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There’s nothing more gratifying than knowing you’ve got a pup platoon that’s ready for any mission, and a big part of keeping your pawed privates powered up is making sure they chow down on the proper rations.
The right kind of dog food will have labels containing all the necessary nutrients your canine commandos need to stay healthy, energetic, and ready for the next mission. By reading these labels, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about what to feed your furry fighters.
So, all you have to do is read dog food labels, right?
If only it were that simple.
You see, these days, some dog food companies aren’t upfront with their food labels. As a result, there’s a lot of confusion behind whether or not a food product is healthy or worth leaving behind enemy lines.
Luckily, poorly written and confusing labels are no longer bullets you need to bite. We’re giving you the definitive briefing on reading dog food labels like a pro.
First, let’s get the basics out of the way. Here’s what you need to spot when you’re reading dog food labels.
While there’s not much to dispute when you’re looking at a food product’s brand, you’ll have to keep an eye on marketing tactics. Steer clear of products that claim to be “premium,” “gourmet,” or “100% natural.”
These terms aren’t 100% factual and are there to draw your attention (and cash).
You wouldn’t feed a two-year-old a Sirloin steak, would you? Your canine nutrition mindset should follow the same logic.
When choosing a dog food product, check the label to ensure it’s specifically formulated for the species and life stage it’s intended for.
Lastly, check the label for its net weight. If you’re skilled at crunching numbers, the net volume is a significant factor in helping you estimate the number of servings a particular product contains (we’ll delve into this in more detail later).
Reading canine nutrition content on dog food labels is about as exciting as doing the same on human food labels (it’s not). To make things simpler, we’re here to give you the four top-to-bottom essentials to focus on.
Carbs are key to fueling your canine commandos during daily walks, physical exercise, and other missions, but not all carbohydrates are ideal for your furry frolicker. So, go for food products that have:
Protein is vital to maintaining your dog’s muscles and joints. When checking protein content, ensure that it’s 18% to 30% on a dry matter basis. Often, you’ll find the protein ratios on the label as well.
As for the protein source, all-natural is the keyword. Therefore, opt for dog food products that have salmon or chicken.
Yes, there’s a place for fats, too. Fats are critical for your furry fighter’s coat and joints, and they’re also a secondary energy source.
As for sources, the fat should come from:
Canine nutrition isn’t complete without micronutrients. So, to make sure your pawed pal is getting the essential nutrients covered, look for these essential micronutrients for dogs:
Steer clear of foods that have the following:
Guaranteed analysis is a hallmark of transparent dog food labels. Think of it as the intel behind what’s really in your canine comrade’s rations.
Within the analysis are percentages that matter for your canine nutrition planning. As for the percentages to attack for optimal canine nutrition, here they are:
But here’s where things get tactical:
Often, you’ll find nutrient content expressed as “as fed” percentages. These percentages are based on the actual food matter plus water weight. So, if you want the actual contents of your dog’s food, you’ll want to know “dry matter” percentages (which should also be on dog food labels). Any dog food product that doesn’t disclose the dry matter percentage is misleading you. And trust us — these shady dog food products do exist.
Do you know what the biggest rookie mistake is in canine nutrition? It’s overfeeding (or underfeeding) your canine commando. Feed your pal too much, and your dog will develop obesity. On the other hand, underfeeding your canine companion can lead to low energy levels.
To make sure your furry friend chows down on the right amount of food, you need to calculate the proper portions — and by “portions,” we mean servings.
There are basic serving guidelines, but let’s face it, your canine combatant is bound to run differently. For this reason, you’ll have to adjust things based on your dog’s breed, activity levels, and age.
Here are some of our tried and true recommendations if you need some workable intel:
Have you ever wondered who decides if a canine nutrition product passes muster? It’s none other than the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
The AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement is your quality control checkpoint. If a product has the AAFCO Seal of Approval, it meets the standards for balanced and complete canine nutrition.
To see if a dog food product passes the AAFCO’s standards, look for:
Just like MREs lose their punch over time, dog food rations have expiration dates. By reading these dates, you’ll be able to distinguish between mission-ready meals and potentially hazardous chow.
To buy your dog food fresh, check the following:
Most importantly, see if the manufacturer’s contact details are on the bag or can. After all, you’ll want to know who to court-martial should anything happen to your pawed pal after food consumption.
By now, you’ve got all the intel on what to look for when reading dog food labels. But even the best intel won’t mean much without proper tactical execution.
Once you’ve reconned enough dog food labels, here are three pro tips to leverage your newly sharpened label-reading skills:
The right intel is key for successful mission outcomes, and the same applies to canine nutrition. So, when you read food labels, you’re arming yourself with all the intel necessary to fuel your furry forces.
You’ll be glad to know that brands are going out of their way to be transparent, so don’t worry about conducting too much recon.
Ready to keep your pup fueled for every adventure? While you focus on their nutrition, let Scoop Soldiers handle the dirty work! Schedule our pet waste removal service today and keep your home base clean and mission-ready for your four-legged recruit.
