A commercially prepared pet food that is labeled as complete and balanced—or “complete” as in many European countries—is designed to be fed as a pet’s only source of nutrition. A complete and balanced pet food, appropriate for your pet’s life stage, will meet the nutritional needs of your healthy dog or cat and promote long-term health. 

Defined by experts, based on nutritional science 

Pet foods are typically labeled to indicate whether they are a complete or complete and balanced diet that provides all required nutrients. For example, “complete and balanced” and “complete” are terms defined by experts for use on pet food labels in the United States and Europe, respectively. 

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recognizes three primary routes by which pet food can be labeled as complete and balanced. A dog or cat food must: 

• Meet the appropriate nutrient profile for a specific species and life stage (for example, a dog or cat food to be fed for gestation/lactation, growth, maintenance, or all life stages). 
• Or pass animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures  
• Or have a formula that is comparable to a food that has passed AAFCO feeding trials. 

A “complete” diet means that the product contains all the nutrients required by the pet, while “balanced” means the nutrients are present in the correct ratios. Diets labeled as “intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only” are fed under specific circumstances when recommended by a veterinarian. 

In Europe, foods may be labeled as “complete” pet food, meaning the food has met the standards established by the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) in FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. 

FEDIAF defines a complete pet food as a “pet food which, by reason of its composition, is sufficient for a daily ration.” If a pet food company labels a product as a complete pet food but does not specify a life stage, the food is assumed to be complete for all life stages and formulated to meet the minimum recommended nutrient levels for early growth and reproduction. 

Dogs and cats need nutrients, not ingredients 

Complete and balanced pet foods may be formulated from different ingredients. Yet the different combinations of ingredients provide all the essential nutrients and energy required to support pet health. 

Both AAFCO and FEDIAF provide comprehensive nutritional guidelines that detail the amounts of essential nutrients that need to be present until the end of shelf-life in commercial pet foods to ensure adequate and safe nutrition when consumed over time. The guidelines are developed and reviewed by independent experts such as veterinarians, animal nutritionists, and scientists. 

Talk with your veterinarian and veterinary health care team 

Choosing an appropriate pet food for your dog or cat can be overwhelming, stressful, or confusing, but it does not need to be that way. Your veterinarian can help guide the decision of what to feed your pet based on your pet’s needs and health. Be sure to discuss what you are feeding, including your pet’s main diet and any treats or extras, with your veterinarian or veterinary health care team and share any concerns you have about your pet’s nutrition.