What is AAFCO and why it matters for your pet’s food

AAFCO, or the Association of American Feed Control Officials, is an organisation that develops nutritional standards for animal food. While they are based in the United States, their guidelines are adopted by pet food manufacturers all over the world, including in India.

How do AAFCO guidelines work?

AAFCO sets recommendations and standards for pet food manufacturing. This includes establishing nutrient profiles and testing protocols. These are guidelines to ensure dog or cat food recipes have the right balance of essential nutrients.

They define the minimum and maximum amount of each nutrient that would go in a recipe depending on the life stage it is made for and so on. These standards serve as a nutritional benchmark for formulating and evaluating pet food.

However, AAFCO does not approve, certify, or endorse individual pet food brands or products. So pet food brands cannot label themselves AAFCO-certified or AAFCO-approved. They can only indicate that they have followed the standards set by AAFCO.

Why Is AAFCO Important for Pet Parents?

A food can contain protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals without necessarily providing all the essential nutrients in the right amounts and proportions.

AAFCO’s nutrient profiles can help to formulate a complete and balanced recipe that meets the necessary requirements for dogs or cats.

These requirements also vary by life stage. For example, a puppy needs nutrition that supports growth and development, while an adult dog requires nutrition suited to maintaining its health.

Understanding AAFCO standards can help you look beyond marketing claims and make more informed decisions when choosing your pet’s food.

How to Check If My Pet’s Food Meets AAFCO Standards

You don't need to be a nutrition expert to start reading a pet food label. Here's what to look for.

1. Nutritional Adequacy Statement

The most important place to check is the nutritional adequacy statement, usually found on the back or side of the packaging.

Look for wording such as

• “Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for…”
• “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that…”

The exact phrasing may vary depending on the product and its intended use.

2. Which Life Stage Is the Food Intended For

An AAFCO-related nutritional adequacy statement should also specify the intended life stage or use of the food.

Common categories include:

• Growth: For puppies or kittens.
• Adult maintenance: For adult dogs or cats.
• All life stages

Make sure the stated nutritional purpose matches your pet's needs. Food intended only for adult maintenance won't be suitable for a growing puppy or kitten. For example, our dry dog foods are formulated for different needs, like mother and puppy, adult, all life stages, etc., based on AAFCO’s recommendations.

3. Difference Between “Complete and Balanced” and “Supplemental Feeding”

Not every pet food is designed to serve as a pet's sole source of nutrition.

Some products are made to provide complete and balanced nutrition, while others are more suitable as treats, toppers, or supplements.

If you're looking for your pet's everyday main meal, check whether the food is meant to be fed as a complete diet. A topper or complementary food may offer variety, but it should not automatically replace a complete and balanced meal.

4. Don't Rely on an AAFCO Logo or a General Claim Alone

Remember, AAFCO does not issue an official approval or certification logo for individual pet foods.

Therefore, rather than relying on a logo or a statement such as “premium nutrition,” look for the actual nutritional adequacy information and understand what it says about the product. If you cannot find this information, check the manufacturer's website or contact the brand directly to ask how the food's nutritional adequacy has been established.

AAFCO standards can help you make informed decisions when choosing your food. However, remember that labeling requirements can vary by country, and the absence of an AAFCO statement alone does not necessarily mean a food is nutritionally inadequate.

Understanding what AAFCO is and knowing where to check for nutritional adequacy information is a useful first step towards choosing the right food for your pet.