Consumer research demonstrates need for pet food label reform
February 18, 2014
Most veterinary clients have no idea what labeling mean for their pets’ health.
Attention, veterinarians: Do your clients read the labels on the food they feed their pets—the list of ingredients, the feeding guide or the “guaranteed analysis”? Do these labels influence how and what they feed? Do they make sense and are they easy to understand?
According to recent research conducted by a major U.S. pet food manufacturer, most pet owners would answer “no” to all of the above questions. Most consumers do not read pet food labels, and when they do, they often find them overwhelming and confusing. As a result, the information provided is not meaningful and is not used as intended to guide consumer purchasing and feeding decisions.