The Truth About Animal Feed vs. Animal Remedies 

(I imagine every parent has done the latter. Those vitamin c gummies are good!)

Hopefully, if you’ve ever done any of the above, you’re none the worse for wear. But it’s easy to imagine how things can go awry when products aren’t labeled correctly. That’s why it’s so important for pet food companies to differentiate between animal feed and animal remedies.

What’s Commercial Animal Feed?

Commercial animal feed is all about nutrition—think complete diets, meal toppers, treats, and even some nutritional supplements. These products need to meet FDA regulations and state laws, which often align with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards.

How do you know if your product is classified as commercial animal feed? 

• It claims to provide nutritional benefits (e.g., "high in protein," "rich in omega-3s")
• There’s a guaranteed analysis on the label
• It includes feeding directions like "mix with food" or "add to meals"
• The calorie content is listed on the package
• There’s a nutritional adequacy statement

If any of the above sounds familiar, your product is likely commercial animal feed, and that means specific labeling and registration requirements apply.

Example of clients who sell commercial animal feed: 

• Outward Hound pumpkin slices
• Scott Pet training treats
• Crumps Group beef liver bites

How Are Animal Remedies Different From Commercial Animal Feed? 

Unlike commercial feed, animal remedies (also called dosage form products or health supplements) aren’t about nutrition. They’re designed to support pet health—like joint support chews, calming sprays, or medicated shampoos.

Here’s how you can tell if your product falls into the animal remedy category:

• It’s marketed as a supplement or treatment
• The label lists "active ingredients" and "inactive ingredients"
• The directions include dosage instructions rather than feeding guidelines

One important thing to note—AAFCO doesn’t set standards for animal remedies, and regulations vary from state to state. Seven states require product registration and label oversight, so you’ll want to double-check whether your product needs to be registered.

If this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry! We can help you handle the registration and label audit process.

Avoiding the "Hybrid Product" Trap

Some manufacturers try to blend elements of commercial animal feed and animal remedies into a single product. Sounds smart, right? Unfortunately, it’s a big no-go in the regulatory world.

A product that contains both:

• Active vs. inactive ingredients (a remedy requirement)
• Calorie content and feeding directions (a feed requirement)

…is automatically flagged as misbranded (and possibly even adulterated). That can lead to fines, recalls, or your product getting pulled off shelves. Yikes.

Your product needs to fit neatly into one category or the other. If you’re unsure where yours lands, we’ve got your back.

State-Specific Rules: Because One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Here’s where things get even trickier—every state has its own set of rules. Some states require registration for animal remedies, while others have extra labeling regulations for animal feed. A few examples:

• Virginia, South Dakota, North Dakota, Oregon, Wyoming – Paper applications required for animal remedy registration
• Vermont – Requires label oversight for dosage-form supplements
• Nevada – Has specific laws governing animal remedies
• Idaho – Defines animal remedies but exempts them from registration (if labeled correctly!)

Compliance Doesn’t Have to Be a Nightmare

Getting your product classification and compliance right from the start saves time, money, and a whole lot of frustration. We’ve outlined all the steps you need to take in this free ebook or drop us a line and chat about having us completely take over your compliance work!