Instructions
Understand that while it may look like a scientific statement of product effectiveness, the guaranteed analysis chart really only represents the food's minimum crude amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate and water. But it makes no statement as to whether or not your pet's body can absorb and use the nutrients provided.
Look for the guaranteed mineral content on the chart. You'll want to know that dog food contains calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and linoleic acid, while cat foods should contain taurine and magnesium.
Compare wet and dry food choices by using the chart values and this formula: First, multiply the crude percentages listed on the wet foods by 25 percent (wet foods contain only about 25 percent dry matter). Then, divide the percent guarantee listed by the percentage of dry matter, and multiply by 100. The answer will be the percentage that tells you how much of the dry matter in the wet food is really in a protein form.
Read the ingredients list for yourself to determine the product's quality and digestibility. After all, if the food is completely indigestible for your pet (with the inclusion of animal by-products meal and other grain meals and chemicals) none of the nutrients will be absorbed into your pet's blood stream. Instead, they will be excreted as waste in the form of higher stool volume and excess gas.
How to Interpret the Guaranteed Analysis on Pet Food Labels
The guaranteed analysis chart on all bags of pet food represents the recommended profiles for nutrient requirements, established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). As a pet owner, you need to know how to read between the lines of this chart!