🐾 4 indicators to judge the quality of pet food

— The editor will help you analyze each point one by one, so that you can see it clearly when you buy food. —

Many Hong Kong shoppers are prone to "judging by the packaging" when buying food. 😅 Seeing "natural," "premium," or "grain-free" printed on the packaging automatically swears it's good, but it's not that simple. I've done a lot of research, and experts remind me: to truly understand the quality of food, you can't just rely on advertising buzzwords; you need to look at the ingredient list, nutritional profile, brand background, and safety certifications . The following four key indicators are broken down for you. 👇

1️⃣ Is the ingredient list clear and transparent?

Subtitle: Let’s talk about the first ingredient <br>Many owners don’t pay much attention to it, but the ingredient list is actually the most important basis.
👉 Editor's Tip:

• Ideally, the first ingredient should be "real meat" (e.g. chicken, beef, fish), not "meat meal" or "by-products"
• The higher the proportion of the ingredients, the more important the first and second items are.
• Avoid foods that contain too much artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
• If the ingredient list says something vague, such as "animal by-products," be wary.

My experience: Some affordable cereals may say "chicken flavor" on the outside, but the first ingredient is actually "grain flour" or "corn," and the actual meat content is extremely low. Servants must learn to distinguish!

2️⃣ Is the nutritional ratio balanced?

Subtitle: Protein, fat and fiber must be balanced <br>Little kids need nutrition, not just to fill their stomachs, but also to meet their growth and health needs.
👉 Edited by the editor:

• Protein: Dogs generally need 18-30%, cats need even more because they are pure carnivores
• Fat: provides energy, but too much will cause obesity, usually 10-20% is ideal
• Fiber: helps maintain intestinal health. Too little can cause constipation, while too much can affect absorption.
• Vitamins + minerals: must be comprehensive, especially the calcium and phosphorus ratio must be balanced, otherwise it will affect bones

The editor reminds you: Don’t blindly follow the words “high protein” and “low fat”. Choose according to your pet’s age (puppy, adult dog, senior dog), breed and activity level.

3️⃣ Brand credibility and transparency 🏆

Subtitle: Just because it's not a big brand doesn't mean it's safe. <br>There are many brands on the market, and the prices can vary greatly. When choosing, it's best to understand the brand's background.
👉 Editor's suggestion:

• Check whether the brand discloses the production location and source of raw materials
• Have there ever been any large-scale recall incidents?
• Are there nutritionists and veterinary teams involved in research and development?
• You can refer to online reviews and user comments, but be careful of advertising copy.

Editor's observation: Although some brands may not be the most famous, they disclose factory details and test reports, which makes them more trustworthy than simply relying on celebrity endorsements.

4️⃣ Whether it has safety testing and certification✅

Subtitle: Scientific data brings peace of mind <br>A good pet food should have clear safety testing.
👉 Editor’s highlights:

• Look for nutritional standard statements from AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Federation of the Pet Food Industry) on the packaging.
• Some high-quality brands will regularly conduct third-party laboratory testing to prove that there are no heavy metals or pesticide residues.
• When buying food in Hong Kong, you can pay attention to whether there are import labels and inspection certificates.

Editor's Note: Many owners may not particularly care about certifications, but they are the most objective basis. Remember, advertising can claim to be "the best," but testing data won't fool anyone.

🐶 Editor's summary

To judge the quality of pet food, don't look at the packaging or its reputation; instead, look closely at the ingredient list, nutritional profile, brand background, and safety certifications . Pets, remember: eating healthy is the greatest love you can show your pets.