Pet Food Facts

1. Pet owners spend about $15 billion a year on pet food in the USA alone.
2. If the word “dog food” or “cat food” is used on a label, the product must contain at least 95% of the named ingredient.
3. If the word “dinner” is used, then it must only contain 25% of the named ingredient.
4. If the label states “dog food with beef” or “cat food with fish” the product only needs to contain 3% of the named ingredient.
5. Grain gluten and other protein gels may be used in wet dog food to create artificial meat chunks that look like real meat.
6. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a non-profit organization which sets standards for quality and safety of pet food and animal feed in the United States.
7. Most commercial dog foods contain meat or bone meal, offal, and grain byproducts.
8. Pet foods labeled “complete and balanced” must meet AAFCO standards via either a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial.
9. Commercial dog food has only been available in the past century or so.
10. The idea of creating commercial cat food came later than dog food because it was thought that cats were better able to fend for themselves.
11. Cats do not “chew” their food. They crunch once or twice before swallowing.
12. Cats lack enzymes inside their mouths that help break down food.
13. Taurine is a requirement in cat food because it is an essential dietary requirement for feline health.
14. Lack of taurine in a cat’s diet will cause retinal degeneration.
15. There is no legal definition for the terms “premium”, “ultra premium”, “natural and holistic” which some manufacturers use to label their pet food.