Availability of complete nutrient profile (“typical analysis”) for products. During the test, none of the animals used are to die or be removed because of nutritional causes. Can't Breathe: First Aid. The pet food label is really a legal document, and is not designed to convey significant nutritional information. Clinical Signs of Oral or Dental Disease in Pets, Dental Care and What to Expect if your Pet Needs it, Effects Spay and Neuter Timing on Cancer in Dogs, Fainting and Dizziness (Syncope): First Aid, Flash Glucose Monitoring in Cats and Dogs, Flea and Tick Control Products for Dogs and Cats, Home Cooked or Raw Diets for Dogs and Cats Are Not Necessarily Balanced, Impalement and Penetrating Injuries: First Aid, Intervention for Choking in an Unconscious Dog, Jerky Dog Treats from China may be Associated with Kidney Issues, Lymphoma Treatment Includes Nutritional Therapy for Dogs and Cats, Normal Joints Look Like this in Dogs and Cats, Nutrition and Exercise for Growing Puppies, Pain Drugs for Dogs and Being an Informed Owner, Physical Exam Checklist for Pets: First Aid, Physical Rehabilitation of Dogs following TPLO, Preventing a Health and Safety Crisis: First Aid, Retained Baby Teeth in Dogs and Cats Need Surgical Extraction, Ruptured Cranial Cruciate Ligaments in Dogs, Snake Bite Prevention and Treatment for Dogs, Subcutaneous Fluids Can Be Given at Home for Dogs and Cats, Taenia Species Tapeworms in Dogs and Cats, Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) in Dogs and Cats, Ticks Are Arthropod Parasites for Mammals, Toothbrushing and Dental Prophylaxis in Cats and Dogs, Topical Therapy for Skin Conditions in Dogs and Cats, Total Ear Canal Ablation and Ventral Bulla Osteotomy (TECA) for End-Stage Ears in Dogs and Cats, TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) in Dogs, Vaccine Information for Dogs, Cats, Puppies and Kittens, Expandable Foaming Glues like Gorilla Glue Cause Obstructions in Pets, Rat Poison (Bromethalin-Based) in Dogs and Cats, Toxic Disinfectants: What to Use and What Not to Use Around Your Pets, Applying Eye Drops with Low Stress Handling. The generally recognized as safe (GRAS) approval process for animal feed and pet food ingredients was a major discussion topic at the annual meeting of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO… Larger companies that have the resources to test both their incoming food items and their outgoing products are more desirable because they know the products being put into their foods are good because they have tested them. Many smaller companies cannot do these tests, usually due to financial constraints. Because of that they tend to have more recalls than the larger companies who usually catch contaminants and batches that have imbalances prior to even being shipped out to the consumer. Go to the official FDA pet food website to see for your self:http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/AnimalFoodFeeds/PetFood/default.htm. Complete veterinary examinations are mandated at initiation and completion of the test. Pet food marketing can get confusing. Our members are charged by their local, state or federal laws to … Example of a AAFCO statement from a food that has done feeding trials, Example of a AAFCO statement from a food that has just been formulated to meet AAFCO. Dog is Having Accidents in the House, But Why? Must be listed in descending order of weight; ingredients must be as defined in AAFCO book; not possible to tell relative contributions of ingredients to any particular nutrients (the ingredient list is not a recipe). Theoretically, the flip side is that diets that fail feeding trials but contain nutrient levels within the specified minimum and maximum concentrations per AAFCO Food Nutrient Profiles can be marketed with a “formulated to meet” adequacy statement. 6 of the 8 animals starting must finish the test. Unfortunately, you can't. AAFCO is the go-to organization for understanding animal feed, including food for pets. [Diet X] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO [Dog /Cat] Food Nutrient Profiles for [gestation/lactation / growth / maintenance / All Life Stages]. Must be given for each life stage if diet is formulated for more than one. The labeling does not provide detailed nutritional information and it’s easily misunderstood by consumers. Nutrient Needs. The animals finishing the test must not lose more than 15 percent of their body weight. Most pet foods in the marketplace make the claim that they are complete and balanced. ), cost, availability, and your subjective clinical impressions of how your pets are doing on various diets. Feeding Tubes for Dogs and Cats… Not detailed, target animal weights can be given as wide ranges, and no requirement for specific equation to use to determine energy needs of target animals. It’s your responsibility to learn how to read cat food labels and compare cat foods … There are four protocols: maintenance, growth, gestation/lactation, and all life stages. 1. If this method was used, the label will read “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO … The information contained here is for general purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. The nutrient content can be determined either from testing a sample of the finished diet or by using the nutrient content of the individual ingredients in the food to calculate the diet composition. AAFCO feeding trials … As much as some sources (such as internet ranking lists) would like it to be possible, you cannot evaluate 'quality' from the label, especially from ingredient lists. Feeding trials typically include 8 dogs, each at the same stage of life for which the claim of nutritional adequacy is made: gestation, lactation, growth or maintenance. Minimum crude protein and crude fat and maximum moisture and crude fiber (as fed basis) are required; other nutrients are optional. The content of this site is owned by Veterinary Information Network (VIN®), and its reproduction and distribution may only be done with VIN®'s express permission. Puppies are fed the same dog food (exclusively) for 10 weeks. On the other hand, the FDA enforces food safety through the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, which demands that pet foods, like human foods, be “pure and wholesome, safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.” Therefore, pet food manufacturers are legally responsible for providing nutritionally adequate, safe and wholesome products that conform to local, state, and federal law. During the trial, the only food available to the test animals is the food … Also, consider that diets for growth, gestation/lactation, or all life stages get tested more rigorously compared to maintenance since the nutritional demands of those animals are greater. Some exceptions are treats, toppers and therapeutic foods, which carry a claim that states they are for intermittent or supplemental feeding. State feed control officials can choose to adopt these model feed laws and individual states can enforce them. The AAFCO system is feed, not food. ), Hydrocodone Bitartrate (Hycodan, Tussigon, Mycodone), Ivermectin (Ivomec, Heartgard 30, Acarexx, Iverheart Plus), Levetiracetam (Keppra, Keppra XR, Kepcet, Kerron, Kevtan, Levitaccord, Levitam), Meclizine Hydrochloride (Bonine, Antivert, Dramamine, UniVert, Vertin-21), Medications for Degenerative Arthritis in Dogs and Cats, Omeprazole Drugs for Stomach Ulcers in Horses: Some Don't Have Enough Omeprazole, Quest (Moxidectin) as a Dewormer in Horses, S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe, Denosyl, Novifit, Vetri-SAMe, Zentonil, Denamarin), Selegiline (L-Deprenyl) Hydrochloride (Anipryl, Eldepryl, Carbex), Teixobactin Antibiotic Helps with Resistant Organisms, Tetanus Antitoxin Compared to Tetanus Toxoid Use in Horses, Tetracycline (Panmycin, Tetracap, Tetracyn, Sumycin, Tetralan), Trimethoprim-Sulfa (Bactrim, Tribrissen, Septra, Sulfatrim, Cotrim), Vaccine Effectiveness can be Reduced by NSAIDs in Horses, Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid - Drug Information Sheet, Chlorpheniramine - Drug Information Sheet, Sulfadimethoxine - Drug Information Sheet, Trimethoprim Sulfa - Drug Information Sheet, Controlled Scientific Studies versus Scientific Research, Differences between Medical Devices and Drugs, Ebola Virus Outbreaks and Veterinary Considerations, Financial Assistance for Veterinary Bills, Imaging Tests (Radiology Options) for Pets, Internet Research: Gathering Information Efficiently and Wisely, Monkeypox in Humans: A Fact Sheet from the CDC, Monkeypox Infections in Animals: Guidelines from the CDC, Plague and How Avoid It in You or your Companion Animals, Postmortems in Pets are a Delicate Subject, SI and U.S. Standard Measurements: Conversion Confusion for Pet Owners, Veterinary Certifications: The Alphabet Soup of Specialists, Veterinary Clinical Trials and Research Projects, Veterinary Technicians Influence a Clinic's Success, Celebrating Winter Holidays Safely with Pets, Anne E. Katherman, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), Bob Judd, DVM, DABVP (Equine Medicine), DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice), Carlye Rose, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline), DABVP (Feline), CVA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Charlotte Means, DVM, DABVT (Pharmacology/Toxicology), DABT (Pharmacology/Toxicology), Christine Calder, DVM, DACVB (veterinary behaviorist, Dennis T. (Tim) Crowe, Jr., DVM, Diplomate ACVS Emeritus, Charter Diplomate ACVECC, FCCM, Jo-Anne Brenner, EMT-Tactical, NREMT-I, K9™ Medic Executive Director and Founder, Kersti Seksel, BVSc, MA, DACVB, FANZCVS, ECAWBM, Major(P) Desireé R. Broach, DVM, MS, DACVB, Paul J. Mellor, BVMS, ECVIM-CA (Internal Medicine), Phyllis DeGioia, Veterinary Partner Editor, Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant, DVM, PhD, DABT, DABVT, Sherrie Yuschak, RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA-CTP, Thomas M. Donnelly, DVM, DACLAM, DABVP, DECAM, Mark Rishniw, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM (SA-IM), DACVIM (CA). Feeding Trials. Meet one of the Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO); or; Pass a feeding trial using AAFCO procedures. If the manufacturer has followed AAFCO recommendations, they can say so on their product packaging. Dr. Cailin Heinze, also a board certified nutritionist, additionally prefers companies that perform testing above and beyond AAFCO trials, especially with veterinary therapeutic diets. Example of a AAFCO statement from a food that has done feeding trials . [Diet X] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [gestation/lactation / growth / maintenance / All Life Stages ] and is comparable in nutritional adequacy to a product which has been substantiated using AAFCO feeding tests. One example is veterinary therapeutic diets formulated for chronic kidney disease, which are intentionally formulated to contain phosphorus (+/- protein) at concentrations below the AAFCO Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance; many of these have passed maintenance feeding trials and thus have a “feeding trial” nutritional adequacy statement on the bag. For adult maintenance canine and feline diets, the feeding trial guidelines are: For growth canine and feline diets, the feeding trial guidelines are: For reproduction canine and feline diets, the feeding trial guidelines are: Do AAFCO feeding trials accomplish what they claim to accomplish? Example of a AAFCO statement from a food that has just been formulated to meet AAFCO. True or False? A pet food that costs more is better than a cheaper food. Answer: False, in many cases. There are some pet foods that are inexpensive but still good quality and are wholesome. Some of the most expensive foods are NOT necessarily the best foods. AAFCO requires nine components to be printed on a pet food label: What are the different AAFCO nutritional adequacy designations for pet foods? Therefore, these specialists are often a reliable resource for determining which diets are causing disease problems. Calculation basically means somebody with a nutrient database crunches the numbers for the various ingredients and then compares it with the AAFCO … At start all animals must be normal weight & health, and weight is monitored weekly. Who formulates the diets and what are the credentials of this individual, Location of food production and manufacturing. Employment of a full-time qualified nutritionist (PhD in animal nutrition or board-certified by the American or European specialty veterinary colleges). The food has been tested using AAFCO Feeding Trial Protocols under strict guidelines. Furthermore, manufacturers are free to supplement the minimum protocol requirements with additional measures of nutritional adequacy. For 10 weeks, the animal used must only eat the food being tested. You need to consider the manufacturer (reputation, experience, investment in AAFCO trials and research, etc. AAFCO approved cat food doesn’t exist. Product Y is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO for cat food nutrient profiles for all life stages, 2. Feeding trials use both a laboratory analysis of the food as well as conducting actual feeding trials. AAFCO feeding trials for cat food are not that impressive. AAFCO … Dogs and cats are not miniature humans. They both have their unique nutritional requirements that can be very different from humans. Any pet owner knows that while chocolate is a nice treat for humans, it is very toxic to cats and dogs! Because of this, pet food companies that employ a veterinary nutritionist to help formulate their pet foods are considered superior to companies that do not employ board certified veterinary nutritionist. You can call a pet food company to ask if they employ a nutritionist and whether or not that person is also a vet. Take a look at your dog's food. The AAFCO and FDA regulate the product label. Most of us have learned to check the ingredients list on cat food, but there’s another set of information that merits your attention: the guaranteed analysis. Here is a list of helpful websites to answer any further questions you may have about pet foods, AAFCO website- good for regulations, labels and facts:http://petfood.aafco.org/, FAQs about pet foods:www.tufts.edu/vet/nutrition/faq/general_pet_nutrition.html, Pet Food Institute:http://www.petfoodinstitute.org/Index.cfm?Page=Consumers, Webster Lake Veterinary Hospital The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a voluntary membership association of local, state and federal agencies. The composition of the food meets or exceeds the AAFCO … A blood test is to be taken from each animal at the start and finish of the test (hemoglobin, packed cell volume, alkaline phosphatase, albumin). However, the more you know about what pet food labels indicate – and don’t – the better off your pet will be. Testing Procedures for AAFCO Approval . “Complete & Balanced” products are those that meet all of the daily … Foods can be put through AAFCO feeding trials even if they do not qualify for a “formulated to meet AAFCO” feeding statement due to deficient or excessive levels of nutrients. AAFCO does not necessarily ensure food adequacy and safety, but relies on current scientific knowledge to provide guidelines for pet food composition which, if followed, minimize the risk of malnutrition. AAFCO, and may be ordered by visiting www.aafco.org. Why Would a Puppy Need to See a Veterinary Behaviorist? Finally, she looks for companies willing to share full nutritional profiles (e.g. Availability of any product research (published in peer reviewed journals or elsewhere). Board certified veterinary nutritionists in clinical practice are alerted to dietary issues with specific diets because of extensive interaction with clients, practitioners, and each other. 3. In addition to establishing pet food labeling regulations and ingredient definitions, AAFCO formulates protocols for feeding trials. Evaluation of diets under AAFCO guidelines also includes examination of the nutrient content of the diet being tested. Per FDA Compliance Policies and AAFCO established model bills, feed is allowed to contain euthanized animals or pesticide contaminated ingredients – food … Only 6 of these 8 need to complete the trial, which lasts for just 26 weeks. Juvenile animals should be obtained from at least 3 dams. AAFCO Feeding statement: Foods that have undergone feeding trials are considered by nutritionists to be superior to foods that are only formulated to meet the standards put in place by the American Association of Feed Control Officials. This is because foods that are being tested in a test tube sometimes act differently in the actual pet’s body, so it is always a good idea to feed a food to the target animal first to ensure it is balanced and wholesome. ... Canned Food Transition for Cats Addicted to Dry Food. Final thoughts on AAFCO and cat food. There is no requirement for either in vivo or laboratory testing of pet food products if the formulation method of substantiating nutritional adequacy is used. At the start all animals must be a normal weight and health, and weight is monitored weekly. If formulation method is used, are the foods analyzed to determine nutrient profile? That is true. Look for this statement on the packaging, usually near the ingredient list: “…formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food … With a successful feeding trial… Cushing’s Disease in Dogs (Hyperadrenocorticism): What Is It? This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only. The thing is, nothing ever hasto be tested on animals. Activity, lifestyle or special needs. Clean Houses are Possible, Even With Pets! Copyright 1991 – 2021, Veterinary Information Network®, Inc. Furthermore, Dr. Heinze looks for company longevity as a sign of a successful track record, and is critical of “guerrilla marketing” in pet supply stores (aggressive, emotion-based strategies directly to consumers). AAFCO guidelines as a whole help define which pet foods are “complete & balanced” versus “intended for supplemental feeding only”. For 6 months, the animal must only eat the food being tested. Data are compared to a concurrent control group or to historical colony averages. Additionally, all Formulas have been validated with feed trials. Neither of these organizations certifies, tests, endorses, or approves cat food. There are two different profiles for cat food nutrition. 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AAFCO states that a minimum of eight healthy dogs are required for one trial and that the trial must last a minimum of 26 weeks where only one formulation of food … Understanding this information, which is based on the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO… If they have not undergone feeding trials, they must carry the statement: “This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.” Such diets are not allowed to reference the AAFCO Food Nutrient Profiles on the label. The FDA and AAFCO (Association of American Feed Officials) are often on the side of the pet food experts but when cat lovers/consumers make their feelings clear enough, pet food companies make changes. Look on your pet food label (near Guaranteed Analysis) to see the statement ‘Meets the nutritional requirements of cats/dogs as established in AAFCO Feeding Trials or Feeding Tests or Feeding Protocols‘. House Soiling Causes and Solutions in Dogs, Importance of Socializing Puppies and Kittens, Preparing for Mat Training: Setting the Mood, PTSD Can Occur in Companion Animals after Disasters, Separation Anxiety: The Fear of Being Alone. Feeding Cats . It does not regulate or inspect anything, nor is it a government agency. if the life stage is growth or all life stages, the claim must also include one of the following depending on calcium content of the product (maximums vary): “including growth of large size dogs (70 lb or more as an adult)”, “except for growth of large size dogs (70 lb or more as an adult)”, Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [Diet X] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [gestation/lactation / growth / maintenance / All Life Stages]. It is a group whose members are government agencies representing the 50 states, Canada, and the federal government. … Try as you might, sometimes reading the label doesn’t give you enough answers. If you are interested in feeding your cat a raw food … These must be printed verbatim as one of the following: The guidelines for an AAFCO feeding trial vary depending on the diet type being evaluated. Understanding what’s best for your pet isn’t always easy. There are several different trials that can be done depending on the claim you wished to make on the product label. AAFCO does not approve or certify any pet food, treat, or supplement products. Even veterinarians can’t. By Dave Fairfield, Senior Vice President of Feed Services. Pet foods can claim that they are formulated to meet AAFCO standards for pet nutrition through four ways: by calculation, by chemical analysis, by feeding trials, and by equivalence. Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: What Can be Done? AAFCO Pet Food Labeling . Here are some things to look for and ask about a pet food when considering different brands to purchase for your pet. Note that ingredients as defined in AAFCO are not often similar to those typically used/defined for human foods; for example, “chicken” must include both flesh and skin and can include bone. The FDA, not AAFCO, regulates pet food, and FDA is a member of AAFCO. Not the quality of the food. AAFCO-Compliant Feeding Trial: In addition to the laboratory analysis, this method includes feeding trials with real dogs to demonstrate the food’s nutritional values. Offspring are examined within 72 hours of birth and at the end of the test. 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At your own risk examined within 72 aafco feeding trials cat food list of birth and at start. Representing the 50 states, Canada, and may be ordered by visiting www.aafco.org is strictly at your risk... Customers want and AAFCO provides model feed laws Fairfield, Senior Vice President of feed Services for your.... To make on the claim that states they are for intermittent or supplemental feeding only food labeling regulations ingredient... Designations for pet foods in the industry with feed trials pet food label is really a legal,! Start all animals must be normal weight & health, and may be ordered by visiting www.aafco.org cats the!: what is appropriate for aafco feeding trials cat food list specific species, and the federal government by VIN® the... Understanding animal feed specialists indicate to them what is it a government agency of American Control. Dogs or cats following the protocols set by the American or European specialty veterinary colleges ) Fairfield... Cats: what are the credentials of this individual, Location of food production and manufacturing or by! Under strict guidelines individual, Location of food production and manufacturing nutrient profile “... ( measured or calculated ) here are some things to look for and ask about a food...
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