How to Navigate Canada’s Pet Food Regulations

As the demand for high-quality pet food continues to rise across Canada, so too does the need for a clear understanding of the regulations that govern its production, labelling, import, and sale. Whether you are a manufacturer, importer, brand owner, or retailer, ensuring that your pet food products comply with Canadian requirements is essential for protecting animal health, maintaining consumer trust, and achieving market success. 

Unlike human food, pet food in Canada is not regulated under a single, comprehensive framework. Instead, it falls under a combination of federal laws that address safety, labelling, advertising, and ingredient standards. From bilingual labelling and packaging considerations to preventive control plans and traceability obligations, each element of the regulatory process plays a role in bringing compliant, market-ready pet food to Canadian consumers. 

This blog post provides an overview of the key regulatory considerations for pet food in Canada, with a focus on labelling, nutritional standards, packaging, and import requirements. It is intended to help businesses better understand the compliance landscape and identify important steps in product development and market entry. For product-specific guidance or tailored regulatory support, we encourage you to connect with the SNI team. 

Definition of Pet Food in Canada

In Canada, pet food refers to food products manufactured, sold, or represented for consumption by domestic companion animals, most commonly dogs and cats. These products are expected to be safe, nutritionally appropriate for their intended use, and clearly labelled to support informed consumer use. While pet food is not subject to a dedicated pre-market approval framework, it must still comply with applicable federal and provincial requirements, including general safety, labelling, and marketing provisions under legislation such as the Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations.

Pet food labelling must accurately describe the product, its intended use, and its nutritional characteristics, and must not be false or misleading. Collectively, these requirements are intended to protect consumers and animal health without imposing the more prescriptive controls that apply to livestock feed.

Regulatory Distinctions for Other Animal Foods and Treats

Although there may be superficial similarities, foods or treats intended for animals other than dogs and cats, such as livestock, aquaculture species, or exotic animals, are regulated under different frameworks and do not fall under the same regulatory expectations as pet food. These products may be subject to separate ingredient approvals, licensing, or compositional standards depending on the species and intended use.

As a result, products formulated for non-companion animals cannot be assumed to meet pet food requirements, and vice versa. Careful classification is essential, as misidentifying a product’s intended species or regulatory category can lead to non-compliance, import refusals, or enforcement action.

Canadian Pet Food Regulations

Although Canada does not have a single, dedicated regulatory framework for pet food, products must comply with several federal statutes, including the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Competition Act, and the Health of Animals Regulations. Together, these laws regulate key aspects of pet food compliance such as labelling requirements, marketing and advertising claims, product safety, and the use of animal-derived ingredients.

Role of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Regulatory oversight of pet food in Canada is primarily led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which focuses on import controls, animal health protection, and the movement of inedible meat products. CFIA also administers certification and documentation requirements for certain imported pet foods that contain animal ingredients, particularly where disease prevention or traceability considerations apply.

Health Canada’s Involvement in Pet Food Regulation

Health Canada does not routinely regulate pet food unless the product crosses into drug-like territory. This may occur when therapeutic or disease treatment claims are made, or when ingredients could alter the product’s regulatory classification. Health Canada is responsible for preventing unsubstantiated health claims on pet food labels and in advertising to ensure that consumers are not misled regarding product benefits.

Competition Bureau Oversight and Marketing Compliance

The Competition Bureau Canada enforces labelling and marketing requirements for prepackaged pet food sold at retail. This includes ensuring the presence of a bilingual common name, metric net quantity declaration, and the dealer name and address. The Bureau also enforces provisions related to false or misleading representations and deceptive marketing practices under the Competition Act.

Voluntary Nutritional Standards and AAFCO Alignment

Canada does not mandate national nutritional standards for pet food. However, many manufacturers voluntarily align with guidelines established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to support claims of nutritional adequacy. These standards help demonstrate that products are complete and balanced for specific life stages and species, supporting both consumer transparency and market credibility.

Overall Regulatory Landscape for Pet Food in Canada

Collectively, CFIA, Health Canada, and the Competition Bureau contribute to a regulatory environment that prioritizes consumer protection, truthful marketing, transparency, and animal safety. While the framework is fragmented across multiple authorities, compliance requires a coordinated understanding of how these laws and agencies intersect across formulation, labelling, advertising, and importation activities.

Canadian Pet Food Labelling Requirements

A core component of pet food regulatory compliance in Canada is ensuring that labels clearly and accurately communicate product information, including the intended use. Responsible parties must ensure that pet food labels are truthful, not misleading, and provide sufficient information to support informed and appropriate use by consumers.

Mandatory Information on Canadian Pet Food Labels

Pet food labels sold in Canada must include, and comply with, the following core labelling elements:

Intended Use and Feeding Instructions

Where applicable, labels must clearly communicate how the product is intended to be used:

Nutritional Information and Ingredient Disclosure

To support transparency and appropriate use, pet food labels must include nutritional and compositional details:

Nutritional and Health Claims on Pet Food

Any nutritional or health claims appearing on a pet food label must be truthful, properly substantiated, and consistent with accepted standards for nutritional adequacy. Claims must not imply disease treatment or therapeutic effects, as this may trigger regulatory concerns under the oversight of Health Canada.

Bilingual Labelling and Consumer Packaging Requirements

For pet food products intended for retail sale to consumers, all mandatory labelling information must be provided in both English and French in accordance with the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act. Enforcement of bilingual labelling, net quantity declarations, and dealer identification requirements falls under the authority of the Competition Bureau Canada.

Country of Origin, Storage, and Traceability Information

Depending on the product and import conditions, additional information may be required or strongly recommended:

Regulatory Guidance for Pet Food Labelling in Canada

All required labelling information must align with the Guide for the Labelling and Advertising of Pet Foods, administered by the CFIA. Beyond the inclusion of mandatory elements, the information must be presented in the prescribed format and manner to ensure clarity, accuracy, and full regulatory compliance

Importing Pet Food Products Into Canada

The CFIA regulates the importation of pet food products to prevent the introduction of animal diseases into Canada. This oversight applies to pet food, pet treats such as jerky or liver bites, and pet chews that contain animal products or animal by-products, regardless of whether they are intended for retail sale or further distribution.

Personal Importation of Pet Food by Travellers

For personal use, travellers may bring up to 20 kg of pet food per animal into Canada, provided specific conditions are met. The product must be commercially packaged, originate from the United States, and be carried and used exclusively for the accompanying animal. Products that do not meet these criteria may be refused entry or subject to additional CFIA requirements.

Commercial Import Requirements for Pet Food

Commercial imports of pet food require a CFIA risk review prior to entry into Canada. In some cases, CFIA may inspect the foreign manufacturing facility before authorizing importation. Importers may also be required to obtain an import permit, particularly for products containing animal-derived ingredients or products originating outside the United States.

Before submitting an application, importers should confirm permit requirements by consulting the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) or by contacting their regional CFIA import office.

Import Permit Applications Through My CFIA

Import permit applications must be submitted through the My CFIA online portal. Depending on the product type and risk profile, CFIA may request Form CFIA/ACIA 5859 or other documentation specified in the relevant AIRS entry. The portal allows importers to submit service requests, track application status, and pay applicable fees online.

Processing timelines typically extend up to 30 days. Certain products may require additional documentation, ingredient disclosures, or facility questionnaires as part of the review process.

Compliance Obligations After Permit Approval

Once an import permit is issued, importers must ensure that all conditions outlined in the permit and corresponding AIRS requirements are fully met. This includes confirming that the product ingredients, country of origin, manufacturing facility, and packaging align with what was approved by CFIA.

Importers must also prepare and retain all required documentation, including the valid import permit, commercial invoice, compliant bilingual product labels, and any required export or veterinary certificates issued by the country of origin. In some cases, advance notification to CFIA prior to shipment arrival may be required.

Border Entry, Inspection, and Recordkeeping

At the time of import, shipments must enter Canada through a designated port of entry and be accompanied by all supporting documentation. The Canada Border Services Agency will review the shipment documentation and may refer the product to CFIA for inspection.

If inspection is required, importers should be prepared to provide product samples and full traceability information. Importers are also expected to maintain accurate and complete records for each shipment, including permits, invoices, ingredient documentation, and supplier information, to support regulatory compliance and potential future audits.

Distinguishing Pet Food and Livestock Feed in Canada

Applying the correct regulatory framework is critical when placing animal feed products on the Canadian market. For this reason, manufacturers and importers must clearly understand the regulatory distinction between pet food and livestock feed in Canada, as these product categories are subject to fundamentally different legal and compliance requirements.

Regulatory Scope of Pet Food in Canada

Pet food is intended for companion animals such as dogs, cats, birds, and ornamental fish. At the federal level, pet food is subject to limited oversight, primarily focused on import controls and general labelling standards. Regulatory requirements are largely aimed at consumer protection and truthful product representation rather than pre-market authorization or feed registration.

Regulatory Framework for Livestock Feed

Livestock feed is regulated under a separate and significantly more rigorous framework. It includes products manufactured, sold, or represented for use as feed for animals raised for human consumption, such as cattle, poultry, swine, and farmed fish.

Livestock feed is regulated under the Feeds Act and the Feeds Regulations, 2024, administered by the CFIA. This framework introduces requirements for product registration, licensing of feed mills and importers, approved ingredient use, and prescribed labelling standards, unless a specific exemption applies.

Prohibition on Using Pet Food as Livestock Feed

Pet food cannot be used in livestock feed, including damaged, returned, or salvaged pet food products. This prohibition exists because pet food may contain ingredients that are not approved for use in livestock feed and is not manufactured or labelled in accordance with livestock feed safety and quality standards.

As a result, pet food is not recognized as a suitable input for regulated livestock feed formulations under Canadian law.

Practical Example: Poultry Feed Compliance

For example, a commercial poultry producer in Canada must use livestock feed that has been properly registered, manufactured in a licensed facility, and labelled in compliance with the Feeds Regulations, 2024. Pet food products, such as dog kibble or cat treats, cannot be substituted into poultry feed formulations, regardless of their nutritional profile. These products are not approved for livestock consumption and cannot be used within regulated feed systems.

Additional Compliance Requirements for Livestock Feed

Unlike pet food, livestock feed is subject to additional regulatory controls, particularly in the areas of packaging, preventive control plans, and traceability. These requirements are designed to protect the food supply chain and support rapid response in the event of a safety concern.

While similar controls are not explicitly mandated for pet food at the federal level, many pet food manufacturers voluntarily implement good manufacturing practices to support product safety, quality, and market credibility.

Role of AAFCO Standards in Canadian Pet Food 

In Canada, standards developed by the AAFCO are not legally required. However, they play an influential role in how pet food products are formulated, positioned, and marketed. These U.S.-based standards establish detailed nutrient profiles and animal feeding protocols that define what constitutes “complete and balanced” nutrition for dogs and cats across various life stages, including growth, maintenance, and reproduction.

Use of AAFCO Guidelines for Nutritional Adequacy

Although Canada does not have mandatory national nutrient standards for pet food, many manufacturers voluntarily align with AAFCO nutrient profiles or feeding trial protocols. Doing so allows companies to demonstrate nutritional adequacy using widely recognized North American benchmarks, particularly for products intended to meet full dietary requirements rather than supplemental feeding purposes.

“Complete and Balanced” Claims on Canadian Pet Food Labels

When a pet food product sold in Canada claims to provide “complete and balanced” nutrition, this typically indicates that the formulation meets AAFCO nutrient profiles or has successfully passed an AAFCO-defined feeding trial. While AAFCO itself has no regulatory authority in Canada, these standards are commonly used to substantiate nutritional claims.

That said, all claims remain subject to Canadian labelling and advertising requirements. Claims must be truthful, not misleading, and supported by appropriate evidence in accordance with federal consumer protection legislation.

Canadian Regulatory Expectations for Nutritional Claims

Oversight of pet food labelling and advertising in Canada falls primarily under the CFIA and the Competition Bureau. Even when AAFCO standards are used as a reference point, products must still comply with Canadian requirements related to ingredient disclosure, product representation, and consumer-facing claims.

Referencing AAFCO standards does not exempt a product from Canadian compliance obligations, nor does it replace the need for accurate and properly formatted labelling.

Ingredient Naming and Use of AAFCO Definitions

AAFCO definitions are often followed for ingredient naming conventions in Canadian pet food, particularly where manufacturers operate across both Canadian and U.S. markets. However, these definitions do not have legal status in Canada unless they are explicitly referenced within CFIA guidance or policy documents.

Aligning with North American Best Practices

By voluntarily aligning with AAFCO standards, Canadian pet food companies can support consistency across markets, strengthen consumer confidence, and demonstrate adherence to recognized nutritional best practices. While not mandatory, AAFCO alignment is commonly viewed as an industry benchmark that complements Canada’s regulatory framework when applied carefully and transparently. 

Final Remarks 

Understanding pet food regulation in Canada requires navigating several overlapping frameworks, including labelling requirements, import controls, and general food safety standards. While there is no single regulation dedicated exclusively to pet food, compliance is guided by a combination of federal laws enforced by agencies such as the CFIA, Health Canada, and the Competition Bureau. To bring a pet food product to market, businesses must be prepared to meet various requirements related to ingredient disclosure, bilingual labelling, packaging safety, and, in some cases, traceability.

As the pet food industry continues to evolve in response to advances in nutritional science and shifting consumer preferences, manufacturers and importers must remain informed and adaptable. The adoption of outcome-based regulatory principles under the Feeds Regulations, 2024 reflects a broader shift toward modern oversight for animal feed, although these rules do not apply directly to pet food. While the AAFCO standards are not legally required in Canada, many companies follow them voluntarily to strengthen the credibility of their nutritional claims and build consumer trust.

Pet food products do not require pre-market approval in Canada unless they contain novel ingredients, qualify as veterinary health products, or are subject to specific import restrictions. 

FAQ 

---