Article: Understanding What “Complete and Balanced” Really Means for Your Pet’s Food

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Oct 11, 2024Pet Health Expert

Understanding What “Complete and Balanced” Really Means for Your Pet’s Food

As a pet parent, you’ve probably seen the phrase “complete and balanced” on pet food labels. But what does it really mean, and is it enough to ensure your pet is thriving, not just surviving? Let’s dive deeper into this common phrase and explore what it should signify for your pet's health and wellness.

The Basics of “Complete and Balanced”

When pet food is labeled as “complete and balanced,” it means the food meets the minimum nutritional requirements set by bodies like the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These guidelines ensure the food contains basic nutrients like proteins, fats, and vitamins necessary for your pet’s survival. However, meeting the minimum standards doesn’t always mean the food is optimal for your pet’s long-term health.

AAFCO defines “complete” as meaning the product contains all the nutrients required, and “balanced” as meaning the nutrients are present in the correct ratios.

Sounds great, right? In theory, yes. A pet food marked as “complete and balanced” should meet the basic needs of your animal companion. However, the question pet parents should be asking is: are those minimum requirements enough for my pet to truly thrive?

Not All Foods Are Created Equal

Not all foods that are “complete and balanced” are made equal. Many commercial pet foods rely on low-quality protein sources, fillers and synthetic nutrients to meet the required nutrient levels. For example, while the food might technically meet protein requirements, the protein could come from poorly processed meat products that are harder for your pet to digest. This could lead to issues like poor nutrient absorption or digestive upset.

These foods may also contain artificial ingredients such as preservatives, colours, and flavours, along with excessive carbohydrates and other components that can contribute to long-term health problems.

Taking a Holistic Approach

To help your pet truly thrive, it’s important to go beyond the label and focus on the quality of ingredients. Look for pet food made from high-quality sources like whole meats and vegetables, and consider adding fresh, whole foods like meat or veggies to your pet’s diet for a nutrient boost. Some pets may need additional support with supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, digestive enzymes or herbs to help fill nutritional gaps and support overall health.

Final Thoughts

While “complete and balanced” is a good start, it’s important to dig deeper into the quality of your pet’s food. A holistic approach that includes high-quality ingredients, fresh foods, and appropriate supplements can help your pet not only survive but thrive.

References & Additional Resources:

Association of American Feed Control Officials. (n.d.). Reading labels: Nutritional adequacy statements. AAFCO. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels/#adequacy
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2018, August 30). Complete and balanced pet food. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food
Hatten, R. (2021, October 6). Natural pet diets: A scientific exploration. Ruth Hatten. https://www.ruthhatten.com/post/natural-pet-diets-a-scientific-exploration
Hatten, R. (2022, March 1). Are you feeding your pet a balanced diet? Ruth Hatten. https://www.ruthhatten.com/post/are-you-feeding-your-pet-a-balanced-diet

Ruth Hatten

Holistic Animal Care Specialist

Ruth Hatten is a qualified and experienced pet nutritionist and animal naturopath, dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of animals through natural and holistic methods. With her expertise, she empowers pet parents to nurture their beloved animal companions in ways that promote overall health and vitality. Ruth also collaborates with pet businesses, offering guidance on crafting natural and holistic foods and supplements aimed at optimising pet health and vitality. She lives in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia with her beloved feline companions.

A Message from the Frontier Pets Team

One of the most common questions we receive at Frontier Pets is whether our food is complete and balanced.

The answer is a confident yes! All our recipes are expertly formulated by a holistic vet to be nutritionally complete and balanced for healthy active dogs of all life stages. Using free-range and seasonal wholefood ingredients, our pet food recipes are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional requirements established by the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles for dogs and cats. ‘Complete’ means a food should contain all nutrients that AAFCO classifies as essential for a dog or cat at different life stages, while ‘balanced’ means that the food should contain those nutrients in the correct proportions as determined by AAFCO. While seeing the claim ‘complete and balanced’ on a label gives most pet parents peace of mind that their pet is getting everything they need from a nutritional standpoint - it’s certainly not a guarantee of nutritional adequacy.

We pride ourselves on making nutritionally superior pet food based on traditional ancestral diets with a modern, ethical approach. Our unique recipe preparation ensures the whole food ingredients are minimally processed before being gently freeze-dried to remove the water content. This process retains the delicate nutrients and original qualities of the food – taste, smell and texture. Nutritionally, freeze-dried food retains essentially the same nutrient quality as fresh, raw food. And because the recipe remains raw, the proteins are easier to digest while the essential vitamins, minerals and digestive enzymes are more bioavailable (readily absorbed) to your pet.

IMPORTANT: Our recipes are formulated for healthy animals. They are not designed for animals with specific medical issues. Veterinary advice about the appropriateness of the food should be sought for animals with any health issues.