How to Read a Pet Food Label - Petco

With the wealth of the dog food options on the market today, finding the optimum formula for your pet is more achievable than ever. The following tips will help you pick just the right formula for your furry friend!

1. Choose the right formula for the life stage of your pet: puppy, adult or senior.

2. Consider your dog's unique needs: their activity level, if they need weight management, their breed/size, and any food sensitivities.

When it comes to understanding food labels, the words used and the listing order speaks volumes about the product. Let's take a look at some popular naming conventions.

Labels that lead off with a particular ingredient contain at least 95% of the named animal protein ingredient.

If there's more than one animal protein ingredient in the name, the food contains at least 95% of the combined named animal ingredients. The product will have more of the first ingredient named, with diminishing quantities of the others in turn.

Labels that combine food ingredients with words like: dinner, formula, platter, entree, or nugget in the label contain at least 25% of the named ingredients.

If more than one food ingredient is named, then the combination of named ingredients must total 25% of the product, and each named ingredient must be at least 3% of the total.

A label using the word "with" in the name must include at least 3% of the named ingredient. Don't confuse it with labels that list the main ingredient first, which are comprised of 95% of the named ingredient.

For labels touting "flavor," no specific ingredient percentage is required, just that the product must have enough flavor substance for a dog to taste.

Freshness is also important, but this can't be determined from the label of the food. For this, brand trust is needed. Look for brands with a money-back guarantee or ask your vet for a recommendation.

Something extraordinary happens when pets and people connect. A unique bond is formed that results in something powerful, not only between pets and people, but in a way that makes the world a better place. Our promise is to nurture that relationship completely - mind and body.

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