A dog food label carries more useful information than the front-of-pack picture suggests. In the UK, much of what goes on a pet food label is set by law, so once you know where to look, you can compare foods on the same basis. This guide walks through each part of the label and what it does and doesn’t tell you. For questions about your own dog’s needs, especially if they have a health condition, ask your vet.
Complete or complementary?
This is the first thing to check. UK feed law, Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 as it applies in the UK, requires the label to state the type of feed, including whether it is a “complete feed” or a “complementary feed” (Article 15). The same regulation defines them (Article 3):
- Complete feed is a food that, “by reason of its composition, is sufficient for a daily ration”.
- Complementary feed is “sufficient for a daily ration only if used in combination with other feed”.
The PDSA says a balanced diet starts with food labelled “complete”, because that means it contains all the nutrients your dog needs in the correct amounts (PDSA: your dog’s diet). If a food is complementary, it isn’t meant to be fed on its own.
Life stage and species
The law requires the label to state the species or categories of animal the food is intended for (Article 17). Many foods also state a life stage, such as puppy, adult or senior. The PDSA advises feeding a food that’s appropriate for your dog’s present life stage, and it notes that a growing puppy needs a complete food suitable for their size.
Feeding guidelines
Labels must include instructions for proper use (Article 17), which for most foods means a feeding guide by body weight. Treat this as a starting point, not a fixed amount. The PDSA suggests using the packet guidelines as a starting point and, if your dog needs to lose or gain weight, feeding for their target weight, which might not be their current weight. Weighing portions helps, and so does remembering treats and extras. If you’re unsure how much to feed, ask your vet or vet nurse.
Ingredients: “composition”
The ingredients list appears under the heading “composition”, in descending order by weight (Article 17). UK Pet Food’s labelling factsheet explains the two ways ingredients can be listed (UK Pet Food: understanding pet food labels):
- By category: names laid down by the regulations, such as “meat and animal derivatives”, “cereals” or “derivatives of vegetable origin”.
- By individual name: for example, “chicken” or “rice”.
According to UK Pet Food, mixing category names and individual names in the same list isn’t permitted, except for an ingredient that doesn’t fall into any prescribed category, which must be listed by its own name. If the label draws attention to a specific ingredient, for example “with chicken”, the percentage of that ingredient must also be listed.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) adds a useful caution: the ingredient list gives no information on the quality of the ingredients and can be misleading about the overall quality of the food (WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines). Use it alongside the rest of the label, not on its own.
Analytical constituents
For complete and complementary dog foods, the law requires the label to list analytical constituents for crude protein, crude fibres, crude fat and crude ash (Annex VII). UK Pet Food explains that:
- these are given as percentages, and moisture must also be listed when it exceeds 14%;
- “crude ash” represents the mineral content, measured by burning the product, and may also be labelled “incinerated residue” or “inorganic matter”.
These figures describe what’s in the food as sold. They aren’t targets, and we don’t suggest “ideal” percentages. Wet and dry foods contain very different amounts of water, so their percentages can’t be compared directly. See our wet vs dry dog food guide.
Additives
Certain feed additives must be listed under the heading “additives” (Article 15). UK Pet Food notes that:
- if vitamins A and D are added, their presence and level must be declared;
- preservatives, antioxidants or colourants that have been added may be declared;
- if you have questions about additives, contact the manufacturer and quote the batch number.
Other things the label must show
- Best before date. The minimum storage life, given as “best before” or “use before” (Article 17).
- Batch or lot number, for traceability (Article 15).
- Net weight (Article 15).
- Name and address of the business responsible for the label (Article 15).
Marketing words vs legal terms
“Complete”, “complementary”, “composition”, “analytical constituents” and “additives” are legal labelling terms with set meanings. Many other words on the front of a pack are marketing. UK Pet Food says all information on a pet food label must be truthful and not misleading. Even so, a word like “premium” or “natural” doesn’t tell you whether the food is complete or suitable for your dog’s life stage, so check the statutory information. The European pet food industry body FEDIAF publishes a Code of Good Labelling Practice that explains how terms such as “rich in beef” are used.
FAQ
What does “complete” mean on dog food?
Under UK feed law, a complete feed is one that, by reason of its composition, is sufficient for a daily ration. In other words, it’s designed to be fed on its own as the main diet.
Why is the ingredient list in categories?
The regulations allow ingredients to be listed by category names such as “meat and animal derivatives” or “cereals” instead of individual names. UK Pet Food explains that a label can use categories or individual names, but generally not a mix of both.
What are analytical constituents?
They are the declared percentages of crude protein, crude fat (oils and fats), crude fibre and crude ash, plus moisture when it’s over 14%. They describe the food’s make-up as sold, not how good it is.
Can I tell which food is best from the label?
The label helps you check the basics: complete or complementary, species, life stage and feeding guidance. It can’t tell you whether a food suits your individual dog. If your dog has a health condition, allergies or unexplained changes in weight or appetite, ask your vet.
Related guides
- How much to feed a dog: portions and body condition
- Wet vs dry dog food: differences and how to choose
- Grain-free dog food: what the evidence says
- Foods dogs shouldn’t eat
Use our dog food finder to start with your dog’s life stage and build a label-reading checklist.
Sources
Checked on 22 October 2026.
- Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 as it applies in the UK (legislation.gov.uk): Article 3, Article 15, Article 17 and Annex VII.
- UK Pet Food, Understanding pet food labels (factsheet).
- PDSA, Your dog’s diet.
- WSAVA, Global Nutrition Guidelines and toolkit.
- FEDIAF, Labelling.