How to Read a Dog Food Label: Grades A to E
To read a pet food label, look at four things: the statement that the food is "complete and balanced" for your pet's life stage, the ingredient list, the guaranteed analysis (protein, fat, fiber, moisture) and the additives. The A to E grade in MyPet summarizes those pieces into a score from 0 to 100: A is an excellent composition and E is a poor one.
What should I look at first on a label?
The nutritional adequacy statement. Look for a phrase like "complete and balanced for adult dogs" (or puppies, cats, and so on), based on standards such as AAFCO or FEDIAF. Without that phrase the product may be a supplement or a treat, not a daily meal. The WSAVA, the world association of small animal veterinarians, also recommends checking who makes the food and what information they provide, and reminds owners that the ingredient list alone says nothing about ingredient quality.
How do I read the ingredients?
Ingredients are listed from heaviest to lightest, including the water they contain. Some useful clues:
- Named animal protein: "chicken," "salmon" or "beef" says more than "meat" or "by-products."
- Meat meals: not bad in themselves, since they concentrate protein; what matters is that the animal is named.
- Split ingredients: if corn appears in three forms, combined they may outweigh the meat.
- Unspecified flavors: "natural flavor" or "palatant" does not say what is inside.
- Preservatives: tocopherols (vitamin E) and rosemary are natural antioxidants; other additives are more debated.
How do I compare protein between two products?
The protein on the label includes water, so it cannot be used to compare kibble with a can. To level the field, convert to dry matter: stated protein x 100 / (100 - moisture).
| Product | Stated protein | Moisture | Protein on dry matter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry kibble | 25% | 10% | 27.8% |
| Canned wet food | 6% | 82% | 33.3% |
As you can see, the can that looks "low in protein" actually has more protein than the kibble once the water is removed. In the MyPet score we use 18% on a dry matter basis as the reference minimum for adult dogs and 30% as a good figure.
What does each grade from A to E mean?
The MyPet score adds up five components and the grade comes from that total: protein (25 points), macronutrients such as fat, carbohydrates and fiber (25), ingredients (20), additives (20) and the nutritional adequacy statement (10).
| Grade | Score | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| A | 80 to 100 | Excellent composition |
| B | 65 to 79 | Good, with a few issues |
| C | 50 to 64 | Fair, with weak points |
| D | 35 to 49 | Poor composition |
| E | 0 to 34 | Bad composition: avoid it |
Among the more than 7,400 products with a grade in our catalog, about 8% have an A, 60% have a B, 26% have a C and around 6% have a D or E. In other words, most foods on the market land in the middle, and a B is very common.
A grade does not replace your veterinarian. It measures composition according to the label, not how the food sits with your pet or your pet's medical needs.
What else can I ask the manufacturer?
The WSAVA guide to choosing a pet food suggests asking whether the company employs an animal nutritionist, who formulates the diets, how quality is controlled, how many calories the product provides and who makes it. If a brand cannot or will not answer, that is a signal to be careful. It also clarifies that a label saying "for intermittent or supplemental use only" is not a complete and balanced food. Labeling rules vary by country, so pay attention to what each manufacturer declares.
How do I choose the best option for my pet?
- Confirm it says "complete and balanced" for your pet's life stage (puppy, adult, senior).
- Pick the kibble size and type (dog or cat) that fits.
- Compare options on a dry matter basis, not by the label percentage.
- Switch foods gradually, mixing the new one with the old one over about a week.
- Watch weight and stools: if vomiting, diarrhea or persistent itching appear, talk to your veterinarian.
When to see a vet: if your pet has a medical condition (kidney, digestive, allergies, diabetes), is growing, pregnant or senior, do not change foods without asking. And go in if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than a day, if there is weight loss, or if your pet stops eating.
If your cat is a picky eater, read My Cat Won't Eat: Causes and When to See a Vet, and see our guide to overweight pets for portion control.
Frequently asked questions
Does an A grade mean it is the best food for my dog?
It means the declared composition is excellent by our score. The best food is the one that covers your pet's needs, tastes good to them, is well tolerated and fits your budget.
Why can an expensive food have a low grade?
Price depends on brand, marketing and logistics. The grade looks only at what the label says.
Does ingredient order matter?
Yes, because ingredients go from heaviest to lightest, but read it together with the guaranteed analysis and the nutritional statement.
How do I scan a label with my phone?
In the MyPet app you can scan the barcode or photograph the ingredient list and see the grade, the findings and alternatives.
Try the food scanner in the MyPet app: it reads the label, calculates protein on a dry matter basis and shows the A to E grade with the explanation behind each point.
Sources
Original source: wsava.org