What is the 25 rule in dog food

How to Read a Dog Food Label

We all want the best for our dogs, including nutrition. And anyone who has shopped for dog food knows, there are virtually unlimited options: Hundreds of brands with innumerable ingredients; wet, dry, and raw food; age-specific food; restricted diets, along with all sorts of advertising and marketing claims to decipher. The label is the best tool to use when you make a choice but can often be hard to understand. Were here to demystify how to read a dog food label.

Dog Food Label Format

All pet food labels follow roughly the same format:

• Product and brand name or unique identifier.
• Quantity in terms of product weight, liquid measure, or count, depending on the formulation of the food.
• Guaranteed analysis, which specifies the amount of specific nutrients.
• Ingredients, which must be listed in descending order by weight.
• Nutritional adequacy statement, which must be backed up by testing that proves the food provides a certain level of nutrients. It may also include the life stages the food is appropriate for.
• Feeding directions.
• Manufacturers name and address
• Calorie statement

Now that you know whats listed, what does it all mean? Lets take them one at a time.

Product Name

Theres more to the product name than clever marketing. The name will actually give you your first clue about the ingredients. Because so many pet owners base their buying decision on a specific ingredient, brands will try to highlight that ingredient in the product name. But its all in the wording. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has four rules:

The 95% Rule

At least 95% of the product must be the named ingredient, for example, Chicken for Dogs, or Salmon Dog Food, must include at least 95% of chicken or salmon, respectively. In addition, this main product must be at least 70% of the total product when counting the added water. According to AAFCO regulations, the remaining 5% of ingredients will be those required for nutritional reasons, such as vitamins and minerals, and small amounts of any other ingredients.

The 25% Rule

When you see products named Beef Dinner for Dogs, Chicken and Sweet Potato Entre, or Lamb Platter, for example, this is the 25% rule in action. If the named ingredients comprise at least 25% of the product (not counting the water for processing), but less than 95%, the product name must include a qualifying term, such as dinner, entre, or platter. Counting the added water, the named ingredients still must comprise 10% of the product. If more than one ingredient is included in a dinner, the combination of the named ingredients must total 25% of the product. They also should be listed in the same order as found on the ingredient list.

The With Rule

When you see a dog food label, such as Doggie Dinner with Beef, the with ingredient need only be at least 3% of the product. Just the addition of that one word with dramatically changes the percentage requirement of the ingredient in the food and is a good reason to pay attention to the product name.

The Flavor Rule

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), if the label says, Beef Flavor Dog Food, then a specific percentage (of the beef) is not required, but a product must contain an amount sufficient to be able to be detected. For example, the word flavor must appear on the label in the same size, style, and color as the word beef.

Quantity

The quantity listed on the label tells you how much of the food is in the container. This may be measured by weight, liquid measure, or by count. Products can vary in density (think wet food vs. dry food, for example). So, if you really want to know how much a product costs, do a cost-per-ounce or cost-per-pound comparison.

Guaranteed Analysis

Many states have regulations requiring the minimum amount of nutrients a pet food must contain, as well as the maximum amount of moisture and crude fiber. Dog food labels must display the percentage of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and water. For those who like to get technical, the FDA provides a detailed explanation of how the guaranteed analysis is calculated on its website.

If there are specific guarantees, such as that the food is low-fat, then both the maximum and minimum percentage of the item must be guaranteed. If a product claims to have vitamin or mineral supplements, there must be a guarantee of the amount the product supplies.

Ingredients

According to Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKCs chief veterinary officer, the ingredients section is the most important part of the label to read. Ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight. Each ingredient must be listed individually, and, according to AAFCO regulations, terms describing collective ingredients, such as animal protein products arent allowed. In addition, ingredients must be listed by their common or usual name. The AAFCO has a detailed list of ingredients, their common names, and what they contain.

A word about byproducts: While we may not want to eat them, byproducts arent necessarily a bad addition in dog food. They include parts such as the liver, which is rich in vitamin A. Other byproducts include blood, brains, bone, stomach, and cleaned intestines. Meat meal may also contain ingredients we consider byproducts. It sounds gross, but your dog might not agree.

Nutritional Adequacy Statement

Look for the fine print on the side or back of the package. Many dog foods claim to be complete and balanced or 100% nutritious. These arent just marketing terms. Dr. Klein says, The phrase means that the food has met specific government standards and provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages of adult dogs, as determined by AAFCO. The food must contain the proper amount and ratio of essential nutrients for the needs of a healthy dog.

Often the nutritional adequacy statement identifies the life stage the food is appropriate for. AAFCO recognizes these stages:

• Gestation/lactation
• Growth
• Maintenance
• All life stages

Some products are labeled for a more specific use or life stage, such as senior or for a specific size or breed. The FDA says, There is little information as to the true dietary needs of these more specific uses, and no rules governing these types of statements have been established. Thus, a senior diet must meet the requirements for adult maintenance, but no more.

The nutritional adequacy statement must be in a standardized format, which makes it easy to compare products.

Feeding Directions

This is pretty straightforward the label tells you how much you should feed your dog. This is listed either by the weight of the food per pound or measure of food per cup. However, as the FDA says, breed, temperament, environment, and many other factors can influence food intake. Feeding directions are guidelines, not regulations. Regardless of what the package says, consult your vet if you have any questions.

According to Dr. Klein, its also important to note the sell-by or best-used-by statement. He says, Due to the nature of the ingredients used in all dog foods, including fats and proteins, the food can go rancid. Expired dog food offers less nutritional value and can grow harmful bacteria or mold that can sicken your dog.

Deciphering the Descriptive Terms

There are so many new trends in pet food that it can be difficult to know exactly what youre getting. Is organic the same as natural? What does lite mean? Is grain-free a good thing? Does my dog need new proteins?

Organic

There are currently no official regulations specific to the labeling of organic foods for pets, although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is developing some. In the meantime, dog foods that claim to be organic must meet the ingredient, production, and handling requirements of the USDAs National Organic Programto be considered organic. In simple terms, organic dog food is defined the same way organic human food is:

• No artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavoring
• No antibiotics or growth hormones in meat and meat by-products
• Little or no fillers

Is organic pet food better? The jury is still out on this. High-quality commercial dog food meets the AAFCOs stringent nutritional guidelines and lists any type of fillers fairly low on the ingredient list. Sometimes dogs with sensitive stomachs do better with organic food, and some organic foods have beneficial antioxidants. Organic food is, however, more expensive. Frankly, its your call.

Natural isnt the same as organic. The latter term refers to the conditions under which plants are grown or animals are raised. For the most part, you can construe natural as equivalent to a lack of artificial flavors, artificial colors, or artificial preservatives in the product.

Grain-Free

There is little veterinary science to support the benefits of grain-free dog food. That being said, Lisa Freeman, veterinary nutritionist and professor of clinical nutrition at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, notes that theres a possibility that an increase in a heart disease called cardiomyopathy is associated with eating boutique or grain-free diets, with some of the dogs improving when their diets are changed. Some dogs actually do better with the high-fiber content of grains.

The FDA is also reviewing grain-free diets because theres concern of a possible link between certain breeds of dogs and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) a type of canine heart disease that affects the heart muscle in certain dogs or breeds of dogs.

New Proteins

No, theyre not really new. They derive from sources such as bison, kangaroo, rabbit, and other exotic animals. Its tough to rate their benefits because they have different digestibility and nutrient profiles than the more common proteins. They may be suitable for dogs that have difficulty eating chicken, beef, or other meats.

Human-Grade Dog Food

The FDA and USDA highly regulates human-grade food, defined as a food that is legally edible and approved as nourishment for humans. However, according to the AAFCO, for a product to be human grade, all ingredients in the product must be human edible and the product must be manufactured, packed, and held in accordance with federal regulations in 21 CFR 110, Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food.

Also, human-grade dog food isnt necessarily safer, tastier, or less expensive than high-quality pet food. These products must also be clearly labeled for their intended use as animal food, such as including the phrase dog food in the same size as the phrase human-grade on the packaging.

Lite, Low-Calorie, and Low-Fat

To use any of these terms, the food must have a significant reduction of calories or fat compared to standard pet food. The AAFCO requires that labels making these claims must show the percentage reduction in calories or fats and must name a product for comparison.

Cheat Sheet for Reading Pet Food Labels

You probably now know more than you ever thought possible about all those words on your dogs food packaging. This information should make you a better-informed consumer, helping you to choose the best possible diet for your pup. Heres a quick cheat sheet to help you remember all of this when youre standing in the dog food aisle:

• The ingredient listed first is the greatest ingredient in the food by weight.
• The sell-by date will help prevent you from buying food that may have gone bad.
• The guaranteed analysis tells you how much protein, fat, fiber, and water the food contains.
• The quantity of different products should be compared on a cost-per-pound or cost-per-ounce basis.
• The feeding directions are recommendations, not rules. Check with your vet.

*Labeling is regulated on the federal level by the FDA, which establishes standards for all animal food. Some states have their own regulations, which are often adopted from the regulations of the AAFCO.

Do you know the 25 percent rule for dog food?

I just got a puppy. It took me two years to process the loss of my first dog, and I couldnt get myself to fall in love with another one. When I was ready to become a dog parent again, I had severe questions:

Was I taking good care of Thea? Did I provide her with the love she deserved?

While Thea was with me, I believed she had the best life possible. I gave her regular exercise. I fed her regularly and gave her treats, and she seemed happy. But then I realized: I was giving her dog food and didnt bother to learn much about proper nutrition. I merely assumed that the packages I bought gave her everything she needed.

When I started researching proper dog nutrition, I realized the issue was more complicated than it initially seemed. The 25 percent rule for dog food, in particular, looked quite interesting. It made me aware that not everything you buy is right for your dog. I was a student back then, so I usually opted for the cheapest kibble at the supermarket. The ingredients included added vitamins and nutrients, so I genuinely believed the food was good for my dog.

As it turns out, we have to be a bit more careful when buying dog food. Im determined to provide a better life for Yoda now, so I started by getting informed about the 25 percent rule for dog food.

Dog food rules everyone should know about

Before we get to the 25 percent rule for dog food, we have to realize that there are other percentages involved in the equation. Why should we care about this? Well, we all want our dogs to be healthy, dont we? But we also want them to enjoy their food. When were aware of the percentages in the ingredients, were able to tell the difference between different brands and types of dog food. Were ready to choose something thats both good and tasty for the dog.

Dont worry; its not complicated at all.

These percentages indicate the type of food youre getting. The FDA establishes the rules, so they are valid indicators of nutritional values needed for our pets.

The 100 percent rule for dog food

One ingredient food meets the 100 percent rule. If, for example, youre getting 100 percent beef treats, they are only beef. This rule allows the manufacturers to add water for processing and trace amounts of condiments and preservatives.

You might assume that this is the best type of food to give to your dog. Its not. Only dog treats can follow the 100 percent rule, and we all know they contain too many calories, and our dogs cannot eat them in large amounts. Plus, a balanced diet calls for more than a single ingredient.

The 95 percent rule for dog food

When youre getting food based on a few ingredients, it meets the 95 percent rule. At least 95 percent of the product must belong to the main ingredient mentioned in the products name. If, for example, youre getting food labeled as Chicken for Dogs, it must be made of at least 95 percent chicken. But theres a trick: the water doesnt count. When you calculate the water for processing, the main ingredient must still account for at least 70 percent of the product.

More than one main ingredient is allowed. If youre buying a product labeled Beef and Liver for Dogs, for example, the two main ingredientsshould account for 95 percent of the total weight (water excluded). The first ingredient mentioned in the products name is the dominant one. This means that theres more beef than liver in the food.

You want to make sure the first ingredient is meat. If youre buying Rice and Chicken, it means theres a whole bunch of rice and not enough protein.

Why is this important? If youre buying something labeled as dog food, it must comply with the 95 percent rule. And food that meets the 95 percent rule is what you want to provide for your dog to keep them healthy.

I talked to Robert, a friend of mine who works as a writer for UK Best Essays. He works from home, so he has more time to spend with his dog, and he can cook his meals. High-quality dog food that follows this rule is expensive for me, he says. So I tend to prepare his food at home, and I always follow this rule for his main meal. I combine various main ingredients. Ill prepare chicken and rice, lamb and liver, beef and rice, beef and buckwheat, and so on. I add a minimum amount of water and no additives.

Thats a good idea. If you cant afford to buy high-quality dog food, its not that hard to prepare it at home. You only deal with one or two ingredients.

The 25 percent rule for dog food

I usually gave Thea this kind of dog food. Most dry products fall within this category. I also gave her food that followed this rule when I wanted to make a switch from kibble and chose cans. She loved the versatility, but was it good enough for her? Unfortunately, no.

Foods that follow the 25 percent rule for dog food contain at least 25 percent of the ingredients in the name (not counting the water used for processing). When the food contains such a small percentage of the main ingredient, it must come with an additional term in the product name. Thats why youll see a descriptive term, such as Dogs Delight Beef Dinner. If the product were named Dog Delight Beef Food, it would have to comply with the 95 percent rule. If it has a label such as platter, dinner, entree or any term other than food, it complies with the 25 percent rule.

According to this rule, the product must contain at least 25 percent of the ingredient mentioned in the name. If we count the added water, it means the product contains at least 10 percent of the mentioned ingredient.

Is this food bad for your dog? Not necessarily. However, it doesnt meet your dogs nutritional needs. Its like an entree you order at a restaurant. The Caesar salad, for example, will contain tons of veggies and only a bit of chicken. Thats what youre practically giving to your dog when following this rule, and its not enough.

You want to get real food, preferably food that meets the 95 percent rule, for your dog. Food based on the 25 percent rule is not bad, but you want to use it as an addition to the main course of higher quality.

Products that fall below the 25 percent rule for dog food

Some products dont even follow the 25 percent rule. They contain less of the ingredient mentioned in the title. Those are the products that use the word with in the name. If, for example, you get Dog Food with Rice and Chicken, it means it must contain at least 3% rice and 3% chicken.

Be careful; Chicken Dog Food is not the same thing as Dog Food with Chicken. The difference is enormous.

So whats the lesson? Read the labels! Every single time. If you thought you were buying affordable food when getting the cheapest product on the shelf, you were wrong. Yes; that food is cheap. But its not cost-effective because it doesnt meet your dogs needs.

To keep your dog healthy and happy, be careful with your choices and read the dog food labels.

Warren Fowlers lifestyle is full of hiking adventures. When hes not busy with his guitar or enjoying the sunny day outside, he excels at blogging skills and scrolls through social media. You can meet him on Twitter and Facebook.