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PRODUCT NAME AND INGREDIENTS Regulations and guidelines have been established jointly by FDA and AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). The 95% rule applies to products consisting primarily of meat, poultry or fish, such as some of the canned products. They have simple names, such as "Beef for Dogs". In these examples, at least 95% of the product must be the named ingredient, not counting the water added for processing. Counting the added water, the named ingredient still must comprise 70% of the product. All ingredients are required to be listed in order of predominance by weight. The weights of ingredients are determined as they are added in the formulation, including their inherent water content. Therefore, a Lamb and Rice Dog Food would be misnamed unless the product was comprised of at least 95% lamb. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS The guaranteed analysis lists the minimum levels of crude protein and fat and the maximum levels of fiber and water. Crude protein refers to the total protein content and is not necessarily the amount of protein actually digestible. The actual amounts depend upon the ingredients and their quality. PROTEIN QUALITY Every protein source contains different levels of amino acids and each protein is different in its ability to be broken down into amino acids. The ability of a protein to be used by the body and its amount of usable amino acids is summarized as protein quality (biological value). Egg has the highest biological value and sets the standard for which other proteins are graded. For example, eggs are 100% protein, Fish Meal-92%, Beef-chicken-lamb-78%, Meat and bone meal-50%, corn-53%. RECOMMENDED PROTEIN AND FAT LEVELS Proteins are necessary for all aspects of the dog's growth and development; they are burned as calories and can also be converted to and stored as fat. Minimum requirements set by AAFCO for an adult dog: 18% protein / 5 % fat and for a puppy 22% protein / 8% fat. Bear in mind these are 'minimum' only. Nutritional studies are continually in progress to better evaluate needed protein requirements. Most recommended levels are 28% protein / 15% fat for puppies and 22% protein / 12% fat for average adults. MOISTURE CONTENT & DRY MATTER CONVERSION This has little relevance when the guarantees of two products of similar moisture content are compared (for example, a dry dog food versus another dry dog food). However, when comparing the guaranteed analyses between dry and canned products, one will note that the levels of crude protein and most other nutrients are much lower for the canned product. Canned foods typically contain 75-78% moisture, whereas dry foods contain only 10-12% water. For comparisons of nutrient levels between a canned and dry product, they need to be converted to a dry matter basis. The percentage of dry matter of the product is equal to 100% minus the percentage of moisture guaranteed on the label. INGREDIENT SUMMARY Meat - Meat is the clean flesh of slaughtered cattle, swine, sheep or goats. The flesh can include striated skeletal muscle, tongue, diaphragm, skeletal muscle, tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus, overlying fat, and the portions of skin, sinew, nerves, and blood vessels normally found with that flesh. Meat Meal - Rendered meal made from animal tissue. It cannot contain hair, hoof, blood, horn, hide trimmings, stomach or rumen (the first stomach) contents, or manure except for amounts that may not be avoided during processing. It cannot contain any added foreign matter and may not contain more than 14% indigestible materials. Indigestible crude protein in the meal cannot be more than 11%. Meat By-Product - Whatever remains of the carcass -- bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, and almost all the other parts not generally consumed by humans. It does not include hair, teeth, hooves or horns. Poultry By-Product - Clean parts of slaughtered poultry, such as heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, feet, abdomen, intestines, and heads and must not contain feces or foreign matter. Poultry By-Product Meal - Made up of ground, rendered, and clean parts of slaughtered poultry, such as undeveloped eggs, necks, feet, and intestines. It does not contain feathers except those which are unavoidable during processing. Poultry by-product meal is a good source of animal protein and other nutrients. For this reason, it is widely used by pet food manufacturers as an ingredient in dry dog food formulas and generally contains about 55-70 percent protein Fish Meal - Clean, dried, and ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings which may or may not have the oil removed. It is also considered an excellent source for Omega 3 fatty acids. Meat and Bone Meal - Rendered from meat and bone, but it does not include hair, blood, horn, hoof, manure, hide trimmings, stomach, or rumen contents except that which is unavoidable during processing. It does not include any foreign matter. Like meat meal, only 14% may be indigestible residue and no more than 11% indigestible crude protein. Whole Fresh eggs - This is the Highest rated source of usable Protein, and rates above all meats and meat products. Shells are a great source of Calcium Carbonate good for strong healthy teeth. Eggs - Whole poultry eggs which are usually dehydrated. Egg Product - dehydrated egg yolks Ground Corn: Ground corn is the entire corn kernel ground or chopped. Corn Gluten Meal: Corn gluten meal is the by-product after the manufacture of corn syrup or starch, and is the dried residue after the removal of the bran, germ, and starch. Brewers Rice: Brewers rice is the small fragments of rice kernels that have been separated from larger kernels of milled rice. Brown Rice: Brown rice is the unpolished rice left over after the kernels have been removed. Soybean Meal: Soybean meal is a by-product of the production of soybean ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFA) Fatty Acids (there are over 70 of them!) are important for a wide array of cell structure components and for many chemical reactions in the body including hormonal and energy activities. Fatty Acids play a vital role in establishing a healthy lipid barrier in the skin to block irritants and infections. In an animal's body (and ours) the liver and other tissues can make many of the fatty acids that are required for the body's chemical factory to operate. Dogs, however, cannot make Linoleic Acid (also called Omega6 Fatty Acid). So THAT is called an ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID because the dog needs to consume it from dietary sources. With adequate Omega6 in the dog's diet the other fatty acids needed for metabolism can be created internally. Dietary sources of omega-6 fatty acids include animal tissue and plant seeds, while cold water marine fish oils, animal tissue and plant leaves contain omega-3 fatty acids. . The body can convert EFAs from fish more easily than from other sources. The potential of omega-3 fatty acids contributing to the health of our pets is promising. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to help manage severe inflammation associated with certain skin disorders; support the proper development of the nervous system and visual acuity; aid in the remission and decrease the side effects of lymphoma. According to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (July, 2002) : Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Prevent Heart Disease By Improving Arterial Elasticity. The article states: "Eating fish benefits those who are at high risk for ischemic heart disease (IHD), and sudden cardiac deaths occur less frequently in those who habitually eat ocean fish, a major source of omega-3 fatty acids. In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Nestel et al. examined the role that omega-3 fatty acids play in improving systolic and pulse pressure and vascular resistance, effects that may reduce the risk of IHD and adverse cardiac events." DIGESTIBILITY Digestibility of Food - Digestibility refers to the quantity of the food that is actually absorbed by the dog's system. Although digestibility is not listed on most dog food labels, this can be obtained by contacting the manufacture directly. This is obtained by weighing the amount of food fed daily and the weight of the stool (dried) for several days. Divide the weight of the food into the weight of the stool and you will have the percentage of digestibility. The higher the digestibility of the food, the more nutrition your dog receives. Resources FDA. Information for Consumers Personal Correspondence with Diamond Pet Food Company Personal Correspondence with Natura Pet Products Personal Correspondence with Purina Foods |