Deciphering pet food labels part 2: truth versus hype
What’s on a label?
The food label is a legal document and provides some insight into the quality of food. Most of the food
sold in Canada comes from the US (85%) where AAFCO is the official source of information on pet food
labels, ingredients and testing. There are two different ways to label a bag or can of food under AAFCO
regulations; the formulation/analysis method and the feeding trial method. The feeding trial method is
better because it studies and documents how an animal performs when being fed the food in question.
In addition, some food companies, conduct their own, more extensive trials. Here in Canada, the CVMA
(Canadian Veterinary Medical Association) Pet Food Certification Program establishes nutrient
standards, lifestage feeding protocols and digestibility feeding protocols for dogs and cats. Their pet
food labeling requirements are more stringent that those of the Canadian Governement.
Ingredient list
The foods are listed by weight such that the ingredient weighing the most will be listed at the top.
Manufacturers though know a few tricks: by listing ingredients in their separate components such that
they weigh less might seems more desirable to the consumer and their pet, listing ingredients in a moist
form such that they weight more (i.e., fresh chicken vs chicken meal). So, while looking at ingredients is
important, the information gained from the ingredient list is limited. Furthermore, the ingredient list
does not speak to the digestibility, quality/grade or water content of the ingredient. It is easy to
review the ingredients of pet foods and think they are similar in quality when in fact they may not be.
To compare two foods, you must look at them on a dry matter basis. If moisture is 10%, dry matter is
90%. If the total protein is 20% and you want to look at it on a dry matter basis you divide the 20 by
90% and it gives you 0.22 (22%).
Guaranteed analysis gives good information as well but once again, does not speak to the quality or
digestibility of the ingredients. One can make a food out of old leather shoes, motor oil, coal and water
and get a guaranteed analysis of 10% protein, 6.5% fat, 2.4% fiber and 68% moisture.
What’s the deal with corn?
Some people view it as a cheap filler only and feel it is undigestible. Others, tout is as a common
allergen. The truth is that corn is rarely associated with allergies in pets and that corn, from a
nutritional standpoint can be an excellent source of nutrients- both a good source of linoleic acid and
biotin, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and it is a good source of fiber which is not
associated with flatulence. Corn gluten meal is a very good, highly digestible protein source.
What about grain free, low carb/no carb?
All kibble must contain carbohydrate. The carbohydrate is the binding agent, the glue, that holds the
kibble together. Grain free foods most commonly contain ingredients such as potatoe, sweet potatoe or
peas. Common grain sources include barley, rice and wheat.
What’s the difference between beef, pate, stew, entrée, formula and “with beef”?
Foods labeled with simple terms must contain at least 90% meat. It is labeled as dinner or a similar
qualifier, it must have at least 25% and labels such as with beef must contain only 3% of the “with”
ingredient.
What does natural mean?
The term has no official definition but typically taken to mean no artificial flavors or colors and no
artificial preservatives. The truth is that artificial flavors and colors are not commonplace in petfood.
Products with natural preservatives such as tocopherols (vitamin E) and vitamin C, are commonplace
though other preservatives are held to same standards as those in the human industry. Natural
preservatives do have a shorter shelf life, especially when a bag is opened. Remember, just because
the label says it’s “ natural”, doesn’t mean the foods have been subjected to more rigorous testing or
held to higher standards.
What’s the deal with by-products?
Let’s face it. By-products have a negative connotation. By products, like every other ingredient can
vary tremendously in composition and quality but what it is not is: meat from rendering plants, meat
scraped off factory floors, euthanized pets, chicken heads, beak and feathers or other ingredients that
are not a good source of nutrients. By products often means liver, heart and other organ
meats/ingredients which supply good protein, texture and palatability to foods. By product sounds
undesirable to us but the truth of the matter is, from a nutritional standpoint, they typically have more
nutritional value than muscle. By-product is what is leftover on the carcass after the meat designated
for human consumption is gone (minus head, beak, entrails and feathers in the case of chicken).
Not all chicken is created equal, or is it?
When you read chicken on a label you might associate it with a nice plump juicy boneless skinless
chicken breast (after all that is what is depicted on the bag). Really though, if it was chicken breast, the
label would state chicken breast. What about fresh chicken? Doesn’t that sound delicious? Fresh
chicken is the same as chicken. All it means is that it came to the processing plant in moist form and
was processed into dry form in the plant. Chicken is flesh, skin, fat with or without bone derived from
part or whole carcasses or combination, but does not include heads, feet, feathers, entrails. And
chicken meal, doesn’t that sound appetizing? Chicken meal is the same chicken but it has been dried
and ground. So, chicken and chicken meal are one and the same just that one sounds more desirable to
the consumer. Clever. What about chicken flavored? So, in essence, fresh chicken, chicken and
chicken meal are the same. A diet that has chicken flavored stated on it doesn’t actually even need to
contain chicken, only needs to have a flavor detected for the animal that it is meant for (whatever that
means).
We hope this information helps those who are interested in making more informed decisions when
chosing a diet for their beloved pets. There are a few factors which you may want to consider when
making a choice. Is buying local/Canadian important to you? This will certainly limit your choice as only
about 15% of foods sold in Canada are Canadian. Where does the company source the ingredients
from? Can you tour a factory? What kind of quality assurance do they have? Have they gone above
and beyond AAFCO standards? Try to be objective when looking at the bag and do not be deceived by
words like all natural, gourmet, super, ultra or premium. These designators are used from a strictly
marketing perspective and have no meaning. Foods with these descriptors are neither held to higher
nutritional standards nor are they more palatable than any other complete and balanced food products.
Disclaimer
This information is not meant to replace discussions with your veterinarian regarding your beloved pet’s
diet. If this is a topic that is important to you, please educate yourself and discuss diet with your
veterinarian. We are here to help.