Four Guidelines for Unveiling the Real Meat Content in Best Dog Foodz

The Food and Drug Administration has instated four essential guidelines to standardize the process of naming dog food, aiding in the revelation of a product’s actual meat content. These rules include…

The 95% Rule

The initial guideline mandates that a minimum of 95% of a product’s weight before cooking must be sourced from the specified animal.

For instance, for a product to be named “Chicken for Dogs”, at least 95% of its ingredients must originate from chicken, excluding any added water.

So, how does the 95% Rule apply to a product containing two meat components, such as beef and liver?

To address this, understanding how the FDA interprets ingredient lists is crucial. The FDA insists that all ingredients must be listed according to their weight before cooking.

This principle also extends to the product’s title.

The 95% Rule for Dog Food Ingredients

When a dog food product contains two or more animal ingredients, the primary one must be listed first, and together they must comprise at least 95% of the product. For instance, in a product named “Beef and Liver Dog Food,” you can be sure that beef and liver account for at least 95% of the food, with beef being the main ingredient.

If a non-animal ingredient such as a grain or vegetable is part of the equation, it cannot be included in the 95% requirement. Therefore, a product labeled “Lamb and Rice Dog Food” must contain a minimum of 95% lamb.

It is important to note that most products following the 95% rule are typically canned dog foods.

The 25% “Dinner” Rule

Products where the named ingredients make up a minimum of 25% (excluding added water) but less than 95% fall under the 25% “Dinner” Rule. These products must include a descriptive term in their name, such as “Salmon Formula for Dogs,” indicating that at least one-quarter of the food is sourced from salmon.

However, be cautious with names like “Beef Dinner for Dogs,” as it only requires a quarter of the product to be beef, potentially resulting in the meat component being placed lower on the ingredients list. This means that the main ingredient may not be the one you desire, such as in the scenario where corn is listed first and your dog has a corn allergy.

Always scrutinize the ingredients list to ensure you are aware of what you are purchasing to avoid any risks for your pet.

The 3% “With” Rule

One of the regulations regarding naming dog foods is the 3% Rule, also known as the “With Rule.” When a dog food contains the word “with” in its name, it means that particular ingredient makes up at least 3% of the product.

For example, the difference between “Tuna Dog Food” and “Dog Food with Tuna” may not be immediately apparent to shoppers. However, “Tuna Dog Food” must consist of at least 95% tuna, while “Dog Food with Tuna” only needs to contain 3% of tuna. This means there is a significant contrast in the actual amount of tuna present in each product.

The Flavor Rule

Another rule to consider is the “Flavor Rule,” which allows dog foods to include specific meats like beef, fish, lamb, or chicken in their names, even if those meats are not predominant in the product. The key requirement is the use of the term “flavor” alongside the meat name. This indicates that a minimal flavor of the specified meat should be discernible by a specially trained testing animal.

It may be surprising to learn about these regulations and how they can impact the actual content of dog foods. Products named under the 3% Rule or the Flavor Rule are unlikely to be considered high in meat protein content.

Final Thoughts

Considering these rules, it is essential for pet owners to be aware of how dog foods are named and labeled. By understanding these regulations, consumers can make more informed choices when selecting dog food products for their pets.