Purina Dog Food

Pet food nowadays, like many human foods, for the sake of pet food safety, must also undergo inspection after production. For ingredient specification, there are international common standards used as measures. The packaging of all imported pet foods most commonly shows that they have been tested and certified by AAFCO’s XX test confirming XXX provides balanced and complete nutrition for adult dogs’ long-term consumption. So, what exactly is AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials)?

AAFCO’s Chinese name is: American Feed Control Officials Association.

Before 1956, AAFCO was not very involved in the pet food market. The earliest recommendations on pet nutrition came from the National Research Council (NRC). However, the NRC only outlined the simplest nutrient requirements without suggesting which foods to obtain them from. AAFCO, on the other hand, also considered the "ingredients" as sources of nutrition. Thus, AAFCO defined raw materials such as meat, poultry, meat by-product, poultry meal, etc. It also recommended the basic nutritional requirements for dogs and cats based on the NRC’s reports, and pet food companies use these recommended requirements to design their own products. Usually, pet food companies set the nutrition provided by their food higher than the basic requirements defined by AAFCO to ensure standards are met.

Therefore, a phenomenon emerged that even prescription pet foods  (only available at animal hospitals) show on their introduction pages a line stating that AAFCO feeding tests confirm XXX (pet food name) provides balanced and complete nutrition for adult dogs' long-term consumption.

Imported pet foods abroad are measured by AAFCO ingredient standards, so how should domestic pet food be evaluated? The best way is to choose those well-known and commonly available pet foods, such as Purina Medium & Small Breed Adult Dog Food, specially designed for the unique nutritional needs of medium and small breed dogs. The unique small triangular dental kibble contains more concentrated good nutrition, keeping the little companions healthy and energetic every day. The five major health vitality performances are a good proof of Purina’s quality nutrition and also a model of excellent pet food.