The Pet Food Label Decoder: 6 Things You Should Actually Look At

Choosing pet food can be confusing. “High protein,” “natural,” “grain-free,” “premium” — the front of the pack is full of claims. But the real information is on the back.

Here are 6 things to check before choosing your pet’s food:

1. Ingredient List

Check the first few ingredients. Look for clearly identified protein sources like chicken, lamb, turkey, duck or salmon. But remember, the first ingredient alone doesn't determine whether a food is complete.

2. Protein Quality

Don't look at the protein percentage alone. Ask where the protein comes from, whether it's clearly identified, and whether it's appropriate for your pet. Quality and digestibility matter too.

3. Complete & Balanced Nutrition

Protein isn't enough. A complete diet should provide the right balance of protein, fats, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and amino acids for your pet's life stage.

4. Life Stage & Calories

Puppies, kittens and adult pets have different nutritional needs. Also check the calorie content and feeding guidelines to make sure you're giving the right amount.

5. Guaranteed Analysis

Look at protein, fat, fibre and moisture levels. When comparing wet and dry food, remember that their moisture content is very different, so percentages can't always be compared directly.

6. Look Beyond Marketing Claims

Words like “premium,” “natural,” “grain-free” or “no fillers” don't tell the whole story. Don't just ask what the food doesn't contain — ask what it actually provides.

The Bottom Line

Turn the pack around. Read the ingredients. Check the nutrition. Understand the life stage.

Because choosing better food starts with knowing what you're actually feeding.

At Bruno's Wild Essentials, we believe pet parents deserve transparency about what's going into their pet's bowl.