Why does the guaranteed analysis look different on wet food versus dry food?

The guaranteed analysis is given on an 'as fed' basis, meaning it reflects the nutrient content at the food's actual moisture level. Wet food contains 70-80% moisture while dry kibble contains only 8-10%, so the same percentage of protein looks very different across formats. To compare them meaningfully, convert both to a dry matter basis by dividing the as-fed percentage by (100 minus the moisture percentage) and multiplying by 100.

What does 'chicken meal' mean and is it a good ingredient?

Chicken meal is chicken that has had most of its moisture removed through processing, resulting in a concentrated protein source. Because it's dry-weight protein rather than fresh chicken (which is roughly 70% water), chicken meal often contributes more protein per unit weight in a dry food than fresh chicken does. It's a legitimate and commonly used protein source, not a lesser ingredient.

Is 'natural' pet food actually better?

'Natural' has a regulatory definition in pet food (ingredients from plant, animal, or mined sources, not chemically synthesised) but doesn't indicate nutritional superiority or better quality in any broader sense. It's a label you can note, but it doesn't replace checking the AAFCO statement and guaranteed analysis.

How do I use the calorie statement to calculate my pet's daily portion?

Find your pet's daily calorie target (using a calorie calculator based on their weight, age, and activity level), then divide that by the food's kcal-per-cup (or kcal-per-100g for wet food) to get the daily portion in cups or grams. This is more accurate than bag feeding guides because it accounts for your individual pet's needs rather than an average.

What's the difference between a feeding trial and a 'formulated to meet' statement?

A 'formulated to meet' statement means the diet was calculated to hit AAFCO nutrient profile minimums on paper. A feeding trial statement means the diet was actually fed to animals over a defined AAFCO protocol and maintained their health -- a stronger real-world verification. Both are valid, but the feeding trial statement provides an additional level of substantiation.

Reading Pet Food Labels | PetCalculator

Pet food labels contain a lot of text and a lot of marketing -- but only a few sections actually tell you whether a food is nutritionally sound. Here's how to decode each part of the label for both dogs and cats.