After meeting with pet lovers, reporters, influencers and other pet advocates, PFI has put together an overview of some of the common questions individuals have about pet food and nutrition. Please see below and let us know if you have a question you would like added to this page.
In addition to the pet food makers themselves, ingredient suppliers must report any recall of their product to the FDA’s Reportable Food Registry so that information can be shared with customers. The RFR provides an added measure security for pet food makers and, more important, for you and your pet.
Shoppers have an array of options when considering food for their dog or cat. When selecting food for your pet, look for the nutritional adequacy statement, indicated life stage and the guaranteed analysis to ensure your pet is getting the nutrition he or she needs. The nutritional adequacy statement will indicate that the food is complete and balanced for a particular life stage, such as growth, reproduction, adult maintenance or a combination of these. If the food does not meet the complete and balanced requirements, it is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only. Ensure that you follow the feeding directions indicated on the package and that the food you select is appropriate for your pet’s life stage. This is important because the nutritional needs of a growing puppy or kitten are different than those of an adult or senior dog or cat. For example, kittens and puppies need more fat or calories to support healthy growth. Finally, the guaranteed analysis (GA) indicates to regulators reviewing each label that the product complies with nutrient requirements and voluntary label claims. The GA also ensures you, the pet owner, can find the levels of, at a minimum, four key nutrients in your pet’s food: protein, fat, fiber and moisture.