Pet food packaging often includes phrases like:

• “With chicken” 

• “With beef” 

• And/or “With lamb” 

These statements are designed to be appealing and reassuring.

But from a formulation standpoint, they can be misunderstood.

The Regulatory Reality

In many cases, the term “with” only requires a very small percentage of that ingredient to be present.

This can be as low as approximately 3%.

Which means a product labelled “with chicken” may contain only a minimal amount of chicken relative to the total formulation.

Why This Matters

From a nutritional perspective, the presence of an ingredient is less important than:

• Its proportion 

• Its quality 

• Its role in the overall formulation 

A small inclusion may contribute very little to the pet’s actual nutritional intake.

The Perception Gap

For pet owners, the phrase “with chicken” often implies:

• Chicken is a primary ingredient 

• The product is protein-rich 

• The formulation is centred around that ingredient 

But this is not necessarily the case.

Ingredient Presence vs Functional Contribution

At Pet Food Australia, we place greater importance on:

• Never use/apply “with”

• What role it plays nutritionally 

• How it contributes to digestibility and overall health 

Rather than whether it appears on the front of the packaging.

A More Transparent Approach

Instead of focusing on marketing terms, we formulate around:

• Clear ingredient intent 

• Functional outcomes 

• Nutritional relevance 

This includes:

• Grain-free formulations to support digestive efficiency 

• Gluten-free, GMO-free standards 

• Functional inclusions like hemp seed oil 

• And full control through Australian-made production 

Why Simplicity Matters

Simpler, more transparent formulations make it easier to understand what your pet is actually consuming.

And that clarity is important when feeding something every day.

Clinical Takeaway

“With” does not mean “rich in.” and when you read “with” in pet food, RUN like Forrest Gump!

And understanding that distinction can significantly change how pet food is evaluated.

👉 If you want to see how we approach ingredient transparency, you can explore it here