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Dog-food products described as light, lite, or low calorie must meet specific calorie levels set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), while dog foods named “less” or “reduced calorie” must show a percent reduction in calories as compared to a product in the same moisture-content category. The following table shows the guidelines as set by AAFCO for both dog and cat foods for determining whether a product can use the term “light.”
| Food Texture | Moisture Content | Dog Foods Maximum kcal ME/kg | Cat Foods Maximum kcalME/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | less than 20% moisture | 3,100 | 3,250 |
| Semi-Moist | between 20 and 64% moisture | 2,500 | 2,650 |
| Canned | 65% or more moisture | 900 | 950 |
Like light versus reduced-calorie foods, lean or low-fat dog-food products must meet specific fat levels set by AAFCO, and less-fat or reduced-fat dog-food products need to show a percent reduction in fat as compared to a product in the same moisture category. AAFCO guidelines for dog and cat foods with “lean,” “low fat,” or similar words are shown in the following table.
| Food Texture | Moisture Content | Dog Foods Maximum % Crude Fat | Cat Foods Maximum % Crude Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | less than 20% moisture | 9 | 10 |
| Semi-Moist | between 20 and 64% moisture | 7 | 8 |
| Canned | 65% or more moisture | 4 | 5 |
Providing your dog with a balanced diet of nutritious dog food will ensure they get adequate amounts of protein, fat and fiber. All three are essential to your dog’s health and happiness — and all three can be found in every IAMS™ product we produce. Learn more about how these three vital elements can support your dog’s whole-body health.
Protein Protein helps keep your dog’s muscles strong.
Protein helps keep your dog’s muscles strong. It also provides the amino acids necessary to build and repair proteins in their body. Many of these amino acids must be acquired through a dog’s diet.
Recipes contain animal-based proteins that provide the essential amino acids dogs need. Plus, we conduct special refining and quality assurance tests to ensure we only use high-quality, highly digestible protein sources for increased digestibility.
Fat gives your dog energy and helps nourish their skin and coat.
Fat provides energy. Your dog needs two types of fatty acids: omega-6 andomega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in chicken fat and corn.Omega-3 fatty acids are found in ingredients such as canola, fish meal or oil, andflax. Both types help nourish and support your dog’s skin and coat.
Fiber and prebiotics help support your dog’s digestion.
IAMS™ dog food recipes feature a tailored blend of natural fiber from ingredients like beet pulp, as well as prebiotics to help support your dog’s digestion. Research has shown that moderately fermentable fiber, such as beet pulp, enhances intestinal health.
Feeding your dog a balanced diet that contains the right amounts of protein, fats and fiber is one of the most important ways you can care for and nourish them. To see the di!erence a healthy diet can make in your dog, feed them an IAMS recipe that’s tailored to their unique dietary needs, such as their size, age and breed. Are you ready to See the Wow?
