What To Look For When Reading Pet Food Labels
There are certain types of information that should not be absent from a food label. In order to understand what is being fed to your pets and also to ensure that the company stands by its product, here are some details that must be on the label of any food you buy.

• Ingredient Listing
• Guaranteed Analysis, indicating minimum or maximum levels of nutrients the food contains
• Nutritional Adequacy Statement, indicating which segment of the pet population that the food provides a complete and balanced diet for.
• Manufacturer’s Name & Toll-Free Phone Number

For further detail on the above and more information on how to read a pet food label, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and Hills released the following document as a part of their Partnership for Pet Health initiative.

PDF:  http://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/how-to-read-a-pet-food-label2007

Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
The AAFCO is a non-profit organisation that regulate or certify pet foods, but rather it sets out standards in the US that producers of pet foods can follow to ensure that they meet local and federal laws & regulations.

If a pet food product meets these standards then they are able to state on their pet food labels that the product complies with the requirements set by the AAFCO. Veterinarians will only recommend foods that comply with these standards and are labeled accordingly.

For more information on the Association of American Feed Control Officials, visit http://petfood.aafco.org or talk to your veterinarian today to learn more about selecting a diet that is nutritionally balanced for your pet.