What is your pet food label really telling you?

Whether you are looking at the labels on your own foods, or reviewing the guaranteed analysis panel on a product for your pet - you may have discovered that understanding the information provided on packages is not an easy task.

The fact of the matter is that although there are some mandatory elements required for all consumer labels in Canada, including those found on pet foods, much of the information that is commonly found on pet food labels, including ingredient listings, guaranteed analysis, and product features and benefits, is not legally required on packages. When this information is available, it is subject to voluntary guidelines as outlined by the Pet Food Association of Canada (PFAC). This set of guidelines mirrors the model regulations developed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the organization responsible for the regulation of all animal feeds, including pet food, in the United States. Consumers can take comfort in the fact that most of the market leading companies are in compliance with the recommendations of the PFAC - but should also be aware that because compliance is voluntary, not all brands are necessarily playing by the same rules.

Here's some advice on how to decode your pet food label so that you can compare and have a better understanding of the food you're feeding your pet.

Analyze the Guaranteed Analysis:

Consumer research has shown that the ingredients typically get all of the glory when pet owners scrutinize the packages of products for their dogs and cats. In fact, it is the Guaranteed Analysis that really reveals how the ingredients will work together to meet the nutritional requirements needed in your pet's diet.

Here are three examples of nutrients that will always be found on the Guaranteed Analysis panel, and what they reveal about the formula:

Crude Protein - The level of crude protein that a pet food must provide in order to satisfy AAFCO's requirement for "complete and balanced" nutrition will vary depending on the animal and his life stage. For example, adult dogs require a minimum of 18% protein on a dry matter basis, whereas growing puppies need at least 22% to meet their demands for healthy growth. But remember that these are only "minimum" requirements. If you are shopping for a dog that needs to lose weight, a healthy senior pet, research has shown you may want to choose a diet with elevated levels of protein.

Crude Fat - As with crude protein, AAFCO defines the minimum requirement for crude fat in a diet. Although a "fat free" product may sound like a healthy choice, all animals require a certain level of fat and fatty acids to maintain good health. Important nutrients such as linoleic acid found in corn and chicken, and other fatty acids such as DHA and EPA found in fish based ingredients will all be included in the analysis for crude fat, although some products will choose to list these nutrients individually as well.

Crude Fibre - AAFCO does not define a maximum requirement for fibre, however it is a required element of a guaranteed analysis panel.

If you have noticed that some formulas have more fibre than others, there are sometimes good reasons for this. For example, ingredients that are high in fibre such as corn bran or pea fibre are not "fillers". They play specific roles in special needs formulas such as weight management diets, where their low energy content may help pets to feel full and satisfied on reduced calorie diets.

By looking at this first piece of important information, the Guaranteed Analysis, you can begin to get a good idea on what nutrients the diet is supplying.

More information on AFCO?
More information on PFAC?

- Written by Stephanie Newman, Nestlé Purina's Pet Nutrition Specialist.

View a sample pet food product Guaranteed Analysis and Ingredient List

Now that you know what's in your pet's food, do you know how much to give?

A general guide to feeding your pet can be found on most pet food packages. Actual feeding amounts will depend on the age, activity, size, environment, and body metabolism of your pet. Adjust the amount of food or feeding schedule by observing your dog's body condition. It's important to develop a regular feeding schedule and measure out the food with an 8oz /250mL measuring cup to standardize the serving size. A typical feeding regime might start with something like three small meals a day for a younger pup, gradually decreasing feedings to one in the morning and one in the evening as your puppy grows. And remember: Once you've established a routine, stick to it!

View recommended daily feeding chart

View a dog food product sample Guaranteed Analysis and sample Ingredient List

Sample Guaranteed analysis

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

Ingredients

Lamb, brewers rice, oat meal, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), whole grain corn, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), natural flavour, chicken cartilage (natural source of glucosamine), calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, salt, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, brewers dried yeast, vitamin supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.

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