Most consumables markets in North America are governed by inspection agencies and regulating bodies that are upheld to keep consumers safe. Within the Canadian food chain, for example, we have the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which tests and regulates food products intended for human consumption.
When it comes to the pet food industry, however, regulations are much more relaxed. In fact, there are very few requirements for standards and testing in today’s commercial pet foods. Unfortunately, this lack of regulation is highly exploited by the biggest pet food brands, who often use the lowest quality ingredients possible.
In the pet industry, which is essentially a self-regulated entity, this leaves it up to individual manufacturers to test and regulate their products for safety.
Currently, the best standards in North America for pet foods are guidelines set by AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Officials. The primary purpose of this organization is to regulate the sale of commercial livestock feed and drugs in the USA, but they have also created manufacturing guidelines for pet food companies.
The function of AAFCO’s guidelines are to ensure pet foods meet at least the minimum nutritional requirements for what is considered to be a complete and balanced diet for pets. While these guidelines help set a nutritional framework for all manufacturers to follow, it does not mean every product that meets these standards are healthy and wholesome options for pets.
What are the AAFCO standards?
All animals, including cats and dogs, require a certain amount of nutrients in order to survive.
AAFCO’s pet food standards are based on years of scientific research into animal health. A subcommittee of AAFCO called CNES, or the Canine Nutrition Expert Subcommittee, works to exclusively regulate dog and cat foods.
In 2007, this subcommittee established modernized guidelines for canine and feline diets. These standards govern minimum nutritional requirements; everything from vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, enzymes, probiotics, and more.
How are the AAFCO standards determined?
These standards have been established and updated over the course of the last century. AAFCO was established in 1909, and their pet food division was established until 1917. Standards are based on the best available research for pet health and nutrition. They take into account quality and sourcing of specific minerals and vitamins. These standards are based on average required nutrient density per calorie of pet food. They’re based on dry matter, meaning pet foods are measured for caloric density after moisture has been removed through processing.
How do I know if my pet’s food meets AAFCO standards?
It is easy to tell if your pet’s food meets AAFCO standards. If they do, there will be information on the label stating as such. Again, it is important to understand that, while these standards set out the nutrient profiles required for cats and dogs daily diets, they do not address the quality of ingredients or the quality of the overall food itself.
Most commercial pet foods are highly manufactured products. Because of the degree to which they’re processed, require synthetic supplements to meet AAFCO’s nutrient requirements.
AAFCO’s guidelines are looking for certain measurables, however overall quality is unfortunately not one of them. Because if it were, many of today’s most popular pet food brands would be pulled from the store shelves immediately.
How can I determine if my pet’s food is healthy?
Thankfully, the super-premium pet food market in Canada has grown exponentially over the last decade. Now, it’s now easier than ever to find high quality, Canadian-made pet foods at affordable prices.
To separate the best pet foods from the rest, begin by researching the pet food brands you are interested in. This will help to develop a better understanding of their sourcing and manufacturing processes. Key things to look for are ingredient quality, sourcing, and sustainability, manufacturing transparency, recall history, innovation, and more.
In a loosely-regulated industry that is absolutely brimming with options, finding the right pet food can be an overwhelming task. Contact us to get on the right track.
There are so many “AAFCO” brands and vet recommendations that are horrible for dogs. We have been trying to find a puppy food for our female frenchie, and it’s nearly impossible to find a brand that hasn’t had recalls or lists questionable or flat out-bad ingredients.
We have been feeding Ziwi for most of her life so far, and have also tried Orijen. We were looking at trying Acana, or another brand all together. I’ve just found out about the Acana and Orijen lawsuit regarding DCM, and it’s very stressful, especially with our frenchie showing signs of an allergy that we can’t figure out.
Hello, Shelby. Thank you for posting.
I applaud you for taking an invested interest in your dog’s health. In a loosely regulated industry, pet owners need to do their due diligence to find products that are conducive with their values.
With that said, I have the utmost confidence in Acana and Orijen. Please have a look at my article Everything You Need To Know About Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Hopefully this will give you a better perspective of the FDA’s investigation into DCM in dogs. Champion Pet Foods (manufacturer of Acana and Orijen) have tons of resources dedicated to DCM in dogs.
To get a better understanding of my highest-rated Canadian-made dog foods, please check out my Top 22 Canadian Dog Foods 2022 Rankings. These are the top 1% of Canadian-made dog foods.
Of course, if you have any questions, I am happy to help. Thanks, Shelby!
Why does every vet I ask, they always recommend Purina or Science Diet? I even had people recommend me Purina Chow, Beneful, Purina One, etc. In Reddit, r/dogs these foods are also the only foods accepted by the mods. I personally see that those foods aren’t good, but I’m not a professional to argue with a vet. So why are even vet professionals recommending these food? I feed my dog Nutrience Subzero Prarie Red and add ZIWI lamb & beef tripe. What are your opinions on these foods?
Hello, Michelle. Thank you for your post.
Asking for advice on pet nutrition can be overwhelming at times, as everyone has their own opinions on the matter. While I cannot say why the brands you mention are so heavily recommended, they are not among my approved brands. Nutrience Subzero, on the other hand, is a considerably higher quality line compared to the other brands mentioned in your post, however Nutrience is made by Hagen, a company traditionally not known for their focus on quality, until recently. Ziwi Peak is among the highest quality pet foods on the market today.
To answer your question as to why veterinarians are apt to recommend certain brands, please read my article The Truth About Prescription Pet Foods. Hopefully this article will help you develop a better understanding on the matter.
To learn more about my highest rated dog foods, please check out my Top 21 Canadian Dog Foods 2021 rankings.
I hope this is helpful, Michelle. I am at your service if you have any further questions.
Why do I hear such awful things about Acana dog food ????
Hello, Sarah. Thanks for your post.
What awful things are you hearing about Acana? Acana is one of the highest quality brands on today’s global pet marketplace. Acana’s manufacturer, Champion Pet Foods is among the most well-respected manufactures in the industry. Their award-winning facility, called NorthStar Kitchen, sets the standard for pet food manufacturing.
Last year, Champion Pet Foods was named one of Canada’s best managed companies for 2020, among numerous other awards.
If you are referring to Acana’s role in the FDA’s investigation into canine heart disease, please read Champion’s article Making Sense of Dilated Cardiomyopathy. You may also find my article Everything You Need to Know about DCM to provide a balanced perspective of the current ongoing investigation.
I hope you find this information helpful. I am always available if you have any further questions.
Thanks again, Sarah!