“From Confused to Confident: How to Read a Pet Food Label”

🎯 For pet parents who’ve ever stood in a store aisle thinking:
“Okay… but is this actually good for my pet?”

You're not alone. Labels can be tricky — but after this, you'll know exactly what to look for.

Let’s be honest — most pet food labels are confusing.

Long ingredient names. Over-promising claims. Words that sound more like chemistry than cuisine.

All you want is the truth:
“Is this real food for my dog or cat, or just clever packaging?”

We’ve been there. That’s why we created this simple, no-fluff guide for pet parents who want to make confident, informed choices.

🐶 1. Start with the First 5 Ingredients

These are the backbone of the food — they make up the bulk of what’s in the bowl.

✅ What you want to see:

·         Real, named meats like chicken, lamb, or fish

·         Whole foods like pumpkin or flaxseed

🚫 What you don’t:

·         Meat by-products or vague sources like “animal fat”

·         Cheap fillers like corn, soy, or wheat

If the first ingredients aren’t high-quality — it’s time to move on.

🐾 2. Protein Isn’t Optional — It’s Essential

Protein is what fuels your pet’s growth, energy, brain health, and muscle strength.

📌 For dry food: Look for 25% protein or more
📌 For fresh/wet food: Go for 60%+ real meat (just like we do at CuddleBuds)

Be cautious of terms like “with real chicken” — it often means there’s very little actual chicken.

👀 3. Avoid Sneaky Additives

The label might be clean at the top, but dig deeper and you’ll often find:

🚫 Artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, sorbitol, glycerine etc.
🚫 Artificial colours (Red 40, Yellow 5 — not great for pets or humans)
🚫 “Natural Flavors” with no source explained

At CuddleBuds, we only use ingredients that you’d recognize and feel good about serving.

🌿 4. Bonus Points for Superfoods

Real nutrition goes beyond meat.

The best pet foods include ingredients that do more than just fill up a bowl — they actively support health.

At CuddleBuds, we add:

·         Pumpkin & Pumpkin Seeds – Great for digestion and immunity

·         Flaxseed – Supports skin health, coat shine, and brain function

·         Turmeric – Anti-inflammatory and joint-friendly

·         Ashwagandha – A natural adaptogen that helps with stress and immunity

🧠 5. Ingredient Order = Ingredient Importance

Ingredients are listed by weight.
So if the label starts with meat — good sign. But if it’s followed by 4 types of rice or wheat, the protein may just be there for show.

We make sure real meat is always the main event — not a cameo appearance.

✅ 6. “Complete & Balanced” Is a Starting Point — Not the Finish Line

You’ve probably seen this phrase:

“Meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO…”

That means it hits the minimum standards for pet nutrition.
Helpful? Yes. But “minimum” isn’t exactly what we aim for.

At CuddleBuds, we go well beyond basic requirements — because your pet deserves more than “good enough.”

📣 7. Still Confused? Ask. (We Mean It.)

If a brand’s label leaves you guessing, or you’re not sure what an ingredient actually is — ask them.
Any good brand should be ready (and happy) to answer.

We love it when pet parents ask questions. It means you care — and we’re here for that kind of energy.

💛 Why Choose Us?

Because we were once label-squinting pet parents too — frustrated with ingredient lists we didn’t understand and food we didn’t trust.

CuddleBuds was born to change that.

We keep things simple, honest, and wholesome — because you deserve to know exactly what you're serving your best friend.

👉 Curious about what goes into your pet’s next meal? [Explore our recipes here.]