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
