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Prost Mahlzeit: Mit dem richtigen Hundefutter in eine glückliche Zukunft

Die Gesundheit unserer Tiere steht bei allen Hundebesitzern ganz weit oben in der Wunschliste. Nichts bringt uns mehr Freude als zu sehen, dass unsere Hunde agil, fit und glücklich sind. Damit das auch so bleibt, können wir dir einen wichtigen Ratschlag ans Herz legen: Achte auf die richtige Ernährung deines Lieblings. Sie bildet die Basis für ein aktives und hoffentlich langes Hundeleben. Übrigens ist eine bedarfsgerechte Ernährung in allen Lebensabschnitten essentiell und nicht erst dann, wenn tatsächlich gesundheitliche Probleme auftauchen.

As a dog owner, you want nothing but the best for your pet, and that includes what goes into their bowl. But are you always confident about what you're feeding your four-legged friend? Do you really understand what the labels tell you about the ingredients? It's not always easy to get the full picture.

How to read labels correctly

Is your four-legged friend hungry? Then they deserve a wholesome, tasty, and above all, healthy meal. You want dog food that doesn’t rely on misleading advertising or fall short of its promises. Instead, you need food made from natural ingredients, that is well-tolerated, problem-free, and affordable. But finding the right dog food can be more challenging than expected.

Healthy, species-appropriate dog food involves much more than just the price, label declarations, nutritional analysis, and composition. Choosing the right food for your dog depends on various important factors that must be carefully considered. Can you rely on the advice of breeders, trainers, or fellow dog owners? Too many opinions can be confusing, so it’s better to focus on the label. Or should you? 

Understanding how to read labels is essential. Once you know how, choosing the right dog food becomes easier. Without even opening the package, you can make a rough distinction between good and inferior dog food because many crucial details are hidden between the lines on the label.

The 4%-rule: legal but misleading information

What about descriptions like "fresh fish with jacket potatoes," "wild boar delicacies," or "guinea fowl with chard"? Today, dog food labels often resemble gourmet menus, appealing to owners with the promise of luxury. We think, “Only the best for my dog!” and feel good about offering a “special treat” to our furry companions. 

Unfortunately, these labels can be misleading. Current regulations allow manufacturers some flexibility when it comes to naming and listing ingredients. Many dog food products sound more impressive than they actually are, thanks to a legal loophole known as the 4%-rule. This rule allows dog food labeled "delicate fish fillets," for example, to contain only 4% fish, with the remaining 96% made up of other ingredients, sometimes of much lower quality. 

Turn it over: always check the label

To truly know what you’re feeding your dog, you must turn the package over and examine the detailed "declaration" on the back. This section provides essential information, including the composition, nutritional analysis, feeding recommendations, and additives—just a few of the mandatory details manufacturers must include. 

When it comes to the composition, ingredients must be listed in descending order by quantity. Ideally, manufacturers would disclose exact percentages, but they often choose between open, half-open, or closed declarations, giving them control over how much information they provide to consumers.

Turn it over: always check the label

To truly know what you’re feeding your dog, you must turn the package over and examine the detailed "declaration" on the back. This section provides essential information, including the composition, nutritional analysis, feeding recommendations, and additives—just a few of the mandatory details manufacturers must include. 

When it comes to the composition, ingredients must be listed in descending order by quantity. Ideally, manufacturers would disclose exact percentages, but they often choose between open, half-open, or closed declarations, giving them control over how much information they provide to consumers.

Focus on the essentials: the importance of declarations

The law permits a legal grey area for dog food manufacturers, which even experts find challenging due to the various declaration options. In general, animal feeds are categorized by open, half-open, and closed declarations.

  • Open Declaration: Lists every ingredient with exact percentages. This transparency is commonly used for livestock feed like cattle or pig food but rarely for dog food.
  • Half-Open Declaration: Common in dog food. This provides a detailed list of ingredients but does not reveal all quantities, allowing manufacturers to protect their recipes while offering more transparency than a closed declaration, as ingredients are listed individually rather than grouped, and potentially problematic raw materials are not hidden. 
  • Closed Declaration: The least transparent option. It groups ingredients under broad terms like "meat," "animal by-products," or "fish," without specifying the quality or exact type of raw materials used. The closed declaration is particularly problematic for consumers, as it prevents you from knowing what’s really in the dog food. If you think you’re feeding your dog premium rabbit muscle meat, it could actually contain various types of meat and cuts, but the label won't reveal this. This lack of transparency is especially concerning for dogs with allergies or intolerances. 
  • Individual nutrition for your dog

    At LuckyChef, we believe in tailor-made nutrition for dogs. With our customized recipes and the expertise of our vets, we make sure your four-legged friend gets everything they need to be fit and happy.