Illinois Department of Agriculture
What has to be on a dog treat label in Illinois?
Verified September 7, 2026. Figures quoted from the statute, rule, fee page or form.
In Illinois 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 Illinois: yes, a label for each product must accompany the registration, and the Director may refuse a registration that is not in compliance after an opportunity to be heard.
What the Illinois label has to carry
| Item | What Illinois says | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Required label items | YesProduct and brand name required on the principal display panel (505 ILCS 30/5(a)(2), 8 Ill. Adm. Code 200.130(a)); species designation required, the words Dog Food or Cat Food or a similar designation conspicuously on the principal display panel (200.130(k)), with the word snack or treat added when the product is intended for that use; quantity statement required as net weight on the principal display panel (505 ILCS 30/5(a)(1), 200.130(a)); guaranteed analysis required in the fixed order crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, moisture (505 ILCS 30/5(a)(3), 200.130(c)); ingredient statement required by AAFCO name and definition, or by common or usual name where none exists, in order of predominance by weight (505 ILCS 30/5(a)(4), 200.160(b)); nutritional adequacy statement required except on a dog or cat food prominently identified as a snack or treat (200.130(o)); feeding directions required only for a commercial feed containing drugs and for other feeds the Director determines necessary (505 ILCS 30/5(a)(6)); calorie content statement not required by Illinois statute or rule; guarantor name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor required (505 ILCS 30/5(a)(5), 200.130(d)); precautionary statements required as the Director determines necessary (505 ILCS 30/5(a)(7)) | 505 ILCS 30/5(a) (Labeling) |
| Guaranteed analysis | YesCrude protein minimum percent, crude fat minimum percent, crude fiber maximum percent, moisture maximum percent, in that order, with additional guarantees following moisture; no treat exception | 8 Ill. Adm. Code 200.130(c) (Label Format and Labeling), Subpart B: Pet Food |
| 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 by 8 Ill. Adm. Code 200.130(k), needs no statement of nutritional adequacy (200.130(o)); nothing else is waived | 8 Ill. Adm. Code 200.130(o) (Label Format and Labeling), Subpart B: Pet Food |
| AAFCO text adopted | Yes505 ILCS 30/10(b) adopts the official definitions of feed ingredients and official feed terms as adopted and published by AAFCO, plus any amendments or supplements; no AAFCO Official Publication is in the snapshot | 505 ILCS 30/10(b) (Rules and regulations) |
| AAFCO edition | DependsNo fixed year is named; Illinois adopts the AAFCO definitions as published plus any amendments or supplements, and no Official Publication is in the snapshot, so the operative edition cannot be read here | 505 ILCS 30/10(b) (Rules and regulations) |
| Label goes in with the filing | YesA label for each product must accompany the registration, and the Director may refuse a registration that is not in compliance after an opportunity to be heard | 505 ILCS 30/4(a) (Product Registration and Firm License) |
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:
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 Illinois
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 subsection (k) of this Section shall bear, on either the principal display panel or the information panel in type of the same size as the largest type on the panel, a statement of the nutritional adequacy
How the label reaches the state:
The registration shall be accompanied by a label and such other information as the Director may require describing the product.
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 Illinois
Illinois questions on this topic
Do dog treats need a guaranteed analysis in Illinois?
Yes. Crude protein minimum percent, crude fat minimum percent, crude fiber maximum percent, moisture maximum percent, in that order, with additional guarantees following moisture; no treat exception. Source: 8 Ill. Adm. Code 200.130(c) (Label Format and Labeling), Subpart B: Pet Food.
Does a treat need a nutritional adequacy statement in Illinois?
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 by 8 Ill. Adm. Code 200.130(k), needs no statement of nutritional adequacy (200.130(o)); nothing else is waived. Source: 8 Ill. Adm. Code 200.130(o) (Label Format and Labeling), Subpart B: Pet Food.
Does Illinois review my label before I sell?
Yes. A label for each product must accompany the registration, and the Director may refuse a registration that is not in compliance after an opportunity to be heard. Source: 505 ILCS 30/4(a) (Product Registration and Firm License).
Which AAFCO edition does Illinois follow for labels?
It depends. No fixed year is named; Illinois adopts the AAFCO definitions as published plus any amendments or supplements, and no Official Publication is in the snapshot, so the operative edition cannot be read here. Source: 505 ILCS 30/10(b) (Rules and regulations).
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.