Photo: Unsplash (free licence).
Quick answer: words such as "natural", "premium" or "holistic" on the front of the bag are marketing messages. The information that really matters is on the back: product description (complete or complementary), composition, analytical constituents, additives and feeding guide.
Common claims and what to check
| Claim | What to check |
|---|---|
| "Natural" | Composition and list of additives. |
| "With chicken", "rich in salmon" | The declared percentage of that ingredient in the composition. |
| "Fresh meat" | Fresh meat contains a lot of water; also look at the dehydrated proteins. |
| "Grain-free" | Which carbohydrate sources replace them. |
| "Single protein" | That the composition confirms a single animal protein source. |
How to compare two "natural" pet foods
- Same species, life stage and size.
- Compare the first ingredients in the composition.
- Compare crude protein and crude fat.
- Check the daily portion and work out the cost per day.
- See how well your pet does after the switch.
