February 26, 2025

The Importance of AAFCO Guidelines in Raw Feeding

Ensuring that your dog’s meals meet AAFCO standards is critical for their long-term health. AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) provides guidelines to guarantee nutritional balance in pet food. Here’s why AAFCO matters and how Natural Raw Dog Foods ensures compliance.

What Are AAFCO Standards?

AAFCO guidelines define the minimum nutritional requirements for dogs, including:


  • Protein and fat levels for energy and muscle maintenance.
  • Vitamins and minerals for overall health.
  • Proper calcium and phosphorus ratios for bone health.


These standards ensure that dogs get the essential nutrients they need to thrive, whether they’re puppies, adults, or seniors.

Why AAFCO Matters for Raw Feeding

Meeting AAFCO guidelines ensures your dog’s diet is:


  • Complete and Balanced: Every meal includes all the nutrients your dog requires.
  • Safe: Proper ratios of nutrients like calcium and phosphorus protect bone health and prevent deficiencies.
  • Optimized for Life Stages: Nutritional needs vary by age, size, and activity level. AAFCO-compliant food supports dogs at every stage.

How Natural Raw Dog Foods Meets AAFCO Standards

At Natural Raw Dog Foods, we meticulously craft each blend to exceed AAFCO guidelines:


  • High-Quality Proteins: Locally sourced, human-grade meats form the foundation of our blends.
  • Essential Nutrients: Ingredients like kelp, cod liver oil, and zinc gluconate ensure balanced nutrition.
  • Perfect Ratios: Careful formulation provides the ideal calcium-to-phosphorus balance for bone health.


Our pre-portioned meals make it easy for pet parents to provide their dogs with nutritionally complete food without additional supplements.

Common Misconceptions About AAFCO

1. “AAFCO compliance is only for kibble.”

Truth: AAFCO guidelines apply to all pet food, including raw diets.


2. “If it’s raw, it doesn’t need to meet AAFCO standards.”

Truth: Even raw food must be nutritionally complete to ensure your dog’s health.



3. “You can balance a raw diet without following guidelines.”

Truth: DIY raw diets often lack key nutrients, leading to deficiencies over time.

The Benefits of AAFCO-Compliant Raw Feeding

  • Peace of Mind: Know your dog is getting everything they need to thrive.
  • Improved Health: Balanced meals support digestion, energy levels, and coat health.
  • Convenience: No guesswork or additional supplements required.

Take the Guesswork Out of Raw Feeding

At Natural Raw Dog Foods, we’re proud to offer AAFCO-compliant meals that combine convenience with premium quality. Our blends are designed to support your dog’s health at every stage of life, making raw feeding simple and worry-free.



📍 Serving Ontario, including the GTA, Durham, York, Peel, Halton, and Toronto.

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