One of the biggest red flags on a dog food label is the phrase 'meat and animal derivatives'. This catch-all term allows manufacturers to use whatever animal protein is cheapest at the time of production, meaning the recipe can change from batch to batch without any label update.
Why Named Sources Matter
Named meat sources like 'chicken', 'lamb', or 'salmon' tell you exactly what protein your dog is eating. This is important for two reasons: consistency and traceability. If your dog develops a sensitivity, you need to know what they've been eating to identify the trigger.
Fresh Meat vs Meat Meal
Fresh meat listed as a first ingredient sounds impressive, but remember that fresh meat contains around 70% water. Once cooked, it shrinks significantly. A food listing 'fresh chicken' first followed by cereals may actually contain more cereal than chicken in the final product. Meat meal, while less appealing sounding, is a concentrated protein source with the water already removed.
The Percentage Rules
The percentage of meat matters too. UK regulations require that if a food is called 'chicken dog food', it must contain at least 26% chicken. If it says 'dog food with chicken', the minimum drops to just 4%. These small wording differences make a big impact on what's actually in the bag.
At Furra, our ratings heavily favour foods with clearly named, specific meat sources. We believe transparency in ingredients is non-negotiable when it comes to your dog's diet.
Find the best food for your dog
Browse our independent, algorithm-based ratings for every dog food sold in the UK.
Browse Dog Foods →About the Author
Dog Trainer & Co-founder, Furra
Graham is a professional dog trainer and co-founder of Furra, with over ten years of experience living and working with dogs. His journey began with two remarkable Shar Pei, Bane and Ivy, who shaped everything he knows about dog welfare, nutrition, and what it means to truly care for a dog. Both are dearly missed. Today he shares his life with Stella, a Goldador who goes everywhere with him, including up quite a few mountains. The frustration of navigating a pet food market full of vague claims and poor transparency drove Graham to build Furra: a platform that gives dog owners honest, data-driven information so they can make genuinely better choices for their dogs.
View all articles →
