FEDIAF 2025 complementary snacks

FEDIAF 2025 distinguishes Complete and Complementary pet foods (Chapter 4; definitions per Regulation (EC) No 767/2009). A complete pet food is, by reason of its composition, sufficient for a daily ration and — when fed as the only source of nutrients for the whole of the intended life stage — covers all nutritional needs; if no life stage is specified on the label, the product is assumed to be complete for all life stages and should be formulated to the early growth and reproduction levels. Complementary pet food covers a wide range of products, which FEDIAF divides into three categories for validation purposes: (a) products that significantly contribute to the energy content of the daily ration but are not complete (e.g., products mixed with other food components in the household, and treats/snacks normally given as rewards); (b) products that contribute to daily nutrition and may or may not add significantly to energy content (e.g., snacks supplying higher levels of omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids); and (c) products not intended to contribute nutritionally but given to occupy the animal and that can be eaten (e.g., dog chews). Feeding instructions should reflect the intended role of the product in the total ration, and the total daily ration should still match the recommended allowances and the nutritional and legal maximum values for complete pet food. Category (a) products follow the same validation procedure as complete food; category (b) validates the nutrients relevant to intended use; category (c) needs no nutritional-adequacy validation. The guidelines do not set a fixed "<10% of daily energy" treat rule, nor do they define a dental-care symbol.