Page 71 - Raw Diet References Book 2019

III Complete Pet Food

1. GUIDANCE

Complete pet food means pet food which, by FEDIAF recommends to all members of each
reason of its composition, is sufficient for a daily National Association that before a complete pet
ration (Regulation EU No. 767/2009 adapted). When a food is placed on the market:
complete pet food is fed for an extended period (i.e.
covering the whole period of the life stage) as the only a. It should be formulated to take account of current
source of nutrients, it will provide all the nutritional nutritional knowledge and using the data compiled
needs of the particular animals of the given species in this guide.
and physiological state for which it is intended.
b. If certain nutrient levels are outside the values
If a manufacturer labels a product as a complete stated in this guide, manufacturers should be able
pet food without specification of a determined life to prove that the product provides adequate and
stage, it is assumed to be complete for all life stages, safe intakes of all required nutrients.
and should be formulated according to the levels
recommended for early growth and reproduction. If c. Each family of products (ANNEX 8) should be
the product is designed for a specific life stage, then validated by chemical analysis of the finished
the label must clearly state this. For example “Bloggo” product. It is recommended to use an officially
is a complete pet food for breeding cats, or “Bloggo” recognised method (Chapter V).
is a complete pet food for growing puppies.

1.1 Minimum recommended nutrient levels in cat and dog foods

The nutrient requirements of cats and dogs are the “units/100g DM” (Tables A1 & B1), “units/1000kcal ME”
subject of ongoing research. When formulating pet (Tables A2 & B2) and “units/MJ ME” (Tables A3 & B3).
foods, manufacturers should not use a reference to
minimum requirements but minimum recommended This FEDIAF Guide is based on published scientific
levels ensuring adequate nutrient intake as contained studies (including NRC 2006) and unpublished data
in this guide. The nutritional tables are provided in from experts in the field.

1.2 Energy contents of pet foods

Feeding trials are the most accurate way to measure and 0.86kcal (3.60kJ)gˉ1 digestible protein for cats
the energy density of a cat and dog food (see Chapter (Chapter VI).
VI for the different methods).
Alternatively, formulae given in ANNEX 1 can be
A feeding trial normally measures digestible energy. used by manufacturers to calculate the energy
By subtracting the energy lost in the urine, the same content of practical diets.
trials allow also for determining the metabolizable
energy. The energy lost in the urine can be measured In addition, a bibliographic survey for calculating
if urine is collected or, if urine is not collected, be the energy needs of dogs and cats, in relation to body
calculated using the following correction factors: weight, physiological state and specific activities, is
1.25kcal (5.23kJ)gˉ1 digestible crude protein for dogs reported in ANNEX 1.

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