How to Read a Pet Food Label: AAFCO Statement, Ingredients and Marketing Terms

The most important line on a US pet food label is the nutritional adequacy statement, often called the AAFCO statement. It tells you whether the food is “complete and balanced” and for which life stage. After that, the calorie statement, guaranteed analysis and ingredient list help you compare products. Many front-of-bag words, such as “premium” or “holistic,” have no official definition.

In the US, pet food is regulated by the FDA and by state feed officials, most of whom follow model rules from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). AAFCO itself does not approve or test individual foods.

What must be on the label

Under AAFCO model regulations, a dog or cat food label generally includes:

• the product and brand name;
• the species (dog or cat), stated in words on the front;
• the net quantity;
• a guaranteed analysis;
• an ingredient list;
• a nutritional adequacy statement (not required on products labeled as snacks or treats);
• feeding directions for complete and balanced foods;
• the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor.

1. The nutritional adequacy statement

This is usually small print on the back or side. According to the FDA, “complete and balanced” means the food is intended to be fed as the pet’s sole diet. There are two main ways a company can back that claim:

The statement also names a life stage: growth (puppies and kittens), gestation/lactation, adult maintenance, or all life stages. A food for “all life stages” must meet the requirements for growth, so it can be richer than an adult dog or cat needs. For large-breed puppies, look for wording that includes growth of large-size dogs.

2. The calorie statement

Labels show calories as kcal per kilogram and per familiar unit, such as per cup or per can. This is the easiest way to compare portion sizes between foods and to work out how much to feed your dog.

Under AAFCO rules, “lite” or “low calorie” claims must meet a maximum calorie level for that type of food, and “reduced calorie” claims must name the comparison product and the percentage reduction.

3. The guaranteed analysis

At minimum, the guaranteed analysis lists crude protein (minimum), crude fat (minimum), crude fiber (maximum) and moisture (maximum). “Crude” refers to the lab method, not quality. These numbers are on an as-fed basis, which includes water.

That matters when you compare wet and dry food. A canned food with 8% protein and 78% moisture actually has more protein per dry matter than a kibble with 26% protein and 10% moisture. To compare fairly, convert to a dry matter basis:

1. Subtract the moisture percentage from 100 to get the dry matter percentage.
2. Divide the nutrient percentage by the dry matter percentage.
3. Multiply by 100.

Example: 8% protein ÷ 22% dry matter × 100 ≈ 36% protein on a dry matter basis, versus 26 ÷ 90 × 100 ≈ 29% for the kibble.

Any extra guarantees, such as for added substances that AAFCO does not recognize as essential nutrients, must carry a disclaimer saying so.

4. The ingredient list

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, including their water content. That is why fresh meat, which is mostly water, often appears first even if it makes up less of the finished food on a dry basis. The list does not show amounts, and it says little about ingredient quality or digestibility. Ingredients must use their AAFCO-defined or common names.

5. Product name rules

The wording of the product name tells you roughly how much of the named ingredient is inside, under AAFCO’s naming rules:

Marketing terms decoded

• Natural: AAFCO has a definition based on ingredients not being chemically synthesized, although added synthetic vitamins and minerals are allowed if disclosed (for example “natural with added vitamins and minerals”). It says nothing about overall quality.
• Organic: In the US, organic claims fall under the USDA National Organic Program rules.
• Human grade: A strict claim that requires every ingredient and the finished product to be handled under human food standards. It is not the same as “made with human-grade ingredients.”
• Premium, gourmet, holistic, ancestral: No official definitions. Treat them as marketing.
• Grain-free: Simply means no grains. It is not automatically healthier; see our guide on grain-free dog food and DCM.

Changes coming to labels

AAFCO members approved updated model pet food label rules in 2023, including a “Pet Nutrition Facts” box similar to human food labels. Each state adopts the rules on its own timeline, and AAFCO recommended a transition period of several years, so you will see both old-style and new-style labels in stores for a while.

Bottom line

Check the nutritional adequacy statement first: it should say complete and balanced for your pet’s life stage. Then use the calorie statement for portions and the dry-matter math for comparisons. Front-of-bag claims are mostly marketing. Your veterinarian can help you choose a food if your pet has health issues.

FAQ

Is a feeding-trial food better than a formulated one?

Feeding trials show that real animals did well on the food over the test period, which some veterinarians prefer. Both are legitimate ways to support a complete and balanced claim.

Does “by-product” mean low quality?

Not necessarily. By-products include organ meats, which are nutritious. The label does not tell you quality either way.

Why is there no AAFCO statement on treats?

Products labeled as snacks or treats do not need one. They are not meant to be a complete diet.

Can I compare wet and dry food protein directly?

No. Convert both to a dry matter basis first, as shown above.