Deciphering Pet Labels for Your Pet’s Wellbeing

As pet owners, we strive to provide our feline and canine friends with the best possible nutrition to ensure they lead healthy, happy lives. However, navigating the complex world of pet food can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding the labels on their food.

With the new guidelines from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) introduced in 2024 and becoming mandatory by 2029, it’s more important than ever to know how to read and interpret pet food labels. In this blog post, our MedVet experts break down the essentials of pet food labeling, helping you make informed decisions about your cat or dog’s diet.

Pet Food Label Basics

Pet food labeling is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with many states also having their own regulations. The AAFCO provides recommendations for the correct nutritional content, which are often used as a basis for these regulations. The AAFCO sets standards for 40 different nutrients essential for pet health. A pet food label must contain several key pieces of information:

• Product Name: The name of the product.
• Species: The species for which the food is intended.
• Quantity: The amount of food contained in the package.
• List of Ingredients: Ingredients are listed in order of weight, from greatest to least.
• Clear “Intended Use” Statement: The food packaging must include a statement on the front, such as “Complete and Balanced Adult Dog Food,” to clearly indicate its intended use.
• Pet Nutrition Facts Box: Modeled on human food labels, a complete nutrition facts box is now required, featuring a standardized layout that includes serving size, calorie content per serving, and nutrient percentages.
• Manufacturer Information: Details about the company producing the food.

Additionally, labels include a “sell by” or “best if used by” date to ensure freshness and feeding recommendations. However, these recommendations are generalized and may not suit every pet’s specific needs based on factors like breed, size, health, and activity level. Consulting with your family veterinarian is important to determine the right nutritional and feeding plan for your pet.

Understanding Pet Food Ingredients

Ingredients are listed by weight, with the main ingredients first. The AAFCO requires each ingredient to be listed individually using its common name – for example, “chicken liver” instead of a vague term like “poultry.” The first few ingredients listed are typically the major components of the food, while the latter ingredients are usually vitamins, minerals, preservatives, coloring, and flavorings.

The product name can also give clues about its ingredients. The AAFCO has rules governing how ingredients are represented in the product name:

• 95% Rule: A product named “Tuna for Cats” must contain at least 95% tuna (excluding water for processing), with the remaining 5% consisting of vitamins, minerals, etc.
• 25% Rule: “Tuna Dinner” indicates that the product contains more than 25% but less than 95% tuna.
• “With” Rule: “Kitty Platter with Tuna” means the product contains at least 3% tuna.
• Flavor Rule: “Cat Dinner with Tuna Flavor” implies that there’s enough tuna flavor to be detected, but there’s no minimum percentage requirement.

Other Key Information on Pet Food Labels

Beyond the ingredient list, there are other important pieces of information on pet food labels:

• Nutritional Adequacy Statement: This required statement indicates whether a pet food is “complete and balanced” according to AAFCO profiles and specifies the life stage for which it is suitable, such as puppy, adult, or senior. For instance, it might state, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [name of product] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [stage of life].” As per the new guidelines, this statement is now prominently displayed inside the pet nutrition facts box, enhancing its visibility.
• Guaranteed Analysis: Previously a standalone section, this information is now integrated into the pet nutrition facts box. It includes minimum percentages of protein and fat, and maximum percentages of fiber and moisture, along with any other nutrients relevant to claims on the packaging.
• Optional Handling and Storage Icons: Some packages now include simple icons and directions to improve safety and storage, such as refrigeration requirements, resealing instructions, and “use within X days” information.

Looking Deeper into Dietary Considerations for Pets

Choosing the right food involves more than just reading labels. Some pets have chronic conditions or allergies that require special diets. Food allergies, though relatively rare (affecting about 10% of dogs with skin conditions), can manifest as gastrointestinal issues or skin conditions. Diagnosing a food allergy requires careful dietary adjustments under veterinary supervision. Learn more about food allergies in dogs and food allergies in cats.

Trendy diets like raw, vegetarian, or grain-free may not always be the best choice. The FDA launched an investigation into a possible link between grain-free diets (often categorized as “BEG diets” – Boutique brands, Exotic ingredients, and Grain-free formulations) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a potentially fatal heart condition. As of late 2022, the FDA has paused regular updates but continues to collect data, and no direct causation has been proven.

You’re Fueling Your Pet – Choose Carefully

The food your pet eats is their fuel for energy, hydration, and overall health. Determining the right type of food, how often to feed, and how much to feed are important decisions, and understanding pet food labels is a key part of this process. While advertising and marketing can be persuasive, the label is the most regulated and reliable source of information.

With AAFCO’s 2024 labeling update, it’s easier than ever to compare products thanks to the standardized pet nutrition facts box, ingredient specificity, and clearer front-of-package claims. These changes help pet owners quickly identify high-quality, complete, and species-appropriate foods. To ensure your pet is getting the nutrition they need, read labels carefully, and consult with your family veterinarian. They can help you understand your pet’s specific nutritional requirements, health concerns, and the best feeding plan.

Visit our Pet Care Resources library for more pet health and safety information.