What is a Guaranteed Analysis?

All pet food products must display a Guaranteed Analysis (GA) on their packaging. This analysis serves two main purposes: it assists regulatory bodies in verifying that the product complies with nutritional standards and label claims, and it provides consumers with key nutrient information. At a minimum, the GA includes values for four essential components—protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. If a pet food makes specific claims about other nutrients (such as calcium for healthy teeth and bones), those must also be included.

Understanding “Crude” Protein and Fat
The term “crude” in this context refers to the method of measurement, not the quality of the nutrient. Protein content is determined by analyzing nitrogen levels, while fat content is calculated by measuring lipids in the food.

Comparing Nutrients in Wet and Dry Food
The GA is useful for comparing nutrient levels across different types of pet food. However, because moisture levels vary widely—especially between dry and canned food—nutrient comparisons should be made on a “dry matter basis.” This means you first remove the moisture content to compare the actual nutritional density.

To do this:

1. 1. Subtract the moisture percentage listed in the GA from 100 to determine the dry matter percentage.
      Example: A canned food with 70% moisture has 30% dry matter (100 – 70 = 30).

   2. Divide the nutrient value by the dry matter percentage.
      Example: If the crude protein listed is 10%, then on a dry matter basis, the protein level is about 33% (10 ÷ 30 × 100).

How the GA is Determined
The values in the GA come from either nutrient databases managed by formulation software or from laboratory testing. Pet food companies, especially those in professional associations, often use advanced formulation tools to ensure each batch meets the guaranteed nutritional values.

Optional and Additional Nutrients in the GA
Some brands may list more nutrients than required, especially if their marketing highlights a specific nutrient’s benefit. In such cases, that nutrient must be included in the GA. Manufacturers may also voluntarily include additional nutrients to help consumers better understand the product’s nutritional profile and enhance trust in its quality.

Ultimately, the GA is just one of many quality assurance steps taken to ensure pet food is safe and nutritionally complete.