A therapeutic pet food, also known as a prescription diet, is formulated to meet the specific needs of your pet, developed to help diagnose, treat, or prevent nutrient-responsive diseases common to cats and dogs. Pet food makers clinically study certain vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, carbohydrates, and other nutritional components to determine their effect on the disease process. Therapeutic pet foods can help treat conditions such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, urinary stones, obesity and more.

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Like humans, caloric and nutrient needs of individual pets, even those of similar size, can vary significantly. Pets need to take in different quantities and ratios of nutrients in different amounts depending on their stage of life. Pet food makers develop formulas to address the unique nutritional needs of growing puppies and kittens, pregnant cats and dogs, and aging animals.

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Understanding how to read a pet food label is the key to selecting the right pet food for your cat or dog. Ensuring the food you select is developed for the right species and stage of life is the first step in reading the label on your pet’s food. In addition, feeding cats and dogs pet food that is labeled “Complete and Balanced” will ensure your pet is getting the 40+ nutrients in their diets, in the proper amounts, that they need to thrive.

The following key pieces of info will be found on the label of a pet food product:

• Product name
• Intended species
• Weight or volume of the food
• Guaranteed analysis
• Ingredient list
• Nutritional adequacy statement
• Feeding instructions
• Contact information for the manufacturer or distributor

Pet Food Label Terminology

Complete and Balanced

Dogs and cats require more than 40 essential nutrients in their diets. A pet food labeled as Complete and Balanced will contain nutrients at levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These are different for cats and dogs. Similar terms, such as 100% Nutritious, may be used, as well.

Life Stages

Pet food may be developed for different life stages. For example, growing puppies and kittens require more energy than adult pets. Shoppers will see diets formulated for Growth and Reproduction (puppies, kittens and pregnant pets), Adult Maintenance (only adult pets) or All Life Stages.

The size of a puppy’s breed can also be an important factor on a pet food label. Large breed puppies (based on an anticipated adult weight of at least 70 pounds) can be more susceptible to an excess of calcium in their diet. To help rapidly-growing large breed puppies stay healthy and prevent joint issues, among other challenges, their diet must be lower in certain nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.

A Growth and Reproduction or All Life Stages diet is formulated to consider the growth of large dogs. These terms will be listed on the Nutritional Adequacy Statement of a dog food package.

Nutritional Adequacy Statement

The Nutritional Adequacy Statement, typically found on the back or bottom of a pet food package, reaffirms that the pet food is formulated to provide nutrition for a specific life stage and how that nutrition is assessed. It will also state if the food does not provide complete nutrition and if it is not meant to be served as a meal—such if it is a topper. The Nutritional Adequacy Statement is reviewed by state regulators when they approve products for sale in that state.

Ingredient List

The pet food label lists ingredients in descending order by weight, as is required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vitamins and minerals are required to include their chemical name, however you may also see the more recognized or common name; for example, Pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) and Thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1).

Pet food ingredients are regulated or defined at either the federal or state level. Click here to learn more about the role of individual states and FDA in approving ingredients for use in pet food.

Guaranteed Analysis

Dog and cat food will provide a Guaranteed Analysis (GA) on the product label. The GA provides product information to pet owners, helping them find the levels of at least four nutrients: protein, fat, fiber and moisture. Because pet food will have different levels of moisture based on whether it’s wet or dry, the percentages for nutrients may look extremely varied when comparing the GA of two types of products. We help explain how to calculate the difference to ensure an equal comparison.

The GA must list additional nutrients if the product label makes nutrition-related claims, such as Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Looking for more information?

Get helpful resources on pet food labels from the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

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What a Healthy Body Weight Looks Like for Pets

There is no “one-size-fits-all” healthy weight for pets, and, depending on a cat or dog’s breed, height and age, the recommendations for ideal weight will vary. However, pet lovers should still pay close attention to their pet’s body condition (also known as physique) and work with a veterinarian to identify potential weight problems early. To determine if your pet is at risk of becoming overweight or obese, try an at-home body condition check or learn how veterinarians perform the knuckle-test. While these tests can be done at home, a trusted veterinarian is still the best resource to help advise on whether a dog or cat is at a healthy weight.

As a general rule, pet owners should be able to feel a cat or dog’s ribs with minimal fat covering them. A pet’s waist should be easily determined when looking at him or her from above, and an upward slope of the stomach should be visible when observing pets from the side. A cat or dog’s stomach should never hang low to the ground.

Why a Healthy Weight Matters

Why is it important to keep your pet at a healthy body condition? Remember, maintaining a healthy weight can help improve your pet’s quality of life. When considering slipping your pet a human snack from the table, remember that an overweight or obese dog or cat may suffer from serious related health issues. In the United States, it is estimated that 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats are overweight or obese. Some of the major health risks, which can cause your pet discomfort and decrease their quality of life, include:

• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Pancreatitis
• Kidney Disease
• Arthritis
• Cancer

The Role of Diet in Reaching a Healthy Weight

After identifying a potential weight problem, a veterinarian may recommend that a cat or dog switches temporarily to a weight-loss or weight management pet food to help achieve a healthier, more comfortable weight.

These pet foods will include specific variations to help your pet, such as increased fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients to help your dog or cat feel more satiated and fuller, reduce begging, and maintain muscle, while reducing caloric intake. These foods can help reduce caloric intake but still ensure your pet receives the right amounts of essential nutrients. It is important for pet lovers to consult with their veterinarian when determining a weight-loss plan before simply feeding less of the pet’s regular food, as this can deprive dogs or cats of important nutrients.

In addition, some pet food labels will feature that the product is lower in calories or fat. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) creates model pet food regulations and label guidelines that can be adopted by states. AAFCO’S label guidelines include specific language to help regulate claims for weight-loss or weight management pet foods. This includes language such as “light,” “low-calorie,” “low-fat,” “reduced calorie,” or “reduced fat.”

While diets labeled these ways may have lower energy in the form of calories or fat, they must still meet the minimum requires for pets at an ideal bodyweight and may not meet the needs of an aggressive weight loss plan.

How to Help Pets Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a pet’s healthy weight requires a combination of proper nutrition, activity and preventive care. Some important steps include:

• Regular Veterinary Visits: Pets should see a veterinarian regularly for check-ups, at which time owners can ask about nutrition and discuss weight-loss and management plans, if necessary.
• Practice Portion Control: At home, it’s important for pet owners to practice portion control with cat and dogs and ensure that they are measuring out the recommended serving size for their pet. Everyone in the household is responsible for keeping pets safe and healthy and should accurately keep track of how much food a pet is getting each day to avoid overfeeding.
• Mindful Treating: Our video shares some simple feeding and treating tips to help keep your pet at a healthy weight. For example, avoid feeding pets table scraps that are high in fat and calories, and limit your pet’s treat consumption to up to 10 percent of their daily calories.
• Finding Fun Activities: Staying active will also help keep pets at a healthy weight. Whether it’s extra walks around the neighborhood, playing catch, and or using cat toys, fun activities can be a great form of exercise for pets. These can not only help increase the bond with our pets, but also help us stay more active, too.

For more tips on how to manage a pet’s weight and keep them happy and healthy, visit our Feeding and Treating Tips page.

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How can pet lovers help support their dog or cat’s overall well-being and a long and healthy life? These feeding guidelines help pets maintain a healthy weight and ensure they receive complete nutrition.

The caloric and nutrient needs of individual pets, even those of similar size, can vary significantly. Age, lifestyle, activity level, breed, and whether the animal is spayed or neutered all can affect the number of calories and nutrients needed to keep a pet healthy. The calorie content of different pet food products can also vary.

Pet food makers use nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as baselines for formulating pet food recipes to ensure the 40 essential nutrients dogs and cats need are included at the proper levels.

While it may be tempting to estimate your dog or cat’s food measurement, it can lead to overfeeding and weight gain. It is important to review the feeding guidelines listed on a pet food packages to ensure you are properly feeding your cat or dog. Feeding directions for a pet food are based on the levels of nutrients and calories recommended for populations of pets, such as weight and life-stage. Based on your pet’s specific needs, feeding guidelines may need to be modified at a veterinarian’s direction.

www.talkspetfood.aafco.org/readinglabels

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