Navigating the virtual or physical shelves containing pet foods can be daunting, because as you search for the best food to feed your furry pal, you are bombarded by flashy labels claiming the product is natural, organic, holistic, gourmet, or premium. You may even see a can of food with a picture of a well-fed wolf or slinky lynx that claims to satisfy your pet’s ancestral needs.

However, focusing on bright graphics and buzzwords is not the best way to choose your pet’s food. Instead, follow the tips that our team at The Old 41 Animal Hospital is sharing and learn what to look for in a high quality pet diet.

Reading the pet food label 

Reading and understanding nutritional labels is crucial when selecting pet food. Pet owners are often sucked in by the marketing, and do not always notice the important information. In some cases, you may need to contact the manufacturer to learn crucial details. 

When looking at a pet food label, read through the following key sections that you need to know to make an informed decision. A pet food label should contain:

  • Ingredient list — Many people jump straight to the ingredient list when choosing a pet food, but the ingredient list can be misleading about nutritional value. For example, if chicken is listed as the first ingredient, then chicken is the heaviest item before cooking, but once the food has been cooked and the water removed, the amount of chicken in the food will be much lower. Chicken meal is simply chicken after the water has been removed, so its position on the ingredient list likely won’t change after cooking. Keep in mind when you’re looking at the ingredient list that your pet needs nutrients, not ingredients.
  • Feeding guidelines — Feeding guidelines are just that—guidelines. They give you a general idea of how much to feed your pet, but each pet has a highly individualized metabolism that requires a feeding amount adjustment to maintain a healthy body weight.
  • Guaranteed analysis — Pet food labels must have four basic nutritional guarantees—minimum percentages of crude protein and fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. While these numbers do not signify the diet’s quality, they are essential for holding the manufacturer to their nutritional claims.
  • Nutritional adequacy statement — The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provides animal nutritional guidelines, label standards, and more to help ensure pets receive nutritionally complete, balanced diets. An AAFCO statement on the food bag verifies that the food has either been formulated to meet the recommended nutritional levels or tested for confirmation that complete and balanced nutrition for an indicated life stage is provided.

Understanding ingredients versus nutrition

Your pet may be a family member, albeit a four-legged one, but they do not think about ingredients the same way. For example, if you read through the ingredient list on a package of chicken nuggets you feed your kids, you may be horrified to see that the list includes chicken by-products. However, chicken by-products are an excellent source of essential nutrients for your furry pal.

Contrary to popular belief, by-products are not filler ingredients, nor inedible animal parts, like hooves, hair, and feathers. Rather, animal by-products are generally nutrient-rich organ meats, such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen, that animals given a choice of food will actually choose first. In dry food, by-product meal contains these organ meats and other edible animal parts, such as tissues and bones. Organ meats like the liver, spleen, and heart are a greater source of essential vitamins, minerals, and protein than regular muscle meat, which often lacks nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin A, that dogs and cats need. These are found in greater abundance in by-products such as bones and liver.

Including “superfoods” on the ingredient list is another misleading tactic to spur purchases. Many healthy-sounding ingredients on the list may seem to promote your pet’s health, but they often offer little nutritional value, especially because they are often in tiny quantities. So, while blueberries, apples, carrots, and kelp sound like they should be part of your pet’s diet, you’re better off offering fresh versions as treats instead of ensuring they’re in kibble or canned food.

Considering your pet’s nutritional needs

Different pets have varying nutritional needs based on factors such as age, breed, size, and health conditions. Protein, fat, calories, vitamin, and mineral content requirements vary according to each pet’s health, nutrition, and energy needs. You should consult with our Dr. Gregory to determine your pet’s most suitable diet. For example, pets with allergies, sensitivities, or chronic conditions may require special diets, and our veterinarian can guide you on selecting the right food.

Pet nutrition is complex, especially when chronic health conditions complicate matters. For help choosing a well-balanced, nutritionally complete diet that suits your pet’s individual needs, discuss your options with our team at The Old 41 Animal Hospital.