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Label decoder: what does this bag actually say?
Short answerTwo label features do most of the quiet work: the product name, which follows regulated naming rules, and the guaranteed analysis, which only compares honestly after a dry matter conversion. Pick the name style from your bag, type the protein and moisture guarantees, and the decoder explains what the name legally implies and converts the protein to a dry matter basis you can compare across foods. It explains label rules; it cannot tell you whether a food suits your dog - that is a question for your vet. Nothing you enter leaves this device.
Decode a label
Pick the product name style that matches your bag, then optionally enter the crude protein and moisture guarantees.
Pick a name style and press Decode - the explanation appears here.
What the decoder is checking
Name rules"Beef Dog Food" (95%), "Beef Dinner" (25%), "with Beef" (3%), "Beef Flavor" (no minimum) - details in the name rules guide.
Dry matter proteinLabel protein divided by the food's dry matter percentage - FDA's method, worked in the guaranteed analysis guide.
What it skipsIngredient quality, digestibility and life-stage fit - read the adequacy statement for those.
Wondering whether this food fits your dog?PawLine gives research-based answers tailored to your dog's breed, age, size and history - including label questions, ingredients and how much to feed.Ask PawLine