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Reading Dog Food Labels

Decoding Dog Food Labels

When you go grocery shopping, you read the nutrition labels on food packaging to help you decide what you want to buy. But the nutrition information on dog food labels might look complex and difficult to understand by comparison. Read this guide to help you understand what you’re looking at and find truly healthy dog food.

Understanding the Ingredients List on Dog Food Labels

For human food, ingredients are arranged in descending order according to the percentage of weight that are in the product; for example, if the first 3 ingredients in salsa are tomatoes, onion and peppers, you know that there are generally more tomatoes than onions and more onions than peppers. The same is true for dog food labels. If the first ingredient is chicken, you know that a significant portion of the food consists of chicken. When you're shopping for healthy dog food, look for foods with animal proteins like salmon, and chicken —just like the foods their ancestors ate. This way, you know you're getting wholesome , high-quality dog food that will include the proteins and amino acids your pet needs to stay healthy.

Guaranteed Analysis on Dog Food Labels

The guaranteed analysis chart lists the minimum and/or maximum percentage of nutrients in a food, such as protein, fat, fiber and moisture. The guaranteed analysis for dry food and wet food will look different; this is because the moisture content in the wet food is so much higher.

By-Products

Some pet foods contain chicken by-product meal. CRAVE dog food is crafted without chicken by-product meal. With 34% protein, CRAVE dog food is inspired by a dog's natural diet. Real meat is the first ingredient you'll see on our dog food labels, and these protein-rich recipes provide dogs with energy and supports lean bodies.

AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has published nutritional standards for pet food. There are two separate nutrient profiles — one for growing kittens/gestating-lactating mothers and one for adult maintenance. All CRAVE dog foods meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance. Try our high-quality dog food to keep your pet happy, healthy and energetic.

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