Energy content refers to the number of kilocalories in a given amount of food. It determines how much food should be eaten each day: as the energy content of a food increases, the total volume of food eaten should decrease. So a pet food’s energy content must be known before you can work out how much to feed your pet.
Feeding trials are the most reliable way of determining the energy content of a pet food. Foods that have been tested in feeding trials developed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) can make a claim on their labelling along these lines: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Product X provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages."
Energy content can also be calculated from analyses of carbohydrate, protein and fat content. These analyses are useful – but because they’re based on a chemical or computer analysis they don’t provide the same accuracy.
If foods are meeting AAFCO nutrient requirements, they’ll carry a statement something like: "This formula meets the nutritional levels established by AAFCO."
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