How to Understand Pet Food Labels

We often come across articles that tell us what to feed our pets. Either an ingredient in the foods we give our pets is bad or the food doesn’t contain enough of a specific ingredient necessary for our pet’s health. We are often encouraged to switch to an expensive brand as a “healthier option.” But how can you determine what pet food labels actually mean?

Simply put, looking at the ingredients is the most important part of selecting your animal’s food. 

Usually we are led to believe that making our pet’s food or opting for gourmet selections is the best choice for our pets. With brand names, nothing in particular stands out as an optimum choice since not all expensive food options are good. In fact, some companies go so far as to change the names of preservatives in their foods to something unpronounceable or not easily identified to leave pet owners feeling confused. It is important to learn how to read what the ingredients are in our animal’s food in order to find the right food for your pet. Some foods offer more of one ingredient and less of another while some support weight or joint support. We must cater to each pet’s diet as needed.

Are there any standards for pet food?

There are standards for any food product including pet foods, which are dictated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These standards tell us what is in our pet’s food and hold pet food companies to a certain standard of quality. However, it’s important to take the AAFCO Stamp of Approval with a grain of salt.

Why is it important to understand pet food labels?

According to Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Hospital “An unbalanced diet can lead to serious problems, such as bone fragility, heart disease, and blindness.” It is just as important to know what is in your food as it is to know what’s in your pet’s food. For example, carbohydrates can be detrimental to cats because they can lead to health issues including obesity and diabetes. Since dogs they are omnivores, their bodies can handle carbohydrates better.

So how can I understand pet food labels?

When reading the labels on your pet’s food, keep in mind the ingredients listed first make up the highest percentage of content in your pet’s food whereas the ingredients listed last make up the smallest percentage. The most common ingredients in pet food include poultry, meat, meat byproducts, and poultry byproducts. Scarily enough, some byproducts may contain beaks, hoofs and even tumors, so be aware! If you see the word “meal” added to a name, it means an ingredient was ground down to size and typically includes meat and bone meal, animal byproduct meal, poultry byproduct meal, and poultry meal. Other ingredients are animal oil, vegetable oil, and fats. Additionally the AAFCO states that “corn, barley, peas, and potatoes also supply energy and help hold kibbles together.”

How can you tell which pet food is good and which food isn’t?

When you buy food, make sure it is “meat based” since our dogs and cats are naturally meat eaters. To tell if a food is meat based, the first ingredients on the food label should include meats such as turkey, chicken or lamb. It is imperative to avoid soy or corn since corn is a filler and soy is bad for your pet’s endocrine system.

Always remember to look up ingredients when choosing your pet’s food. Don’t be deceived by companies. Instead, do your own research to ensure your pet’s health. Always look past the package and understand the benefits or downfalls in food ingredients.

How careful are you when selecing a food for your pets? Do you read the labels or do you opt to cook your pet’s food yourself? Leave a comment and let us know!