Things You Should Note When Reading the Information on a Feed Packaging

How Should You Read the Product Composition?

The same rule applies to the pet feed composition as for human food – the ingredient comprising the biggest share of the feed is specified in the first position and the ingredient comprising the smallest amount – in the end. However, if raw meat is indicated in the first position of the feed, do not forget that water amounts to 75% of its weight. Thus, during its production, after vaporising the water, the raw meat will move at least several positions further and, most likely, it will let the first position for the cereal components.

If the feed contains, for example, poultry, lamb, or salmon meal, this clause does not apply to them. While producing the meat meal, the majority of moisture is vaporised and only 5% on average of it remains. Comparing raw meat and meat meal in the product composition, approximately 20% of the meat meal equals to 60% raw meat.

What Do Chemical Names Indicated in the Supplement Section Mean?

All vitamins and minerals are specified in the supplement section, which are added in order to meet all pet‘s needs. The minimum amounts of these substances are regulated in the European Pet Industry Federation (FEDIAF). If the product packaging specifies that it is “complete”, you can be sure that the amounts of vitamins and minerals meet the requirements. If you choose this product, you will not have to worry about getting additional vitamins if your pet is healthy.

In addition, the supplement section has an additional section called “Technological supplements”. It refers to antioxidants, preservatives, colouring agents, flavourings, etc. All specified substances may be natural or synthetic.

Analytical Components – What are They?

Every feed packaging must contain the amount of proteins, fats, ashes, and fibres. If the moisture of the product exceeds 8%, the manufacturer must also indicate it. The majority of manufacturers also indicate the amounts of calcium and phosphorus, the essential minerals, in the feeds. In the section of analytical components, you may also find other minerals and the indicated amounts of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

If a product is functional, for example, if it is for cats suffering from struvite stones in the urinary bladder, you may also find the amount of magnesium, as one of the most important minerals for treating this problem indicated in this section. Such feeds on the packaging contain visual elements, for instance, veterinary feeds having a veterinary certificate which certifies the efficiency of this feed are marked with a special icon.

Natural, Organic, Holistic

Recently, the products are getting popular which are marked as “natural, organic, holistic”, etc. They are only marketing terms which are not subject to any rules of control and use. Therefore, there are no documents regulating the use of these terms on product packaging.

Things You Should Note When Reading the Information on a Feed Packaging

When you choose the food for your pet, it is highly important to read the information provided on the feed packaging. Only after analysing the composition of the product and other important information, you will pick the best feed for your four-legged friend.

How Should You Read the Product Composition?

The same rule applies to the pet feed composition as for human food – the ingredient comprising the biggest share of the feed is specified in the first position and the ingredient comprising the smallest amount – in the end. However, if raw meat is indicated in the first position of the feed, do not forget that water amounts to 75% of its weight. Thus, during its production, after vaporising the water, the raw meat will move at least several positions further and, most likely, it will let the first position for the cereal components.

What Do Chemical Names Indicated in the Supplement Section Mean?

All vitamins and minerals are specified in the supplement section, which are added in order to meet all pet‘s needs. The minimum amounts of these substances are regulated in the European Pet Industry Federation (FEDIAF). If the product packaging specifies that it is “complete”, you can be sure that the amounts of vitamins and minerals meet the requirements. If you choose this product, you will not have to worry about getting additional vitamins if your pet is healthy.

In addition, the supplement section has an additional section called “Technological supplements”. It refers to antioxidants, preservatives, colouring agents, flavourings, etc. All specified substances may be natural or synthetic.

Analytical Components – What are They?

Every feed packaging must contain the amount of proteins, fats, ashes, and fibres. If the moisture of the product exceeds 8%, the manufacturer must also indicate it. The majority of manufacturers also indicate the amounts of calcium and phosphorus, the essential minerals, in the feeds. In the section of analytical components, you may also find other minerals and the indicated amounts of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

If a product is functional, for example, if it is for cats suffering from struvite stones in the urinary bladder, you may also find the amount of magnesium, as one of the most important minerals for treating this problem indicated in this section. Such feeds on the packaging contain visual elements, for instance, veterinary feeds having a veterinary certificate which certifies the efficiency of this feed are marked with a special icon.

Natural, Organic, Holistic

Recently, the products are getting popular which are marked as “natural, organic, holistic”, etc. They are only marketing terms which are not subject to any rules of control and use. Therefore, there are no documents regulating the use of these terms on product packaging.