Nutritional Guidelines

Nutritional Guidelines for Cats and Dogs

FEDIAF has produced a nutritional guideline which members follow; the FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. This is a comprehensive review of the NRC data and other existing science produced as a practical guide for manufacturers. The guidelines are peer re-viewed by independent veterinary nutritionists throughout Europe. Version 2024 is now available and you can read about the latest updates in our news release.

The objectives of FEDIAF’s Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Foods for Cats and Dogs are:

• To confirm the basic nutrient levels required in cat and dog food and the industry adhere to these when manufacturing their wide range of products and recipes under biochemical, bacteriological and organoleptic control.
• To help pet food manufacturers assess the nutritional value of practical pet foods for healthy animals.
• To act as the reference document on pet nutrition in Europe for EU and local authorities, consumer organisations, professional and customers
• To enhance cooperation between pet food manufacturers, pet care professionals and competent authorities by providing scientifically sound information on the formulation and assessment of pet foods.
• To complement FEDIAF’s Guide to Good Practice for the Manufacture of Safe Pet Foods and the FEDIAF’s Guide to Good Practice for Communication on Pet Food.

Please be advised that this publication and their parts are protected by copyright. They may be duplicated for use in companies, by authorities or for private use. Any commercial use is prohibited and may only be allowed on a written application and after a written permission may have been granted by FEDIAF.

FEDIAF also works closely with numerous other recognised authorities such as the American Association of Food Control Officers (AAFCO) plus internationally respected nutritionists, vets, biochemists and animal behaviourists, in order to keep up to date on the latest science and feeding requirements of pets.

Nutritional Guidelines for Feeding Pet Rabbits

Here you can review FEDIAF’s Nutritional Guidelines for Pet Rabbits. This comprehensive document provides essential guidance and scientifically-backed recommendations to help ensure the health and wellbeing of pet rabbits, through provision of nutritionally balanced diets.

The overarching objectives of the Nutritional Guidelines are to:

• Support the production of nutritionally balanced foods for adult and growing pet rabbits, and compliance with EU regulations. This includes practical nutrient recommendations for manufacturers formulating complete diets for pet rabbits, and those designing complementary diets, to be fed alongside forage and fresh foodstuffs.
• Assist manufacturers in evaluating the nutritional value of rabbit foods by providing guidance on unique nutritional requirements, such as dietary fibre, essential for rabbits’ digestive health and dental maintenance, and analytical determination of its various fractions.
• Serve as a reference for EU and local authorities, consumer organisations, professionals, and pet owners on pet rabbit nutrition, further enhancing collaboration among pet food manufacturers, pet care professionals, and regulatory bodies.
• Complement FEDIAF’s other key guidelines, such as the Nutritional Guidelines for Cats and Dogs, Guide to Good Practice for the Manufacture of Safe Pet Foods and Code for Good Labelling Practice for Pet Food.

You can read the press release for more information about new content added to this ‘living’ document in November 2024 in the news section of our website.