How To Read The Label of a Branded Dog Food?
For you to find the best dog food is very vital to your dog’s health. But the labels on a branded dog food will be always confusing unless you are an expert with the dog foods. Following some simple steps will help you to understand the contents from the dog food labels and to compare different dog supplies with extreme confidence.
- First locate the “Guaranteed Analysis” table on the dog food label. You may note that the percentage values given for protein, fiber and fat are the measurements of that particular food in its current state and environment.
- Because of the factor that different dog foods are having different levels of moisture content, to compare the dog foods, you can only logically compare them on a dry matter basis. The moisture levels in the dog foods usually ranges from 6 percentage to even 80 percentage. The canned dog foods which are available in the market obviously contains more moisture than the dry kibble food.
- You have to look beyond the marketing claims which are accompanying a dog food. In the United States, the pet food labeling is regulated on a state-by-state basis, within the guidelines from the Association of American Feed Control Officials or AAFCO. Even then, the reality is that most of the pet food producers are often using the terms that are undefined by the regulatory authorities, which is done in order to communicate much effectively with the common consumers and improve their product’s reputation and sales in the market.
The AAFCO has posted a warning on their website that it is not rare at all that labeling information is so designed to appeal the latest trends in marketing the products. It can be also said that the focus of the consumer is diverted to the market appeal of the product rather than on whether or not the food is suitable for your dog.
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