WSAVA-Compliant Dog Food
World Small Animal Veterinary Association Guidelines
WSAVA guidelines help identify dog food brands that meet rigorous quality and safety standards. These brands employ veterinary nutritionists, conduct feeding trials, and maintain strict quality control.
WSAVA Selection Criteria
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends asking pet food manufacturers these key questions. Brands meeting WSAVA guidelines can answer "yes" to all:
Veterinary Nutritionist
Employs a full-time, board-certified veterinary nutritionist to formulate diets.
Feeding Trials
Conducts AAFCO feeding trials to validate nutritional adequacy in real dogs.
Quality Control
Owns or closely manages manufacturing facilities with rigorous QC protocols.
Published Research
Invests in nutritional research and publishes findings in peer-reviewed journals.
Important Consideration
WSAVA compliance indicates a brand meets certain quality standards, but it doesn't mean other brands are inferior. Many excellent dog foods come from smaller companies that may not have resources for feeding trials but still produce high-quality nutrition. Consider WSAVA guidelines as one factor among many when choosing food for your dog.
WSAVA-Compliant Brands
Hill's Science Diet
Royal Canin
Purina Pro Plan
Eukanuba
Iams
Iams
Iams Proactive Health Small Breed Adult with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
Feeding Trials vs Formulation
Feeding Trials (Preferred)
The food is fed to dogs for a minimum of 26 weeks. Blood tests and health monitoring confirm the diet supports real-world health.
AAFCO statement: "Animal feeding tests... substantiate that [product] provides complete and balanced nutrition"
Formulation Only
The food is calculated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles on paper. No feeding tests verify actual digestibility or bioavailability.
AAFCO statement: "[Product] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO..."
Frequently Asked Questions
What does WSAVA-compliant mean?
A WSAVA-compliant brand can satisfactorily answer the WSAVA's recommended questions about their nutritional expertise, quality control, and research investment. It's not an official certification but a set of guidelines veterinarians use to evaluate pet food manufacturers.
Why do vets recommend these brands?
Veterinarians often recommend WSAVA-compliant brands because they have transparency about their manufacturing processes, employ veterinary nutritionists, and validate their formulas through feeding trials rather than just calculations.
Are boutique brands less safe?
Not necessarily. Many boutique brands produce excellent food. However, they may lack resources for feeding trials or in-house nutritionists. If considering a smaller brand, look for third-party testing and transparent ingredient sourcing.
How do I verify a brand meets WSAVA guidelines?
Contact the manufacturer and ask the WSAVA's recommended questions. Reputable companies will provide detailed answers about their nutritional staff, feeding trials, quality control, and research programs.