Some time ago, a certain TV program exposed law enforcement officials conducting a concentrated crackdown on the manufacturing and sale of fake branded dog food. These illegal merchants were still rated as diamond and crown-level sellers on Taobao, causing many pet owners to worry. So how exactly can one distinguish genuine from fake dog food? This article introduces several methods.

Figure 1 Whether dog food is genuine affects the dog's health

　　1. Choose sellers you can trust

　　1. Buy from physical stores

　　For pet owners who prefer to buy from physical stores, when choosing a store, pay attention to the following: First, business licenses and related certificates should be complete. Relevant authorities require business licenses to be displayed prominently inside the store, so pet owners should check this and notice whether the business scope includes selling pet products. Second, the seller's reputation within the local pet community can be a reference. Third, major brands typically issue authorization certificates.

　　2. Buy online

　　Because the environment on Taobao is so mixed, as mentioned above, even stores with such good reputations are involved in counterfeiting and selling fakes. Therefore, if you do not have enough confidence to identify authenticity, it is still recommended to buy from large pet websites. After all, the investment to run a large website is far greater than that of a Taobao store. Aside from the loss of customers from counterfeiting, merely being penalized by the authorities is enough to ruin a site operator's reputation and business.

　　2. Dog food price

　　Although general brands only set the maximum sales price for sellers, the minimum price varies by purchase channel and is not strictly regulated. However, sellers within the same sales channel should have similar prices, except for occasional discounts such as store anniversary promotions.

　　3. Dog food packaging

　　Large brands’ dog food packaging should have clear fonts; bright printing colors; neat sealing; complete product descriptions; clear production and expiration dates; obvious anti-counterfeit marks with anti-counterfeit inquiry phone numbers. When scratching off the anti-counterfeit label, the code underneath should be clearly visible. Pet owners are advised to call the anti-counterfeit inquiry number to verify authenticity.

Figure 2 Most major brands have anti-counterfeit marks on their dog food

　　4. Imported dog food

　　For imported dog food, since there is currently no direct domestic verification channel, pet owners need to make comprehensive judgments. First, products imported through formal channels must have Chinese product descriptions attached. Second, the first few digits of the barcode on the packaging indicate the country of origin and can be used to verify the dog food’s origin. Finally, most large foreign brands have designated agents in China, and their official websites will list and link to these agents. Pet owners can consult the chosen seller first to confirm whether they have business relationships with the authorized agents. Of course, purchasing directly from the agent is best, though many agents do not retail.

Figure 3 Imported dog food will have Chinese instructions attached

　　5. Judging based on the dog food itself

　　Judging based on dog food is the most direct method.

　　Generally, major brand dog foods have specified shapes, sizes, and colors for the same type, allowing for some deviation. However, if a bag contains pellets with significantly different shapes, colors, and sizes, it at least indicates it is unlikely to come from a production process as strict as that of a big brand. Furthermore, the formula for the same brand and type is fixed; hence the starch, protein, and fat content are relatively consistent, and the texture will not vary much between batches. Also, good dry food should have obvious pores on the surface, be well puffed, and be solid inside when broken. Of course, if the brand changes its formulas and production lines, consistency in appearance cannot be guaranteed.

Figure 4 Big brand dog foods have uniform standards in appearance

　　Second, smell: good dog food should have a mild food aroma, not a pungent, fishy, or unpleasant odor.

　　Third, taste: of course, let the dog taste it. If your dog always favors a particular brand but refuses the newly purchased food by sniffing and walking away, the owner should realize they may have bought a counterfeit product.

　　6. Other precautions

　　1. Some pet owners, when buying dog food from new sellers, first select small packages to test authenticity with various methods. After confirming the product is genuine, they directly buy large packages next time and become less vigilant. This is a big misconception, as some sellers might use genuine small packages to draw customers in while profiting from large packages. Therefore, the correct approach is to verify all newly purchased dog food.

　　2. Some pet owners choose bulk dog food for the sake of cheapness. Aside from the fact that bulk dog food definitely lacks proper certification, even if it is genuine, it may be contaminated during repackaging.

　　3. When purchasing dog food, always ask the seller for an invoice or purchase receipt, and ensure the purchased items match the dog food information. Keep these receipts carefully.

　　4. If the dog shows physical discomfort after eating new dog food, immediately seal the dog food and take the dog to a regular veterinary hospital for diagnosis. Keep medical records for potential future claims.

Figure 5 If a dog is unwell after eating dog food, seek medical treatment promptly