6 Facts about Dog Food and Dog Food Labels

When shopping for dog food, the packaging may seem informative, but decoding what the labels actually mean can be challenging. Understanding the details is crucial for choosing a diet that supports your pet’s health. This guide will demystify dog food labels and provide actionable tips for selecting high-quality food.

1. The Importance of Label Transparency

Dog food labels come in three forms of transparency:

Closed Declaration

• Only broad feed groups are listed (e.g., „meat and animal derivatives“).
• No specifics on ingredient quality or quantity.
• Offers poor transparency, making it difficult to evaluate the product’s quality.
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Semi-Open Declaration 

• All ingredients are listed in descending order but without precise percentages.
• Offers some transparency, but ingredient proportions remain unclear
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Open Declaration

• Includes all ingredients with exact percentages.
• Allows consumers to know exactly what is in the food.
• This is the gold standard for transparency and the best option for pet parents.
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2. What Do Dogs Really Need in Their Diet?

The ideal nutritional breakdown for dogs includes:

• 80% animal content:
  • 80% muscle meat
  • 10% (raw) meaty bones 
  • 10% offal (e.g., liver, kidney, and heart)
• 20% plant content:
  • 75% vegetables
  • 25% fruit
• Low carbohydrates: no more than 10%.
• Moisture: at least 70%.
• Fat: at least 15%.

3. Understanding components listed on dog food labels is crucial for assessing quality

Meat and Animal Derivatives

This vague term can include muscle meat but also undesirable by-products like feathers, hooves, and fur.

• Opt for foods that specify at least 50% meat content and 15–20% offal (organs).
• Declarations such as „Chicken“ must only be able to demonstrate 4% ingredients of the animal whose name they bear (e.g., „4% chicken“ in a 400g can equals just 16g of chicken).

Cereals

These are often used as fillers and provide low-quality protein, minimal fiber, and excessive carbohydrates. Dogs and cats do not have a nutritional need for cereals like wheat, corn, or oats.

Vegetable Protein Extracts

These are processed plant-based proteins, such as those from soy or pumpkin seeds. While high in protein content, they are not a suitable substitute for animal protein.

Sugars

Sometimes listed as „various sugars,“ these include sucrose, glucose, or honey, which dogs do not need. Excessive sugar can lead to obesity and other chronic diseases.

4. Understanding Analytical Constituents

Labels often include percentages of macronutrients but lack insights into their quality. Here’s what to know:

• Crude Protein: Indicates total nitrogen content but doesn’t say anything about the quality of the protein.
• Crude Fat: Reflects energy density but can include poorly digestible fats.
• Crude Ash: Includes essential minerals but may also indicate contamination with indigestible materials like sand.
• Crude Fiber: Refers to plant cell components; higher levels suggest lower digestibility.
• Carbohydrates (NFE=Nitrogen-free extract): are only an optional declaration and are therefore often not declared.

Formula to Calculate Carbohydrates (NFE)

If carbohydrates aren’t listed, estimate them:

%Carbohydrates (NFE)= 100−(% Protein +% Fat +% Moisture +% Ash +% Fiber)

If moisture isn’t listed, assume it’s 8%.

Dogs and cats have no nutritional need for carbohydrates – look for a carbohydrate content of less than 10%!

5. Misleading Marketing Claims

Beware of vague or misleading claims, including:

• „Grain-Free“: Often high in other carbs like potatoes or peas.
• „High-Quality Proteins“: Check for plant-based proteins, which are inferior to animal protein.
• „Hypoallergenic“: May not resolve specific health issues .

6. What to Look for in High-Quality Dog Food

1. Choose products with open declarations for maximum transparency.
2. Ensure the food contains 50% or more meat and no more than 20% offal.
3. Avoid fillers like cereals, sugars, and low-quality vegetable proteins.
4. Prioritize diets that mimic a dog’s natural nutritional requirements: high moisture and low carbs.

Final Thoughts

Feeding your dog is one of the most impactful decisions for their health and well-being. By understanding dog food labels, you can make informed choices that align with their nutritional needs. Stay vigilant against marketing buzzwords and prioritize transparency, high meat content, and appropriate macronutrient ratios. Your dog’s health is worth the extra effort!