Choose the ‘Right’ Food by Reading the Label Like an Expert
Choosing food for your dog or cat is just like choosing food for your family. Many pet parents choose based on “good reviews” or “my pet loves it”. But if you really want to be sure a kibble is good for long-term health, the key is to “know how to read the label”. It’s easy. Just look at:
🦴 1. Start with the first ingredient
Did you know? The first ingredient on the label is the one there is “the most of” by weight in the recipe as formulated (including the water in each ingredient). So a good dry dog food or dry cat food should have “real meat”, such as lamb, salmon or turkey, as its main ingredient. If a recipe starts with “starch or corn”, check the protein level on the label as well. Animal by-products don’t mean “no nutritional value”: AAFCO states by-products can be safely used to provide nutrition. Just choose a label that clearly says where the ingredients come from.
🌾 2. Check the carb and fiber sources
Carbohydrates are one source of energy in kibble, but there shouldn’t be too much of them. A good dog or cat kibble should use natural carb sources such as sweet potato, brown rice or peas, which are common kibble ingredients. If you’re looking for an option that is easy to digest and gentle on the digestive system, try a holistic-grade food made with natural ingredients (“holistic” is a marketing term, not a legally defined grade, so check the ingredients and nutrient values too).
💚 3. Don’t overlook added nutrients
Good food doesn’t stop at protein and carbs. It should also have nutrients that support all-round health, such as:
- Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids which must come from food and are important for skin and coat health
- Prebiotics & Probiotics added to help support gut health
- Multivitamins and minerals in the amounts the body needs
🐕 4. Look for the words “Complete & Balanced”
Many people miss this one. If your kibble says “Complete & Balanced”, it means the food is intended to be fed as your pet’s sole diet: the recipe must meet an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials, USA) nutrient profile or pass a feeding trial using AAFCO procedures.
🧡 5. Don’t forget to check the expiry date and the country of manufacture
For dry dog food and dry cat food, choose a brand made under safety standards such as HACCP, with a pet food registration number and a clear expiry date, so you can be sure the food is fresh and safe.
✨ Knowing how to read a label is like having an expert by your side
Just start by “checking the main ingredients” and “noticing the small details on the label”, and choosing the ‘right’ kibble for your dog or cat gets easier. Good health starts with “what they eat every day”. Choose well from today, and you’ll see the difference in their smile🐶🐱
Deserve Holistic Grain Free is delicious, with “real fresh meat” as the main ingredient, combined with a Superfood blend of many ingredients. No animal by-products (No By-Product), no artificial flavors or colors, and preserved with natural extracts such as rosemary.
🔎 What to look for on a food label:
✅ Main ingredients: is “real fresh meat” near the top of the list?
✅ What additives are used, such as colors, flavors and preservatives
✅ Protein sources clearly named, including the animal species, whether fresh meat, “meat meal” or “animal by-products”
✅ Suited to your pet’s age and specific needs, such as sensitivities, digestion or shedding
Just flip the bag over before you buy, so your pet gets both great taste and nutrition that suits them, for a healthy, happy pet inside and out.
Deserve dry cat food
🍗 Grain Free Turkey Turkey recipe, grain-free
🐟 Fresh Salmon & Chicken Helps nourish skin moisture and a shiny, beautiful coat
🐠 Fresh Trout & Chicken Trout and chicken recipe
Deserve dry dog food
🍗 Grain Free Turkey : Turkey recipe, grain-free
🐟 Grain Free Salmon : Helps nourish a beautiful coat
🥩 Highland Beef & Turkey : Protein from beef and turkey
Signature Blend recipes
🥩 Grain Free Lamb : Lamb recipe with glucosamine and chondroitin
🐟 Atlantic White Fish : Helps nourish a beautiful coat
Read more: Which Cat or Dog Food Brand Is Best? 7 Checks Before You Choose · What Is Holistic-Grade Dog Food?
🛒 Order Deserve products on this website, or message us on LINE @deserve.petcare
Frequently asked questions
What does the first ingredient on a dog or cat food label tell us?
Ingredients are listed from most to least by weight as formulated, and that weight includes the water in each ingredient. So read the ingredient order together with the protein and fat in the Guaranteed Analysis for a fuller picture of the food.
What does “Complete & Balanced” on a pet food label mean?
It means the food is intended to be fed as the pet’s sole diet, and the recipe must either meet an AAFCO nutrient profile or pass a feeding trial using AAFCO procedures. Treats, snacks and supplements are usually not meant to be a sole diet.
Can adult dogs and cats eat food labeled “All Life Stages”?
Yes, but an all-life-stages recipe must meet the needs of growing young animals, so it works like a growth diet. Adult pets may do better on a food made for their own life stage, so always check the life stage stated on the label.
How do I read the protein, fat, fiber and moisture numbers on a pet food label?
This panel is the Guaranteed Analysis: protein and fat are minimums, while fiber and moisture are maximums. Foods labeled complete and balanced must also print feeding directions on the label.
References: AAFCO, FDA CVM, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
