritional Adequacy Statement, as opposed to |
| dog food ingredients than any other dog food on the | | | | "Intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding". |
| market. | | | | "Intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding" is |
| - Do take note of the name of the product. This | | | | self-explanatory. It means the product should be fed |
| may disclose a hot clue as to the overall quality of | | | | in addition to a wholesome, complete and balanced |
| the dog food. | | | | food. If fed alone, your dog will not be getting all his |
| Again, most consumers are totally unaware that pet | | | | her required nutrients. |
| food manufacturers are required to comply with | | | | - The Guaranteed Analysis section of the label must |
| certain "Rules" created by AAFCO. Any dog food | | | | state the minimum percentage of protein, fat, fiber, |
| label that describes the dog food ingredients in the | | | | and moisture in the dog food. |
| product name must follow one of the following four | | | | - The Feeding Instructions suggest the quantity of |
| AAFCO Rules:- | | | | food to feed your pet. These instructions should be |
| - The "95%" Rule: A product that lists the meat | | | | used as a very rough guideline only. Remember to |
| ingredient first in the name, such as "Beef for Dogs" | | | | take into account the size of your dog, his/her |
| or "Beef and Rice", means that the product must | | | | present weight, growth and activity level, and adjust |
| contain at least 95% of that meat ingredient. This | | | | the feeding portions accordingly. |
| rule typically applies to canned dog food. | | | | - The Net Quantity simply states how much product |
| - The "25%" or "Dinner" Rule: When a descriptive | | | | is in the bag or can. |
| noun such as "Dinner" or "Entree" is added after the | | | | - The Manufacturer's Name and Address is also |
| meat ingredient, for instance, "Beef Dinner", this | | | | required on the label. This identifies the company who |
| means the product must contain between 25% and | | | | is ultimately responsible for the quality of the product. |
| 95% of the named meat protein. | | | | Many consumers are also unaware that if the label |
| - The "3%" or "With" Rule: When you see a name | | | | states, "Manufactured for Company X" or |
| that includes the word "with", such as "Made with | | | | "Distributed by Company Y" this means that the |
| Real Beef", it means the product must contain | | | | product was actually manufactured by an outside |
| between 3% and 25% of the meat ingredient. | | | | company. |
| - The "Flavor" Rule: Finally, a pet food that contains | | | | Let's keep our precious pooches safe. Don't allow |
| the word "Flavor" in its name, such as "Beef Flavored | | | | yourself to be tricked into feeding your pet an |
| Chunks", can contain the slightest detectable amount | | | | unhealthy product. By understanding how to decipher |
| of the named meat ingredient. Simply put, it could | | | | dog food labels, you can decide for yourself whether |
| contain nothing more than a mere droplet of beef | | | | or not any product is in fact the healthiest food for |
| stock! | | | | your furry friend. |