How to Read Cat Food Labels

We’ve all had that moment of standing in the pet food aisle and staring at rows of cat food bags and cans, trying to figure out which one is best for your kitty. With all the numbers, percentages, and scientific terms, it can feel like you’re trying to decode a foreign language. The thing is pet food labels pack in a lot of information, but once you know what to look for then understanding them becomes much easier.

To make sense of today’s pet food labels, it helps to take a quick step back in time. In 2015, the Association of America Feed Control Official (AAFCO) began efforts for a Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) project to make labels clearer, more transparent, and easier for pet parents to understand. Because of this, you might notice that your favorite cat food brands look a little different these days. While that might seem confusing at first, these updates are designed to help you, not overwhelm you.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the old and new label formats and show you exactly how to read and understand the new versions. Once you know what certain claims mean, which key terms to pay attention to, and how to spot ingredients that support your cat’s health, you’ll feel confident choosing the right food to keep your kitty happy and thriving.

Old Labels vs. New Labels

There are 4 major label changes that will be required on all pet food labels:

1. Nutrition Facts Box: The nutrient profile box of calories, guarantee analysis, percentages, and more have now been updated to be written similarly to human nutrition facts on food products.
2. Ingredient Statement: This is the listed ingredients in a product, which have now been updated to clarify the use of parentheticals and naming conventions to make these lists easier to understand.
3. Intended Use Statement: This identifies the life stage (ex: puppy, kitten, adult, senior, pregnant, or lactating), as well as the size and weight for the food which is intended.
4. Handling and Storage: These are optional instructions to provide consumers with information on how to handle and store the pet food properly.

Before pet food labels had different layouts, confusing wording, and no real consistency. It was hard for pet parents to make sense of what they were buying or how much to feed their loved ones. That’s finally changing.

New labeling standards are making pet food packages look and feel more like human food labels, so it’s easier to understand what’s inside. Calories will now be broken down into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, giving you a clearer picture of your pet’s nutrition. Instead of listing “crude fiber,” labels will now show “dietary fiber,” while vitamins and minerals can appear with both their scientific and everyday names to give pet parents a better idea of what they are giving to their cat.

Measurements will also be more practical, using familiar units like cups, treats, or pieces to help you easily calculate your kitty’s daily portions. Plus, the front of the package will clearly state the food’s intended use and which life stage it’s made for (ex: kitten, adult, or senior). Food labels are also being asked to let us know storage and handling directions, such as “refrigeration after opening”, “keep separate from human food”, “wash hands after handling the food”, and more.

In the next sections, we’ll break down each of these label updates so you can confidently read and understand your pet’s food labels like a true pro.

Government Regulations for Cat Food

There are a lot of federal and state regulations pet food manufacturers must comply with. Some of those regulations dictate what you’ll find on your cat’s food label.

The following items are required on all pet food labels:

• Overview: The overview will include the brand name, like Purina Cat Chow. It also indicates the formula name or primary ingredient(s), like chicken and rice. 
• Net Weight Statement: This statement tells you how much food is in the package.
• Nutrition Facts Box: This is an overview of the nutritional information in a package, including:
  • Total calories
  • Protein
  • Fat
  • Carbohydrates
  • Dietary fiber
  • Total weight in grams
  • Serving size measurements
  • Etc.
• Intended Use Statement: As mentioned above this is information displayed on the front of packages which identifies the life stage (ex: puppy, kitten, adult, senior, pregnant, or lactating), as well as the size and weight for the food which is intended.
• Manufacturer/Distributor Name & Address: This tells you who made or distributed the food so you can contact them with any questions.
• Product Traceability Information: Based on the information on Purina cat food labels, we can tell you when the food was made and even the exact plant that produced the package.
• Ingredient List: The ingredients appear in descending order based on content weight.
• Guaranteed Analysis: The guaranteed analysis shows the product’s nutrient content. It must include the minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. Including percentages for additional nutrients is voluntary, but they’re often included anyway. The essential nutrients listed in the guaranteed analysis must meet (or exceed) the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profile standards.
• Nutritional Adequacy Statement: A “complete and balanced” cat food must meet or exceed the standards of an established nutrient profile. This statement tells you whether the food is “complete and balanced” for a particular life stage, such as adult maintenance or kitten growth.
• Feeding Directions: These are guidelines to help you determine how much to feed your cat each day. You may need to adjust the amount of food to help her maintain her ideal body condition.
• Calorie Statement: You’ll see calories listed on a kilocalorie per kilogram basis and as a common unit of measure, like kilocalories per cup. This will help you when comparing different brands of cat food.
• Handling and Storage Instructions (optional): These instructions are meant to provide consumers with information on how to handle and store the pet food properly. For example, it might tell you whether the food needs to be refrigerated after opening, stored in a tight container after opening, or kept separate from human food. It might also mention handling directions, such as washing your hands after touching your pet’s food.

Nutrients vs. Ingredients on Cat Food Labels

What’s the difference between nutrients and ingredients? Ingredients in your cat’s food may include things like chicken, fish, corn or rice, among others. Those ingredients provide nutrients like protein and carbohydrates. 

Nutrients in a complete and balanced cat food include:

• Protein: According to Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, a Purina veterinarian, “Cats have higher protein requirements than most mammals – even dogs and humans.” Cats need 22 amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Although cats can make some amino acids themselves, they have to get others from their food, says Dr. Lobos. While they can digest both plant- and animal-based proteins, only animal proteins provide them with those essential amino acids. Dr. Lobos recommends cats consume about 2.3 grams of protein per pound of body weight. “For example, a 10-pound cat would need about 23 grams of protein per day,” she says. 
• Fat: Although low-fat people foods are still popular, our pets need fat for energy and to protect their bodies and build neurons, according to Dr. Lobos.
• Vitamins & Minerals: Unlike dogs, who need 23 essential vitamins and minerals, cats need 25. Look for cat food labels that state they are “complete and balanced.” This means the manufacturer added vitamins and minerals to ensure the food meets your cat’s nutritional needs.
• Carbohydrates: Like fat, carbs often get a bad rep with humans, but they’re another good source of energy for our pets. Grains like rice and corn are some of the most popular sources of carbohydrates. In grain-free foods, however, you’ll see alternative sources of carbs, like potatoes or peas.
• Dietary Fiber: To avoid things like cat constipation, it’s important to ensure that they get the proper amounts of fiber for their life stage so that your kitty can have regular bowel movements and a good digestive health. This becomes an important aspect to incorporate into your cat’s food to improve their gastrointestinal system and create a more balanced diet.

What About Those Hard-to-Pronounce Ingredients?

Many consumers are unfamiliar with all those hard-to-pronounce ingredients, which makes them question their safety. Fortunately, a quick internet search can tell you those long names are just the scientific name for vitamins or minerals. For example, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate sounds intimidating. If you look it up online, however, you’ll see that’s the scientific name for vitamin C.

Claims on Cat Food Labels

Pet food regulations differ from those for human food. Although there is no standard definition for “natural” human food, there is one for pet food.

“Natural” means there are no chemically synthesized ingredients other than vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Of course, you’ll still see the scientific names for ingredients on the label, but now you know those are safe and beneficial for your cat.

The USDA has defined “organic” as it applies to both human and pet foods. Understanding the difference between natural and organic cat food can help you decide if either are right for your cat.

You may also see phrases like “formulated to meet” or “animal feeding test” on your cat’s food label. “Formulated to meet” means the cat food has been analyzed to meet the AAFCO nutrient profile for the life stage indicated on the package.

“Animal feeding test” means the food was fed to cats using an AAFCO-approved feeding protocol. A feeding test validates the product meets the AAFCO nutrient profile for the life stage indicated on the package.

How to Decide Which Cat Food is Right for Your Cat

Once you know how to read cat food nutrition labels, it’s easier to evaluate and compare various options and choose the one that best meets your cat’s needs. Take your time and talk to your vet to see which pet food will be right for you and your loved one.

For more expert tips, take our Pet Food Finder Quiz to see which selections are best for your loved one.