You might not know that the food your are feeding your dog or cat isn't giving them the vitamins and minerals they need to survive and thrive.
In the UK, there are some firms illegally using the word COMPLETE in their packaging when really it should be COMPLEMENTARY. But what does this really mean?
Firstly, rest assured that all of the food Poppy's Picnic sells is COMPLETE. So let's explain what this means.
1. Complete Dog Food:
• A complete dog food is designed to meet all of a dog’s nutritional requirements.
• It contains the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that a dog needs for daily health and well-being.
• If you feed your dog only complete food, no additional supplementation is needed. You can think of it as a “standalone” meal.
• Complete foods are formulated to be fed on their own without the need for additional ingredients.
Our food (along with many dry kibble products or wet canned foods) has been specifically formulated to provide all the nutrients a dog requires in the right proportions according to standards set by FEDIAF.
2. Complementary Dog Food:
• A complementary dog food is meant to be fed alongside other food or supplements to provide balanced nutrition.
• Some foods in the UK are being labelled as complete but are actually complementary (any raw food that is labelled 80/10/10 etc)
• It does not contain all the essential nutrients in the right amounts on its own and requires other food sources to complement its nutritional profile.
• Often, complementary foods include treats, mixers, toppers, or raw meat that might lack specific vitamins and minerals.
For example, if you feed your dog meat, bone and some offal, it will lack the correct balance of manganese, magnesium or other nutrients. You would need to add additional components or a supplement to ensure it provides balanced nutrition.
In Summary:
• Complete food: Provides all the nutrients required for a healthy diet, no need for additional foods.
• Complementary food: Requires other foods or supplements to make a nutritionally balanced meal.
Knowing the difference is important to ensure your dog gets the right balance of nutrients, whether you’re feeding them a complete food or using complementary options alongside other dietary elements.
