Navigating Pet Food Labels: A Guide for UK Pet Owners

Selecting the right food for your companion is a crucial aspect of responsible pet care. You will find when you go to look there are a multitude of options available on the market. The labels can include confusing jargon making an informed decision can be challenging. Understanding pet food labels is essential to ensure that your pet receives the nutrition they need to thrive. In this guide, we'll break down the key components of pet food labels in the UK to empower you to make the best choices for your beloved pets.

The Hook

The front of the bag will hook you into looking at the food more closely. Perhaps there is an appealing photo or a bold headline such as ‘hypoallergenic’. It might even claim to be a certain flavour, for example, salmon. Like most marketing, this is designed to draw you in. If you want to know the truth of what is in the food, you need to look at it in more detail. Pet food labels only provide you with limited information, legally they don’t have to include everything. If you are buying a smaller bag, let’s say a 2kg bag instead of a larger 12kg bag there might also be differences. The 12kg bag is more likely to include a complete ingredients list. In the UK pet food is governed by the UK Pet Food who work to advance pet health. There is guidance set out for food labels, you can read more by clicking here. On the front the food should clearly state what species it is made for and if the food is complementary or complete.

Misleading Terminology

One of the issues with pet food is the misleading terminology that can be used for marketing. One of the more common claims is a hypoallergenic food. There are a few components that should make a food hypoallergenic but the term itself is very ambiguous simply meaning minimise the possibility of allergic response. Protein for example should be of human grade with fibre and carbohydrates coming from healthy sources such as brown rice, carrots, peas, potatoes, or the protein might be hydrolysed (broken down protein). However, there is no robust scientific proof for any of these claims to help a dog’s digestion or signs of allergy.

Ingredients List

When you turn the bag around you will find the ingredient list, the first important part to read. This provides insight into what exactly goes into the food you're feeding your pet. Ingredients are typically listed in descending order by weight, with the primary ingredient listed first. Look for whole, recognisable ingredients, meat or carbohydrate should be listed first (depending on your dog’s requirements). Avoid foods that list ambiguous terms like "meat by-products" or "animal derivatives," as these can encompass a variety of less desirable parts (such as beaks and feet). Ideally, the meat content is 18% minimum, again this will depend on your dog’s needs or existing health issues. Anything less than 18% is a good indication of other hidden or nasties included in the food to make it tasty and appealing to your pet. This can even include hidden sugars which are addictive plus contributes to obesity and diabetes. You can also check if the meat listed in the ingredients is the same as the hook on the front of the bag. There are occasions when a food is labelled as fish, but chicken is the main ingredient with just a flavour of fish.

Analytical constituents

Pay close attention to this information and compare it to the listed ingredients. This part lists the percentage of what is included in the food after preparation. This list will help you decide if the food is what it sets itself out to be, does it meet the dietary needs you are after, is it value for money? How much percent of protein is listed, does this match the percent of protein listed in the ingredients? If it doesn’t how different is this percentage to the main ingredients? You will also find the level of fat, fibre, moisture (if it is over 14%, under this doesn’t have to be listed) and the crude ash (various minerals). It is also a good idea to avoid foods high in fat (under 14%) as this can lead to obesity and other health issues. Some diets are also quite high in ash, though dogs need vitamins increased ash has been linked with some health issues such as urinary stones. In other instances, such as a dog with pancreatitis the ash content phosphorus needs to be low.

Here you will also be able to see if any additives are present including E numbers. If a food includes coloured kibble such as green, yellow, or red there are E numbers present. Colouring in dog food is part of the hook to encourage purchase. Just like humans E numbers can influence behaviour in our pets and are best avoided. Likewise, the presence of vitamins A & D must be declared if added to a food under the additives label.

Complete or complementary

There are two different types of pet food as mentioned in the hook, complete or complementary. There is a clear distinction between the two, complementary foods do not contain the full mixture of nutrients that pets need to be healthy. This type of food needs to be fed in conjunction with another food to complement it and meet the nutritional needs of the dog. The types of food that fall into this bracket include biscuit toppers, treats, and complimentary chews. In short, you can think of these as junk food. Complete food is just that, a complete, balanced, nutritional diet that meets the animal's needs.

Feeding Guidelines

Feeding guidelines provide recommendations on how much food to feed your pet based on factors such as weight, age, and activity level. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines, and individual pets may require more or less food depending on their unique metabolism, energy, and health needs. Monitor your pet's weight and adjust their portion sizes as needed to maintain a healthy body condition. If you want to be more accurate you can calculate how many calories your dog needs per day using the UK Pet Food Calorie Calculators. This will help you determine how many grams of food your dog needs a day.  

Additional Information

Some labels may include additional information such as feeding instructions, storage recommendations, or quality assurance statements. Pay attention to these details, as they can provide valuable insights into the overall quality and safety of the product. Look for foods that are manufactured in facilities that adhere to strict quality control standards and undergo regular testing for contaminants.

Summary

Understanding pet food labels is essential for ensuring that your companion receives the nutrition they need to thrive. By familiarising yourself with the key components of pet food labels in the UK, you can make informed choices that support your pet's health and well-being. Remember to prioritise whole, high-quality ingredients and choose foods that are formulated to meet your pet's specific dietary requirements. With a little knowledge and careful consideration, you can provide your pet with the nourishment they need for a happy and healthy life.