Georgia Department of Agriculture
What has to be on a dog treat label in Georgia?
Verified September 7, 2026. Figures quoted from the statute, rule, fee page or form.
In Georgia a dog treat is pet food, and its label follows the state's commercial feed labeling rules rather than the human food rules. The table below lists each label item with the citation it was read from, then the order of the guaranteed analysis and what a product identified as a snack or treat is excused from. Label filing in Georgia: yes, labels of products must be submitted with any first-time application for a feed license, and a label is uploaded per registered product.
What the Georgia label has to carry
| Item | What Georgia says | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Required label items | YesProduct and brand name required (O.C.G.A. 2-13-8(a)(2)); species designation required, the words Dog Food or Cat Food or a similar designation conspicuously on the principal display panel (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-5-8-.02(11)), which the GDA brochure states as Dog Food, Cat Food or Dog Treat; quantity statement required as net weight (2-13-8(a)(1)); guaranteed analysis required in the fixed pet food order (2-13-8(a)(3), r. 40-5-8-.02(3)); ingredient statement required by common or usual name in descending order of predominance by weight (2-13-8(a)(4)); nutritional adequacy statement required except on a product prominently identified as a snack or treat (r. 40-5-8-.02(15)); feeding directions required by rule only for dog and cat foods labeled as complete and balanced (r. 40-5-8-.02(17)), which a plain treat is not, although the GDA brochure instructs treat makers to include feeding instructions; calorie content statement not required by Georgia statute or rule; guarantor name and principal mailing address required (2-13-8(a)(5), r. 40-5-2-.01(1)(g)); precautionary statements required with adequate directions for use (2-13-8(a)(6)-(7), r. 40-5-2-.01(1)(d) and (1)(h)) | O.C.G.A. Sec. 2-13-8(a)(1)-(3) (Labeling) |
| Guaranteed analysis | YesCrude protein minimum percentage, crude fat minimum percentage, crude fiber maximum percentage and moisture maximum percentage, in that order, on the pet food label | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-5-8-.02(3)(a)-(d) |
| What a treat is excused from | DependsA dog or cat food prominently identified as a snack or treat, as part of the designation required on the principal display panel, needs no statement of nutritional adequacy (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-5-8-.02(15)) and, not being labeled complete and balanced, owes no feeding directions by rule either (r. 40-5-8-.02(17)); the GDA brochure separately instructs treat makers to include feeding instructions, which is agency guidance rather than the rule | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-5-8-.02(15) |
| AAFCO text adopted | YesGa. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-5-1-.01(1) adopts the AAFCO Official Definitions of Feed Ingredients, and O.C.G.A. 2-13-12(b)(1) names the 1992 AAFCO official publication and supplements thereto; no AAFCO Official Publication of any year is in the snapshot | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-5-1-.01(1) |
| AAFCO edition | DependsThe statute fixes the 1992 AAFCO official publication and supplements thereto (O.C.G.A. 2-13-12(b)(1)) while the rules adopt the AAFCO definitions with no edition named (r. 40-5-1-.01(1)); no Official Publication of either kind is in the snapshot, so the operative edition cannot be read here | O.C.G.A. § 2-13-12(b)(1) |
| Label goes in with the filing | YesLabels of products must be submitted with any first-time application for a feed license, and a label is uploaded per registered product | GDA "Feed and Pet Food Labeling Requirements" page |
The guaranteed analysis, in the state's words
The information which is required to appear in the "Guaranteed Analysis" shall be listed in the following order: (a) Crude protein (Minimum Percentage); (b) Crude fat (Minimum Percentage); (c) Crude fiber (Maximum Percentage); (d) Moisture (Maximum Percentage);
The laboratory side of these guarantees, and what a test costs, is on the guaranteed analysis guide linked below.
What a treat is excused from in Georgia
The label of a dog or cat food [other than one prominently identified as a snack or treat as part of the designation required upon the principal display panel under Regulation ] shall bear, on either the principal display panel or the information panel
How the label reaches the state:
Labels of products must be submitted with any first-time application for a feed license.
The federal package rules that apply on top
- The principal display panel must bear a statement of identity as a principal feature.
- Ingredients must be listed by common or usual name in descending order of predominance by weight.
- Label must conspicuously give the name and place of business of manufacturer, packer or distributor, with 'Manufactured for'/'Distributed by' qualifier when not the manufacturer; street address, city, state, ZIP.
- The principal display panel must bear a net quantity declaration in weight, measure, count or combination; solids in avoirdupois weight.
- Required information must be at least 1/16 inch high unless an exemption applies (small packages under 10 sq in may use 3/64 inch).
More for Georgia
Georgia questions on this topic
Do dog treats need a guaranteed analysis in Georgia?
Yes. Crude protein minimum percentage, crude fat minimum percentage, crude fiber maximum percentage and moisture maximum percentage, in that order, on the pet food label. Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-5-8-.02(3)(a)-(d).
Does a treat need a nutritional adequacy statement in Georgia?
It depends. A dog or cat food prominently identified as a snack or treat, as part of the designation required on the principal display panel, needs no statement of nutritional adequacy (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-5-8-.02(15)) and, not being labeled complete and balanced, owes no feeding directions by rule either (r. 40-5-8-.02(17)); the GDA brochure separately instructs treat makers to include feeding instructions, which is agency guidance rather than the rule. Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-5-8-.02(15).
Does Georgia review my label before I sell?
Yes. Labels of products must be submitted with any first-time application for a feed license, and a label is uploaded per registered product. Source: GDA "Feed and Pet Food Labeling Requirements" page.
Which AAFCO edition does Georgia follow for labels?
It depends. The statute fixes the 1992 AAFCO official publication and supplements thereto (O.C.G.A. 2-13-12(b)(1)) while the rules adopt the AAFCO definitions with no edition named (r. 40-5-1-.01(1)); no Official Publication of either kind is in the snapshot, so the operative edition cannot be read here. Source: O.C.G.A. § 2-13-12(b)(1).
Keep reading
DogTreatLicense is an informational reference about state commercial feed laws as they apply to people who make and sell pet treats in the United States. It reprints instrument names, fees, thresholds, label items and citations from state statutes, rules, fee schedules and agency forms, together with the date each state was last verified. Nothing on this site is legal advice, and fees and rules change. Confirm with the state feed control office before you register or sell.
Read the terms before you rely on any figure here.