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Dog Food terms
What dogs eat and the industry that feeds them.
AAFCO The US body that sets model pet food rules and nutrient profiles but does not itself approve, test or certify any dog food. Dog food recall The removal of a dog food from sale and homes because of a safety problem such as contamination, toxins or a nutrient error. Grain-free A dog food made without wheat, corn, rice or other grains, usually replaced by legumes or potatoes; it is not automatically healthier. Raw feeding Feeding uncooked meat, organs and often bones, either homemade or commercial, which carries germ risks for dogs and the people who handle it. Body condition score A hands-on rating of how lean or fat a dog is on a 9-point scale, more reliable than weight alone, with 4 or 5 as ideal. Calorie The unit of energy in food; dog food labels list kilocalories per cup or kilogram, which is how portions and weight are controlled. Complete and balanced A label claim that a dog food contains every nutrient a dog needs, in the right amounts, for the life stage named on the package. Dry matter basis A way of comparing dog foods by removing the water from their labeled nutrient percentages so wet and dry foods can be compared fairly. Food allergy An immune reaction to a protein in the diet that usually causes itchy skin and ear problems, and sometimes digestive upset. Food intolerance A non-immune bad reaction to a food, usually showing as vomiting, gas or loose stool, which differs from a true food allergy. Free feeding Leaving food available all day so a dog eats when it likes, as opposed to measured meals at set times. Glucosamine A supplement, often paired with chondroitin, sold to support joint cartilage; evidence of benefit in dogs is mixed and product quality varies. Hydrolyzed protein diet A veterinary diet whose proteins are chopped into pieces too small for the immune system to recognize, used to diagnose and manage food allergy. Kibble Dry, cooked, bite-size pieces of dog food, usually made by extrusion, that are shelf-stable, convenient and the most common way to feed dogs. Life stage The category on a dog food label, such as growth, adult maintenance or all life stages, that shows the nutrient needs the recipe is designed to meet. Limited-ingredient diet A food built around one protein and one carbohydrate source to reduce exposure, often used to look for a food allergy. Novel protein A protein source a dog has never eaten before, used in elimination diets because the immune system has not learned to react to it. Obesity Excess body fat that shortens lives and raises the risk of arthritis, diabetes and other disease; it is the most common nutrition problem in pet dogs. Omega-3 fatty acids Fats, especially EPA and DHA from fish oil, that may calm inflammation and support skin, joints, heart and brain; the right amount is a vet decision. Prescription diet A food formulated to help manage a medical condition such as kidney disease or food allergy, fed under veterinary supervision. Probiotics Live beneficial microorganisms given as supplements or in food that may help some dogs with digestive upset, though products vary a lot.