Navigating the pet food aisle is tough. With countless brands and dog food commercials stating their formula is the best, picking the right dog food is often a process of trial and error. What works for one dog might be unpalatable or cause problems in another. Plus, most dogs will require dietary changes as they age- after all, the needs of a puppy are very different than those of a senior dog.

I am a new mom of an absolutely adorable middle-aged Lab mix, and I have faced this challenge firsthand. In 3 weeks of having our Shadow boy, we have gone through 3 different food brands (not including the food toppers to try to entice him to eat said recipes), and we are still searching for the right recipe for our pup, who is currently working through weight and allergy issues.

As a writer and researcher within the pet niche, I am well-versed in the science of dog food labels and the marketing strategies some pet foods use to market less-than-optimal recipes as healthy. I am also aware that dog food is no good if your dog won't eat it, no matter how high-quality it is — and the price tag on some of these formulas are nothing to scoff at.

At Wag!, we aim to make parenthood easier and believe wholeheartedly that furbabies ARE family. And why wouldn't you want to feed your furbaby the best food possible? A healthy diet is a huge factor in ensuring your dog has a long, healthy life. With this list, we hope to help pet parents decode sometimes misleading pet food labels to help them pick the best food possible for their furry loved ones. 

From gauging protein content to deceptive marketing terms, read on for everything you need to know about pet food labels.

This glossary of terms can help for a quick reference when looking at those labels!

The ingredient label isn't a jumbled list of ingredients; it is carefully crafted based on the weight of each ingredient added to the recipe, with the ingredient that comprises the majority of the recipe listed first, the following ingredients are listed in order of how much is added.

For instance, if a food contains 20 grams of rice, 10 grams of pumpkin, 100 grams of chicken, and 5 grams of chelated minerals, the order of the ingredients would be chicken, rice, pumpkin, and chelated minerals.

Unfortunately, this isn't always accurate since some manufacturers will weigh meat products based on their raw rather than dry weight, which is substantially heavier than processed meat — this is why you have to pay attention to words like "dry matter basis," which manufacturers weigh after drying and better reflect the quantity of the specified protein.

Dog food product names and labeling terms directly correspond with their nutrient content. Contrary to common belief, "organic," "organic ingredients," and "100% organic" do not mean the same things. These seemingly arbitrary variations are intentional and indicate how many ingredients are organic. Food only has to be 70% organic to be labeled as "organic," and the same goes for words like "dinner," "entrée," or "platter," which sound appetizing for pet parents but may be marketing terms to hide a less than optimal ingredient list.

Here is a breakdown of what these terms mean:

Grains aren't the enemy, but they shouldn't comprise the majority of the food. Grains are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and fiber, which pups need for energy and healthy digestion.

Grain allergies in canines are more rare than most people think, and unless your dog has been diagnosed with a grain allergy by a vet, there is no reason to feed them a grain-free diet. In fact, there is evidence to link grain-free diets and excess legume consumption with a higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy in some dogs, though research is still ongoing.

So, what should you look for in grain-inclusive dog food?

Want more info on dog food? Check out our dog food guides to find the right food for your pup!