AAFCO vs. NASC: What’s the Difference in Pet Treats, Foods, and Supplements?
AAFCO vs. NASC: What’s the Difference in Pet Treats, Foods, and Supplements?
When you’re choosing food, treats, or supplements for your dog, you may notice labels referencing AAFCO or NASC.
If you’ve ever wondered what those mean — you’re not alone. These two organizations help guide how pet products are labeled and categorized. Understanding the difference can help you feel confident about what you’re feeding your pup.
At The Pet Gourmet, we believe in keeping things simple: real ingredients, clear labeling, and products made with your dog’s health in mind. Because good dogs deserve gourmet.
Let’s break it down.
What Is AAFCO?
AAFCO stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
AAFCO develops guidelines used by states to regulate pet food and animal feed products. These guidelines help ensure foods are properly labeled and nutritionally appropriate for pets.
You’ll typically see AAFCO standards used for:
• Complete pet foods
• Dog treats
• Some consumable chews
• Nutritional labeling on food products
When a product follows AAFCO guidelines, it means the product is categorized as a food item and meets specific standards related to ingredient usage and labeling.
For example, many everyday treats — like soft baked treats or biscuit-style snacks — fall under these food guidelines.
A great example is our Smash Burger Soft Baked Bites, which are designed as a delicious treat made with simple ingredients your dog will love.
What Is NASC?
NASC stands for the National Animal Supplement Council.
Unlike AAFCO, NASC focuses specifically on animal supplements and functional health products.
NASC works with companies to promote quality and transparency in the supplement industry. Brands that follow NASC standards must meet strict guidelines related to:
• Ingredient quality
• Manufacturing practices
• Label accuracy
• Adverse event reporting
• Independent facility audits
These guidelines apply to products that provide additional health support rather than basic nutrition.
Common supplement categories include:
• Joint support
• Skin & coat health
• Digestive support
• Calming products
• Dental health products
For example, functional treats like our Dental Support Chews are designed to support oral health while still being a tasty reward for your dog.
Why Some Products Follow AAFCO and Others Follow NASC
The difference really comes down to how a product is classified.
Product Type - Guideline Used
Pet food - AAFCO
Standard treats - AAFCO
Functional supplements - NASC
Health-support chews - NASC
At The Pet Gourmet, we carry a wide variety of products — from everyday treats to functional wellness chews — so some products follow AAFCO food guidelines, while others follow NASC supplement standards.
Neither is better than the other — they simply apply to different types of products.
What This Means for Your Dog
For pet parents, these labels help ensure products are made responsibly and clearly labeled.
In simple terms:
AAFCO helps guide the safety and labeling of pet foods and treats.
NASC helps ensure quality standards for supplements and functional health products.
Both play an important role in keeping your dog’s food and wellness products safe and transparent.
Our Approach at The Pet Gourmet
At The Pet Gourmet, our goal is simple: make feeding your dog healthier, easier, and more delicious.
That’s why we focus on:
• Real, wholesome ingredients
• Small-batch production
• Simple recipes you can trust
• Functional treats that support everyday wellness
Whether you’re rewarding your pup with a soft baked treat or supporting their health with a functional chew, every product we offer is designed with your dog in mind.
Because at the end of the day…
Good dogs deserve gourmet.
