Image of dog with pile of dog foodCommentary by Capt. Sara Almcrantz

First Year Graduate Education intern, Public Health Activity-Fort Carson

Natural, premium, holistic, human grade — these terms are commonly used in pet food labeling, but what do they actually mean? Are grain-free and raw-food diets actually better?

Owners are now paying closer attention to what they feed their pets, however, it can be overwhelming to navigate fact from fiction when it comes to pet food marketing.

Interpreting pet food labels

Ingredients must be listed in order of quantity based on weight regardless of water content. The name of the pet food itself can also give you an indication of its main ingredients.

If the name of the food indicates the meat source, such as “chicken for dogs,” the food must contain at least 95 percent chicken (excluding water). If the name contains “dinner,” “entree,” “platter,” “formula” or “nuggets,” the food must contain at least 25 percent of that protein source. If “with” is in the product name, for example “dog food with beef,” at least 3 percent of the product is beef.

With respect to flavors, no specific percentage is required as long as the product contains a sufficient amount to be detectable during a taste test.

What are meat byproducts?

Contrary to popular belief, meat alone does not constitute a balanced diet and lacks many vitamins and minerals provided by meat byproducts.

Meat byproducts, including organs, bone, blood and fat may not sound like an appealing meal option to humans, however, they actually help create a more balanced diet similar to what animals in the wild would typically consume. Meat meal, which can also carry a negative connotation, actually contains a higher concentration of protein than regular meat, as it is essentially meat minus any water content.

What does “organic” mean?

Pet foods that claim to be organic may not be so, since there are currently no regulations in place to determine what these labels mean in pet food. At this time the USDA only sets standards for organic foods for human consumption.

Raw, home-cooked and grain-free diets

No objective scientific evidence has demonstrated that feeding a raw or grain-free diet will result in a healthier diet.

Handling of uncooked meats that can contain parasites, bacteria and viruses can lead to serious illness in pets and can even be transmitted to humans. Young, old, pregnant and sick animals and humans are particularly vulnerable. Home-cooked diets can be time consuming, expensive and are commonly deficient in essential nutrients unless they are balanced by an expert or from a recipe.

Grains have recently become synonymous with “fillers” in the pet food industry. In reality, pets require a healthy balance of carbohydrates in addition to protein in their diet. Grains provide an important source of carbohydrates, essential amino and fatty acids, and a variety of other nutrients. If omitted, diets must include other sources of carbohydrates as a substitute for grains. Unless your animal has a confirmed food allergy or other health issue with a particular grain, such as wheat, there is no reason for a pet to be on a grain-free diet.

Choosing best food

The following tips can ensure that you are making the best choice when it comes to the food you are serving your pet:

  • Look for the official Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) seal or statement on the product packaging. When in doubt, stick to a reputable national pet food brand.
  • Select a food that is labeled for the correct life stage of your animal (i.e., growth and development, adult, lactating)
  • Ensure the pet food you are considering has not been recently recalled by visiting the Food and Drug Administration “Recalls and Withdrawals” website at

Consult a veterinarian to determine if your pet has any health or dietary requirements that warrant a special prescription, limited ingredient diet or home-cooked diet.

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