Practical information about commercial pet foods and what goes into them.
Understanding Pet Food
Pet food labels contain a lot of information including details that are required by federal and state regulations as well as information specific to the product, e.g., claims. Although the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has no regulatory authority, it is made up of representatives from governmental agencies in the US, Canada, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico that do regulate pet food and other animal feed. AAFCO provides guidance to the agencies with its Model Pet Food Regulations, which many states have incorporated into their own state regulations. According to the AAFCO Model Pet Food Regulations, pet food labels should contain the information below.
Note: The location of the information on pack can vary.
Further Information on Terminology:
Feeding guidelines are designed to help owners determine the quantity of food to feed their pets to ensure an optimal body condition, but owners may be unsure how to use them.