We know you walk old mate twice a day (thrice if he gives you that look), treat him better than your family and buy him the good stuff, but are you curious whats really behind those confusing dog food labels? You'll be shocked.
That's right. These products could all come from the same ingredients! Can you believe it?
How dog food is marketed is designed for grey area and confusion.
Meat is far more expensive than most vegetables or grains, so some sneaky companies advertise meat content weight before hydration, but list vegetables after hydration so they can claim a higher percentage of meat than what actually exists.
Companies may also group ingredients together and rename them to more marketable names. This is a good sign that the recipe is full of cheaper ingredients that may be leftovers from other food processing and actual food source is not really known by even the manufacturer.
All of these options have all of the exact same ingredients. Can you believe it?
How dog food is marketed is designed for grey area and confusion.
Meat is far more expensive than most vegetables or grains, so some sneaky companies advertise meat content weight before hydration, but list vegetables after hydration so they can claim a higher percentage of meat than what actually exists.
Companies may also group ingredients together and rename them to more marketable names. This is a good sign that the recipe is full of cheaper ingredients that may be leftovers from other food processing and actual food source is not really known by even the manufacturer.
You got it right. Keka won't be happy.
The rules allow a minimum of 20% meat, and only 25% of that (so 5% in total) has to be the meat in the name. It's great way saving costs with cheaper meats while keeping the perception of premium ones. Wet food is even worse, without a minimum meat content at all.
Luckily, most premium brands do include a good amount of meat. Just research how much of each meat is really in there
Don't tell Keka, but there can be as little as 5% of the advertised meat in dry dog food, and even less for wet dog food.
The current industry rules (which are self-governed and voluntary) allow companies to name a dry dog food after an ingredient, but it to have as little as 5% of that meat. The rule allows a minimum of 20% meat, and only 25% of that (5%) has to be the meat in the name. It's great way saving costs with cheaper filler meats. Wet food is even worse, without a minimum meat content at all.
Luckily, most premium brands do include a good amount of meat.
You got it. 41% of us are looking after our pups a little too well.
The Australian Veterinary Association estimates that 41% of Australian dogs are obese. Aside from a poorer quality of life, obese dogs live on average 1.8 years less. That's something we need to do something about.
Easier feeding guides is the best place to start so we'll be making it as easy as possible to feed your dog a healthy serving.
The Australian Veterinary Association estimates that obesity amongst Australian dogs is at a whopping 41%!
Obese dogs live on average 1.8 years less so it's something we need to do something about. Easier feeding guides is the best place to start so we'll be making it as easy as possible to feed your dog a healthy serving.
Not bad! It is likely to cost anywhere from $8 - 18 to make & pack
Dog food mark-up (particularly outside of the cheaper Supermarket brands) can be up to 80%! Most of this happens by the stores who must cover staff, rent, marketing and their profits. It's fair enough, but what if there was a better way...
Not far off! It is likely to cost anywhere from $8 - 18 to make & pack
Dog food mark-up (particularly outside of the cheaper Supermarket brands) can be up to 80%! Most of this happens by the stores who must cover staff, rent, marketing and their profits. It's fair enough, but what if there was a better way...
You got it! Higher protein is generally better
But, too much protein can also be bad, putting a lot of stress on organs (not to mention some very bad smells).
High quality animal protein is expensive, so high protein levels (that come mostly from animals) and high fat levels are signs that the food is not chocked full of cheap refined carbs/fillers.
Higher protein is generally better
But, too much protein can also be bad, putting a lot of stress on organs (not to mention some very bad smells).
High quality animal protein is expensive, so high protein levels (that come mostly from animals) and high fat levels are signs that the food is not chocked full of cheap refined carbs/fillers.
You're right. Less than 15% of pet food is made from Australian-owned companies.
The pet industry is full of multi-nationals, with less than 15% of pet food made from Australian-owned companies.
Correct! Various human food terms have been re-created to mislead
These terms include 'dinner', 'casserole', 'meal' and 'luncheon'. Essentially these all mean reduced requirements of ingredient quality.
Labelling a dog food ‘dinner’ means what you named it after doesn’t even have to be the main meat used.
For example a ‘Chicken Dinner’ pet food, might only be 2% chicken, and 98% meat by-product meal. Various human food terms have been re-created to mislead, including 'dinner', 'casserole', 'meal' and 'luncheon'. Essentially these all mean reduced requirements of ingredient quality.
Yep. We actually just found this out ourselves!
Knackeries still exist in Australia and the meat produced from horses, donkeys and other animals is used by some pet food brands.
Look for pet food that uses named ingredients, so for instance 'chicken meal' instead of a more generic 'poultry meal', or 'kangaroo' over a very generic 'meat meal' which is where you'll find most unknown animal sources.
We actually just found this out ourselves, but this is still legal and does happen in Australia
Knackeries still exist in Australia and the meat produced from horses, donkeys and other animals is used by some pet food brands.
Look for pet food that uses named ingredients, so for instance 'chicken meal' instead of a more generic 'poultry meal', or 'kangaroo' over a very generic 'meat meal' which is where you'll find most unknown animal sources.
Well done. Marketers from some big food companies did a good job of inventing this new premium category
The reality is that generally there is no difference for a dog food making one breed healthier than another.
Having said that, large breed puppies should eat different food to smaller dogs in the first six months to account for such fast growth. As dogs grow beyond 6 months of age, just feed them good pet food in serves suited to their age, activity level and weight.
Mainly False. Marketers from some big food companies did a good job of inventing this new premium category
The reality is that generally there is no difference for a dog food making one breed healthier than another.
Having said that, large breed puppies should eat different food to smaller dogs in the first six months to account for such fast growth. As dogs grow beyond 6 months of age, just feed them good pet food in serves suited to their age, activity level and weight.
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