Raw Feeding Basics
How to Read Raw Dog Food Labels in Canada
Feb 12, 2024
Reading a raw dog food label in Canada can feel confusing. This guide explains what the ingredient list and guaranteed analysis actually mean for your dog.
Reading a raw dog food label can feel confusing at first, especially when the formatting differs so much from what you see on kibble bags. Here is a practical guide to understanding what you are looking at.
Canadian pet food regulations require ingredients to be listed in descending order by weight before processing. On a raw food label, you should see whole food ingredients at the top: muscle meat, organ meat, and bone. If the first few ingredients are not recognizable whole foods, that is worth paying attention to.
Watch for vague terms like meat meal, animal by-products, or meat and bone meal. These are processed ingredients, not whole foods, and their quality can vary significantly between suppliers. For a full breakdown of what these components mean, see our guide on what raw dog food is made of.
This section shows the minimum levels of crude protein and crude fat, and the maximum levels of crude fibre and moisture. On raw food, you will typically see higher moisture content than on kibble (raw food is naturally moist) and high protein and fat levels from the meat content.
Keep in mind that guaranteed analysis numbers do not tell the full story about quality. Two products can have similar numbers but very different ingredient quality.
A clear, short ingredient list with recognizable whole foods is a good sign. You should be able to identify every ingredient without needing to look it up. Reputable raw food producers are also transparent about where their ingredients come from. Our post on is raw dog food regulated in Canada explains the oversight framework that applies to products sold here.
If a label leaves you with questions, ask the supplier directly. A reputable raw food company should be able to tell you the source of their proteins, how the product is produced, and what quality controls are in place. Our guide on how to choose a raw dog food supplier in Edmonton outlines exactly what to look for. At Hound and Bone we are always happy to answer questions about the products we carry — browse our range to see the full ingredient breakdown for every blend.
This article is for general information only and is not veterinary advice. Every dog is different — consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet. Individual results may vary.