A basic description of each category.
The Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and other federal and state agencies regulate what every dog food package must declare. This is a “basic” description for each category and if you read through several bags, they all start to sound the same. Nutrients, not ingredients are what you need to know. What’s REALLY in your bag of dog food?
Brand Name
What the product is called.
Net Weight
How much food is in the bag.
Product Traceability
Production date when the food was produced.
Ingredient list
Listed in descending order by content weight. (Read more)
Guaranteed Analysis
Shows the product’s nutrient content. Minimum percentages of crude protein, crude fat and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. The essential nutrients listed in the guaranteed analysis must meet the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profile standards.
Nutritional Adequacy Statement
Dog food must meet the standards of an established nutrient profile to be marked “complete and balanced” for a particular life stage, such as adult maintenance or growth.
Feeding Directions
General guidelines to help you determine how much to feed. Age, activity, whether they are spayed or neutered add variables. Your veterinarian can help guide you for your dog’s individual needs.
Calorie Statement
A common unit of measure is kilocalories per kilogram. Such as kilocalories per cup in relation to dry dog food.
