How to Research Different Dog Food Brands as a Science Project

What's in your dog's food?

Ingredients in dog food vary and are worth comparing, but you must know what to look for. The Association of American Feed Control Officials published guidelines with recommendations for food consumption based on a canine's life stages.Comparing dog food brands on the market with an understanding of the nutrients dogs need is a worthwhile and educational science project. Sharing what you've learned with other dog owners takes the guesswork out of deciding what dogs need.

Things You'll Need

• AAFCO guidelines
• Dog food package labels
• Notebook
• Pencil
• Computer printouts
• Three-fold poster board
• Tape

Instructions

1. Review the recommendations from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (see References). Complete and balanced dog food must meet their standards. Food that's appropriate for a given dog depends on his age. The AAFCO guidelines list the protein, minerals and vitamins dogs need and provide minimum percentages both for adult maintenance and for the growth and reproductive period. Make a copy of this list to compare against the ingredients on dog food packages.

2. Bring a notebook and pencil to a pet food store and compare ingredients on different brands. All bags of dog food list the minimum and maximum amounts of proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and more. Some companies include the list in a separate chart or under general information. What you find listed won't always match the AAFCO's nutrient profiles.

3. Read the ingredient list to ensure beef, poultry or lamb is among the top ingredients. There are 10 amino acids dogs need from protein, such as meat and eggs. Look at labels for fish oils and chicken fat, which provide the fatty acids dogs require. Ingredients should list specific vitamins and minerals dogs need according to AAFCO guidelines. Minerals include iron and potassium while vitamins include A, B12 and folic acid. Since dogs need calories from both fats and carbohydrates, check for fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

4. Ask your veterinarian for a list of general diet recommendations for dogs, especially those with conditions such as diabetes or Cushing's. Many vets have literature or will refer you to a website. These lists show the effects pet food can have on dogs since many dogs have special nutritional requirements from age or disease.

5. Write up your findings, review them for accuracy and print them out. Collect items for your display such as sample dog food labels. Consider how to display your information.

6. Assemble and tape your information in a neat, orderly, eye-catching fashion on three-fold poster board.

Tips & Warnings

• While researching, remember dogs need different amounts of nutrients at different stages. Puppies eat more related to their weight than adults. Older dogs may require fewer calories than they once did.

• Don't confuse supplements with vitamins already in commercial dog food. A vet should always be consulted before you add supplements to a dog's diet.

References

• Association of American Feed Control Officials