What’s Really in Your Pet’s Food? A Guide to Pet Food Ingredients by RECS 4 PETS

The Problem with Pet Food Marketing

You might assume that if a brand is expensive, recommended by a veterinarian, or sold in a clinic, it’s automatically high quality. But that’s not always the case.

In building the RECS 4 PETS app, I talked with local pet-industry veterans — people with 20+ years in the field — who confirmed what many pet owners suspect: the marketing around pet food is loosely regulated at best, and brand prestige doesn’t always equal ingredient quality.

Big brands often have a strong presence in veterinary offices, but that doesn’t guarantee superior ingredients. In many cases, these brands invest heavily in veterinary schools, sponsorships, and “approved” studies. While such funding is legal, it can influence what veterinarians are familiar with or comfortable prescribing — even if alternatives may use better ingredient profiles.

My Experience with Eddie’s Prescription Diet

When Eddie and I were in Las Vegas, Eddie was diagnosed with struvite crystals, the veterinarian insisted on prescribing a particular urinary-health formula available in the clinic. But when I looked at the ingredient panel, I was shocked:

• The first two ingredients were whole-grain corn and brewer’s rice.

• Brewer’s rice is a by-product: small, leftover fragments of processed white rice. The LEFT OVERS of rice that is processed for humans. While easily digestible, it’s low in nutrient value and adds unnecessary carbohydrates. (For more on brewer’s rice, see FeedReal’s glossary: FeedReal:

• While corn isn’t inherently terrible, when it appears first in the list it often means the formula is heavy in starchy carbohydrates. Read more on the American Kennel Club.

• To me, it looked like filler before meaningful protein.

  
  

I asked the vet to prescribe Farmina, a different prescription formula I found on Chewy that had a cleaner ingredients list. She refused, stating she only prescribes the brand they had in the vet clinic. Even though I pointed out that the vet’s recommended formula had reports of weight gain (and Eddie needed to lose weight), she held firm — but she finally agreed to use that same brand’s combined urinary + metabolic diet.

That formula’s first four ingredients read: brewer’s rice, corn gluten meal, powdered cellulose, pea fiber — with protein only fifth. Imagine the daily calorie–and nutrition–load Eddie would get before ever seeing meaningful protein. He refused to eat it, and the cost was steep (~$58 per bag). The stress of transitioning, watching him refuse food, and worrying about his health was real.

I get that prescription diets have clinical effects (in this case for urinary crystals), but the question is: why can’t a pet food company formulate something therapeutic using better ingredients?

Eddie - RECS 4 PETS founder's dog.

Why the “First Ingredients” Matter

When you read a pet food label, ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. The heaviest components appear first, and the lightest (typically vitamins, minerals, flavorings) appear last. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1

Because of that, the first few ingredients tell you a lot about what the bulk of the food is composed of — meat, grain, filler, or by-products. AAFCO+1

According to Dr. Hannah Hart on PetMD by Chewy, a well-balanced dog food’s first five elements typically are:

1. A primary protein source

2. Carbohydrates

3. Fats

4. Vitamins

5. Minerals

   PetMD+1

   
   

If protein is buried way down the list, there’s a good chance the food leans heavily on carbohydrate fillers or ambiguous “by-products.”

What Does the Law Say — and What It Doesn’t?

It’s important to recognize that “regulated” does not automatically mean “nutrient-dense.”

• The FDA oversees that pet food is safe, manufactured under sanitary conditions, and properly labeled. It also requires that all ingredients be listed by weight, from most to least. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+2U.S. Food and Drug Administration+2

• The FDA also reviews certain health claims (e.g. “low magnesium,” “urinary tract support,” “hairball control”) to ensure there’s some backing evidence. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1

• The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) establishes model nutritional standards and ingredient definitions. Though AAFCO itself is not a regulatory agency, many states adopt its standards within their laws. PetMD+2AAFCO+2

• Under AAFCO rules, ingredients must be listed using AAFCO-defined names (or common names), and aggregate or misleading terms like “animal protein products” are not allowed on pet food labels. Purina Institute+2AAFCO+2

  
  

But here’s the catch: the law does not enforce a minimum “quality” grade for those ingredients (e.g. “premium,” “superfood,” “reserve”). And claims like “premium” or “gourmet” are largely marketing. Some boutique or smaller brands may be more transparent or careful, but there’s no guarantee simply by virtue of brand prestige.

Why I Chose Lotus & Nature’s Select (and What to Look For)

Lotus Pet Foods

Lotus Brand Label

• Family-owned company in California, making food in small batches.

• Operates its own cannery for wet food, giving the brand control over raw material processes.

• They offer a senior formula optimized for urinary health (lower magnesium, phosphorus) — ideal for older dogs prone to stones.

• Their small-bite kibble is perfect for dogs with dental issues (like Eddie, who’s missing many teeth), it’s smaller and crumbles easily in their mouth.

• The first ingredient is chicken — a good sign that protein is prioritized.

Nature’s Select Plus (Texas-based)

Nature's Select Label

• Made in Texas and delivered locally (San Antonio to Austin region).

• Ingredients are sourced from local farms and ranches.

• Made in small batches, with formulas tailored for digestive needs or weight-loss.

• Uses chicken meal, which can allow for a higher protein concentration than raw muscle meat (nutrient-dense per weight).

• No known recalls in over thirty years.

• Eddie loved it immediately.

These brands caught my attention not just because of marketing, but because I evaluated the ingredient lists, company practices, and local availability.

How You Can Evaluate Pet Food (Without a PhD)

1. Read the first 4–5 ingredients.

   If protein is buried deep, you’re probably getting filler calories.

   
   

2. Look for named proteins.

   “Chicken meal,” “salmon meal,” “lamb liver” — not vague “animal protein products.”

   
   

3. Avoid by-products if possible.

   By-products can be controversial (some good, some less desirable). If used, they should be clearly labeled (e.g. “chicken by-product meal”).

   
   

4. Check for “complete and balanced” statements.

   Look for compliance with AAFCO standards or a life-stage statement.

   
   

5. Watch health claims carefully.

   Terms like “premium,” “pro,” “superfood,” or “enhanced” are largely marketing. Only health claims regulated by the FDA (e.g. “urinary support”) must be backed by evidence. OnlineLabels+1

   
   

6. Don’t assume vet-office brand = superiority.

   Budget, familiarity, and partnerships can drive which brands a vet carries — not always better ingredients.

   
   

7. Transition gradually — but flexibility matters.

   Even high-quality food may not suit your pet’s taste or digestive tolerance. Always monitor for acceptance, digestion, and health.

   
   

Final Thoughts

Veterinary prescription brands are not inherently bad — many serve a medical role. But ingredients matter, and it’s valid to ask whether they could formulate more thoughtfully.

I believe using a tool like the RECS 4 PETS app can empower pet owners with greater transparency, enabling them to make more informed food choices rather than relying solely on brand prestige or clinic availability.

Download the RECS 4 PETS app today on the App Store or Google Play for FREE.