Decoding Dog Food Labels: What You Need to Know to Choose the Right Food for Your Pup
Choosing the right dog food shouldn’t feel like solving a mystery—but with confusing labels, tricky marketing, and unfamiliar ingredients, it often does. At TelaVets, we believe every pet parent deserves to understand exactly what’s in their dog’s bowl—and how it impacts their health.
Here’s how to confidently read and decode dog food labels, so you can make the best nutritional choices for your furry best friend.
🏷️ Understanding the Dog Food Label: What to Look For
Every dog food bag or can has a required set of details, but knowing how to interpret them is key to choosing the right food.
1. Product Name
This tells you more than you think. For example:
- “Chicken Dog Food” means chicken makes up at least 70% of the product.
- “Dog Food with Chicken” means only 3% chicken.
- “Chicken Flavor”? That just means the taste is chicken—no actual meat required.
✅ TelaVets Tip: Look for foods that list a real, named protein (like “chicken,” “beef,” or “salmon”) first in the ingredients.
2. Ingredient List
Ingredients are listed in order of weight before cooking. That means water-heavy ingredients like meat might look more dominant than they are after processing.
✅ Look for:
- Whole proteins: chicken, lamb, turkey, salmon
- Named meals: “chicken meal” (a concentrated protein source)
- Whole grains or healthy carbs: brown rice, oats, sweet potatoes
- Natural fats: chicken fat, fish oil
- Vegetables, fruits, and added vitamins
🚫 Avoid:
- “By-products” and “meat meals” without a specific source (e.g., “animal meal”)
- Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)
3. Guaranteed Analysis
This section breaks down the minimum or maximum percentages of key nutrients:
- Crude protein
- Crude fat
- Crude fiber
- Moisture
✅ TelaVets Tip: Active dogs typically need higher protein and fat. Senior or less active dogs benefit from lower fat and higher fiber.
4. AAFCO Statement
Look for a nutritional adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
It should say something like:
“Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs.”
This means the food is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage.
✅ TelaVets Tip: Choose foods based on your dog’s life stage—puppy, adult, or senior. “All life stages” foods aren’t always the best fit.
🐾 Why Nutrition Matters: Common Issues Linked to Poor Diets
Even popular or expensive foods can fall short. Here's what can happen when your dog’s food isn’t working for them:
🐕 Obesity and Weight Gain
Too many carbs, poor-quality fats, or large portions? Recipe for weight issues.
🐶 Skin & Coat Problems
A dull coat or flaky skin often means missing omega-3s or key vitamins.
🤧 Food Sensitivities
Chronic ear infections, itching, or GI upset can be signs of food intolerance or allergies.
🦴 Joint Problems
Missing joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and omega-3s can make arthritis worse.
💩 Digestive Troubles
Gas, loose stools, and vomiting? Could be an imbalance in the formula—or the wrong food altogether.
👩⚕️ How TelaVets Helps You Feed Smarter
At TelaVets, our licensed veterinarians take the guesswork out of dog nutrition. During your virtual consultation, we:
- Review your current dog food
- Discuss symptoms or concerns (itching, weight changes, stool quality, etc.)
- Recommend vet-approved foods tailored to your dog’s breed, age, and lifestyle
- Provide portion guidance
- Offer supplement suggestions if needed
- Help you manage weight, allergies, or sensitivities
Whether you’re feeding kibble, canned, fresh, or raw—we’ll help you make sure your pup is getting everything they need to thrive.
📦 Need prescriptions or supplements? We deliver them straight to your door—fast and hassle-free.
🐾 Why Pet Parents Trust TelaVets
- 🐶 100% Licensed Vets with experience in canine nutrition
- 📱 Virtual Convenience — no need to drag your dog to the clinic
- 🛒 Product Guidance — know what to buy (and what to avoid)
- 💡 Personalized Advice for your dog’s unique needs
- 💰 Only $65 for a one-on-one consultation
- 🔄 Unlimited Follow-Ups with membership
🐕🦺 Ready to Improve Your Dog’s Health Through Nutrition?
Your dog’s diet is the foundation of their overall wellness. Make sure it’s working for them—not against them.
📅 Book your $65 virtual nutrition consult today and get personalized feeding advice from our licensed vets.