As a pet owner, you want the best for your furry companion. One of the most crucial aspects of ensuring their well-being is the food you provide. However, with so many options on the market, it’s essential to understand how to choose the safest, healthiest food for your pet.
Not all pet foods are created equal, and ensuring that your pet’s food meets high safety and nutritional standards requires paying attention to the tests and certifications it has undergone.

Here’s a guide to the critical tests and accreditations you should look for when purchasing pet food.

1. Proximate Analysis: Checking for Nutritional Balance

Proximate analysis is a basic but crucial test that determines the nutritional breakdown of pet food. This analysis reveals the percentages of essential nutrients such as:

• Protein
• Fat
• Fiber
• Moisture
• Ash (mineral content)

Knowing the levels of these components is important because it ensures that the food meets your pet’s nutritional needs. For example, dogs require a protein-rich diet for muscle development, while cats need taurine, an amino acid essential for heart and eye health.

What to Look For: Check the label for details on the protein, fat, fibre, and moisture content. If these values are listed, it means the pet food has undergone proximate analysis testing.

2. Vitamin and Mineral Testing

Vitamins and minerals are crucial for your pet's overall health and development. Too little or too much of these micronutrients can lead to serious health problems. For example, a lack of calcium can lead to bone deformities, while too much vitamin A can cause toxicity.

What to Look For: Ensure the pet food label specifies the vitamin and mineral content. Some brands may also mention that they adhere to guidelines set by regulatory bodies which ensure appropriate nutrient levels.

3. Microbiological Testing: Ensuring the Food is Safe from Harmful Pathogens

Pet food can sometimes be contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can make your pet seriously ill and even pose a risk to human family members. Microbiological testing screens for the presence of these pathogens and ensures the food is
safe for consumption.

What to Look For: Many premium pet food brands will mention on their packaging or website that they conduct microbiological testing to ensure their products are free from harmful bacteria.

4. Testing for Contaminants: Mycotoxins and Heavy Metals

Mycotoxins are toxins produced by mould that can contaminate pet food ingredients such as grains. Long-term exposure to mycotoxins can lead to liver damage or even cancer. Similarly, heavy metals like lead or mercury can find their way into pet food through
contaminated water or soil and are harmful to your pet’s health.

What to Look For: Opt for pet food brands that conduct mycotoxin and heavy metal testing. Some brands will specify that their products are free from these contaminants or that they follow strict safety protocols.

5. Regulatory Accreditations: AAFCO and FEDIAF

Regulatory bodies help ensure the safety and nutritional adequacy of pet food. They set stringent standards for pet food formulations, ensuring that the food contains the essential nutrients your pet needs. Approved pet foods must pass nutritional adequacy tests to
guarantee that the food supports life stages such as growth, maintenance, and reproduction.

What to Look For: When purchasing pet food, check if the product carries an approved label or statement. This indicates that the food meets the regulatory standards for complete and balanced nutrition.

6. Allergen Testing: For Pets with Sensitive Stomachs

If your pet has allergies or sensitivities, allergen testing can be critical. This test identifies common allergens such as chicken, beef, dairy, or grain that could trigger allergic reactions in pets.

What to Look For: If your pet has known allergies, look for pet food brands that specify allergen testing on their packaging or in their product descriptions. Many premium brands also offer hypoallergenic formulas that are free from common allergens.

7. Preservative Testing: Ensuring the Safety of Additives

Many pet foods contain preservatives to extend shelf life, but not all preservatives are safe for long-term consumption. Natural preservatives like vitamin E (tocopherols) and vitamin C are generally safe, but some artificial preservatives like BHA or BHT may pose health risks with prolonged exposure.

What to Look For: Opt for pet food brands that specify the type of preservatives used in their products. Natural preservatives are a better choice for your pet’s long-term health.

8. SANS 241 Accreditation for Water Safety

Water is an essential component of pet food production, and it must meet strict safety standards to prevent contamination. The SANS 241 accreditation is a South African standard that ensures the water used in the food production process is safe and free from harmful contaminants.

What to Look For: Pet food brands that follow SANS 241 guidelines will ensure that the water used in their production processes is safe, ensuring the overall quality of the food.

What to Keep in Mind

When shopping for pet food, it’s essential to look beyond flashy packaging and marketing claims. Instead, focus on whether the brand conducts rigorous testing and adheres to regulatory standards. By paying attention to these key tests and accreditations, you can
ensure that the food you provide your pet is not only nutritious but also safe for their long- term health.

Making informed decisions about pet food will help keep your furry companion healthy and thriving. Always check for labels, certifications, and test assurances to guarantee that your pet is getting the best possible nutrition without any risks.

Get in touch with Assurecloud today to provide testing and analysis for your pet food product. Testing labs are available throughout Southern Africa.