Understanding AAFCO and WSAVA Guidelines

AAFCO and WSAVA are frequently mentioned when discussing dog food quality, but what do these organizations actually do? Understanding their roles helps you make sense of pet food labels, marketing claims, and nutritional adequacy.

What Is AAFCO?

The Organization

AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) is a nonprofit organization consisting of:

• State and federal feed regulators
• Veterinarians
• Scientists
• Industry representatives

What AAFCO Does

AAFCO's primary functions:

1. Develops nutrient profiles: Minimum and maximum nutrient levels for pet foods
2. Defines ingredients: Official definitions for what can be called "chicken," "chicken meal," etc.
3. Creates label regulations: Model regulations for how pet food labels should look
4. Establishes feeding trial protocols: Standardized methods for testing pet foods

What AAFCO Doesn't Do

Importantly, AAFCO has no regulatory authority. It doesn't:

• Approve, certify, or test pet foods
• Enforce regulations
• Inspect facilities
• Penalize non-compliance

AAFCO develops guidelines that states may adopt into their feed laws. Each state decides whether and how to implement AAFCO standards.

The FDA's Role

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has actual regulatory authority over pet food at the federal level, covering:

• Adulteration and contamination
• Truthful labeling
• Facility inspections
• Recalls

State departments of agriculture typically handle day-to-day enforcement using AAFCO-based standards.

AAFCO Nutrient Profiles

Life Stage Profiles

AAFCO has established nutrient profiles for dogs:

1. Growth (puppies)
2. Growth of Large Dogs (70+ lbs as adults)
3. Adult Maintenance
4. All Life Stages (meets growth requirements, suitable for all dogs)
5. Gestation/Lactation

Each profile specifies minimums (and some maximums) for:

• Protein
• Fat
• Vitamins (A, D, E, K, B vitamins)
• Minerals (calcium, phosphorus, etc.)
• Amino acids
• Fatty acids

Large Breed Puppy Distinction

The separate "Growth of Large Dogs" profile reflects special requirements:

• Lower maximum calcium
• Appropriate calcium:phosphorus ratio
• Recognition that large breed puppies have different needs

This is why large breed puppy foods exist as a distinct category.

The AAFCO Statement

What It Means

The AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement is the most important text on a pet food label. It tells you whether the food is complete and balanced.

Statement Types

Formulation Statement:

"[Product name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for [life stage]."

This means: Lab analysis confirms the food contains the required nutrients on paper.

Feeding Trial Statement:

"Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [Product name] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [life stage]."

This means: The food was actually fed to dogs for a specified period, and they maintained health.

Which Is Better?

Feeding trials are considered the "gold standard" because they verify real-world nutritional adequacy, not just paper formulation. However:

• Feeding trials are expensive and time-consuming
• The trial protocol only requires 8 dogs for 6 months
• Formulated foods can be perfectly adequate if done well

Both methods can produce quality foods. The statement's presence matters more than which type.

No AAFCO Statement?

If a product says "for intermittent or supplemental feeding only" or lacks an AAFCO statement entirely, it's not nutritionally complete. Don't feed it as a sole diet.

What Is WSAVA?

The Organization

WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) is a global association of veterinary organizations representing:

• Over 200,000 veterinarians worldwide
• 115 member associations
• A Global Nutrition Committee focused on pet nutrition

WSAVA's Approach to Nutrition

WSAVA's Global Nutrition Committee has developed:

• Nutritional assessment guidelines for veterinarians
• Criteria for selecting pet foods
• Educational tools for pet owners

Unlike AAFCO (which sets nutrient standards), WSAVA focuses on how pet food companies operate.

WSAVA Selection Criteria

What WSAVA Recommends Looking For

WSAVA suggests asking pet food companies these questions:

1. Do they employ a full-time qualified nutritionist?

   • Board-certified veterinary nutritionist (ACVN/ECVCN)
   • Or PhD in animal nutrition
   • Should be involved in formulation

2. Who formulates the diets?

   • Should be qualified professionals
   • Names should be publicly available

3. Where is the food manufactured?

   • Own facilities vs. contract manufacturing
   • Quality control measures

4. What quality control measures are in place?

   • Ingredient testing
   • Final product testing
   • HACCP protocols
   • Pathogen screening

5. Can they provide nutrient analysis?

   • Actual tested values, not just minimums
   • Calorie content

6. What research has the company conducted?

   • Published peer-reviewed studies
   • Feeding trials
   • Digestibility studies

Which Companies Meet WSAVA Criteria?

The following companies are commonly cited as meeting WSAVA guidelines:

• Hill's Pet Nutrition
• Royal Canin
• Purina Pro Plan (and other Purina lines)

These companies:

• Employ board-certified veterinary nutritionists
• Own manufacturing facilities
• Conduct extensive research
• Have long track records

This doesn't mean other foods are bad—many smaller companies produce excellent products. But these large companies demonstrably meet the WSAVA criteria.

The Controversy

WSAVA guidelines have critics who argue:

• They favor large corporations
• Smaller companies can make quality food without massive research budgets
• "Research" can include marketing studies
• Quality isn't defined solely by company structure

The counterargument:

• Nutritional adequacy is serious—proper expertise matters
• Research and quality control require investment
• Smaller companies can be excellent but should still have qualified formulation

The guidelines are best viewed as one useful evaluation tool, not the sole arbiter of quality.

Other Standards Organizations

NRC (National Research Council)

The NRC, part of the U.S. National Academies, publishes the foundational research that AAFCO uses to set its nutrient profiles. The NRC's Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats is the authoritative scientific reference.

FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation)

FEDIAF is Europe's equivalent to AAFCO, setting nutritional guidelines for EU pet foods. Standards are similar but not identical to AAFCO.

Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA)

Australia's voluntary pet food standards organization. Australia has historically had less regulation than the US or EU.

Using These Guidelines When Shopping

Reading Labels Effectively

1. Find the AAFCO statement: Confirms complete and balanced nutrition
2. Check the life stage: Matches your dog's needs (puppy, adult, all life stages)
3. Large breed puppy?: Look for specific large breed growth claim

Beyond the Label

AAFCO compliance is the minimum. Also consider:

• Company reputation and history
• Ingredient quality (beyond minimum requirements)
• Recall history
• Manufacturing transparency
• Price-to-quality ratio

Research Beyond Marketing

Marketing claims like "premium," "holistic," and "natural" aren't regulated by AAFCO. Focus on:

• The nutritional adequacy statement (is it complete and balanced?)
• The ingredient list (specific, named ingredients)
• The guaranteed analysis (nutrient percentages)
• The company behind the food

Common Misconceptions

"AAFCO Approved"

There's no such thing as AAFCO approval. AAFCO doesn't approve, test, or certify products. A food either meets AAFCO nutrient profiles or it doesn't.

"WSAVA Approved"

WSAVA doesn't approve foods either. They provide criteria for evaluation. No food carries "WSAVA approval."

"AAFCO Standards Are Minimums, So More Is Better"

Some nutrients have maximums, not just minimums. Excessive calcium, vitamin D, or vitamin A can be harmful. AAFCO profiles reflect both floors and ceilings where appropriate.

"Feeding Trials Prove Long-Term Safety"

AAFCO feeding trials require only 8 dogs for 26 weeks. They verify short-term nutritional adequacy, not lifetime health effects. They're useful but not comprehensive long-term studies.

The Bottom Line

Understanding AAFCO and WSAVA helps you evaluate pet food more effectively:

AAFCO:

• Sets nutrient standards for "complete and balanced" claims
• Provides official ingredient definitions
• The AAFCO statement on labels is essential—find it
• Formulation and feeding trial methods both produce adequate foods

WSAVA:

• Provides criteria for evaluating pet food companies
• Emphasizes qualified nutritionists and quality control
• Useful as one evaluation tool among several

Practical Application:

1. Confirm AAFCO nutritional adequacy for your dog's life stage
2. Consider company practices (nutritionist involvement, quality control)
3. Evaluate ingredient quality and sourcing
4. Monitor how your dog actually does on the food

Regulatory standards and organizational guidelines provide frameworks, but the ultimate test is your individual dog's health, energy, coat, stools, and overall wellbeing.