The Truth About AAFCO & Big Pet Food

Think AAFCO ensures your dog’s food is safe and healthy? Think again. AAFCO isn’t a regulatory agency—it’s an industry-led group that sets the minimum nutritional standards pet food companies must meet to slap on the “complete & balanced” label. And Big Pet Food? It’s dominated by five major corporations with deep ties to agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and veterinary schools. In this post, we break down how the system really works, who profits, and why your dog’s health depends on looking beyond the label.

What started as a post-war convenience has become the global standard — but not because it’s what dogs actually need. This post unpacks the quiet rise of kibble, the marketing machine behind it, and why it might be time to rethink what’s “normal” in your dog’s bowl.