All Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food Labels must be registered by WSDA prior to any product distribution in Washington State.

For a new registration, submit the forms below along with a legible copy of the product label and the registration fee.

As part of the registration process, these products must meet the label requirements of WSDA's Commercial Feed Rules - Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food (WAC 16-252).

If a pet food or specialty pet food label claims to be certified organic the registrant must be able to provide verification from the organic certifying agency that the product is approved to bear the Organic claim.
 

Pet/Specialty Pet Food are defined as any commercial feed* prepared and distributed for consumption by pets and specialty pets.

• "Pets" are defined as only dogs (Canis familaris) and cats (Felis catus).
• "Specialty Pets" are any animal normally maintained in a household, such as, but not limited to, rodents, ornamental birds, ornamental fish, reptiles and amphibians, ferrets, hedgehogs, marsupials, and rabbits not raised for food or fur. 

*Commercial feed is any material or combination of materials distributed or intended for distribution for use as an animal feed or for mixing in animal feed.

Pet food can be the complete and balanced pet diets that you might see in the pet food aisle or pet store, but also includes treats, biscuits, sauces, gravies, vitamins, minerals, supplements, raw food, and certain rawhides, chews and bones.

• Raw meat pet food diets are exempt only if the meat is not ground or mixed with other ingredients.

Selling animal feed for animals other than dogs, cats or specialty animals requires a Commercial Feed License. You do not have to register these products, but you must still label the products according to WSDA laws and rules and report the sale and distribution of your product.

In Washington State, WAC 16-252-025 sets the standard for what must be included in pet food and animal feed labels.

Labeling pet food properly can be challenging, but at a minimum, all pet food labels must have the following:

• Product and brand name.
• The species of animal the food is meant for.
  • Dog food, cat food, etc.
• Quantity statement.
  • Net weight or net volume in the package.
• Guaranteed Analysis.
  • List the percentage of each of the nutrients in the food.
• Lot Identifier.
• Ingredients statement.
  • The common, usual or defined name of each ingredient used in the manufacture of the food. The name of each ingredient must meet official definitions as set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or Washington State's WAC 16-252-025. Some commonly accepted ingredients require no definition, such as sugar.
• Feeding directions.
• Name and address of the manufacturer or the person responsible for distributing the feed.

✓ For more information review our Labeling Guide - For Pet Food.
 

An example of a pet food label with the required information.

Before you get into the pet food business, be sure you understand local, state and federal regulations that apply. The most important thing is to realize that all pet food must be registered in Washington State and it all must be properly labeled.

To understand more about getting into the pet food business visit the AAFCO site: The Business of Pet Food.

1. Who needs to be registered?
2. What is pet food vs. specialty pet food?
3. How do I apply for a new product registration?
4. After I've sent in my application how long will it take until I receive my registration certificate?
5. I've sent in my registration application, can I distribute in Washington?
6. How will I know when to renew my products?
7. What happens if my product is found in distribution and I don't have a current registration?
8. Is one product registration enough?
9. What is considered a revised label vs. a new label?