This seems like a silly question but let s look a little closer.
Aafco approved raw cat food.
But the guaranteed analysis on a pet food label expresses nutrient levels on an.
Complete meaning that it contains all the necessary nutrients for a dog or cat and balanced.
The second requires at least one product from the family of foods offered to be tested for at least six.
Currently aafco s requirement for zinc for example is based on the low bioavailability of zinc in kibble.
Most dogs thrive and are much healthier on raw diets and fresh whole foods.
Phytates in kibble bind with zinc making zinc unavailable to the dog.
Most veterinarians also have complete trust.
If your pet s food does not meet aafco nutrient profiles ask the manufacturer why.
But when it comes to premade raw dog food few claim to meet aafco standards for complete and balanced if you re worried about feeding an unbalanced diet that might stop you from switching your dog to raw food.
Another important function of feed.
A major function of feed regulations is to safeguard the health of man and animals.
Currently there are three statements pet foods can have on their label that s aafco approved.
Aafco has methods in place for determining if cat food is approved for consumption based upon its standards.
You probably don t want to catch mice for your cat though some people do or buy frozen mice but cat food that is less.
When you look at a bag of industrial pet food food aafco confirms that it will be 100 complete and balanced according to them if it meets their standards.
Presently only eight dogs are required to be in.
In many cases.
So do aafco standards apply to raw or to any pet food for that matter.
Vets completely trust aafco.
The key for pet food consumers to know the difference is to talk with the manufacturer.
Animal feeding tests using aafco procedures substantiate this product provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages of dogs and cats this means the company chose to conduct feeding trials on their food.
While aafco doesn t help consumers directly aafco has clearly stated in its philosophy regarding feed regulations in the official publication that the most important aspect of feed regulation is to provide protection for the consumer as well as the regulated industry.
Aafco cat food nutrient profiles as the terms are applied in aafco model pet food regulations referring to nutritional adequacy.
Finally most cat lovers today feel that the healthiest diets for cats are those that come close to imitating a cat s natural diet.
Under these model regulations dog and cat foods substantiated for nutritional adequacy by reference to the aafco dog and cat food nutrient profiles for a designated life stage s must be formulated to contain at least the minimum concentrations of nutrients.
Because there are no regulations specific to food grade ingredients or whole food nutrition for cats and dogs undoubtedly some of these pet foods could be lacking in some nutrients needed by our pets.
The aafco dog and cat food nutrient profiles express nutrient levels on a dry matter or moisture free basis.