Generic ingredients
Broad wording such as cereals, meat or derivatives makes the recipe harder to understand.
Ingredients and labels
Read ingredients without letting marketing decide.
A practical hub to understand wording, claims and declared values on dog food labels. Always with sources, method and non-clinical caution.
How the score works9
Linked guides
6
Terms explained
7
Supported languages
Essential glossary
Common label terms explained carefully and verifiably.
Animal proteins
The declared source matters: chicken, salmon, lamb or fish are clearer than vague wording.
Dehydrated meat and meals
They are not automatically negative: read species, percentage and the rest of the label.
Grain free
It is a claim to verify: by itself it does not prove transparency or product coherence.
Single-protein
Check the whole ingredient list, including fats, broths and additives.
Analytical constituents
Protein, fat, fibre, ash and moisture should be read together with product format.
Ingredienti
Generic ingredients in dog food: what it really means on the label
A clear look at generic ingredients in dog food to separate useful data, claims and missing information. Less specific wording makes the formula harder to understand.
IngredientiDehydrated proteins and meals in dry dog food: what it really means on the label
A clear look at dehydrated proteins and meals in dry dog food to separate useful data, claims and missing information. The technical name is not a score: source clarity matters.
IngredientiMeat or fish percentage in dry dog food: what it really means on the label
A clear look at meat or fish percentage in dry dog food to separate useful data, claims and missing information. Percentages help, but they should be read with ingredient form and moisture.
IngredientiGrain-free dog food: what it really means on the label
A clear look at grain-free dog food to separate useful data, claims and missing information. Grain-free does not automatically mean more suitable.
CrocchetteSingle-protein dry dog food: what it really means on the label
A clear look at single-protein dry dog food to separate useful data, claims and missing information. The claim should be checked against the full ingredient list.
EtichetteProtein in dog food: a practical label-reading guide
How to read protein in dog food using ingredients, declared values and available sources. The number should be read together with protein source and recipe.
EtichetteAnalytical constituents in dry dog food: a practical label-reading guide
How to read analytical constituents in dry dog food using ingredients, declared values and available sources. They are central data points, but they should always be read with ingredients.
EtichetteCalories in dog food: a practical label-reading guide
How to read calories in dog food using ingredients, declared values and available sources. They help understand energy density, portions and real cost.
EtichetteComplete or complementary dog food: a practical label-reading guide
How to read complete or complementary dog food using ingredients, declared values and available sources. This wording changes the product's role in the bowl.
Before judging a product
Good reading starts from context: format, life stage, available data and sources.
Check whether the protein source is specific or generic.
Read ingredients and analytical constituents together, not separately.
Check kcal and moisture before comparing dry and wet food.
Treat claims such as grain free, sensitive or single-protein as information to verify.
For diseases, persistent symptoms or dietetic products, talk to a veterinarian.
Does Bowlumo say which ingredients are best?
No. Bowlumo evaluates transparency, completeness and clarity of available data. It does not turn an ingredient into a health guarantee.
Is grain free always more suitable?
No. Grain free should be read in the context of the recipe, life stage, analytical values and available sources.
Can I use this page to choose a clinical diet?
No. Diseases, persistent symptoms and dietetic foods require veterinary evaluation. Bowlumo remains informational and comparative.