How to Read Dog Food Labels Like a Nutritionist

Decoding Dog Food Labels

Understanding what's actually in your dog's food is the first step to making better choices.

The Ingredient List

Ingredients are listed in order of weight. The first ingredient should always be a named protein source (e.g., "chicken breast" not "meat meal" or "animal derivatives").

Red Flags to Watch For

• "Meat meal" or "meat by-products": Vague terms that can include low-quality parts
• BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin: Artificial preservatives linked to health concerns
• Corn syrup or sugar: Added to make food more palatable
• Artificial colours: No nutritional value, purely cosmetic

What "Human-Grade" Actually Means

"Human-grade" means the food is made with ingredients that meet the same safety and quality standards as food produced for human consumption. This is a higher standard than "feed-grade" ingredients.

The Guaranteed Analysis

This section tells you the minimum percentages of protein and fat, and maximum percentages of fibre and moisture. For fresh food, moisture content will be higher than kibble — this is normal and healthy.

Our Commitment

At Lulu & Daisy, every ingredient is listed transparently. We use only human-grade ingredients and our recipes are formulated with veterinary nutritionist guidance.