How to Read Dog Food Labels

Dog parents have all felt those moments of standing in the aisles of a pet store and reading the endless lists of dog food labels, wondering which one is best for their pup. Sometimes it can seem like decoding a foreign language, with all the numbers and confusing scientific terms. While pet food labels contain a lot of information, the good news is dog food analysis is easy once you know what you’re looking at.

To understand our pet food labels today, we need to go back a bit. In 2015, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) launched the Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) project, which is meant to make labels clearer, more transparent, and easier to understand for all pet parents. Manufacturers have until 2030 to update labels to this new format. During this time, you might notice that many labels on your favorite pet food brands have changed some. While this might create some concern, the truth is these updates are designed to help you find the best options for your family pet.

In this article, we will compare the old and new labels and guide you on how to read and understand these newer labels so you can make the best, most informed decisions for your pets. Once you learn what certain claims mean, know a few key terms, and can recognize which ingredients can play a key role in boosting your dog’s health, you’ll be ready to help your pal thrive with a healthy diet.

Old Labels vs. New Labels

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

1. Pet Nutrition Facts Box: This new format for calorie and nutrient information parallels what we see on human food packaging.
2. Ingredient Statement: Ingredient lists have now been updated to clarify the use of parentheticals and to make ingredient names easier to understand.
3. Purpose Statement: This statement identifies the species, life stage, and product type to support consumers in choosing the best products for their pets (e.g., “COMPLETE PUPPY FOOD”).
4. Handling and Storage: These optional instructions provide consumers with information on how to handle and store pet food properly.

Historically, pet food labels have varied in format and in the messaging of nutritional information. This variance has made it challenging for pet parents to make sense of what they were buying and how much to feed. PFLM formatting will bring consistency to labeling, making it easier to find just the right food for your pet.  

New labeling standards require breaking down calories into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. “Dietary fiber” percentages will now replace “crude fiber” percentages on packages. Whenever possible, vitamins and minerals will appear with their common names as well as their technical names to give pet parents a better idea of what they are giving to their dog.  

Measurement units must now be in common household measurements, such as cups, treats, or cans, to make calculating your buddy’s daily food intake easier. The front of the packages must let consumers know which life stage the food is for (e.g., “COMPLETE ADULT DOG FOOD”) and what the intended use of the product is. Dry dog food packages will include the handling and storage statement, “Store in a cool, dry place,” while cans will indicate, “Refrigerate after opening.”

In the following sections, we will break these labels down further so you can be a pro pet food label reader by the end of this guide.

Government Regulations Around Dog Food & Package Labels

According to regulations set forth by federal and state agencies, every package of dog food must contain the following items:

• Overview: The overview identifies the brand name (like Purina Pro Plan or Purina Dog Chow). It may also give an indication of the primary ingredients or formula name, such as chicken and rice.
• Net Weight Statement: This states how much food is in the package.
• Pet 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
• Purpose Statement: The information displayed on the front of a package identifies which life stage the product is intended for and the type of product in the package (treat, food, etc.).
• Manufacturer/Distributor Name & Address: This information tells you who made the food so you can contact them with questions.
• Product Traceability Information: Based on the date code on a Purina dog food label, we can tell you when the food was made and even the exact plant that produced the package.  
• Expiration Date: This indicates how long a particular package of dog food will be good for and when it has expired and should not be fed to a dog.
• Ingredient List: The ingredients on dog food labels are listed in descending order by content weight.
• Nutrient List: The nutrient list shows the product’s nutrient content. It must include the minimum levels of protein and fat and maximum levels of total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and moisture. Including percentages for additional nutrients is voluntary, but they’re often included as a way to substantiate some of the claims that are made about the product. The nutrients listed must meet (or exceed) the nutritional standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
• Nutritional Adequacy Statement: To claim that a food is complete and balanced, it must meet or exceed the standards of an established nutrient profile. This statement tells you when the food is complete and balanced for a particular life stage, such as adult maintenance or puppy growth.  
• Feeding Directions: These guidelines help you determine how much and how often to feed your dog each day. You may need to adjust the amount to maintain his ideal body condition based on his age, activity level, and more. Feeding recommendations are also based on dogs not spayed or neutered. If yours has been fixed, you’ll want to account for that too, says Purina veterinarian Dr. RuthAnn Lobos. Your dog’s veterinarian can help you determine how much to feed your dog.
• Calorie Statement: The calorie statement is expressed as kilocalories per kilogram and as a common unit of measurement, such as kilocalories per cup. This will help you understand the caloric differences between dog food brands.
• Handling and Storage Instructions (optional): These instructions are meant to provide consumers with information on how to handle and store 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 Dog Food Labels

“It’s nutrients, not ingredients, when it comes to dog food and healthy dogs,” says Dr. Lobos. The ingredients in your dog’s food are important, but you should pay attention to the nutrients they provide.

The nutrients a complete and balanced dog food should include are:

• Protein: According to Dr. Lobos, “Protein is critical for metabolism, skin and coat, and lean body mass. Protein also helps support a healthy immune system.”
• Fat: When it comes to fat, Dr. Lobos says it protects the body, builds neurons, and produces energy.
• Vitamins & Minerals: “Vitamins are body protectors, while minerals are body builders and protectors,” says Dr. Lobos. “Dogs need 23 essential vitamins and minerals. So, you want to look for dog food labels that say they’re complete and balanced.” This means the right amount of vitamins and minerals have been added to meet the dog’s nutritional needs.
• Carbohydrates: The various sources of carbohydrates in your dog’s food provide him with energy.  
• Dietary Fiber: Fiber plays a key role in your dog’s GI system by ensuring that he is able to have regular bowel movements and good digestive health. Fiber helps support his gastrointestinal health and create a more balanced diet.

What About By-Products & Difficult-to-Pronounce Ingredients?

There are a lot of misconceptions about what by-products are. Many people believe they are cheap fillers or even inedible parts of other animals, but that’s not the case.

As Dr. Lobos explains, by-products are nutrient-rich organ meats that are less commonly consumed by humans: “By-products are not undesirable ingredients. Not only are by-products an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, but they also reduce environmental waste.”

As far as those lengthy ingredient names go, a quick internet search can help. You’ll see that calcium pantothenate is vitamin B-5, thiamine mononitrate is vitamin B-1, and L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate is vitamin C.

Manufacturers are required to list ingredients with the scientific name for the vitamin or mineral. To assist consumers, most companies also include their common names in parenthesis on their products.

Claims on Dog Food Labels

Regulations for human food and pet food are different. On a dog food label, “natural” means there are no chemically synthesized ingredients outside of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Of course, you’ll see those hard-to-pronounce scientific names we mentioned earlier. You now know those are just the official names of vitamins and minerals – not something that doesn’t belong in your dog’s food.

“Formulated to meet” on a label means an analysis proves the food meets the nutrient profile standards. An “animal feeding test” means the product was fed to dogs using one of AAFCO’s feeding protocols. This validates the product meets the AAFCO nutrient profile for the life stage indicated on the package.

How to Decide Which Dog Food Is Right for Your Dog

Having a better understanding of dog food labels allows you to better assess the various types of food available. As a result, you can confidently choose the one that best meets your dog’s needs. Comparing different types of dog food isn’t easy, but our experts can help.

Get more tips from our experts on our Pet Expertise page.