PetHealth

How to read pet food packets

Things to look for and what they mean. Directions for use and storage Just like human food, there are ideal ways to store, handle and serve different pet foods. Look at packet instructions for advice on the best way to store unused open food and what to do with leftovers. It is always a good idea to keep the original packaging and always check for best before date or batch details printed on the packaging to know when to use the food by. Product claims Foods can also be labelled with claims it may provide a specific health benefit to pets. Read each claim carefully to see if it is substantiated on the pack – for example, does it list ingredients to back up the claim that it ‘boosts intestinal health’? Credible companies have processes in place for legitimising product claims backed by rigorous quality assurance processes. If in doubt, check brand websites for more information.

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Branding It pays to know who makes your pet food – the manufacturer’s name and address can be found on packaging. Reputable brands will also provide a website and contact information for customers who have questions or wish to get in touch.

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Ingredients Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, meaning the main protein source usually comes first. Look for high-quality animal proteins such as chicken or fish as pets can more easily convert animal based proteins into energy.

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Nutrition statement

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Origin label The green ‘Made in Australia’ label can be used to identify a local product.

This certification tells you if your pet food meets the nutritional benchmarks established by industry bodies. It only appears on complete and balanced foods. If the certification is missing, you’re likely looking at a complementary food product that doesn’t meet all your pet’s daily nutrient needs. These products are for supplemental or occasional feeding only and are usually treats or snacks, though can also be raw meats and wet foods.

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Species, breed & life stage It’s important to check you are buying the right food for your pet’s species, breed size and life stage (age). Foods will be labelled with the species it has been formulated for, if it is specifically designed for smaller, medium or large breeds or if it is intended for puppies or kittens, adult pets or mature pets. Feeding guides All ‘complete and balanced’ food should feature a feeding guide. The serving size suggestions are intended as a guide only and are based on if that food is the sole diet of your pet. Remember to reduce portion sizes if feeding more than one type of food per day. Always consult your vet if you are uncertain how much to feed your pet.

Typical Nutritional Analysis This table breaks down the nutritional value of a product. It lists:

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Metabolisable energy – often listed as kcal per 100g of food – is

Crude protein, fat or fibre levels. Crude is the name of a measurement technique that estimates nutrient levels based on nitrogen content – an important indicator of nutrient levels across various types of proteins, and not just the main protein ingredients like meat.

Any other key nutrients such as omega 3 & 6 fatty acids or selected vitamins or minerals.

the net energy the food provides after digestion and faecal and urinary energy loss. This should be based off trusted animal nutritional

research and calculations.

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