1. Dry Pet Food

It is called Dry Pet Food because it contains less than 15% water, (drinking water should be provided separately); 85% is food. We have two types of Dry Pet Food (with the same nutritional value):

Kibbles: Particles which undergo a process of extrusion. There are two types:

- Mono-particles: particles of the same size, shape and colour.
- Multi-particles: particles of different size, shape and colour. These appeal to the more emotional consumers.

Soups: A combination of extruded particles, cereals, pasta, rice...

2. Moist Pet Food (canned)

It is called Moist Pet Food because the minimum percentage of water is 80%. Therefore, the nutritional part of the product is the remaining 20%. There are three types:

Pate: 100% meat.
Chopped: A combination of meat and gelatine.
Sausage: Wrapped in plastic and shaped like a sausage.

There is also another type of pet food:

3. Snacks

These are complementary foods and not complete meals. They are often given between meals for different reasons. Although some consumers give their dogs products prepared for human consumption, the snacks prepared specifically for dogs and cats are nutritionally much better. There are two types:

Biscuits: Cooked cereals. These are considered as a dietary complement. They are hard.
Treats: These are meat-based products. They are considered as a prize or special treat. They are softer and more flavoursome.
The market for Dry Pet Food is growing at a spectacular rate because of the advantages that these products have over Moist Pet Food. These advantages include:
They are more nutritious: due to the reduced water content this food is more concentrated and easier to digest (100g of the dry product has the same nutritional content as 400g of moist pet food).

They are cheaper: as these products are more concentrated, the portions are smaller (you are not buying 80% water as in the case of canned pet food).
It is more convenient: to transport, to give, to store...

They are recommended by 95% of vets: because of all these advantages and because of the beneficial effect on animal's teeth (they help to prevent a build up of plaque).

They are cleaner and more hygienic: the product does not deteriorate once the bag is opened and it has a longer expiry date than that of canned foods.
It looks better: the dry pellets as opposed to the meat of Wet Pet Food.

The pack sizes are bigger: Dry Pet Food is available for dogs in pack sizes of up to 10, 15, 20 kg. The biggest pack of Moist Pet Food is 1200g.

The smell of dog's waste is less disagreeable: due to the fact that they are easier to digest.
The package of the Dry Pet Food products always contains the following information:

Product Characteristics

States what type of dog the product is suitable for and how the product differs from other products.

Ingredients

The principal ingredients are listed in decreasing order according to the quantity used in the formula.

- Chicken meal: helps the development and maintenance of muscles, bones, teeth, hair and nails.
- Corn: helps maintain a healthy skin.
- Wheat: prolongs the level of glucose in the blood (and delays the onset of hunger pangs).
- Rice: helps to maintain proper functioning of the dog's digestive system.
- Corn gluten meal: helps in the development and maintenance of muscular tissue.
- Animal fat: helps to keep the dog's skin and coat in good condition.

Average Nutritional Analysis
This shows the percentage of:

- Total protein: helps in the development and maintenance of various parts of the organism: tissues, muscles, bones...
- Total fats: provide the energy for the organism to function and also to make it more palatable.
- Total cellulose/ fibre: aids the movement of food through the intestines. It is not digested.
- Total minerals, calcium and phosphorus: the minerals necessary for bone formation.
- Water: water is an essential element to prevent dehydration.
- Vitamins: these are necessary for the functioning of some of the vital processes of the animal.
- Natural antioxidant: vitamin E, as well as it functions as a vitamin, it is also an antioxidant of vegetable origin.

Recommended Quantities
Quantities of the product required (in grams) recommended according to the type and age of the dog.
The quantities vary depending on the energy concentration.

Name and address of the Manufacturer

For any queries or complaints. This may not appear in all cases as not all the manufacturers have a Consumer Service department. However, they will have a quality guarantee.

Date of Expiry
This is normally 1 year or 18 months.