Cracking the Ingredient List
Pet food bags are covered in premium marketing claims, but the ingredient panel and guaranteed analysis provide the true picture of what you are feeding. By law, ingredients must be listed in order of weight before cooking. This means that fresh meats (which contain up to 70% water) are listed first, but their dry protein content is lower once cooked compared to dehydrated meat meals.
What to Look For
- Named Meat Sources: Look for specific proteins like "chicken" or "salmon" rather than generic "meat" or "poultry by-products."
- ASFCO Adequacy Statement: Ensure the label states the food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.