Whether it is tasty beef or succulent chicken , only the best will do for our beloved pets . But many dog and cat foods are not all they seem . Research by vets has shown many popular tinned foods contain high quantities of meat not on the label . One beef stew dog food was found to be predominantly chicken . Of the 17 pet foods subjected to DNA testing at Nottingham University , 14 contained meats that were not spelled out on the can . As good as it looks ? 63 per cent of meat detected in Bakers As Good As It Looks Succulent Stew ‘ with beef ’ was chicken and 22 per cent was pork . Only 15 per cent was beef . Researcher Kin-Chow Chang , a fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons , said misleading labelling could put dogs and cats at risk of serious allergic reactions . Latest figures show Britons spend £1billion a year on more than 400,000 tons of tinned pet food . More than three quarters of the nation ’ s eight million cats and almost half of the nine million dogs eat canned food . Professor Chang tested ten popular dog foods and seven types of cat food for DNA of cows , pigs , chickens and horses . None of the tins had horsemeat in them , but most contained beef , pork or chicken despite it not being mentioned on the label . Some of the ‘ beef ’ foods actually contained more pork or chicken . For instance , 63 per cent of meat detected in Bakers As Good As It Looks Succulent Stew ‘ with beef ’ was chicken and 22 per cent was pork . Only 15 per cent was beef . Not all brands were criticised – all of Encore ’ s chicken breast cat food was determined to be the meat labelled . Pedigree dog food labelled as being ‘ with beef ’ had far more chicken and pork than beef , and 81 per cent of the meat detected in Felix Complete cat food was chicken or pork – despite it being the ‘ beef ’ version . But not all brands were criticised – all of Encore ’ s chicken breast cat food was determined to be the meat labelled . Professor Chang said the research suggested ‘ a considerable mismatch in the labelling standard of the pet food industry and what the purchaser would reasonably expect ’ . He added : ‘ In a human situation , this would be completely unacceptable . If I was to buy a tin of ham , I wouldn ’ t want to be eating rabbit as well. ’ The foods complied with the law , which allows the phrase ‘ with beef ’ , even if beef is not the main meat . But writing in journal Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica , Professor Chang called on manufacturers to make labels clearer , allowing ‘ more informed choices … particularly important for pets with food allergies , reduce the risk of product misinterpretation … and avoid potential religious concerns ’ . Cats Protection ’ s Maggie Roberts said pet food makers follow guidance laid down by the EU , adding : ‘ It may be beneficial for these guidelines to be amended so the information is clearer … to allow people to make a more informed choice. ’ The Pet Food Manufacturers Association said makers may use meat from different animals as supply levels fluctuate but the nutritional quality does not vary .
Research shows many popular tinned foods contain meat not on the label . Of 14 pet foods tested , 17 contained meats that were not spelled out on can . Pedigree dog food labelled ‘ with beef ’ had more chicken and pork than beef . Complied with law allowing phrase ‘ with beef ’ even if it 's not the main meat .