How do you read a dog supplement label?

Read a dog supplement label front to back: the front panel gives you the product name, the species and the purpose, and the rest of the label gives you the guaranteed analysis, the ingredient list, the directions and the company behind the product.^1,2 The lot code is often printed near the "best by" date.⁵

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) includes food supplements in its pet food labeling model, alongside complete foods and treats.^2,3 AAFCO lists 8 required label items, and knowing them makes any label easier to read.¹

What does the front of the label tell you?

The front tells you what the product is, who it is for and how much is inside. AAFCO calls it the principal display panel, and this is where to look for the first 3 items.¹

• Product name. The brand and product name go on the front panel.¹
• Species. The animal the product is for must be named in words on the front panel.¹
• Net quantity. AAFCO's labeling guidance places this in the lower 1/3 of the front panel, in both US units (pounds or ounces) and metric units.¹

The product name is the brand's own, but AAFCO sets naming rules for how ingredients can appear in it.¹

What is the purpose statement?

The purpose statement tells you, in a few words, what the product is for and which animal it is for. Under AAFCO's updated pet food labeling model, it has 2 required parts, "the intended species and the purpose of the food," and it must appear in the lower 30% of the front panel.²

AAFCO defines a food supplement as a product "intended to supply specific nutrient(s) or other food components but is not a complete diet." Its purpose statement reads "[Species] Food Supplement," so a supplement for dogs says "Dog Food Supplement."²

That is also why a supplement does not need the "complete and balanced" statement you see on dog food. AAFCO exempts products clearly identified on the front panel as a supplement, snack or treat.¹ In other words, a supplement is not meant to be your dog's whole diet.²

What does the guaranteed analysis mean?

The guaranteed analysis lists the amounts the company guarantees, as minimums or maximums. AAFCO's labeling guidance says the minimum percent of crude protein and crude fat and the maximum percent of crude fiber and moisture are always required.¹

"Crude" sounds unappetizing, but AAFCO notes it "refers to the analysis method, rather than the quality of the nutrient."¹ Below those 4 lines, a supplement label may list more guarantees, because AAFCO says guarantees for other nutrients "may be required to support claims made in labeling."¹

You may also see a newer layout. AAFCO's updated model adds a Nutrition Facts box that "more closely resembles human-food labeling."³ The AVMA reported that AAFCO recommends state feed regulatory programs use enforcement discretion in label review for 6 years after the printed 2024 AAFCO Official Publication became available.³

How do you read the ingredient list?

Ingredients are listed from most to least by weight. AAFCO says they "must be listed in order of predominance by weight, on an 'as formulated basis.'"¹

Each ingredient goes by the name set in AAFCO's Official Publication, or by its common or usual name when no AAFCO name exists.⁴ Under AAFCO's updated model, the list does not show percentages. Its guidance gives "chicken (14%), rice (12%)" as an example of quantitative terms that are not allowed.⁴ For the amounts the company guarantees, go back to the guaranteed analysis.

Want to know what terms like prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic mean? Our guide to the difference between prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics for dogs explains each one.

What do the directions tell you?

The directions tell you how much to give. For dog food labeled complete and balanced, AAFCO's labeling guidance calls for feeding directions that at a minimum say "Feed (amount of product) per (weight) of dog/cat."¹ On a supplement, look for how much to give and how often.

Follow the label directions, and ask your vet how they fit your dog's routine.

Some labels also carry handling and storage instructions. Under AAFCO's updated model these are optional, and when they appear they must be "separate and distinct from any feeding directions."⁴

Who is the company on the label?

The label names the company that guarantees the product and gives its address.¹

That company is your contact for questions about the product. Have the package with you when you get in touch, since it carries the product name and codes.

Where are the lot number and "best by" date?

The lot number is a printed code of numbers and letters, and the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine says it is often near the "best by" or expiration date.⁵ It may not carry a "LOT" title, so look for a short printed string near the date.⁵

The lot number "identifies when the product was made," according to the FDA.⁵ The "best by" date is set by the company and "indicates when a product's quality starts to decrease."⁵

The FDA suggests keeping a product in its original package so the lot number and other information stay nearby.⁵ If you move it to another container, the FDA suggests cutting out the lot number to keep with it, or taking a dated photo of the codes with your phone.⁵

What should you ask your vet?

Your vet is the best person to help you choose a supplement, and a label makes that conversation quicker. Bring the package or a photo of the back panel.

• Would this supplement suit my dog's age, size and routine?
• How should I use the directions for my dog's size?
• How does it fit with my dog's current food?

For more plain answers about dog supplements, browse pawIQ Learn.

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