Pet Food and Pet Nutrition
(continued)
Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis
specifies the product's minimum percentages of crude
protein and crude fat. It also gives the maximum
percentages of crude fiber and moisture. ("Crude" refers
to a specific method of measuring the nutrient, and is
not an indication of quality.) Although not required,
some manufacturers also specify the percentages of other
nutrients, such as ash and taurine in cat food, and
calcium and phosphorus in dog food.
The amounts of crude
protein and most other nutrients appear less for canned
products than for dry ones because of differences in
moisture content. Canned foods typically contain about
75 percent water, while dry foods contain only about 10
percent.
Nutritional Adequacy
The nutritional adequacy
statement assures consumers that a product meets all of
a pet's nutritional needs. The Association of American
Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), an advisory body of
state and federal feed regulators, develops recommended
standards for nutrient contents of dog and cat foods.
AAFCO also publishes ingredient definitions and
regulations.
The FDA's CVM works in
partnership with AAFCO to determine safe pet food
ingredients and testing protocols. In addition to
federal regulation of pet food, most state governments
regulate pet foods and labeling through their
agricultural departments. AAFCO has created a model feed
bill that states often adopt in their own laws.
CVM gives scientific and
regulatory advice to AAFCO and the states on pet food
issues, and CVM representatives serve on AAFCO
committees and meet regularly with AAFCO's board of
directors. CVM investigators also team with AAFCO to
check out questionable pet food ingredients or claims.
Manufacturers can show
their food meets AAFCO's standards for nutritional
adequacy by calculations or by feeding trials.
Calculations estimate the amount of nutrients in a pet
food either on the basis of average nutrient content of
its ingredients, or on results of laboratory tests--but
not animal feed tests. If the calculations show that the
food provides sufficient nutrients to meet the specific
AAFCO nutritional profile referenced, the pet food label
will carry a statement like: "(Name of product)
is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established
by the AAFCO (Dog or Cat) Food Nutrient Profiles
for (specific life stage)."
Feeding trials signify
that the manufacturer has tested the product (or a
similar product made by the same manufacturer) in dogs
or cats under strict guidelines. Products found to
provide proper nutrition based on feeding trials will
carry a statement such as: "Animal feeding tests using
AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of product)
provides complete and balanced nutrition for (specific
life stage)."
Regardless of the method
used, the nutritional adequacy statement on a cat or dog
food label must also tell which life stage the product
is suitable for. AAFCO has established two nutrient
profiles each for dogs and cats--growth/lactation and
maintenance--to fit their life stages.
Every product must meet
at least one of these two profiles. A product intended
for growing kittens and puppies, or for pregnant or
lactating females, must meet AAFCO's nutrient profile
for growth/lactation. Products that meet AAFCO's
profile for maintenance are suitable for an
adult, non-reproducing dog or cat of normal activity
level, but may not be adequate for an immature,
reproducing, or hard-working animal. A product may claim
that it is for "all life stages" if it is suitable for
adult maintenance and also meets the more stringent
nutritional needs for growth and reproduction.
Ingredients
Like human foods, pet
foods are regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act, and must be pure and wholesome and contain
no harmful substances. They also must be truthfully
labeled. Foods for human or pet consumption do not
require FDA approval before they are marketed, but they
must be made with ingredients that are "generally
recognized as safe" (GRAS) or ingredients that are
approved food and color additives. If scientific data
show that an ingredient or additive presents a health
risk to animals, CVM can prohibit or modify its use in
pet food.
Pet food ingredients
must be listed on the label in descending order by
weight. However, the weight includes the moisture in the
ingredient, which makes it tricky to interpret. "A moist
ingredient, such as chicken, which may be 70 percent
water, may be listed ahead of a dry ingredient, such as
soybean meal, which is only 10 percent water--yet the
soy actually contributes more solids to the diet," says
Susan Donoghue, V.M.D., owner of Nutrition Support
Services, Inc., and past president of the American
Academy of Veterinary Nutrition.
Dietary Supplements
The FDA considers animal
food supplements that are not approved nutrients or GRAS
to be unapproved food additives or unapproved new animal
drugs. As such, they are not permitted in pet food.
Nevertheless, consumers will see on some cat and dog
food labels ingredients such as glucosamine and
chondroitin, which are claimed to alleviate joint
stiffness and pain, and St. John's wort, purported to
treat depression and relieve stress.
Check with us before
giving your pets supplements, whether alone or in a food
product.
The following link
offers more information
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