Office of Indiana State Chemist
What has to be on a dog treat label in Indiana?
Verified September 7, 2026. Figures quoted from the statute, rule, fee page or form.
In Indiana 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 Indiana: yes, oISC states that all product labels must be reviewed by its office before printing expenses occur, and a copy of every label goes in with the license application and the small-package product list.
What the Indiana label has to carry
| Item | What Indiana says | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Required label items | YesProduct and brand name required on the principal display panel (IC 15-19-7-25.4(a)(1) with 27.5); species designation required, the species of pet or specialty pet conspicuously designated on the principal display panel (25.4(a)(2)); quantity statement required on the principal display panel (25.4(a)(3)); guaranteed analysis required (25.4(a)(4) with 29.5); ingredient statement required, ingredients identified by AAFCO name and definition (25.4(a)(5) with 25.5); nutritional adequacy or purpose statement required except when the dog or cat food is clearly and conspicuously identified on the principal display panel as a snack or treat (25.4(a)(6) with 25.7(c)); feeding directions required only for dog or cat food labeled as complete and balanced (25.4(a)(7) with 25.8(a)); calorie content statement not required by Ind. Code ch. 15-19-7; guarantor name and address of the manufacturer or distributor required (25.4(a)(8) with 28.2); precautionary statements not separately listed in 25.4(a), the drug and warning requirements sitting elsewhere in the chapter; OISC additionally instructs treat makers to put the intended use, Treat, Snack or Supplement, on the front of the label | IC 15-19-7-25.4(a)(1)-(8) (Pet food and specialty pet food label requirements), sliced plain-text extract |
| Guaranteed analysis | YesA pet food or specialty pet food label must list minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, maximum crude fat where required by IC 15-19-7-28.1, maximum crude fiber, maximum moisture, with additional guarantees following moisture | IC 15-19-7-29.5(a)(1)(A)-(F) (Listing of guaranteed analysis) |
| What a treat is excused from | DependsA dog or cat food clearly and conspicuously identified on the principal display panel as a snack or treat needs no statement of nutritional adequacy or purpose (IC 15-19-7-25.7(c)) and, not being labeled complete and balanced, owes no feeding directions either (IC 15-19-7-25.8(a)); nothing else is waived, and OISC requires the intended use, Treat, Snack or Supplement, on the front of the label | IC 15-19-7-25.7(c) |
| AAFCO text adopted | YesAAFCO ingredient names and definitions are mandatory on the label (IC 15-19-7-25.5(a)(3)) and the AAFCO Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food, as published in the 2026 Official Publication, are the standard for a label review on request (IC 15-19-7-47(a)); no AAFCO Official Publication is in the snapshot | IC 15-19-7-25.5(a)(3) (Ingredient statement) |
| AAFCO edition | YesThe 2026 Official Publication of AAFCO, for the model bill only; that publication is not in the snapshot | IC 15-19-7-47(a) |
| Label goes in with the filing | YesOISC states that all product labels must be reviewed by its office before printing expenses occur, and a copy of every label goes in with the license application and the small-package product list | OISC handout "Indiana Pet Treat Sales", p.3 |
The guaranteed analysis, in the state's words
(1) A pet food or specialty pet food label must list the following required guarantees: (A) Minimum percentage of crude protein. (B) Minimum percentage of crude fat. (C) Maximum percentage of crude fat, if required by section 28.1 of this chapter. (D) Maximum percentage of crude fiber. (E) Maximum percentage of moisture. (F) Additional guarantees must follow moisture.
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 Indiana
(c) Dog and cat food labels must include a statement of nutritional adequacy or purpose of the product, except when the dog or cat food is clearly and conspicuously identified on the principal display panel as a "snack" or "treat".
How the label reaches the state:
All product labels must be reviewed by our office, so please have them reviewed before printing expenses occur. Please send in a copy of all labels with the license application, products list (for products in packages 10 lbs or less), and a check. We are unable to accept credit card payment at this time.
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 Indiana
Indiana questions on this topic
Do dog treats need a guaranteed analysis in Indiana?
Yes. A pet food or specialty pet food label must list minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, maximum crude fat where required by IC 15-19-7-28.1, maximum crude fiber, maximum moisture, with additional guarantees following moisture. Source: IC 15-19-7-29.5(a)(1)(A)-(F) (Listing of guaranteed analysis).
Does a treat need a nutritional adequacy statement in Indiana?
It depends. A dog or cat food clearly and conspicuously identified on the principal display panel as a snack or treat needs no statement of nutritional adequacy or purpose (IC 15-19-7-25.7(c)) and, not being labeled complete and balanced, owes no feeding directions either (IC 15-19-7-25.8(a)); nothing else is waived, and OISC requires the intended use, Treat, Snack or Supplement, on the front of the label. Source: IC 15-19-7-25.7(c).
Does Indiana review my label before I sell?
Yes. OISC states that all product labels must be reviewed by its office before printing expenses occur, and a copy of every label goes in with the license application and the small-package product list. Source: OISC handout "Indiana Pet Treat Sales", p.3.
Which AAFCO edition does Indiana follow for labels?
Yes. The 2026 Official Publication of AAFCO, for the model bill only; that publication is not in the snapshot. Source: IC 15-19-7-47(a).
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.