Feeding Trial

An AAFCO feeding trial is a 26-week real-dog test where a minimum of 8 dogs eat a recipe as their only food while veterinarians monitor their weight, blood work, and overall health. The recipe passes if the dogs maintain healthy weight, show no signs of nutritional deficiency, and produce normal blood values. Brands that conduct feeding trials publish the results and use the language 'animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate' on their bags. This is the gold-standard validation. Most premium and prescription brands run feeding trials. Most boutique brands do not.