Understanding the difference between AAFCO and NASC is essential for merchandising, staff training, and building customer trust in your pet store.
AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) governs products classified as food. This includes complete diets, traditional treats, and some chews. These products must meet established guidelines for ingredient use, nutritional adequacy, and labeling.
NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) applies to supplements and functional products. This includes items formulated for specific health benefits like joint support, dental health, digestion, or calming. NASC emphasizes quality control, manufacturing standards, and transparency.
Key distinction:
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Food & traditional treats → AAFCO
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Functional/health-support products → NASC
For retailers, this matters because it impacts:
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How products are positioned in-store
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How staff communicates benefits to customers
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Compliance with labeling and claims
Strategic takeaway:
AAFCO and NASC are not competing standards—they serve different product categories. A well-rounded assortment should include both everyday treats (AAFCO) and value-added wellness products (NASC) to maximize basket size and meet evolving consumer demand.
How We Support Pet Retailers
At The Pet Gourmet, we help pet stores curate balanced assortments that combine:
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High-quality, AAFCO-aligned treat options customers trust
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Functional, NASC-aligned products that drive higher-margin wellness sales
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Clear product positioning to simplify selling on the floor
If you’re looking to optimize your product mix, increase average ticket value, or better educate your customers, we can help you build a smarter, more profitable treat and chew strategy.