Fortynine food products for adult or juvenile dogs, commercially available in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil, were tested for nutrient composition. The products were divided into three categories: low-cost, standard and super-premium. In that order, average compositions for adult foods were 16.9%, 20.9% and 27.8% protein, 9.7%, 10.5% and 15% fat, 6.4%, 2.9% and 1.1% fiber, and 1.9%, 1.9% and 1.4% calcium. For puppy foods, the average compositions of standard and super-premium foods were 26.1% and 31% protein, 10.8% and 15.2% fat, 2.6% and 2.4% fiber, 2.1% and 1.7% Ca, and 1.6% and 1.3% P, respectively. The percentages of products whose published label values were in disagreement with laboratory results were: super-premium products for puppies, 80% for Ca and 60% for fat; standard products for puppies, 28.6% for protein and 57.2% for Ca; low-cost products for adults, 44% for fiber and 33% for protein; standard products for adults, 33% for fat and 50% for Ca; super-premium products for adults, 50% for calcium and 33% for fat. Products with nutritional shortcomings were found, such as insufficient protein content and too high levels of fiber, calcium, and phosphorus.
dog; dog food; nutrient composition; label analysis; Brazil
