When it comes to choosing a dog food brand you can trust, most pet parents and vets are looking for more than just flashy marketing. They’re asking questions to determine what actually makes a brand trustworthy.

Two of the most frequently referenced organizations when evaluating dog food quality are the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). While neither certifies nor approves specific brands, both offer science-backed standards that help clarify what “good” really looks like, whether that’s in formulation, labeling, or nutritional adequacy.

This article breaks down how both frameworks work, how they differ, and, most importantly, how Freshpet’s team, philosophy, and practices measure up to what WSAVA and AAFCO set out as best-in-class.

In this article

• What's the difference between WSAVA and AAFCO?
• What are the WSAVA dog food guidelines?
• Can dog food be ‘WSAVA approved’?
• What are AAFCO dog food standards?
• What are the AAFCO dog nutrient profiles?
• How does dog food meet AAFCO standards?
• What is the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the label?
• What are the AAFCO dog food label requirements?
• AAFCO standards for ‘human grade,’ ‘natural,’ or ‘holistic’
• Can dog food be ‘AAFCO approved’?
• AAFCO vs. NRC dog nutrition frameworks
• Is Freshpet an AAFCO and WSAVA approved dog food?
• AAFCO and WSAVA FAQs

What's the difference between WSAVA and AAFCO?

AAFCO proposes nutritional guidelines for pet foods, and each U.S. state decides whether to adopt these guidelines as-is or adapt them. WSAVA offers evidence-based recommendations from veterinary nutrition experts. While WSAVA’s guidance builds trust through reputation, AAFCO’s guidelines are often used by states as a foundation for pet food regulation. 

• AAFCO is a U.S.-based organization that sets the nutritional standards that dog food must meet to legally be labeled “complete and balanced.” It doesn’t approve or certify individual products, but its nutrient profiles and feeding trial protocols are the regulatory backbone for most U.S. pet food labeling. AAFOC is not a regulatory agency, but the guidelines it proposes are, for the most part, accepted and enforced by each of the 50 states in the U.S.
• WSAVA, on the other hand, is a global network of veterinary professionals — not regulators, but guides. It doesn’t define nutrient levels. Its goal is to help vets and pet parents ask better questions: Who formulates the food? Are they qualified? Is the brand transparent about its testing, sourcing, and safety? In short, WSAVA helps you evaluate the people behind the product. It’s about trust earned through expertise, transparency, and scientific rigor.

Think of it this way:

• AFCO defines what goes in the bowl and what appears on the label.
• WSAVA helps you decide if the brand behind it is worth believing in.

So, what exactly does that look like in practice? Let’s start with WSAVA’s global guidelines and what they expect responsible dog food brands to show.

What are the WSAVA dog food guidelines?

WSAVA offers a globally respected set of guidelines on selecting pet foods to help veterinarians and pet parents evaluate the credibility of a dog food brand.

This manufacturer evaluation criteria checklist includes what to look for in a manufacturer — from who formulates the food to how it’s tested and labeled — to determine whether the brand prioritizes nutritional integrity and safety.

Here’s what WSAVA recommends you look for:

• Real nutritional expertise: A responsible brand should have a qualified, full-time nutritionist with advanced credentials beyond general veterinary training, like a Ph.D. in animal nutrition or board certification from ACVN or ECVCN. Is that expert publicly named and involved in formulation? That kind of transparency is key.
• Science-backed diet formulation: A vet endorsement on the front of the bag isn’t the same as expert-led formulation. WSAVA encourages brands to identify who actually formulates the recipes. Ideally, these are professionals trained in animal nutrition, food science, and ingredient interactions, not just pet care generalists.
• Proof of nutrient adequacy: Claims like “complete and balanced” should be backed by more than theory. WSAVA expects brands to meet standards like AAFCO (U.S.) or FEDIAF (Europe) through lab-based analysis. They should also explain how they ensure safety and consistency, including ingredient testing, pathogen screening, and shelf-life assessments.
• Transparency and research: If a brand won’t share detailed nutrient data or cite peer-reviewed studies, it’s fair to question its credibility. WSAVA values openness and scientific grounding, not vague claims.
• Label clarity and manufacturing disclosure: Brands should clearly state whether the food is complete and balanced, which life stage it’s intended for, and how adequacy was confirmed. Bonus points if they disclose where the food is made and whether they own the facility or use a third-party manufacturer.

If a brand can check those boxes, it’s a strong indicator that it takes pet nutrition seriously, not just as a marketing tactic, but as a responsibility.

Can dog food be ‘WSAVA approved’?

Short answer: No. WSAVA doesn’t officially certify or endorse any dog food brands.

If you see “WSAVA approved” floating around, know that it’s not a formal designation. What brands can say, if they’ve earned it, is that they’re WSAVA compliant. That simply means that they’re self-reporting their alignment with the criteria set by the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee.

It’s less about badges and more about behavior. If a brand is following the playbook with qualified experts, clear labeling, real science, and full transparency, that’s what matters. Not the label claim, but the practices behind it.

What are AAFCO dog food standards?

AAFCO doesn’t regulate or test pet food itself, but it does set the standards that define what “nutritionally adequate” actually means. 

In the U.S., if a dog food claims to be “complete and balanced,” it’s referencing AAFCO’s guidelines, which cover two key areas:

• Nutritional adequacy: AAFCO sets nutrient profiles for different life stages (like puppy growth or adult maintenance) to ensure dogs get the essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids they need to thrive. Brands can meet these standards through nutritional analyses or real feeding trials.
• Labeling requirements: AAFCO also outlines what must appear on the label so pet parents can make informed decisions. These include standards for “complete and balanced” claims, ingredient lists, and calorie content. While not all pet foods are intended to be nutritionally complete — like treats, which are still considered food — AAFCO’s labeling framework helps clarify a product’s purpose and maintain transparency around what pets are consuming.

Essentially, AAFCO standards are in place to:

• Make sure a dog food delivers essential nutrients in the right balance.
• Help pet parents choose the right food for their dog’s life stage.
• Protect against incomplete, imbalanced, or misleading formulations.

What does 'complete and balanced' actually mean?

When a dog food is labeled as "complete and balanced," it means that it contains all the essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids (i.e., the complete portion) and in the correct proportions (i.e., balanced).

What are the AAFCO dog nutrient profiles?

AAFCO has two detailed nutrient profiles for dogs: 

• Growth and reproduction: AAFCO recognizes that puppies and pregnant or lactating dogs have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. As such, it developed a nutrient profile for this group.
• Adult maintenance: Dog foods formulated for adult maintenance have the nutrients adult dogs need. Dogs over the age of 1 are considered adults, except for some large and giant breeds who do not fully mature until age 2.

But how do you know which profile a food was formulated to meet? Look at the nutritional adequacy statement on the package. You’ll often see wording like: “Formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including growth of large size dogs (70 pounds or more as an adult).” That means the food is suitable for puppies, adult dogs, and pregnant or lactating dogs, including large breed puppies.

If a food is labeled “for adult maintenance,” it’s not appropriate for puppies or dogs with reproductive needs. Another variation you might see is “all life stages, excluding growth of large size dogs.” That means the food can be fed to puppies and adults, but not to large or giant breed puppies, due to their specific nutritional requirements.

Some brands voluntarily list additional nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids or specific vitamins, but only certain values are required on the label. So, if that information isn’t there, it doesn’t necessarily mean the food lacks those nutrients, just that it wasn’t mandatory to include them.

How does dog food meet AAFCO standards?

If a dog food wants to claim it meets your pup’s daily needs and the standards set by the AAFCO, it has to follow one of two official pathways.

• Option 1: Nutrient content analysis.

With this method, a laboratory analysis uses a small sample of the food to verify it meets the AAFCO’s standards for dog nutrient profiles. This is the more common route.

• Option 2: AAFCO-established feeding trial.

Alternatively, brands can run feeding trials using live dogs over several weeks, following strict AAFCO protocols. These tests track things like weight maintenance and bloodwork to confirm the food supports health when it’s the sole diet. It’s more rigorous, but it shows how the food performs in the real world.

But here’s the key: AAFCO doesn’t verify the claim. It’s up to the manufacturer to follow the rules and state how it did it. The statement simply tells you which method the manufacturer used to demonstrate that its food meets the standards.

Brands are required to include an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the label.

What is the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the label?

The AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement confirms whether the food is complete and balanced for a specific life stage (e.g., puppy, adult), meaning it includes the minimum and maximum amounts of recommended nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. You’ll see one of two official statements:

• Formulated to meet nutrient profiles: “[Product Name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for [life stage].”
• Proven through feeding tests: “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [Product Name] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [life stage].”

If you don’t see one of these on the label, it’s either a treat, a supplement, or not designed to be your dog’s main meal.

Dog food labels often include a “life stage” designation. If it says adult maintenance, it’s meant for adult dogs over 1 year old. Growth formulas are designed for puppies and also meet the needs of pregnant or nursing dogs. If a food is labeled “all life stages,” that means it meets the nutritional needs of both puppies and adults.

You’ll also find a guaranteed analysis on the label, which is the section that breaks down the minimum amounts of key nutrients like protein and fat, giving you a snapshot of what’s actually in the bowl.

What are the AAFCO dog food label requirements?

The AAFCO sets the standard for what must legally appear on pet food packaging. If a product claims to be “complete and balanced,” there are nine specific label requirements it must include. 

Each one plays a role in transparency, consistency, and most importantly, in communicating nutritional quality and regulatory compliance.

Here’s what every AAFCO-compliant pet food label must include:

• Brand and product name: Every product must have a clearly distinguishable name. And if that name references an ingredient (like beef or chicken), AAFCO enforces specific product naming rules based on the ingredient’s percentage in the formula. For example, “Beef Dog Food,” “Beef Recipe,” “With Beef,” and “Beef Flavor” may sound similar, but they each mean something different, and those differences are regulated.
• Name of species: It must be immediately clear which species the product is intended for (e.g., dog, cat, or otherwise). A visual, like a dog illustration, isn’t enough. The species must be listed in text on the Principal Display Panel (PDP) on the front of the package.
• Quantity statement: The label must include the net weight or volume of the product using both avoirdupois (U.S. customary) and metric units. For example, this might look like: “Net Wt 30 lb (13.6 kg)”. This is also required to appear on the PDP, typically in the lower third of the front panel.
• Guaranteed analysis: AAFCO requires pet food labels to list four specific nutrients in this section: 
• Minimum crude protein (%)
• Minimum crude fat (%)
• Maximum crude fiber (%)
• Maximum moisture (%)

And if the food makes additional claims like “high in calcium,” “contains taurine,” or “rich in omega-3s,” those nutrients must also be guaranteed in the same section. 

• Ingredient statement: Ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight before processing, using AAFCO-defined names or common terms. Vague groupings like “animal products” aren’t allowed, and the formatting must be consistent (same font, size, and color). If the food includes an ingredient derived from a non-standard species (anything other than cattle, swine, sheep, or goats), the species must be clearly named (e.g., “venison meal,” “duck byproduct”).
• Nutritional adequacy statement: This statement indicates whether the food meets the full nutritional requirements for a given life stage, based on either AAFCO nutrient profiles or AAFCO-compliant feeding trials. The statement must also specify the intended life stage (e.g., growth, reproduction, adult maintenance, or all life stages). Snacks and treats are exempt if they’re clearly labeled as such and don’t claim to be nutritionally complete.
• Feeding directions: If the food is labeled as “complete and balanced,” it must include feeding instructions based on the pet’s weight and how often to feed. The language can be a table or text, but it must provide actionable guidance for daily use. Treats don’t require feeding directions unless they’re marketed as full nutrition.
• Calorie content: Dog foods, treats, and supplements must include a calorie content statement. This can be calculated based on the amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in the formula, or it may be estimated through feeding trials. The value is typically listed in kilocalories per kilogram and per unit of measure (e.g., per cup or per can).
• Name and address of manufacturer or distributor: The label must include the name and address of the company responsible for the product. If a third party manufactures the food, the relationship must be disclosed using language like “manufactured for” or “distributed by.” The full street address can be omitted if the company is publicly listed, but the city, state, and ZIP code are required.

AAFCO standards for ‘human grade,’ ‘natural,’ or ‘holistic’

Pet food packaging often highlights terms like “holistic,” “natural,” or “human grade” to suggest health and quality, but it’s important to know what these claims actually mean and how they’re regulated.

Holistic

“Holistic” is primarily a marketing term. Companies use it to signal a focus on overall wellness, often highlighting whole-food ingredients, antioxidants, or probiotics. However, there’s no official AAFCO definition or regulatory standard for what makes a pet food “holistic.”

Natural

“Natural,” on the other hand, does have an official AAFCO definition. Ingredients must come from plant, animal, or mined sources and be processed using only physical, heat-based, or naturally occurring methods, such as fermentation or hydrolysis. Chemically synthesized ingredients are not allowed under this definition, which is why labels often say “natural with added vitamins and minerals.” 

A few key points about “natural”:

• It doesn’t mean safer or more nutritious; it simply refers to how ingredients are sourced and processed.
• Most common pet food ingredients already meet this definition.
• If synthetic vitamins or minerals are added (as they are in most pet foods), the label must include the disclaimer: “Natural with added vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients.” That phrase is required by law and isn’t just a marketing boast.
• The term can apply to an entire recipe or to a specific ingredient (for example, “natural chicken flavor” applies only to the flavoring).

Human Grade

“Human grade” is the most tightly regulated of these terms. To make this claim, every ingredient must be fit for human consumption, and the entire production process, including storage, handling, and transportation, must meet FDA and USDA standards for human food. 

The food also has to be made in a licensed human food facility and pass regular audits or inspections. Most brands don’t clear this bar. In fact, raw pet foods can’t qualify at all, since human food rules require cooking directions, something raw pet diets don’t include.

Learn more: AAFCO Pet Food Labeling Guide

Can dog food be ‘AAFCO approved’?

Nope. That’s a common misconception. AAFCO doesn’t certify, approve, or regulate pet food brands. Instead, it provides the nutritional and labeling standards that manufacturers use to formulate their products. It’s then up to each U.S. state — often in coordination with the FDA — to enforce those standards and regulate the pet foods sold within their borders.

So, when a brand says its food is “AAFCO approved,” that’s either a misunderstanding or a marketing stretch. The most accurate claim a brand can make is that its product meets AAFCO nutritional requirements or has passed AAFCO-compliant feeding trials.

AAFCO vs. NRC dog nutrition frameworks

When you look at dog food labels or nutrition discussions, you’ll often see two names come up: AAFCO and NRC. They’re connected, but they play very different roles.

NRC is the National Research Council, part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and brings together experts in dog and cat nutrition to review and compile published data. Its work outlines the nutritional requirements of pets — including maximum tolerances for certain nutrients — and examines commonly used ingredients and their nutrient bioavailability. Using this information, the NRC developed recommended nutrient profiles to guide the formulation of balanced pet foods.

AAFCO creates its nutrient profiles using the NRC’s recommendations as a foundation, while also accounting for the effects of pet food processing on nutrient levels. As such, you might notice that some AAFCO nutrient minimums are slightly higher than those listed by the NRC. This is intentional; AAFCO builds in safety buffers to account for potential nutrient losses during processing, helping ensure that finished products remain complete and balanced.

So, how does Freshpet measure up?

Freshpet is committed to both sides of the nutrition equation: not only what’s in the food, but who’s behind it and how it’s made. We don’t just hit nutrient targets and call it a day. We put science, transparency, and real veterinary expertise at the center of everything we do because we believe the process matters just as much as the result.

Is Freshpet an AAFCO and WSAVA approved dog food?

Of course… not. But remember, neither AAFCO nor WSAVA approves dog foods. However, we follow their standards and use them to make our foods. Freshpet is compliant with the gold-standard WSAVA guidelines and meets AAFCO’s nutritional requirements through evidence-backed formulation, clinical research, and rigorous testing. 

Here’s how Freshpet meets WSAVA’s evaluation criteria:

• Employing full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
• Having vets with Ph.D.s in animal nutrition and full-time food scientists, microbiologists, biologists, and nutritionists formulate the food. 
• Conducting digestibility studies and transparent feeding research.
• Sharing detailed nutrient profiles and formulation practices.
• Maintaining full control over manufacturing in Freshpet-owned facilities.

Here’s how Freshpet Meets AAFCO’s nutritional standards:

• Formulating recipes to match life stage-specific nutrient profiles.
• Conducting AAFCO-approved feeding trials to verify adequacy.
• Clearly labeling products with nutritional statements and compliance methods.

Meet the veterinary experts behind Freshpet’s formulation

Freshpet’s nutrition program isn’t built around one expert; it’s built around an expert team of veterinarians, Ph.D.s, food scientists, and academic researchers who obsess over every detail.

From ingredient selection and food safety to clinical testing and scientific publishing, our internal experts are involved in every stage of the process. This isn’t figurehead nutrition, it’s hands-on, bench-tested, and peer-reviewed.

Their collective expertise ensures Freshpet’s recipes aren’t just compliant with AAFCO and WSAVA, but that they’re grounded in real science and precision execution.

Meet the team making it happen:

Dr. Gerardo Pérez-Camargo, DVM, Ph.D.

SVP, Research & Development

• A veterinarian with three decades of pet nutrition experience, Dr. Perez-Camargo holds a Ph.D. in Applied Biochemistry and Food Science from the University of Nottingham in the U.K. He leads all innovation efforts at Freshpet, with multiple published studies and patents under his belt.

Dr. Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)

Veterinary Nutrition Consultant

• A board-certified veterinary nutritionist since 2007 and current member of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, Dr. Weeth also heads the Nutrition Department at Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital in Los Angeles. Her work bridges clinical application, expert education, and global nutrition policy.

Dr. Amanda Dainton, Ph.D.

Senior Product Development Scientist

• Dr. Dainton specializes in micronutrient optimization and nutritional validation. She earned her Ph.D. from Kansas State University and a master’s in Nutritional Science from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Anuraj Sukumaran, DVM, Ph.D.

Senior Food Microbiologist

• With dual expertise in veterinary medicine and microbiology, Dr. Sukumaran leads research on shelf-life and safety. He brings over a decade of experience in meat science and foodborne pathogen control.

Dr. Renan Donadelli, Ph.D.

Product Development Scientist

• Dr. Donadelli’s research spans fiber nutrition, ingredient testing, and pet food sensory profiling. He holds degrees in Animal Science, Grain Science, and Agronomy Engineering. 

Dr. Eden Ephraim, Ph.D.

Director of Research & Development

• Dr. Ephraim’s focus is on functional health innovation, including kidney support, stress resilience, immune health, and more. She holds a Ph.D. in Immunology and has over 10 years of experience in the pet food industry.

Beth Hamper, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN

Veterinary Nutrition Consultant

• Dr. Hamper is board-certified in veterinary nutrition and holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Medicine. She advises on clinical formulations and raw food safety and is widely published in veterinary textbooks and journals.

This team, along with Freshpet’s rotating Nutrition Council of DACVNs, Ph.D.s, and practicing veterinarians, keeps our standards high and our science honest. 

Because making great pet food isn’t just about ingredients. It’s about the minds behind the mission.

AAFCO and WSAVA FAQs

What are AAFCO recommended dog food brands?

AAFCO doesn’t actually recommend specific brands. What people usually mean by “AAFCO recommended” is that a food meets AAFCO’s nutrient profiles or has passed feeding trials. To confirm, check the label for a nutritional adequacy statement stating it’s “complete and balanced” for your dog’s life stage.

How do I check if my dog food meets AAFCO standards?

If the label says the food is “formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles” or “substantiated by feeding trials,” you’re good. That means it meets AAFCO’s definition of a complete and balanced diet.

What are WSAVA recommended dog food brands?

WSAVA doesn’t endorse or certify any brands by name. Instead, it offers a checklist for what responsible brands should do. If a company says it’s “WSAVA compliant,” that typically means it’s got credentialed nutritionists, transparent practices, and products that meet nutrient standards.

Are boutique diets risky?

They can be. WSAVA flags boutique diets that skip essential steps like employing qualified nutritionists, validating the formulations, or controlling manufacturing. Lack of oversight is a red flag, even if the branding is trendy.

What if my dog has special dietary needs?

This is where expert input really matters. If your dog has a health condition or needs a therapeutic diet, talk to your vet. Both WSAVA and AAFCO stress that specialized feeding plans should be guided by a professional, not trial and error.

Still have questions?

Contact our veterinary nutrition support team here, or read our blog to learn more about what it means to meet AAFCO standards.