How to read food labels?

It’s crucial to accurately judge the ingredients in your pet’s food to ensure you're feeding them the best. But when was the last time you picked up a pet food bag from the shelf and thought, “What a beautiful bag and look at that happy dog on the cover,” and bought it without hesitation?

If you’ve found yourself doing that, we strongly recommend reading on.

While many pet food brands use eye-catching photography and vibrant illustrations of healthy ingredients on the front of their bags, the real story lies in the ingredient listing on the back. That’s where you can truly determine whether the food inside is as good as it looks.

Why the First Ingredient Matters

The first ingredient in any pet food is the most important because it's the largest component by weight. All pet food must list its ingredients in descending order of weight. When comparing pet foods, look at the first ingredient listed. Ideally, you want this to be a high-quality protein like deboned chicken, fish, or lamb. These are packed with the nutrients your pet needs to thrive.

On the other hand, many brands use corn as the first ingredient, which provides little nutritional value. In fact, it can even be a source of allergies for some pets. So, next time you look at the label, pay attention to what’s listed first!

How Some Brands Manipulate Perception

Certain brands cleverly categorize ingredients to make their food appear to be of higher quality than it actually is. For example, some brands might highlight ingredients like "chicken meal" or "animal fat" on the front, but the primary ingredient is something less nutritious, like ground corn or corn gluten meal.

Example Comparison

Take a look at the ingredient list of Solid Gold Sun Dancer:

Solid Gold Sun Dancer:

• Chicken

• Chicken Meal

• Tapioca

• Whitefish Meal

• Quinoa

Compare it to a brand that uses fillers:

• Ground Corn

• Meat and Bone Meal

• Corn Gluten Meal

• Animal Fat

You can see the difference immediately! The Solid Gold Sun Dancer prioritizes real, whole foods like chicken and fish as the main ingredients, while the other brand relies heavily on corn and meat by-products, which don’t offer the same nutritional value.

Key Takeaways for Pet Food Shopping:

• First ingredient matters most: Look for real meat (chicken, lamb, fish) as the first ingredient.

• Avoid corn as a primary ingredient: Corn lacks nutritional value and can contribute to allergies.

• Be mindful of filler ingredients: Ingredients like corn gluten meal and animal fat often indicate low-quality food.

So, next time you grab a bag of pet food, flip it over and check the ingredient list. Your pet’s health is worth the extra effort!