Understanding Canine Nutrition Labels
As our modern scientific world evolves, we are constantly hit with new information about the health and safety of our furry friends. Professionals in animal care including scientists, researchers, nutritionists, and veterinarians have studied how differences in nutrition can affect our pets.
This information has expanded expeditiously in recent years, which can be overwhelming for pet owners wanting to educate themselves on canine health. With all of these new and/or evolved findings, it can be hard to narrow down what could be the best options for your dog in particular. While there are major overarching needs for all dog’s diets that must be met for optimal health, every dog is unique when it comes to their individual nutritional needs.
This article aims to help you understand how the majority of nutrition labels on processed dog foods work, as well as what certain key terms found on these labels really mean. Being curious and conscious about the foods you are feeding your dog, and the ingredients in their processed food, can help you make wiser decisions about your dog’s nutrition and overall health. We hope this blog can help guide you in deciding what kind of diet and ingredients may be best for your pup, and what ingredients may not be the best for their overall wellbeing and personal needs.
Dog Food Labels: Standard Format
Luckily, when it comes to understanding and deciphering between pet food formulas most dog food brands follow roughly the same format in their nutrition labels. Standard formatting includes:
Product & Brand Name
Quantity of food: Depending on the formula, could be measured by weight, liquid measure, or count.
Foods differ weight and density, for example the nutrition percentages for wet vs dry food can be extremely different per ounce.
Guaranteed Analysis: Specifies the amount of specific ingredients.
All states have their own laws and regulations requiring a minimum amount of nutrients, the maximum amount of moisture, water, and crude fiber included in food.
Labels are required to display the percentages of crude fat, water, fiber, and protein found in the food.
If the product advertises special claims such as low-fat, high-protein, grain-free, etc., then the nutrition label must include the minimum and maximum percentage of that element guaranteed in the food.
If the product advertises a certain vitamin, mineral, or other supplement then there must be a guarantee of the amount of the amount in the product.
Ingredients: Always listed in descending order by ingredient weight. One of the most important elements of food labels to read and understand.
According to AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), there are regulations that prohibit using terms that describe collective ingredients such as, “animal protein products.”
All ingredients must be listed clearly and individually by their common or usual names.
Nutritional Adequacy Statement: Required to be backed up by tests that proves the level of nutrients in food, may also include life-stage food is most appropriate for. There are many different claims and statements that dog food brands make such as “complete and balanced, grain free, or 100% nutritious.”
For example, the claim “complete and balanced” means that the food has met the government standard to provide complete and balanced nutrition for all life-stages of adult dogs.
Laws and regulations require that these claims are truthful and accurate; these regulations are put in place and monitored by the AAFCO.
This statement also usually includes the specific life-stage that the food is most appropriate for. These life-stages include: gestation/lactation, growth, maintenance, and all-life-stages.
Feeding instructions: Each brand and variety or dog food will have different feeding instructions based on that particular food’s weight, calorie amount, and nutritional value overall. Feeding instructions are usually listed by weight of the food per pound or by cup. The label should include the appropriate amount according to your dog’s weight and size.
For example, a 10 pound Yorkshire Terrier may need 1/4 cup of kibble twice a day, while a German Shepherd may need 1 cup twice a day. It is all dependent on the particular food’s nutritional value and your dog’s size/weight. The instructions given on these food labels for feeding are merely guidelines, not regulations or a complete equation for every dog. Other variable such as environment, activity level, breed, and temperament can all influence your dog’s daily intake needs.
Keep in mind that feeding directions are not universal, every brand (and every variety within that brand) has a unique nutritional value.
Wet food options tend to be lower in calorie and higher in water by weight compared to dry food; because of this, a higher volume of wet food is typically equivalent to a smaller amount of kibble in terms of nutritional density.
Manufacturer’s name, address, and contact information: In case you need to get ahold of the company for a reason pertaining to the food you bought. This may be due to a product being faulty, spoiled, or tampered with. This information is required by federal and state laws.
Calorie Statement: An accurate statement of the amount of calories found in a serving of the food. All labels are required to have this according to federal and state regulations.
Deciphering Common Terms Used on Labels
Many times dog food labels will have certain terms that must be somehow regulated in order to be allowed to be advertised. As a consumer it can be difficult and overwhelming to distinguish what they all mean and if we should be looking for these particular terms or not for our pups. Some of these terms include:
By-Products: The use of by-products in dog food has been highly contested as the term itself can be highly variable in what it means in different food formulations. By definition, by-products are secondary products produced in addition to a principal product.
It is essentially what is left over after processing a main ingredient in the formula. For example, chicken bones and cartilage are a by-product from processing whole chickens. Using by-products is a common practice that is regulated, safe, and many times are a very nutritious element of your dog’s food.
Most by-products found in dog food are meat by-products such as bones, cartilage, and organs. While the main protein sources used in the food are where the majority of the nutrition and protein comes from, these by-products can be healthy addition by adding extra protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Overall, by-products are not something that consumers should be afraid of or try to avoid entirely. Always research the food you are buying and find out if the food offers an explanation of what by-products are specifically included.
Organic: Unfortunately, as of right now, there are no official regulations put in place for Organic food standards for our pet’s food. However, the USDA is currently working on creating laws and regulations to hopefully soon standardize “organic” foods on the pet supply market. However, there are some simple requirements in order to label pet food as organic, including:
No artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavoring.
No antibiotics or growth hormones in meat or meat by-products.
Little or no fillers.
Keep in mind that organic does not always mean that the food is a better choice or more nutritious. Any high-quality dog food that meets the AAFCO’s stringent nutritional guidelines can be a possible healthy option for your pup. It is up to your dog’s specific needs and sensitivities; some dog’s with sensitive stomachs do better on an organic diet, for others it makes no difference.
Keep in mind that the term “Natural” is NOT synonymous with Organic; it simply refers to the conditions in which the plants were grown or the meat was raised.
Grain-Free: “Grain-free” is a term that is also heavily contested over by pet owners, animal nutritionists, and veterinarians alike. This term has become increasingly popular and researched as pet owners become more aware of what may be in our dog’s food.
Overall, there is not a ton of evidence proving that grain-free foods are better for dogs compared to options including grains. One of the biggest issues with a grain-free diet, is that dogs need a certain amount of fiber to be healthy and many times grain-free options do not have enough of it.
While dogs’ do not need nearly as much grain as we do, the benefits are similar in that high quality grains are fiber rich which help maintain consistent and healthy bowel movements as well as stabilize blood sugar levels.
However, the amount of grain/fiber your dogs need is highly variable and is dependent on every particular dog’s overall health.
Not all grain-free foods are inherently bad, always do your research on the brand and variety of dog food before purchasing.
Human-Grade: Human-grade food is highly regulated by the FDA and USDA for safety and quality standards. “Human-grade” is a legal term used to describe food that has been tested to be edible as well as approved for nourishment for humans. It must also be manufactured, packed, and held in accordance with federal regulations.
While human-grade labels can help you have peace of mind in that its ingredients are one’s that are highly regulated for consumption, it doesn’t always mean that the food is tastier or healthier than other varieties without the label.
Products with this term must also clearly label that its intended use is for feeding dogs; all in the same size and font as the “human-grade” label as to not confuse the consumer.
“New” or “Alternative” Proteins: This term is simply used to describe that the food has untypical protein sources. Such as rabbit, bison, venison, salmon, duck, lamb, or quail eggs amongst other proteins. New/alternative proteins are neither better or worse than typical proteins (such as chicken, turkey, beef) found in dog food.
A variety of proteins are offered amongst dog food formulations because some dogs have allergies or aversions to certain proteins. While chicken is overwhelmingly the most used animal protein source in many foods, it is also actually a common allergy among some breeds.
New and Alternative labels help you quickly identify that the food is made with untypical proteins.
If you are planning to feed your dog a new/alternative protein (or any new food in general) make sure to pay close attention to how your dog behaves and feels after. It may also be a good idea to gradually feed the new formulation, slowly incorporating it in their original food.
If you notice that your dog is itching, licking or chewing their skin, have skin infections or hot spots, recurrent ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, gassy, or are having frequent bowel movements or constipation, it may be a sign that your dog’s food isn’t settling well. Your dog may be sensitive to certain ingredients or formulas. If the symptoms occur, it is always best to seek professional advice from your regular veterinary office.
Low Calorie/Fat: In order to legally use these terms, the food formulation must have a significant reduction of fat and/or calories compared to the brand’s standard dog food. The AAFCO requires that labels that make these claims to show the reduction percentages compared to another product.
Low calorie/low fat/light dog food formulations may be beneficial for your dog if they need to lose some weight. Make sure you consult your regular veterinary office about what a healthy weight is for your particular dog, and how to safely put them on a diet.
It All Comes Down to You
After reading this article, it may feel a little daunting to begin to pay better attention to our pet’s food labels. However, once you start implementing this mindfulness and understand product labels, it becomes second nature and an absolute must when buying new treats and food.
Ultimately, it is up to you as a pet owner to become an educated consumer in a world filled with so much choice and variety. While the variety of formulations offered for dogs can be overwhelming in number, it is also beneficial in that you can spend time finding the best possible formula for your dog in particular.
Remember that every dog is different, and just because a food looks “good” based on the label, does not always mean that it will be a good fit for your particular dog’s needs and sensitivities. If you are looking to change up your dog’s diet in any way, it is advised by veterinarians and pet nutritionists to take it slow. Slowly wean your dog off of their original food by slowly incorporating the new food for a span of a few weeks. Monitor your dog for any symptoms of allergy or stomach upset and change their diet accordingly.
We hope that this article will help guide you to make healthier decisions for your dog’s diet!
Written by Jessica L Hays
Community Outreach - Social Media - Dog Walker
References
AAFCO. “Byproducts.” Association of American Feed Control Officials, 11 June 2024, www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/byproducts/.
Case, Linda, et. al. “What Is Guaranteed Analysis.” Pet Food Institute, 1 July 2024, www.petfoodinstitute.org/what-is-guaranteed-analysis/.
Reisen, Jan. “How to Read a Dog Food Label.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 3 Apr. 2024, www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/how-to-read-a-dog-food-label/.
Schaible, Dr. Laci. “Alternative Proteins in Dog Food: Salmon, Duck & More | Hills Pet.” Hill’s Science Diet, 31 Jan. 2022, www.hillspet.com/dog-care/nutrition-feeding/alternative-protein-salmon-turkey-duck-dog-foods.
