Pet food packaging is full of information, but it can be difficult to know what really matters and what is simply clever marketing.
Learning how to read the label can help you make a more informed choice about what you are feeding your dog or cat.
Ingredient List & Naming Rules
In Australia, ingredients on pet food labels are generally listed in descending order by weight at the time of formulation.
Be aware of ingredient splitting, where one ingredient is listed under several names. For example, maize and maize gluten are both derived from maize but may appear separately on the ingredient list.
The Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) states that when a meat ingredient makes up 25% or more of the meat component and is the main meal ingredient, that meat variety can appear in the product name. For example, a food containing 25% chicken meal may be marketed as a “chicken dog food”.
Feeding Guides & Key Statements
Feeding guides are only a starting point. Individual pets may need more or less food depending on their metabolism, activity level, age, breed and overall health.
Look for clear identification statements on the label. Pet food intended as a complete meal should state “pet food only” and identify the species it is intended for.
Terms such as “premium”, “natural” and “holistic” are commonly used as marketing terms and are not legally defined in Australia. They should therefore not be the main reason for choosing a particular food.
Fats & Rancidity
Fats can deteriorate when exposed to oxygen, light, heat or moisture. This process, known as rancidity, can produce undesirable compounds.
Oxidative rancidity occurs when oxygen reacts with unsaturated fats, while hydrolytic rancidity occurs when water or enzymes break fats down into free fatty acids.
High-temperature processing and poor storage can increase the risk of fat oxidation. Look for clearly identified, quality fat sources and avoid products that simply list generic “animal fat” without identifying the source.
Guaranteed or Typical Analysis
The Guaranteed or Typical Analysis provides the percentage of key nutrients in the food. Depending on the nutrient, these are generally listed as minimum or maximum levels.
As a general guide for dogs:
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Protein: at least 25% for healthy adult dogs; active or working dogs may require more.
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Fat: around 10–20%, with less potentially appropriate for overweight or sedentary dogs.
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Fibre: ideally no more than around 5%, depending on the individual dog and the purpose of the diet.
For cats:
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Protein: ideally around 40%, with 30–35% being a useful minimum range for many diets.
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Fat: around 20–25% can provide a concentrated source of energy.
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Carbohydrates: ideally kept relatively low.
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Taurine: essential for cats and should be included in a complete cat food.
Remember that these figures are general guidelines. The quality, digestibility and source of the nutrients are just as important as the numbers on the label.
Processing & Nutrient Loss
Heat processing can reduce or destroy some delicate vitamins, antioxidants and naturally occurring enzymes.
If feeding a processed diet, consider whether additional digestive and nutritional support may be appropriate. Digestive enzymes can be particularly useful when natural enzyme activity has been reduced through processing.
Complete & Balanced
Look for information showing that the food has been formulated to meet recognised nutritional standards, such as those established by AAFCO or FEDIAF. In Australia, PFIAA also provides industry guidance and standards.
A food that is not nutritionally complete may need additional nutrients or other foods to provide a balanced diet.
Bioavailability Matters
Bioavailability refers to how much of a nutrient can actually be digested, absorbed and used by the body.
The quality and form of an ingredient can make a significant difference. For example, the digestibility and nutritional value of an animal protein source can differ from a highly processed meat meal.
Where possible, look for clearly named animal protein sources rather than vague terms such as “meat derivatives” or “animal protein”.
Chelated minerals, such as copper amino acid chelate, are another example of a nutrient being provided in a form designed to improve absorption.
Look Beyond the Front of the Pack
The front of a pet food packet is designed to sell the product. The ingredient list, nutritional analysis and feeding information tell you much more.
Rather than relying on words such as “premium”, “natural” or “holistic”, take the time to look at what the food actually contains, how it has been processed and whether it provides the nutrition your individual pet needs.