Description
Ever wonder how to read a dog food label?
Dr. Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® explains how to read dog food labels like a vet, so you know exactly what you're feeding your dog.
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Dr. Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® teaches you how to read a dog food label.
She covers what to look for: the recipe name (which signals primary ingredients, like chicken and turkey in Freshpet's Homestyle Creations Chicken & Turkey), the AAFCO feeding statement confirming the food is complete and balanced for your dog's life stage (puppy, adult, or all life stages), the ingredient list (specific proteins like chicken or turkey are clearer than general terms like "poultry"), and the guaranteed analysis showing rough levels of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture.
She also explains calorie content (kcal = the capital-C Calorie in human nutrition) and how to use it to feed the right portion based on your dog's size, age, and activity level. Feeding guidelines on the bag are a starting point, not one-size-fits-all.
Dr. Lisa Weeth's key reminder: an ingredient list alone doesn't determine quality, what matters is how a recipe is formulated and balanced by nutrition experts. Feed the dog, not the bowl.