Finding the right food for your pet can be overwhelming. The options are endless, and the labels can get confusing. With a little bit of guidance around today’s nutritional standards, you can more confidently provide total nutrition for your pet.
How to Read a Pet Food Label
What Does AAFCO Mean & Why is it Important?
These 5 letters mean a lot when you’re looking to keep your pet safe and well-nourished! AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials, an organization that works alongside the FDA to regulate pet food ingredients and enforce standards in product labeling. On each bag or can of pet food you will find an AAFCO standard nutritional adequacy statement - this small section on the label is essential in ensuring the diet is the right fit for your pet. The statement will indicate the following characteristics of the food:
The species of animal the diet is designed for.
The life stage of the animal the diet is formulated for.
The breed/size of the animal the diet is appropriate for.
Whether testing has been conducted to ensure product safety.
Whether the diet has been formulated to meet full nutritional needs.
An important note on the statement “complete and balanced for all life stages” that can be found within the AAFCO statement: The parameter for this definition is regulated on the state level, not by the AAFCO, and many states require a diet to have the correct nutrition for only puppies and lactating/pregnant pets.
This means that many diets labeled for “all life stages” are not appropriate for your average adult dog or cat; adult pets should instead eat food specifically formulated for adult maintenance.
Choosing the Right Pet Food
Discuss your pet’s nutritional and health needs with your veterinarian and ask for their professional recommendation on diets that will meet these needs. Let them know what you are currently feeding your pet and ask about specific alternative diets you are considering switching to.
On the food packaging, look to see if the company has made it easy to find the ingredient information and the nutritional adequacy statement.
Look to make sure the life stage and recommended weight/size of the diet matches your pet.
Most large breed dogs (over 60-75 lbs.) should typically eat a large breed diet and if you have a small breed pet you should match them with a diet for small breeds. This will help provide the most appropriate nutrition for your pet and make sure a Maltese is not eating the same food as a Saint Bernard.
Decide whether you’re comfortable feeding a diet that has been formulated versus feed tested. Some companies do not feed-test every single option they offer, but you may want to use a company that tests at least some of their diets.
Check the FDA website to see if the company has had any recalls in the last year or two.
Remember to talk to your vet if you ever have questions about the best food to give your dog or cat!
Animal Obesity and Diet
Obesity is one of the most noted abnormalities on veterinarians’ physical exam notes! Obesity in pets is linked to increased risks of diabetes, osteoarthritis, and many other diseases that decrease quality of life. Most of the time, obesity in pets stems from one or more of the following: The pet is...
Getting too many treats
Eating too much human food
Given too much food in general
On the wrong type of diet (often an “All life stages” diet instead of a diet specifically tailored to the age of the pet)
Not having enough exercise
What Can You Do to Help Your Overweight Pet?
Reduce human food intake
Just a small cube of cheese equates to a human eating a whole donut or cheeseburger! There also tends to be a lot of fat in human food which can lead to pancreatitis or stomach upset in your pet.
Reduce treat intake
Treats should only account for 10% of the total calories per day. “Treats” also include any dental chews and chewable supplements. Ask your veterinarian what your pet’s appropriate daily caloric intake is; this will help you choose treats that best fit your pet’s needs.
Opt for low-calorie treat options
Some treat alternatives you can try are raw green beans, baby carrots, or pieces of your pet’s dry food kibble. You can also ask your vet for their recommendation on low-calorie treats for dogs and cats that you can purchase from your clinic or local pet food store.
Ensure diet is nutritionally balanced
Calories are an important number, but the makeup of calories is the most important factor. Check your pet’s food for its nutrient breakdown and make sure it meets daily intake recommendations for your pet’s size, age, and lifestyle.
Coordinate with household members
Check with other members of your household to make sure everyone is on the same page with your pet’s meal times. Sneaky pets may try to trick other humans into believing they’ve yet to be fed and end up getting a second dinner! Some household members may not know exactly how much kibble they should be scooping into the bowl, potentially leading to overfeeding.
Make eating an activity
Cats will often lay down in front of the food bowl while snacking, a term often referred to as “lazy eating.” By raising your cat’s bowl or even placing them on the top level of a cat tree, they are less likely to spend all day snacking. You can also search for puzzle feeders or interactive bowls that help slow down the speed at which your dog or cat eats.
Increase exercise!
Engaging in daily physical activity is an essential component of weight management in pets and provides necessary mental stimulation too. There are many creative ways to help get your dog or cat moving more, check out our
ultimate list of pet exercise ideas.
Talk to your vet about a prescription diet
Ask your veterinarian if there is a prescription diet for weight management that might help your pet get a jump start on weight loss. These prescription diets are created to increase satiety (feeling full) while decreasing the caloric intake of pets. Prescription weight management diets are typically only recommended for pets who are not responding to other interventions and should not be given long-term.
More Questions About Your Pet’s Diet?
Schedule an exam at your local Thrive Pet Healthcare clinic to discuss nutrition and any questions or concerns you may have with a vet near you!
