It's difficult to compare pet food prices because there's no requirement to list the energy content on the packaging, and so many brands don't bother. But it’s the energy content that determines how much to feed your pet, which makes it a vital clue in calculating value for money.
The good news is that this is changing. In 2005 the American College of Veterinary Nutrition put forward an amendment to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to make energy content mandatory on pet-food labels. Progress has been slow but the amendment has been accepted (although not formally announced). There’ll be a transition period for manufacturers to comply.
But in the meantime – because this important information is missing from some brands – we contacted manufacturers and distributors to find out the energy content of their products. Disappointingly, Progressive Enterprises was unable to give us information for its Signature Range and Home Brand pet foods: this isn’t good enough.
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