Deconstructing Pet Food Labels

[Nancy1999]

Take from PET/MD website: Deconstructing Pet Food Labels | Dog Food Label Info | Cat Food Label Info | petMD

I hope this can take some of the confusion out of reading labels.

Deconstructing Pet Food Labels

By Vanessa Voltolina

Trying to decipher and compare the multitude of wet and dry pet foods at your local store? While they may be regulated at the national level by the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine, “Pet food labels are not very helpful,” says Ashley Gallagher, a DVM at Washington, DC’s Friendship Hospital For Animals.

Confusing pet food labels means owners must be savvy at dissecting packaging claims and opt for trusted pet food brands to ensure pets get the right nutrition, says Dr. Gallagher. Before you shop for your pet’s next meal, keep these label-deciphering ideas in mind — based on American Animal Hospital Association Nutritional Assessment Guidelines — to determine what elements will add to your pet’s overall health.

Natural and Holistic Pet Foods

When a pet food is labeled as “natural,” it means that according to FDA guidelines, food ingredients have not had any chemical alterations, says Dr. Gallagher. (Similarly to human food, organic products must be marked with an official seal from the USDA to qualify). Dr. Gallagher cautions about putting stock in the term “holistic,” though, since there is no legal definition and doesn’t necessarily mean anything on a pet food label.

AAFCO Nutrient Profile (Life Stages)

Notice that pet foods are marked with either “All Life Stages” or “Adult Maintenance”? “'All life stages’ is formulated to meet requirements for a growing puppy or kitten,” says Dr. Gallagher. This usually means it’s higher in calories, calcium and phosphorus. However, brand marketing often use phrases such as “senior medley,” which can be confusing to consumers.

Read the pet food packaging carefully, as Gallagher cautions that more flowery language usually amounts to nothing; the food’s nutrient profile is still “all life stages,” which may not be appropriate for an adult or mature pet. She recommends healthy adult pets stick with “adult maintenance” food that is designed for their appropriate nutritional needs.

Formulated Pet Foods

You will want to ensure that your pet's food is formulated to meet minimum nutrition requirements. The package label should include an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutritional adequacy statement that reads: “[Name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog (or Cat) Food Nutrient Profiles for [life stage(s)]". Meeting this minimal requirement means the food formulation is determined via laboratory analysis versus being actually determined by feeding to animals.

Feeding Trials

While ensuring food is formulated to meet minimum nutrition requirements is the first step, the gold standard among pet foods are those that have conducted an AAFCO feeding trial on real pets. Brands such as Hill’s and Nestle have performed these, says Dr. Gallagher. Pet foods that have conducted feeding trials will tout labels that read: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate [Name] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [life stage(s)]."

Protein Check

Pet food label ingredients are listed in order of weight, starting with the heaviest ingredient. This means that consumers should look for one or two quality proteins listed within the first few ingredients. Dr. Gallager says that chicken meal (which is dehydrated and rendered down) actually packs more protein than fresh chicken, which is 80 percent water. Since chicken meal weighs less, a spot in the top three means the pet food is packing more protein. This same concept goes for animal proteins including beef, fish and lamb.

Grain-Free Pet Foods

Just because a pet food is“grain-free” doesn’t mean that it’s carb-free, says Dr. Gallagher. Grain-free products can be loaded with potatoes and veggies that will keep your pet consuming the same, if not more, carbohydrates. Be sure to check the ingredients to see which ones take prominence. Also keep in mind that only an excessive level of carbohydrates is bad, as they provide an excellent source of energy and are an essential part of a balanced diet.

Daily Feeding Recos

Whether you have an active puppy or a geriatric cat, daily feeding recommendations can be good guidelines, says Dr. Gallagher, but they’re really just that. “The pets [on which guidelines are based] are not your average couch potatoes,” she adds. “They’re active and get more exercise than the average pet.” Evaluate daily food portions based on your pet’s age, body condition, and overall health. When in doubt, be sure to consult with your vet.

Supplemental Use Only

If a pet food label says it’s for “intermittent or supplemental use only,” it means that the food isn’t complete and balanced. Translation: “You don’t want to feed it to them for an extended period of time,” says Dr. Gallagher. She says these pet foods are like consuming McDonald’s, in that it’s fine every once in a blue moon, but making a habit of it will deprive pets of vital nutrients they need to stay healthy.

[Wylie's Mom]

Good article, good find! Labels can be confusing for many, especially new pet parents.

Good point she makes regarding grain-free doesn't mean "carb free" - and to keep an eye on that fact.

We should add this (then also the Remillard article) to the Library. I'm trying to think of the best way to add them all....thinking of maybe putting several different ones under the "Principles of Dog Nutrition" thread - capturing all the info in one place...? Or would people prefer 1 thread per article....?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Good article, good find! Labels can be confusing for many, especially new pet parents.

Good point she makes regarding grain-free doesn't mean "carb free" - and to keep an eye on that fact.

We should add this (then also the Remillard article) to the Library. I'm trying to think of the best way to add them all....thinking of maybe putting several different ones under the "Principles of Dog Nutrition" thread - capturing all the info in one place...? Or would people prefer 1 thread per article....?

Could we have a subsection in the nutrition category where all the articles are about nutrition? You know, now it diet health and nutrition, so there are articles on dryer sheets mixed with articles on nutrition. I think it might be best to keep each article separate, reading one huge article could be overwhelming and if these are short it might inspire more people to read.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Could we have a subsection in the nutrition category where all the articles are about nutrition? You know, now it diet health and nutrition, so there are articles on dryer sheets mixed with articles on nutrition. I think it might be best to keep each article separate, reading one huge article could be overwhelming and if these are short it might inspire more people to read.

That makes sense. I will see if it's possible in the Library to have the Health Section, and then have Nutrition as a sub-section of Health...is that what you're thinking?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

That makes sense. I will see if it's possible in the Library to have the Health Section, and then have Nutrition as a sub-section of Health...is that what you're thinking?

Yeah, I think that would make things more organized.

[jp4m2]

Nancy I have a couple of questions I'm not sure you can answer but here goes.....

It says AAFCO sets *minimal* nutritional requirements for foods, so would this mean the food will keep the pet alive but not necessarily thriving throughout the pets life?

Then it says, "determined via laboratory analysis" so would/could that be interpreted that since pets were not actually used to determine if the formulation(s) are beneficial over the life time of the pet, the food(s) may not be optimal for long term good health?


Just a couple of thought I had while reading this article...

[107barney]

This was a nice, balanced, article. Thanks for posting.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Good article, good find! Labels can be confusing for many, especially new pet parents.

Good point she makes regarding grain-free doesn't mean "carb free" - and to keep an eye on that fact.

We should add this (then also the Remillard article) to the Library. I'm trying to think of the best way to add them all....thinking of maybe putting several different ones under the "Principles of Dog Nutrition" thread - capturing all the info in one place...? Or would people prefer 1 thread per article....?

That would be great. I posted a second article yesterday from Dr. Freeman, Tufts nutritionist that was also a decent read and may also be something to add.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by 107barney

That would be great. I posted a second article yesterday from Dr. Freeman, Tufts nutritionist that was also a decent read and may also be something to add.

Yes, we should include that as well...both good ones.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by jp4m2

Nancy I have a couple of questions I'm not sure you can answer but here goes.....

It says AAFCO sets *minimal* nutritional requirements for foods, so would this mean the food will keep the pet alive but not necessarily thriving throughout the pets life?

Then it says, "determined via laboratory analysis" so would/could that be interpreted that since pets were not actually used to determine if the formulation(s) are beneficial over the life time of the pet, the food(s) may not be optimal for long term good health?


Just a couple of thought I had while reading this article...

Well you've just given me an idea for a new thread! I think you are correct, the dog will be kept alive with no known nutritional deficiencies present, or seen for about 3 months. I'll have to do some more research on that.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by jp4m2

Nancy I have a couple of questions I'm not sure you can answer but here goes.....

It says AAFCO sets *minimal* nutritional requirements for foods, so would this mean the food will keep the pet alive but not necessarily thriving throughout the pets life?

Then it says, "determined via laboratory analysis" so would/could that be interpreted that since pets were not actually used to determine if the formulation(s) are beneficial over the life time of the pet, the food(s) may not be optimal for long term good health?


Just a couple of thought I had while reading this article...

New thread just for you, I was wrong about the three months response, the dogs are tested for about 6 months and only 8 are tested with only 6 having to complete the tests. They are looking for adequate, not optimal. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...t-does-do.html