We get numerous questions on what food I eat. Many wonder if my food contain some kind of “super” ingredient as I don’t act like a 12 year old senior dog. It made me curious and decide to check the label of my dog food.
My mom assisted me in the process and we learned together.
Below is an infographic created by my mom of my food, Orijen Senior dog food.
As you can see from the above, we break down 8 essential categories from my food label.
Our friends from PetCareRx and their board certified veterinary nutritionist, helped us understand these categories and provided us a break down.
You may also use these 8 categories break down when reading your dog food label.
1: A DOG FOOD “WITH”
Labeling like this is a bit tricky. A dog food that says “with chicken” doesn’t necessarily mean there’s nothing else, or even that it’s the only protein. In order to list ingredients at the top like this, a food company has to put 3% of each listed ingredient here into the food. The full story will be on the back of the bag.
2: AAFCO STATEMENT
The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a legislative body that approves food for animals. Messages like the one on Sugar’s bag, “Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages” mean the food is appropriate for feeding as a regular, everyday food.
3: NET WEIGHT
All packages of dog food have their weight on the label. Sugar’s dog food bag is 15 pounds. This simply helps pet parents who want to know about how long the package of food will last, feeding their dog by weight. It can also help when shopping for food online–just how big is that bag?
4: MANUFACTURER INFO
All pet foods list their company’s address so that people can contact them. Phone numbers and websites are actually optional, but nearly all pet food companies list these now.
5: FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions for how much to feed your dog are required on every package of dog food. Manufacturers do not have to follow any real rules here though, other than providing reasonable instructions. A dog food for seniors like Sugar’s will list portions specifically for senior dogs.
Orijen also lists different amounts based on the dog’s activity. This is a plus because sometimes inactive dogs get fed too much based on package guidelines, which can lead to obesity.
6: INGREDIENTS LIST
The ingredients list on dog food must be in a descending order, so that the ingredient with the highest weight is listed first. This applies whether the ingredient is a wet or dry one.
7: GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
This chart, the guaranteed analysis, is required on all dog food packages. It shows pet parents what the basic concentrations are in the food. The only four things that must be on the label are protein, fat, moisture, and crude fiber, but many companies add others in the list.
8: CALORIE COUNT
What we usually think of as “calories” are actually “Calories” with a capital “C,” or kilocalories. If kilocalories are listed on a dog food label, they must be labeled as kilocalories per kg of food. This is not very useful to the average dog parent wondering how many calories are in a scoop, but many companies list the kilocalories per cup as well, which is currently optional. Regulations will soon require kilocalories per cup or can to be on all AAFCO approved foods.
Lots of Golden Thanks PetCareRx.
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Disclaimer: Golden Woofs was not compensated by PetCareRx for this post. PetCareRx assisted and provided Golden Woofs data/explanation of Sugar’s dog food label.
Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR
Excellent choice of food Sugar!! We used to eat Orijen also until Mama decided she was going to home cook. We occasionally will eat Orijen while we are traveling and it is a great food! Thanks for the update on your food! Happy Tasty Tuesday! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug
We too love our Orijen food – we have the six fish variety and it is perfect for doggies with allergies.
We love Orijen all of us seniors and youngsters eat primarily orijen 6 fix and sometimes we rotate to other flavors. We have had senior in the past but mom prefers to feed all four of us seniors and non the same food. We are wondering does your mom think there is a reason the senior variety si better since the other ones are formulated for all life stages?
urban hounds
Great explanation of labeling Sugar…labels can be confusing but you’ve simplified well
I hear amazing things about this brand. Thanks for breaking it all down for us.
That is a very attractive infographic. We haven’t tried Orijen yet. I think you need to contact the company about being their Senior spokesmodel. Because you are the best advertisement for the quality of their food. Toby’s not a senior but now I think I might give the brand a try.
I too eat a senior dog food, not the same one as you. When MOM needed to switch to a senior food she did her homework as well. I am very happy with my food and I think it helps me as well.
As for the SB shirt I think MOM said Lori Smith, or someone like that, did the design. Butt as MOM is not eating my senior food she gets forgetful some times. hehhehhe Maybe she should help herself to a bowl of my kibble, might help.
Blessings,
Goose
Wow there sure are a lot of ingredients in that food Sugar! I didn’t know what that last ingredient was, so I had to look it up. 🙂 It sure seems like a great brand of food.
Uh I failed on the linky-tool, how can I remove the double entry? Think there was vodka instead of water in my soup, sorry :o)
Wow Sugar this was one fine and informative post. That was a lot of reading too.
I eat Purina One indoor/weight control cat food. My switches every other bag but my first ingredient is either chicken or salmon. The kibble is in 3 different shapes too.
hugs madi your bfff
Thank yu for your information Sugar, our mom is always reading labels on our food!
stella rose
Great infographic. I’m glad Sugar does so well in her golden years! My husband and I just spent about 40 minutes in the dog food aisle trying to select the right food for Ike. We decided to try a grain free, because he’s having some allergies. We were reading the backs of numerous bags, checking information on our Slimdoggy app and looking up on Dog Food Advisor. We finally settled on Castor & Pollux Organix so we’ll see how he does on that.
Our mommy’s eyes cross when looking at the food bags so this has been very helpful Sugar!
I don’t know, Sugar…I still think there may be some SUPER hidden ingredient that keeps you so young! Maybe they add a little water from the Fountain of Youth?!? I love your infographic…very well done. Thanks for hosting the hop with Kol.
Happy Tasty Tuesday!
Oz
That was great info Sugar! Only humans could make “what did ya put in there?” so confusing!
Yep, our Little Bit gets her food from the vet since she’s so allergic to so many things. You need to know what it in your babies food.
Have a woof woof day. My best to your mom. 🙂
Love the infographic, well done! Just had food talks with the vet yesterday but we have decided to all stay on our current food.
We ate Orijen then miss picky pants didn’t like it anymore. Now we are back to Natural Balance a Duck and Potato
Benny & Lily
Excellent food choice! Nutrition is the basis for good health ~ the better the food we give our fur kids, the better their health will be, just like us! Sugar, you are an inspiration!!! You look wonderful! Hugs from me and my 6 Goldens!
The kitties and I all eat Acana, made by Orijen. Just a little different mix of the same type ingredients. Good choice!!
Great info, Sugar! Nice of PetCareRX to help out in breaking it down. Orijen is an awesome food!! We eat ACANA, which is Orijen’s sister line, both made by Champion. Both great foods! Pricey, but worth it!
I luv your infograph! Mama needs to do one for makin a homemade meal… she might be calling you!
Great post Sugar. Food labelling is a nightmare. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
Great infographic. Looks like your humans made a good choice in food for you, Sugar.
Thanks for the great run down on Orijen. I have actually not heard of it, but will check it out. My girl currently eats Sensitive Formula Blue Buffalo (grain free) but I’m always looking for something better.
Thanks Sugar!
Sharon and Maggie
4 Paws of Gold
We have never had Orijen – yet – but we hear that it’s one of the best brands out there!
Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly
Sounds good! We eat Nutri Source and love that too!
My credo concerning food is that I look at the ingredients. if I can’t pronounce them, I don’t eat it. I do the same thing with BJ’s food. I can’t pronounce them, I don’t give it to BJ.
Thanks for the info Sugar!! Labels can be very confusin’….especially if your my Ma….BOL
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
I am currently golden enjoying Josera SensiPlus which has done wonders for my snacking habits… I no longer snack from the minute we are out of the front door until we return, I can now go for some while without picking up some kind of cat faeces. Golden cheers of joy from Mummy!
There’s lots of good information there Sugar! We used to eat Orijeb in our kibble rotation before Mama switched us to raw and we loved it!
Good information Sugar. The info graphic is really great!
That list of ingredients certainly sounds very healthy. This food is grain free, correct? Which is important because you have allergies? We are thinking about switching to grain free since Kobi has runny eyes this year and the two girls are always scratching. We wonder if that will help.
One thing I find interesting is the lack of calorie information on some packages or the correct serving suggestions. We have two very active dogs and one that is a little less active. It was research as a blogger that taught me that we needed to feed our dogs differently. It’s so obvious now, but not when we first adopted dogs.
Thanks for this great information.