AAFCO Statement Checker
Look up the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for any dog food in our database. Learn whether a food was validated through feeding trials or formulation alone.
Understanding AAFCO Statements
Every complete and balanced dog food must include an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. This statement tells you how the food was validated and what life stages it's appropriate for.
Feeding Trial Statement
The food was fed to dogs for a minimum of 26 weeks. Blood tests and health monitoring confirmed the diet supports real health outcomes.
Formulation Statement
The food was calculated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles on paper. No feeding tests verify actual digestibility or bioavailability in dogs.
AAFCO Life Stages
Growth
For puppies and pregnant/lactating dogs. Higher protein, calcium, and phosphorus requirements.
Adult Maintenance
For healthy adult dogs. Meets basic nutritional requirements for maintenance.
All Life Stages
Meets requirements for both growth and adult maintenance. Safe for dogs of any age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are feeding trials better than formulation?
Feeding trials provide more real-world validation, but they're expensive and time-consuming. Many high-quality foods use formulation only. The method alone doesn't determine food quality—look at the overall brand reputation, ingredients, and your dog's response.
What if a food doesn't have an AAFCO statement?
Foods labeled as "treats," "snacks," or "supplemental feeding only" aren't required to have AAFCO statements. These shouldn't be fed as a complete diet. All complete dog foods sold in the US must have an AAFCO statement.
Can I feed adult food to my puppy?
Only if it's labeled for "All Life Stages." Adult maintenance food may not have enough protein, calcium, and calories for growing puppies. Large breed puppies especially need controlled calcium levels to prevent developmental issues.
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