Understanding Pet Food Labels

 

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It seems like every day there is a new and improved holistic/all natural pet food on the market. That’s good, right? Well yes and no. Yes, high quality foods are now readily available in your local pet store and the medium quality foods increase in quality every year, but it also means that there are many ‘fakes’ on the market trying to get their share of the multi-million dollar industry that the pet industry has become. I can’t tell you how many pet food websites claim to be the first to be ‘all natural’ or the only truly ‘holistic’ food on the market. These buzz words used to be all it took to market a new pet food, now they seem to create a confusing facade for purchasers to delve through in order to find out what their pet really needs. And let’s face it, not everyone has the time.


 

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According to The Whole Dog Journal, “independent pet supply stores are historically the leaders in finding and promoting the healthiest products”. I believe this is because of the close relationship independent retailers have with both the customers and the smaller boutique-style pet food companies. Feedback is often direct and immediate with the powers that be. To this end, starting to look for a good food for your pet at an independent retail store is probably a very good idea. I mean I would say that wouldn’t I?! But seriously - think about it...

Nevertheless, shiny fancy pet food bags and blind faith in your local pet store will not always get your pet the the very best food that they need. You need to educate yourself, do some research and ask lots of questions. A good place to start is to learn and understand how to read Pet Food Ingredient Labels. I’ve set out a couple of tables below that I hope will clarify some of the myths and mysteries regarding pet food ingredients that I think you will find useful.

What to Look For:
  • A named animal protein at the top of the list of ingredients. Ingredients are listed by weight, ideally you want to see a named meat or meat meal in the first two ingredients. For example: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Rice. “Meat” is an example of a low quality protein source of dubious origin.

  • When a fresh meat appears high on the list of ingredients, look for an animal protein meal as an additional source of protein. As mentioned above, ingredients are listed by weight. Fresh/Frozen meats contain as much as 65-75% water and only 15-20% protein. Animal protein meals consist of rendered and dried meat, bone, skin and connective tissue. They contain only 10% moisture and up to 65% protein.

  • Whole vegetables and fruits (and if applicable) grains. These ingredients are more nutritious, i.e. contain more vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants if they remain intact. One or two fragments are okay, especially if they are low on the ingredient list. But if there are several present in the food and/or they are high up on the list of ingredients, this is a lower quality product.

  • Organic. With the word Organic - ensure it is a USDA registered organic product. Registered products contain up to 95% certified organic products. Unregistered products may in fact contain very little organic ingredients.

  • Foods manufactured and packaged by the company’s own plants. Companies that manufacture and package their own food have total control over what goes in the food. This way, disasters such as the Menu Pet Food recall can be easily prevented. This is not to say that companies that do not own their own plants are all bad - just do your research and use your discretion.
What to Avoid:
  • Meat By-Products or Poultry By-Products. These are low value ingredients that tend to be stored less carefully by processors. They are more likely to oxidise and become rancid than higher value meats.

  • Added sweeteners. Sweeteners add to the palatability of a food. They encourage pets to eat foods comprised mainly of grains with low protein value. The dog equivalent of a fast food - tasty, but not necessarily that good for you.

  • Artificial Preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. Natural tocopherols (forms of vitamin E) vitamin C and rosemary extract can be used instead.

  • Artificial Colours. Artificial colouring is used to make the food more appealing to the purchaser and not the consumer. Essentially they are useless chemicals... need I say more?!

  • Blind Faith. Just because your Veterinarian, breeder, pet food supplier or super knowledgeable friend recommends a food, it does not necessarily mean it is a good food for your pet. Ask questions, do your research and ask more questions.