Ever picked up a bag of cat food, seen "meets AAFCO standards" on the label, and assumed that meant the product was tested, certified, and officially approved? You're not alone—but that assumption isn't quite accurate. In this episode, Steven Whitlow breaks down what AAFCO actually does (and doesn't do), how cat food nutritional standards really work, and why understanding the difference matters when you're choosing what to feed your cat.

• AAFCO doesn't certify, test, or approve any cat food products—they're a regulatory body that establishes nutritional standards and labeling guidelines, while manufacturers self-report whether their products meet those standards.

• There are two methods for claiming AAFCO compliance: the Formulation Method (theoretical calculations based on ingredients) and the Feeding Trial Method ...