The Language of the Pet Food Industry
Last year’s pet food recalls focused a great deal of attention on the pet food industry, and forced many people to re-think what they feed their beloved companions. If you’re still unsure if you’re feeding your pet the best food, or are considering what food to buy for a new pet, it is easier to investigate if you understand what the words on the bags, boxes, and cans really mean.
“Pet food” means a commercially prepared product, designed with a specific species (dog, cat, bird, etc.) in mind. The most common phrase found on pet food is “complete and balanced”, which means that the food is designed to be the sole source of nutrition for your pet.
The components in pet food will be listed in the “ingredients” section, and just like human food it is listed in descending order by weight. The “guaranteed analysis” of a product refers to either the minimum or maximum value of essential nutrients such as fiber, fat, and protein, as well as water content. Whether it is minimum or maximum will be stated.
The exact words used to describe the product are also important to watch. For example, if the label states “Beef Dog Food” it must contain 95 percent beef, while “Beef Formula Dog Food” only needs to be 25 percent beef to comply with labeling regulations.
Awareness of the language used to describe your pet food will help you to make an informed choice.
