AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles

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The following items represent some of The Dog Food Advisor’s most frequently asked questions about AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles.

What is AAFCO?

AAFCO is an acronym for the Association of American Feed Control Officials. AAFCO is a non-profit organization that sets standards for both animal feeds and pet foods in the United States.

What are AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles?

In order for a dog food to be marketed as “complete and balanced”, it must meet the nutritional standards established by AAFCO.

These nutritional adequacy standards are defined by two nutrient profiles based upon a dog’s stage of life…

  • Adult maintenance
  • Growth and reproduction

What does growth and reproduction mean?

Dog foods rated for “growth and reproduction” are designed for puppies and pregnant or lactating females.

How can a manufacturer claim a particular product meets one of the two AAFCO nutrient profiles?

In order for any dog food company to claim a product is “complete and balanced” for a specific life stage, that claim must first have been validated in one of two ways…

  • Laboratory analysis only
  • Laboratory analysis plus actual feeding trials

How can a consumer know which method was used to verify AAFCO nutritional adequacy?

The first method uses laboratory analysis of a sample to verify the food meets AAFCO nutritional standards. The label will read…

“(Name of product) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles”

The second not only uses laboratory analysis but also proves that nutritional adequacy by conducting actual feeding trials with real dogs. This type of adequacy statement will probably read…

“Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of product) provides complete and balanced nutrition”

What if a dog food cannot meet either of the AAFCO nutrient profiles?

Any product that cannot meet either the AAFCO adult maintenance or growth and reproduction standards must state…

“This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only”

In other words, a product not intended for long-term use.

How can I tell if a particular dog food is OK for my puppy?

Any dog food that claims to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for either “growth” or “all life stages” should be fine for your puppy.

Is it OK to feed a puppy a dog food claiming to be suitable for “all life stages”?

AAFCO only recognizes two dog food nutrient profiles…

  • Adult maintenance
  • Growth and reproduction

However, manufacturers are permitted to market a dog food as suitable for “all life stages” so long as it meets the more stringent guidelines for “growth and reproduction”.

In other words, any dog food suitable for “all life stages” is also suitable for puppies, too.

  • Nfarlow

    How do the AAFCO standards compare with the NRC guidelines?

  • Cookie_346

    Am using Blue Buffalo seinor as I took two bags of TOTW that was on the recall list. I have 4 dogs and all four had diharria . My yard is double fenced to keep out other animals and since the dogs did not want to eat the TOTW food I knew that something was wrong. Yesterday On HLN I saw that TOTW had also been recalled, both bage that I had was on the list.
      My male shelty had bloody diharriah for a week. My vet, yes people, I have over four hundred dollars in vet bills because of this mess and I most certanly did take my dogs to their vet.
      I even added cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast and white rice to the dry food to get them to eat it. I feel blessed now that I kniow what it was that I did not loose any of my dogs. I am 66 years old and they are like my children. I really am tempted to start feeding them what I can cook if this recall continues to grow. God Bless our Fur Babies.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com/ Mike Sagman

    Hi Jaime,

    I’m sorry you feel this FAQ “confuses the customer”. For that was certainly not my intention when I wrote it.

    Nowhere on this page do I claim AAFCO “authorize, certify, test or otherwise approve animal feeds”.

    It only publishes guidelines detailed in its only two nutritional profiles – which is clearly explained in this document.

  • Jaime

    Your web page confuse the customer specially with the AFFCO information. I suggest to you to to AFFCO web page, below some findings:
    Does AAFCO certify products?

    No.  AAFCO has no regulatory authority to regulate feeds (and pet foods).  AAFCO also does not authorize, certify, test or otherwise approve animal feed. Only the individual states have the authority to approve animal feed to be distributed in their state under the authority of their state feed law. All of the states except Alaska have a commercial feed law. While each state (except for Alaska) has their own feed law and regulations, the labeling requirements of most states are similar and closely resemble AAFCO’s model regulations; however, some state laws can be very dated and others may be more up-to-date. For this reason, many companies find it easier to label their products according to the AAFCO models rather than try to comply with all of the different versions of the feed laws and regulations adopted by the states. If you follow the AAFCO Model Pet Food Regulations, you will probably meet all the states’ requirements”

  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    In my opinion, I would feed both the Shih-Poo and the Yorkie Innova over the Iams.  If the Innova doesn’t agree with them, there are plenty of 4-5 star, and even some 3 star, foods that should be healthy foods for them.

  • Prazhm4

    I have a 2mo old yorkie and I have started him on Innova, I have a shih-poo as well. Yorkie was eating shih-poo’s Iams and I was told not to buy Iams for him, start him on the Innova. My question is what food would be best for my yorkie?

    Thanks,
    Elizabeth

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jon-Moore/653053910 Jon Moore

     yes, Vitamins are too toxic to to create which means its too expensive to make in the US. There are some manufacturers in Europe, but they are too expensive to put in dog food unless its Ziwi Peak (but a 10# bag of Ziwi retails for $125.00)

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com/ Mike Sagman

    Hi Massweet,

    The answer to your question may be found in my article, “Still Think Your Dog’s Food Is 100% China Free?“.

    Hope this helps.

  • Massweet

    What about the vitamins. Are they imported from China as I have been told?