Do you know how to read pet food labels?
It’s easy to overlook, but the information printed on pet food labels can help you decide on the best food option for your furry friend. Here’s how to easily decode pet food labels – and what to look out for.
Ingredients list
Aside from the branding, the first thing you will probably notice on pet food labels is the list of ingredients. It’s worth looking at this list to determine not only what’s in the pet food, but the quality and quantity of each ingredient.
Typically, these lists will specify individual ingredients in descending order of their portion size. So if ‘chicken’ is top of the list, then you know that the pet food contains a large proportion of chicken compared to the other listed ingredients. Do note that water generally isn’t included on these lists, even if the pet food contains lots of it.
So what should you be looking for on an ingredients list? We recommend choosing pet food with protein (e.g. meat) near the top. Also make sure there are some good healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids and oils like flaxseed. Hypro Premium Ocean Fish, for example, contains 26% crude protein and 15% crude fat, with the additional benefits of calcium phosphorus, omega-3 and omega-6.
What else to consider
Depending on your dog or cat’s food intolerances, there may be potential allergens contained in pet food that you will need to watch out for. All good pet food brands list every ingredient contained in their food, so make sure you read through them and avoid any that may potentially give your pet an allergic reaction.
It’s also recommended that you consider the benefits of gluten- and grain-free products, as these can help reduce allergies while giving your pet everything they need to thrive. Hypro Premium, for example, crafts grain-free dry food that is perfect for pets with sensitive stomachs, allergies or special dietary needs. Not every dog needs to avoid grains – high-quality wholegrain pet food can be just as beneficial, but make sure you choose your pet brand wisely.
Pet food regulations
You may already be aware that Australia doesn’t have an official regulatory body for pet food. Instead, most pet food brands follow the guidance of AAFCO – the Association of American Feed Control Officials. However, because there are no national regulations, you need to be careful about the brand that you choose for your pet.
Hypro Premium prides itself on only crafting the finest pet food from the best balanced ingredients. That means our recipes are all natural and hypoallergenic and free from fillers, preservatives and artificial colours. Every one of our wide selection of gourmet recipes exceeds AAFCO standards, which means you can trust that your pet is only being fed the very best for their overall health and wellbeing.
If you want your pet to get the best from every meal, choose Hypro Premium. We create high-quality premium dry food to keep your pets happy and healthy. Find out more about our grain-free products and explore our range today.
