Dogs require a well-balanced diet to stay healthy and keep their coats shiny. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of high-quality foods available on the market. This makes it easier to strengthen the animal’s immune system and supercharge its digestive system. AAFCO compels all dog food manufacturers to make realistic claims on the product labels. This allows pet owners to make informed decisions when it comes to buying the right food.
When a product contains a single ingredient, this means it comes with at least 95 percent of the listed ingredient, excluding water. The percentage is also applicable to products containing multiple ingredients. The combination of ingredients should amount to 95 percent. Products labeled “with” a particular ingredient are expected to contain at least 3 percent of that ingredient.
On the other hand, dog food items labeled entree, platter or dinner should have at least 25 percent of the listed ingredient. Flavors do not have any minimum threshold attached to them; however, the listed flavor should be detectable.
Ingredients
It is important for dog owners to take advantage of Blue Buffalo coupons when shopping. In addition, individuals should pay close attention to the ingredients of each product. Typically, manufacturers list ingredients by weight. Some of the items that appear at the top of the list include fish, beef, poultry, and chicken, which contain a significant amount of moisture. Ingredients with the least amount of moisture usually appear at the bottom yet they can contain key nutrients.
Foods with grains provide a good source of carbohydrates, which dogs metabolize easily. However, some canines are allergic to grains. It is extremely rare for dogs to experience allergic reactions to ingredients like glutens.
Some foods available on the market come with nutritious organs, which dogs can digest easily. These by-products include lungs and the liver. However, pet owners should not worry about the presence of hooves, horns, and hair because none of the products contain these items. Reputable dog food manufacturers only use high-quality by-products.
The majority of products include a nutritional adequacy statement, which is designed to give buyers confidence that the food is ideal for puppies or adult canines. Some may be labeled as good for all life stages.