How to read a pet treat label in 60 seconds

You don't need a nutrition degree to shop for treats. These five checks take about a minute and work on any bag, pouch or jar.

1. Who is it for?

The front of the pack should say which animal the treat is made for: dogs, cats or both. Dogs and cats have different needs, so a treat made for one isn't automatically right for the other.

2. What's in it, and in what order?

Ingredients are listed by weight, heaviest first. The first three or four ingredients make up most of what's in the pack. If you're buying a fish treat and fish shows up halfway down the list, most of that treat is something else.

A short list is easier to judge. With a single-ingredient treat there is nothing to decode.

3. What does the name actually promise?

In the US, most states follow the AAFCO model rules for pet food names. The wording on the front tells you roughly how much of the named ingredient has to be inside:

That last row is why a "fish flavor" treat can legally contain very little fish.

4. What do the numbers say?

The guaranteed analysis lists minimum protein and fat and maximum fiber and moisture. Keep moisture in mind when you compare: a dry or freeze-dried treat has had its water removed, so its protein percentage looks much higher than a soft or wet product made from the same ingredient.

Many labels also show calories per treat or per cup. A common rule of thumb from vets is to keep treats to about 10% of your pet's daily calories.

5. Is it a treat or a meal?

Complete pet foods carry a "complete and balanced" statement. Treats usually don't, and many say "intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only." That simply means the treat is an extra and not a replacement for dinner. Follow the feeding directions on the pack and keep fresh water available.

Every pet is different. If yours has a health condition or a prescribed diet, ask your vet before changing what they eat.