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健康生活園Healthy Life GardenWDJ Fur
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健康生活園Healthy Life GardenFurther Attributes of Top-Quality Dog Food
In our opinion, the following features are highly desirable char- one of two statements on its label: an indication that the food
acteristics in a pet food. We don’t require these traits in order to “is formulated to meet the nutritional levels” established by the
put a product on our “Top Approved Wet Dog Food” list. But Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), or
the more of these attributes a food has, the better! that “animal feeding trials using AAFCO procedures substanti-
ate that (the food) provides complete and balanced nutrition.”
• A date-code or production code is easy to find, read, and Feeding trials help confirm that a food is palatable and actu-
interpret. These make it possible for the manufacturer to ally performs in the manner for which it was – to help puppies
backward-trace any problematic product. If they are coded in a grow, for example, or to help obese dogs lose weight, or to main-
transparent way, a consumer could use them to identify fresher tain the health of an adult dog. AAFCO-approved trials are wildly
products on the shelf and determine that the product is not past expensive, however, so many of the smaller pet food companies
its expiration date. forego them in favor of informal palatability trials, conducted
in-house (sometimes on staff pets!) or in shelters. (For more
• More than just the minimum number of nutrients listed information on feeding trials, see “On Trial,” April 2005.)
on a product label’s “guaranteed analysis” (GA). Federal
and state laws require the following on pet food labels: the mini- • Certified organic ingredients. Dogs are exposed to far more
mum level of crude protein, the minimum level of crude fat, the chemicals than is healthy, so cutting out chemical pesticides or
maximum level of crude fiber, and the maximum level of mois- fertilizers in any portion of their diet is a brilliant idea – and
ture. Anything that is stated under the GA is subject to testing better for the planet, too. In addition, in order to list their organic
and enforcement, so it shows the manufacturer’s con- ingredients on
fidence in its manufacturing ability to reliably hit their labels, their
those targets. manufacturing
facilities have to
• The caloric content of the food listed on the undergo additional
label. Comparing foods’ caloric content, along with inspections and
the protein and fat content, helps educated owners meet organic
select foods that are right for their dogs. manufacturing
standards.
• All of the food maker’s contact information Interestingly,
listed on its product labels (and their product lit- several pet food
erature and Web sites). The law requires pet food makers have told
labels to state the location of the company whose name us that there is far
is on the food’s label. But it sure makes it easier for more demand for
consumers to get information about a pet food if its organic ingredi-
label lists a toll-free number, a Web site, an e-mail ents than there is a
address, and a mailing address. reliable supply, making the idea of committing to the manufac-
ture of organic products more expensive and less attractive.
• A statement that a food (or one of its close “family mem- Expect to pay a premium for products that contain organic in-
bers”) has passed an AAFCO feeding trial. A food may list gredients.
