How to Read a Dog Food Label

Four things to pay attention to when reading the label of your dog's store-bought food.

By: Tracey Tong

Last Updated:January 27, 2021

How to read a dog food label to choose the best for your dog! Look for the aafco nutritional adequacy statement. This ensures the diet meets minimum nutrition requirements, says Vancouver vet Dr. Katherine Kramer. The AAFCO statement is based on either the formulation method or the feeding trial method. Formulation is a lab nutrient profile without feeding trials; feeding trials are the "gold standard," letting foods claim suitability for gestation, lactation, growth, maintenance, or all life stages. Foods not meeting AAFCO will state "intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only."

Label ingredients are listed by weight, the first being the largest amount," says Dr. Kramer. Ideally the food has one or two quality proteins within the first few ingredients.

Know what is meant by guaranteed analysis on your dog food label

This mandatory section lists percentages of crude protein, fat, fibre, and moisture. Discuss it with your vet to suit your pet. The guaranteed analysis and ingredient list are the only true way to compare pet foods apples to apples, says Dr. Danielle Bernal of Wellness Natural Pet Food.

"Every pet parent wants to see recognizable ingredients: fresh meat first, concentrated meat proteins second or third, real fruits and vegetables, then extras like healthy fats, salmon oils or flaxseeds, fibers, prebiotics and probiotics," she says. Next, Dr. Bernal suggests a long guaranteed analysis to see nutrients left after cooking. For a healthy pet, look for proteins around 35% (dogs) and 45% (cats), fats moderate around 15–16%, guaranteed omega fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, glucosamine and chondroitin, and viable probiotics.

Be wary of marketing terms

Don't get sucked in by terms, says Dr. Kramer. "'Holistic' has no legal definition but implies added health ingredients. 'Natural' also has no legal definition but implies no additives, preservatives, or artificial colours/flavours. Both are marketing ploys any company can use." Organic foods are free of pesticides, growth hormones, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, by-products, and GMOs, says Dr. Kramer, and must meet strict federal rules to be USDA-certified organic.

Vegetarian diets claim no meat but may include dairy; vegan claims no animal products. Dr. Peter Dobias, a Western and holistic vet and Canada's first dog-only veterinarian (2011), suggests avoiding these diets. "Balanced vegetarian or vegan food is reasonable and ecological for humans," he says. "The canine digestive tract needs meat, bones, and plant food. People would laugh at feeding steak to a rabbit or horse, yet we do similar to dogs with vegetarian food. I wish they could thrive on it, but they can't."

Treats: What's the Rule of Thumb?

With 56 percent of dogs overweight, parents must rethink rewards and choose healthy snacks. "The key is that treats fit within daily intake, not on top of it," says Dr. Bernal. Her rule: treats = 10 percent of daily calories, often a few healthy treats.

Dr. Kramer recommends fruits and vegetables, which "make great low-calorie treats."

Dr. Dobias favours "single source, locally made dehydrated treats. The less processed, the better—dehydrated or cooked meat is ideal. Beware too much liver, which causes hypervitaminosis A (liver toxicity)."

Moderation is key. Make your dog liver treats at home with the best fresh ingredients!