What Does Guaranteed Analysis On Pet Food Labels Mean?

Apr 14, 2026 | Pet Health, Pets, Tips and Tricks

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  What Does Guaranteed Analysis On Pet Food Labels Mean?  When I used AI to generate an answer, it gave me the following short version.  I then researched to give you a more detailed description.  If you are ever curious about a pet-related topic, don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know.  I would be happy to do the research for you and put together a post.  I hope you find this one helpful.
 
 
 
The guaranteed analysis (GA) on pet food labels lists the minimum or maximum percentages of key nutrients—crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture—to provide a snapshot of nutritional content.  It serves as a safety assurance, but is a rough estimate, not an exact value. Use it to compare brands, but analyze on a “dry matter basis” to accurately compare dry kibble with canned food.
 
Key Components of Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (Minimum):  The lowest expected percentage of protein.
Crude Fat (Minimum):  The lowest expected percentage of fat.
Crude Fiber (Maximum):  The highest expected percentage of fiber.
Moisture (Maximum):  The highest percentage of water. Note that canned food is usually 78-82% water, while dry food is 10-12%.
Optional Nutrients:  Manufacturers may voluntarily include items like Taurine, Ash, Calcium, or Phosphorus.
 
Limitations and Tips:
As-Fed” Basis:  The GA is calculated on an “as-fed” basis (including moisture), which can make canned food appear less nutritious than dry food.  To compare fairly, convert to Dry Matter Basis.
Crude” Meaning:  The term “crude” implies the methods measure the quantity, not the quality or digestibility of the nutrients.
Minimum/Maximum:  A 10% fat minimum means the food could legally contain 15% or more fat.
Variability:  The GA does not mean every single batch is tested and verified, although it should reflect the manufacturer’s quality control analysis.
 
What Is Guaranteed Analysis?
 
All pet food must include a Guaranteed Analysis (GA) on the product label. The GA provides product information to regulators who review each label for compliance with nutrient requirements and voluntary label claims.  The GA also provides consumers with information to help them find the levels of at least four nutrients: protein, fat, fiber, and moisture.  Additional nutrients must be included in the GA if a product label makes a claim that mentions a specific nutrient, such as calcium for strong teeth and bones.
 
“Crude” Protein and Fat
 
The term “crude” in a Guaranteed Analysis refers to the method used to determine the nutrient content of your pet’s food.  Protein content is determined by analyzing levels of nitrogen, and fat content is determined by analyzing levels of lipids present.  Importantly, the term “crude” does not relate to the quality of a nutrient or ingredient.
 
Comparing Wet and Dry Pet Food
 
The Guaranteed Analysis can also help consumers compare nutrient levels across different pet foods.  To make a meaningful comparison between a nutrient level in two foods, it’s important to evaluate the nutrient levels in the absence of the moisture content, in other words, on a “dry matter basis,” particularly when comparing wet and dry foods.
 
 
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To compare two pet foods:
 
First, calculate the percentage of “dry matter” in each pet food by subtracting the percentage of moisture reported in the GA from 100 percent.  For example, the GA for moisture on a can of cat food may be listed as 70 percent, which equals 30 percent dry matter (100 percent minus 70 percent).
 
Next, for each product, divide the reported nutrient level you are interested in comparing by that product’s dry matter percentage.
 
Using the example above, if that same product GA reports 10 percent crude protein, then the product has a dry matter protein level of 33 percent (10 percent divided by 30 percent).
How is the Guaranteed Analysis Calculated?
 
The data provided in the GA are calculated either using computer software that maintains a database of the nutrient content of all ingredients or through laboratory analysis.  PFI members employ advanced formulation methods to ensure every batch of their dog and cat food delivers all the nutrients indicated in the GA.
 
DRY MATTER = 100% – MOISTURE CONTENT(%)
 
Once you can calculate dry matter, you can figure out the exact percentage of protein, fat, and fiber contained in the product using these formulas:
 
True protein = Crude protein ÷ dry matter x 100
True fat = crude fat ÷ dry matter x 100
True fiber = crude fiber ÷ dry matter x 100
 
Now that you know how to read the guaranteed analysis, what should you do with that information?  You can use it to make a decision to buy food or treats that are most aligned with your dog’s nutritional needs.
 
Remember, nutritional needs vary from dog to dog depending on age, breed, activity level, etc.  Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s specific needs, but you can generally use these guidelines as a starting point:
 
Puppies need about 30% protein and 15% fat
Adult dogs need about 20% protein and 10-15% fat
Active/working dogs need about 30% protein and 20% fat
Most dogs will require about 3-5% fiber
 
So when you’re looking at the guaranteed analysis of an item for your dog, try to find ones that align with those percentages or fit into an overall diet that supports them.  For dog treats, you’ll also want to look for relatively low moisture content.  Some brands use moisture as basically a filler, so they can use less of the ingredients that matter.
Yay for applesauce
Additional Nutrients Listed in the Guaranteed Analysis:
 
Some pet food products may contain a GA for additional nutrients.  If a product label makes a claim that mentions a specific nutrient, that nutrient is also required to be included in the GA.  The pet food maker may also voluntarily list additional nutrients at their discretion to aid in informing consumers and strengthening the assurance of that pet food recipe’s nutritional adequacy.  The GA is just one part of the many steps pet food makers and regulators take to provide nutritious and safe food for your dog or cat.
 
 
 
 
 
References:
 
 
I’m Bobbi Jo, a lab-lover who took my passion for animals and dogs and turned it into something bigger.  When I adopted Jake and Maggie, my love for them became the driving force behind Two Adorable Labs, and my blog was born.  My hope is to not only share them with the world, but to help educate others on the importance of animal health and well-being.

Two Adorable Labs has become a collection of all that I love.  I’ll send one post each week on things that bring me joy on animal health, home decor, and food recipes for humans and our furry friends.  I hope you enjoy these posts and much as I do creating them!

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