How to read a dog food label in Canada

PawTrace is not a vet. This guide shares what we found in the sources listed below; ask your vet about your own dog.

Key takeaways

• The Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act prohibits false or misleading representations on a prepackaged product label (s. 7(1)) and requires a net quantity declaration (s. 4) (Act, current to September 30 2026).
• The Competition Bureau’s pet food labelling guide says the three mandatory label items are the bilingual common name, the metric net quantity and the dealer name and address. It describes itself as “not law”.
• The guide says a label should show a list of ingredients in descending order of weight, a “guaranteed analysis” with minimum protein and fat and maximum fibre and moisture, and the nutritional adequacy or life stage.
• Merck (U.S.) says the “guaranteed analysis” is on an as-fed basis and that comparisons across food types should use dry matter. The formula is (nutrient % as fed divided by dry matter %) times 100 (Merck).
• We found no Canadian definition of “natural”, “human grade” or “grain-free”. AAFCO (U.S.) defines “natural” and calls “human-grade” a marketing term with its own guidelines.
• The Canadian recalls we found for pet food were posted by Health Canada on the Government of Canada’s Recalls and safety alerts site, in the category “Consumer products – Pet Care/Food”.
• Ask your vet to review the label of any food you plan to feed, and before you feed a food that is not labelled complete and balanced.

What the law requires and what the guide recommends

The primary law is the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, which the Competition Bureau administers. The Act (current to September 30 2026) says in s. 7(1) that no dealer shall apply to any prepackaged product, or sell, import or advertise a prepackaged product that has applied to it, a label containing any false or misleading representation that relates to the product. Section 4 requires a declaration of net quantity on the principal display panel, clearly and prominently displayed.

The Bureau’s Guide for the Labelling and Advertising of Pet Foods (September 21 2001, page modified January 19 2022) turns this into pet food practice. It was written by a working group of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Animal Health Institute, the Canadian Kennel Club, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Competition Bureau, Health Canada, the Pet Food Association of Canada and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada. It states: “This guide is not law.” It also says it reflects benchmarks the Bureau considers when it evaluates possible violations, and that it is unlikely the Bureau would take exception to a label that follows the guide. The guide covers prepackaged dog and cat food. It does not cover pet treats or food for other pets. Its introduction lists three federal roles as of 2001: CFIA regulates the movement of inedible meat products and the certification of certain imported pet foods that contain animal products; Health Canada administers legislation prohibiting unsubstantiated health claims; and the Competition Bureau administers the labelling requirements and the ban on false or misleading representations. CFIA’s current page (modified December 13 2022) says its oversight is limited to import and export requirements, and the CVMA (2023) says CFIA does not regulate the manufacture of pet food for domestic sale.

Label item	Where it comes from	Binding?	What to look for
Common name in English and French (for example “Dog Food”) on the principal display panel	Guide section 1.4, describing the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act	Yes, mandatory	The name must be easy to read.
Net quantity in metric units on the principal display panel	Act s. 4; guide section 1.4	Yes, mandatory	Grams or kilograms, or millilitres or litres.
Name and principal place of business of the dealer	Guide section 1.4	Yes, mandatory	An address sufficient for postal delivery, anywhere on the package except the bottom. For a product made wholly outside Canada: a Canadian dealer with “imported by” or “imported for”, a statement of origin next to the Canadian dealer, or the name and address of a dealer outside Canada.
No false or misleading representation, including pictures	Act s. 7(1); guide section 1.3	Yes, mandatory	Compare the picture and name with the ingredient list.
List of ingredients	Guide sections 1.2 and 3.2	Voluntary code	Heaviest first, by weight.
“Guaranteed analysis”	Guide sections 1.2 and 2	Voluntary code	Minimum crude protein and fat, maximum crude fibre and moisture, as fed.
Nutritional adequacy or life stage	Guide sections 1.2 and 5	Voluntary code	A statement that names the life stage.
Feeding instructions	Guide section 1.7	Voluntary code	Required unless the food is for intermittent or supplemental feeding or for use under a vet’s direction.

In Quebec and other provinces with language legislation, the label must also meet that legislation (guide section 1.5). The mandatory items and the ban on false or misleading representations come from federal law, and provincial language law can add to them. The voluntary items matter because the Bureau uses them as a benchmark, and because without them you cannot compare foods.

The front of the bag: how product names work

The guide sets thresholds for how a named ingredient may appear in a product name. Water added for processing, trace preservatives and trace nutrients are not counted as ingredients for these thresholds (guide sections 4.2 to 4.5).

If the name looks like	Share of the formula the named ingredient must hold	What the guide requires
“Beef Dog Food”	90% or more of the total mass of ingredients	No qualifier is needed.
“Beef Dinner Dog Food”	25% to under 90%	A descriptive term such as dinner, formula, stew or meal.
“Dog Food with Lamb and Rice”	3% to under 25%, each named ingredient at least 3%	The word “with” in the same size, style and colour as the ingredient.
“Beef Flavour Dog Food”	Under 3%	The word “flavour” in the same size, style and colour, and the flavour source in the ingredient list.

Several named ingredients must appear in descending order by weight. These thresholds belong to the voluntary guide. A product that follows them helps you judge how much of a headline ingredient the food holds.

The nutritional adequacy statement: “complete and balanced”

This is the most useful line on the package. The guide gives two approved forms. After a successful animal feeding protocol, a label may say that feeding tests substantiate that the food “provides complete and balanced nutrition” for a named life stage. A food that meets a nutrient profile may say it is formulated to meet the named organization’s Dog Food Nutrient Profile for that life stage. The guide names the Pet Food Association of Canada, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and AAFCO as North American bodies that run such programs.

AAFCO (U.S.) explains the two words: “complete” means the product contains all the nutrients required, and “balanced” means the nutrients are present in the correct ratios (AAFCO). AAFCO adds that the statement almost always sits on the back or side of the package in small print. WSAVA says the label might also tell you whether adequacy was shown by feeding trials or by formulation (WSAVA, updated March 10 2021).

The guide recognizes four life stages: all life stages, gestation/lactation (pregnancy and nursing), growth and maintenance. Evidence of meeting a more demanding stage allows a claim for a less demanding stage. Two other statements limit a food:

• “Intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only”: not a whole diet.
• “Use only as directed by your veterinarian”: for use under veterinary supervision.

For puppy-specific advice, see What your puppy should eat, and how much.

The ingredient list

The guide says each pet food label carries a complete list of major ingredients under the heading “Ingredients”, with preservatives listed, and that all ingredients are listed “in descending order by percentage of weight”. Minor groups such as vitamins and minerals may be grouped. Brand or trade names must not be used in place of the ingredient’s common name. The guide recommends the AAFCO ingredient definitions as the Canadian benchmark (section 3.1).

Merck (U.S.) adds two cautions about reading order. Ingredients are weighed as fed, so a moist ingredient such as fresh chicken (75% moisture) can sit first on the list yet contribute less dry matter than the same ingredient in dry form, such as chicken meal. And “ingredient splitting” lists one ingredient as several types (Merck’s example is wheat listed as separate types by fineness of grind), so each type ranks lower while the total can be a large share of the food. Merck adds that U.S. labels may not state an ingredient’s quality or grade, so it is difficult to evaluate a product on the ingredient list alone. Use the list to compare two foods, not to rank quality.

The “guaranteed analysis” and the dry-matter comparison

The term “guaranteed analysis” is the label heading in the guide, not a PawTrace promise. The guide says it shows minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, maximum crude fibre and maximum moisture, stated “as fed”, and that the values must be verifiable by a recognized analytical method. Because the figures are minimums and maximums, the real content can differ from the label, and Merck notes a laboratory analysis “does not address the issue of bioavailability of nutrients”.

To compare a dry food with a canned food, take the water out of both. Merck gives the method:

1. Dry matter % = 100 minus the moisture %.
2. Nutrient on a dry-matter basis % = (nutrient % as fed divided by dry matter %) times 100.

Worked example. Food A and Food B are invented numbers, chosen so the arithmetic is exact. They are not any product.

	Food A (dry), as fed	Food B (canned), as fed	Food A, dry matter	Food B, dry matter
Moisture (maximum)	10%	82%	n/a	n/a
Dry matter	100 – 10 = 90%	100 – 82 = 18%	90%	18%
Crude protein (minimum)	27%	9%	27 / 90 x 100 = 30.0%	9 / 18 x 100 = 50.0%
Crude fat (minimum)	9%	1.8%	9 / 90 x 100 = 10.0%	1.8 / 18 x 100 = 10.0%
Crude fibre (maximum)	4.5%	0.9%	4.5 / 90 x 100 = 5.0%	0.9 / 18 x 100 = 5.0%

As fed, Food A shows three times the protein of Food B (27% against 9%). On a dry-matter basis, Food B holds more (50.0% against 30.0%), the fat is equal at 10.0%, and the fibre is equal at 5.0%. The label percentages told a different story from the dry-matter percentages. A higher dry-matter protein figure does not make a food better for your dog: it tells you the concentration, and your vet tells you what your dog needs. Calories are a separate comparison. WSAVA says calorie information is required on labels only in the U.S., so ask the company for calories per cup or per 100 g.

What claims mean, and what they do not

The guide sets general rules for every claim on a label or in advertising. A claim must be accurate and not misleading, based on adequate and proper tests, relevant to the product, and must not imply endorsement by an independent body when there is none (section 6.1). The table covers the claims owners ask about most.

Claim	What the sources say	What it does not tell you
“Complete and balanced”	The guide ties it to a feeding protocol or a nutrient profile for a named life stage (section 5). The claim must be accurate and verifiable (section 1.8).	It does not say the food suits your dog’s health condition. Ask your vet.
“Natural”	We found no Canadian definition. The guide bars misleading claims. In the U.S., AAFCO defines “natural” as derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources without chemically synthetic processing or additives, with exceptions, and says there is no requirement that natural feeds are safer than others.	It does not mean safer, fresher or better. AAFCO allows synthetic vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients in a product called natural only with a disclaimer such as “natural with added vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients”.
“Human grade”	We found no Canadian definition. AAFCO (U.S.) calls it a marketing term with specific guidelines set out in the AAFCO Official Publication.	It does not tell you the food is complete and balanced for dogs.
“Grain-free”	We found no Canadian definition. The guide has no grain-free rule; its general rule is that a claim must be accurate and not misleading (section 6.1). The FDA (U.S.) says more than 90% of products in the dilated cardiomyopathy reports it analyzed were grain-free, that report numbers alone do not establish a causal relationship, and that the potential link is a complex scientific issue (FDA, last dated update December 23 2022).	It does not mean lower in carbohydrate or better for your dog. Ask your vet.
“Holistic” or “premium”	WSAVA calls these unregulated terms “of little practical value for nutritional assessment” (WSAVA).	Nothing about nutrient content.
Health claims such as “supports joint health”	The guide requires adequate and proper tests, and bars the words “diagnose”, “cure”, “mitigate”, “treat” or “prevent disease” (section 6.3).	It does not replace treatment. Ask your vet about any health condition.
“Fortified with” or “extra” a nutrient	The nutrient must appear in the “guaranteed analysis” if the label calls prominent attention to it (section 6.4).	Look for the number.
“New” or “improved”	The guide limits it to a maximum of one year’s production and requires substantiation (section 6.1).	Check what changed.
Awards, endorsements, “vet recommended”	The guide bars false claims that a product is recommended, approved or endorsed by vets, agencies or kennels, or has won a seal or award (section 8).	Ask your own vet.

Treats, chews and the label

The Bureau guide does not cover pet treats. In the U.S., AAFCO says treats must show the word “treat” or “snack” on the front panel and are not required to meet complete and balanced requirements (AAFCO). Chews and bones are exempt from full labelling unless the maker claims nutritional value. We found no Canadian equivalent. If you feed treats, count them in the daily calories. Our guide to safe chews and bones covers that category.

Where to check recalls in Canada

The Government of Canada’s Recalls and safety alerts site is a searchable database of recalls and alerts for consumer products, vehicles, food and health products. You can subscribe to email alerts and RSS feeds on the site. The pet food recalls we found there were issued by Health Canada as consumer product recalls. A raw pet treat recall first posted October 28 2025 and updated November 4 2025 lists its category as “Consumer products – Pet Care/Food”, says it was published by Health Canada, and tells owners to stop using the products and dispose of them in regular household trash. Search the recalls site by product name to find notices like it.

CFIA’s page on pet food oversight says its role is limited to import and export rules, and we found no CFIA list of domestic pet food recalls. That differs from the assumption that CFIA posts them, so search the Government of Canada recalls site first and check the manufacturer’s own notices as well. PHAC also posts public health notices for outbreaks linked to pet food and treats. When a notice names your product, match the description, UPC, lot number and date code on your package to the notice, then follow its instructions.

Myth vs fact

Myth	Fact
Canadian law makes every pet food label show a “guaranteed analysis” and a “complete and balanced” statement.	The federal Act requires the common name, the net quantity and dealer details. The analysis and adequacy statement come from the Bureau’s voluntary guide, which says it is not law.
The first ingredient shows the main nutrient source.	Ingredients are listed by weight as fed. Water content and ingredient splitting change what the first position means (Merck, U.S.).
A higher protein percentage on the label means more protein.	Not across food types. Convert both foods to a dry-matter basis first.
“Natural” and “human grade” are defined by Canadian law.	We found no Canadian definition of either. AAFCO (U.S.) defines “natural” and sets guidelines for “human grade”.
CFIA runs the pet food recall list.	The pet food recalls we found are posted by Health Canada on the Government of Canada recalls site.

Frequently asked questions

Does Canada require calories on a dog food label?

Not by the sources we found. WSAVA (updated March 10 2021) says calorie information is required only in the U.S. Ask the company for calories per cup or per 100 g.

How do I find the nutritional adequacy statement?

Look on the back or side of the package, in small print (AAFCO, U.S.). It names a life stage, such as growth, maintenance or all life stages.

Is “grain-free” safer or riskier?

We found no Canadian rule or study that answers this. The FDA (U.S.) has investigated a potential link between some diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy, with more than 90% of reported products grain-free, and says report numbers alone do not establish a causal relationship. Ask your vet.

What if I think a label is misleading?

The Competition Bureau administers the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Competition Act provisions on false or misleading representations, according to its guide. See the Bureau’s website for how to raise a concern. You can also contact the manufacturer.

Does a vet-diet label need a vet?

The guide says a food intended for use under veterinary supervision must carry “Use only as directed by your veterinarian”. Follow that wording and ask your vet.

Find a vet or a dog service near you

Bring the food label to your next vet visit. Use our Find a vet directory if you need a clinic, or Dog services for trainers, walkers and groomers. A listing is not a recommendation, and PawTrace does not rate clinics or businesses.

This guide is in a series that publishes together. See also Dry, wet, fresh, raw or freeze-dried: how to choose dog food in Canada and Chews and bones for dogs: how to choose safe ones.

Keep reading

• What your puppy should eat, and how much
• Toxic foods and household hazards for dogs
• A realistic monthly budget for a dog in Canada
• Senior dogs: signs of ageing and what to do

Sources

All links were checked on October 23 2026. Sources marked (U.S.) are not Canadian.

• Justice Laws Website: Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-38), current to September 30 2026
• Competition Bureau Canada: Guide for the Labelling and Advertising of Pet Foods (September 21 2001; page modified January 19 2022)
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Regulatory oversight of pet food, treats and chews in Canada (modified December 13 2022)
• Merck Veterinary Manual (U.S.): Dog and Cat Foods, professional version (updated June 2025)
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods (updated March 10 2021)
• AAFCO (U.S.): Reading Pet Food Labels
• AAFCO (U.S.): Natural
• AAFCO (U.S.): Frequently Asked Questions
• AAFCO (U.S.): Treats and Chews
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S.): FDA investigation into a potential link between certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (last dated update December 23 2022)
• Government of Canada: Recalls and safety alerts
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Public health notice, outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to dog food and treats (final update January 30 2026)

General information only. This guide is not veterinary or legal advice. Ask your vet about your dog’s food. Written by the PawTrace Team.

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