Dog treat label requirements: what must be on the bag
Dog and cat treats are pet food, so their labels follow your state's pet food rules, which are mostly based on AAFCO's model pet food regulations, plus FDA's federal animal food labeling rules (21 CFR part 501). Below: each element the rules require, the exact section, the federal rule where there is one, and a clearly fictional example label. Checked October 3, 2026.
We don't review labels, and nothing on this page says any label meets the rules. States review labels when you register a product; see who reviews.
“Remember, the AAFCO Models are not official regulations, but most states have adopted a version of the AAFCO Model Pet food Regulations into their own laws and regulations.” AAFCO, Reading LabelsSource: aafco.org
In 2023 AAFCO approved new model regulations (Pet Food Label Modernization, “PFLM”). They replace the guaranteed analysis with a Pet Nutrition Facts box, which includes Calories, and add an intended use statement such as “Dog Treat” on the front.
The PFLM rules are model regulations, not law. They bind a seller only in a state that has adopted them into its own rules; until then, that state's current rules apply. AAFCO: “Each state should make a determination on adoption and enforcement with the recommendation to begin the formal rulemaking process.” AAFCO, July 31, 2023Source: aafco.org We don't have a current list of which states have adopted them; ask the state's feed program.
AAFCO also recommends a transition period: “AAFCO recommends that state feed regulatory programs utilize enforcement discretion in the review of pet food labels for a period of six years, based on the date of the availability of the printed version of the 2024 Official Publication.” AAFCO, July 31, 2023Source: aafco.org
So for each element below we give both: the current label format as AAFCO describes it, and the new rule section. Which one your state applies depends on whether it has adopted the new regulations; ask its feed program (the state table links each one).
What must be on a dog treat label
Quoted word for word from the rule or the agency, with the section.
Product name (and brand name)
AAFCO, current label format: “Not every product has a brand name. However, each product must have some sort of unique identifier to distinguish it from others on the market.” AAFCO, Label FormatSource: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): “Product name and brand name, if any, on the principal display panel as stipulated in Regulation PF3” PF2(a)(1)Source: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): “When the named ingredient(s) constitutes at least 95% of the total weight of the product.” PF3(c)(1) (the 95% rule; PF3(c)(2) is the 25% “dinner” rule, PF3(d) the 3% “with” rule, PF3(e) the flavor rule)Source: aafco.org
Federal (FDA): “The principal display panel of a food in package form shall bear as one of its principal features a statement of the identity of the commodity.” 21 CFR 501.3(a)Source: ecfr.gov
Species (dog, cat) and intended use
AAFCO, current label format: “What species the food is for (e.g. dog or cat)” AAFCO, Label FormatSource: aafco.org
AAFCO, current label format: “Just a picture of a dog or cat is insufficient.” AAFCO, Label FormatSource: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): ““[Species] Treat” – for food products for pets or specialty pets, provided occasionally for enjoyment, training, entertainment, or other purposes” PF4(a)(1)(D)Source: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): “Appear within the bottom 30% of the area of the label principal display panel” PF4(a)(2)(A) (and at least as large as the net quantity, PF4(a)(2)(B))Source: aafco.org
Net quantity
AAFCO, current label format: “This should be stated on the PDP in terms of weight in both English and metric units, liquid measure or count.” AAFCO, Label FormatSource: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): “by weight (pounds and ounces, and metric), liquid measure (quarts, pints, and fluid ounces, and metric) or by count, on the principal display panel” PF2(a)(3)Source: aafco.org
Federal (FDA): “The principal display panel of a food in package form shall bear a declaration of the net quantity of contents.” 21 CFR 501.105(a)Source: ecfr.gov
Federal (FDA): “It shall be placed on the principal display panel within the bottom 30 percent of the area of the label panel” 21 CFR 501.105(f) (minimum type sizes by panel area are in 501.105(i))Source: ecfr.gov
Guaranteed analysis, or the Pet Nutrition Facts box
AAFCO, current label format: “There are four basic nutritional guarantees required for pet food products:” AAFCO, Expression of Guarantees: minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, maximum crude fiber, maximum moistureSource: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): “Pet Nutrition Facts shall be displayed in a prominent place on the label of all pet foods (including treats, food supplements, veterinary diets, and food mixers)” PF5(a): Calories per unit, then protein, fat, Total Carbohydrate, dietary fiber and moisture (PF5(a)(3)(A))Source: aafco.org
Calorie content
AAFCO, current label format: “The calorie statement must be located under a heading titled “Calorie Content.” It should be expressed as kilocalories per kilogram of food as fed and as kilocalories per familiar unit (e.g. per can, per cup or per biscuit).” AAFCO, CaloriesSource: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): “A statement of Calorie content, determined as specified in Regulation PF9” PF5(a)(2), inside the box; PF9 gives the formulaSource: aafco.org
Ingredient list
AAFCO, current label format: “All ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance by weight” AAFCO, Label FormatSource: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): “The ingredients shall be listed in descending order by their predominance by weight in non-quantitative terms” PF6(a)(2) (names from AAFCO's Official Common or Usual Names, PF6(a)(3))Source: aafco.org
Federal (FDA): “shall be listed by common or usual name in descending order of predominance by weight on either the principal display panel or the information panel” 21 CFR 501.4(a)Source: ecfr.gov
Federal (FDA): “A food to which a chemical preservative(s) is added shall, except when exempt pursuant to § 501.100, bear a label declaration stating both the common or usual name of the ingredient(s) and a separate description of its function” 21 CFR 501.22(j)Source: ecfr.gov
Nutritional adequacy statement (treats: “intermittent or supplemental feeding only”)
AAFCO, current label format: “do not require that pet treats meet standard nutritional adequacy requirements, provided the product’s packaging conspicuously displays the terms “snack” or “treat” on its principal display panel.” AAFCO, Treats and SnacksSource: aafco.org
AAFCO, current label format: “Products that are not identified as a snack or treat but are intended to be will bear this statement” AAFCO, on “This product is intended for intermittent or supplementary feeding only”Source: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): ““This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only,” if a product does not meet the requirements of Regulation PF4(b) or (c)” PF5(a)(3)(F)(iii): the statement sits at the bottom of the boxSource: aafco.org
Feeding directions
AAFCO, current label format: “Pet foods which are Snacks or Treats but are also labeled as complete and balanced for one or all life stages are required to include feeding directions on the label.” AAFCO, Feeding DirectionsSource: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): “All pet foods and specialty pet foods shall bear feeding directions consistent with the intended use statement on the principal display panel.” PF8(a) (complete-and-balanced dog and cat foods, treats included, need amount per weight of dog or cat and frequency: PF8(b))Source: aafco.org
Manufacturer or distributor name and address
AAFCO, current label format: “Generally this information must include the name, street address, city, state and zip code; however, the street address may be omitted if it is shown in a current city directory or phone directory.” AAFCO, Manufacturer or DistributorSource: aafco.org
New AAFCO model rules (PFLM; only where your state has adopted them): “The label of a pet food or specialty pet food shall specify the business or corporate name and address of the manufacturer or distributor.” PF11(a) (“Manufactured for” or “Distributed by” if you aren't the manufacturer)Source: aafco.org
Federal (FDA): “The label of a food in packaged form shall specify conspicuously the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.” 21 CFR 501.5(a) (street address, city, state and ZIP Code: 501.5(d))Source: ecfr.gov
Federal rules for the whole label
“The current FDA regulations require proper identification of the product, net quantity statement, name, and place of business of the manufacturer or distributor, and proper listing of all the ingredients in the product from most to least, based on weight. Some states also enforce their own labeling regulations. Many of these regulations are based on a model provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).” FDA, Pet FoodSource: fda.gov
“All information required to appear on the label of any package of food pursuant to §§ 501.4, 501.5, 501.8 and 501.17 shall appear either on the principal display panel or on the information panel” 21 CFR 501.2(b)Source: ecfr.gov
“but in no case may the letters and/or numbers be less than 1/16 inch in height” 21 CFR 501.2(c) (with exemptions for very small packages)Source: ecfr.gov
Example label (fictional)
Example only: a fictional product and company, in text, to show where each element goes. No state has reviewed it, the numbers are made up, and it isn't a template that meets any state's rules. Your numbers come from your recipe or a lab test (what a lab test costs).
Current label format (guaranteed analysis)
[Front of the bag]
Example Brand
Peanut Butter Biscuits
DOG TREATS
NET WT 8 OZ (227 g)
[Back or side]
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (min) ......... 12.0%
Crude Fat (min) ............. 6.0%
Crude Fiber (max) ........... 3.0%
Moisture (max) .............. 10.0%
CALORIE CONTENT (calculated): 3,170 kcal ME/kg; 32 kcal ME/treat
INGREDIENTS: Whole wheat flour, peanut butter, oat flour, eggs, mixed tocopherols (preservative).
FEEDING DIRECTIONS: Give as a treat, up to 2 biscuits a day for a 20 lb dog.
Distributed by Example Treat Co., 100 Example Street, Anytown, ST 00000
The Calories are worked out from the example numbers with the Modified Atwater formula (PF9(a)(1)) and ash 5.0%, in the guaranteed analysis calculator. AAFCO's Calories page says the statement must say which method was used. Net weight under 4 lb is stated in ounces (21 CFR 501.105(j)); PF2(a)(3) asks for metric too.
New PFLM format (Pet Nutrition Facts box)
[Front of the bag]
Example Brand
Peanut Butter Biscuits
NET WT 8 OZ (227 g)
Dog Treat
[Back or side]
Pet Nutrition Facts
1 treat = 10 g
Calories per treat†: 32
From: Protein 4, Fat 5, Carbohydrate 22
Nutrients Guaranteed per treat
Protein (min) 12.0% 1.2 g
Fat (min) 6.0% 0.6 g
Total Carbohydrate† (max) 67.0% 6.7 g
Dietary Fiber (max) 5.0% 0.5 g
Moisture (max) 10.0% 1.0 g
Ash (max) 5.0% 0.5 g
†calculated value
This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.
INGREDIENTS: Whole wheat flour, peanut butter, oat flour, eggs, mixed tocopherols (preservative).
FEEDING DIRECTIONS: Give as a treat, up to 2 biscuits a day for a 20 lb dog.
Distributed by Example Treat Co., 100 Example Street, Anytown, ST 00000
The box needs total dietary fiber, a different lab test from crude fiber (here a fictional 5.0%). Make your own box from your numbers with the Pet Nutrition Facts box generator, which shows every calculation.
Cat treat labels
The same rules apply with the species changed: AAFCO's current format asks for “What species the food is for (e.g. dog or cat)”, and under PFLM the intended use statement reads “Cat Treat” (PF4(a)(1)(D)). Calories are worked out the same way for dog and cat foods (PF9).
Who reviews your label
The state, when you register. For example:
Massachusetts: An online application in EEA ePLACE with one label file per product (front and back in one file). MDAR reviews it and emails an invoice for the approved products; your list of approved products, sent after payment, is your registration certificate.Source: mass.gov
Utah: Register each product in AIMS with its label and pay $75 per product. UDAF reviews each label and its declared ingredients. Send copies of later label changes; a new name or new ingredients needs a new registration.Source: ag.utah.gov · UDAF: “The Commercial Feed Act requires the products to be registration with the state and a label approval for all feed products sold in the states. The Department reviews each label and declared ingredients for safe and effective use for animals.” R68-2-3(5)-(6).
Maryland: A PDF of each product label, emailed to labels.statechemist@maryland.gov for preliminary review; then the registration MDA's commodity coordinator sends you, with $50 per product. MDA may ask for documents supporting any claim on the label.Source: mda.maryland.gov · MDA's paper application lists each product's complete name, protein, whether it is cat or dog feed, a label for each product, and a check payable to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
South Carolina: Online: submit each product with a PDF of its label in SCDA's portal; after the Feed Registration Specialist approves it, SCDA emails a payment link for $20 per product. Paper: the Feed Registration Application listing each product's complete brand name and type (pet food, pet treat, specialty pet, etc.), a label for each product, and a check for $20 per product payable to South Carolina Department of Agriculture.Source: agriculture.sc.gov · SCDA returns forms and checks sent without product labels. A certificate of registered products is emailed or mailed to you. Online payment steps are in SCDA FAQ question 13.