There has been an increasing awareness of the importance of food labels. We check food labels as a matter of routine, and that includes dog food. However, do we really understand what we’re reading on dog food labels? Here are some things you should know.
What are in dog labels?
Like food for human consumption, some agencies establish guidelines for pet food makers. These are the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and, surprisingly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If the dog food is “organic,” the Department of Agriculture also gets involved. These agencies have compiled a list of words and phrases and defined their meaning. That way, there will be no confusion over using these words on a label.
The list comes in two kinds, regulated and unregulated. Regulated words must pass established standards for food makers to use them. These include organic and human-grade. On the other hand, manufacturers can use unregulated words and phrases without proving whether it’s true or not. These include all-natural, 100% natural, holistic, or wholesome. If you see these on the labels, take it with a grain of salt.
You will also see the Guaranteed Analysis section to compare to the AAFCO Nutrient Requirements for Dogs. If the percentages match, it is probably a good product.
Some standard terms you might see
When you’re furry friend is in a dog wheelchair, you want to make sure they’re getting what they need. The following terms refer to substances your vet might recommend to keep them healthy.
Amino acids
These organic compounds that dogs need daily are often found in meat and other proteins. Suppose you see arginine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, or leucine on the label. In that case, your bud’s getting some essential amino acid love.
Animal (meat) products
Dogs are (mostly) carnivores, so they need a lot of protein. Most dog labels will include this term, anything from dried egg to bone meal. They are not unsafe for your dogs but don’t expect to see any sirloin in there. If your pet suffers from health issues, you might need a unique formulation that avoids some of these by-products.
Fats and oils
As unhealthy as they might sound to hoomans, fats and oils and necessary for your dog’s health. They also make it easier for them to eat the food. The fats on the labels include omega-3, omega-6, coconut oil, animal fat, glycerin, and vegetable oils.
Other terms
If your dog has special needs, ask your vet what products to avoid. Some words and phrases you see might seem weird, but rest assured they are safe for your dogs in most cases. These include:
- Gums – carrageenan, cassia, guar, and xanthan.
- Hydrolyzed Protein
- Legumes – Pea fiber, pea protein, soybean flour
- Minerals – sodium chloride, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, etc.
- Natural Flavors
- Plant Products –primary sources of carbohydrates and fiber, may include cellulose, grains (barley, corn, oats, rice, rye, wheat), grain by-products (bran, endosperm, hull, meal and flour or ground grain, middling), whole grain, refined grain, corn (corn flour, cornmeal, whole corn, or ground corn, cornstarch, corn gluten)
- Preservatives –ascorbic acid, calcium propionate, and mixed tocopherols, BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin.
- Root Vegetables
- Vitamins
Special Diet for Disabled Dogs
Dogs generally have the same recommended nutrient values proportionate to their size. Since small dogs tend to have an increased metabolism, they need more calories than the big ones.
Most dog food manufacturers would include instructions on how much to give a dog based on their weight on the labels. Of course, there are still quirks, so if your dog looks too fat or thin, adjust their food intake accordingly.
The level of activity also plays a part. A disabled dog would not run around as much as a dog with normal mobility, even in a pet wheelchair. In that case, you must pay particular attention to the fat content in the Guaranteed Analysis section. You want it a little less than recommended for a dog with normal mobility.
