Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
What has to be on a dog treat label in Michigan?
Verified September 7, 2026. Figures quoted from the statute, rule, fee page or form.
In Michigan 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 Michigan: yes, mDARD requires all product labels to be approved before distribution, with new and revised labels submitted with the license application; the statutory hook is the director power to require labels under MCL 287.524(9).
What the Michigan label has to carry
| Item | What Michigan says | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Required label items | YesProduct and brand name required (MCL 287.525(1)(a)(ii), R 285.635.3(a)); species designation required, the words dog food or cat food or a similar designation conspicuously on the principal display panel (R 285.635.3(h)); quantity statement of the contents required on the principal display panel (MCL 287.525(1)(a)(i), R 285.635.3(a)); guaranteed analysis required in the fixed order (MCL 287.525(1)(a)(iii), R 285.635.3(c)); ingredient statement required by the common or usual name of each ingredient, using AAFCO official definitions (MCL 287.525(1)(a)(iv), R 285.635.10(1)); nutritional adequacy statement not required by Michigan statute or rule, R 285.635.3(i) instead barring an unqualified complete or balanced claim unless the product meets nutrient requirements set by a recognized authority or passes testing; feeding directions required only for a commercial feed containing drugs and for other feeds the director requires by rule (MCL 287.525(1)(a)(vi)); calorie content statement not required by Michigan statute or rule; guarantor name and principal mailing address required, exactly as it appears on the license (MCL 287.525(1)(a)(v), R 285.635.3(b)); precautionary statements required as the director determines by rule (MCL 287.525(1)(a)(vii)); Michigan additionally requires drug statements where a drug product is used (MCL 287.525(1)(a)(viii)) and a date of manufacture, processing, packing or repacking or a lot code (MCL 287.525(1)(a)(ix)) | MCL 287.525(1)(a)(i)-(iii) (Commercial feed; label; information) |
| Guaranteed analysis | YesCrude protein minimum, crude fat minimum, crude fiber maximum, moisture maximum, in that order, with additional guarantees following moisture; treats are not excused, and MDARD states that treats require a guaranteed analysis | Mich. Admin. Code R 285.635.3(c) (Pet food label information) |
| What a treat is excused from | NoneNeither MCL 287.525 nor Regulation No. 635 carves a treat out of any label item, and Michigan requires no nutritional adequacy statement for a treat carve-out to attach to; MDARD guidance states only that treats require a guaranteed analysis and are not intended to be nutritionally complete | MDARD Pet Food and Treats page, "What's the difference between pet treats and pet food?" |
| AAFCO text adopted | YesR 285.635.1(2) adopts the AAFCO official definitions of feed ingredients and the official feed terms, and MCL 287.523(a) separately freezes the AAFCO official publication at the 2015 edition; no AAFCO Official Publication of any year is in the snapshot | Mich. Admin. Code R 285.635.1(2) (Definitions and terms) |
| AAFCO edition | DependsThe act freezes the reference at the 2015 Official Publication (MCL 287.523(a)) while the 1979 rule text points instead to the current annual AAFCO publication (R 285.635.1(2)); the conflict is not resolved anywhere in the snapshot, and no Official Publication of either kind is in the snapshot | MCL 287.523(a) (Definitions) |
| Label goes in with the filing | YesMDARD requires all product labels to be approved before distribution, with new and revised labels submitted with the license application; the statutory hook is the director power to require labels under MCL 287.524(9) | MDARD Commercial Feed Manufacturer/Distributor License Application, 'Important Information' block |
The guaranteed analysis, in the state's words
(c) The information required to appear in the "guaranteed analysis" shall be listed in the following order and in the form stipulated in R 285.635.8: Crude protein (minimum) Crude fat (minimum) Crude fiber (maximum) Moisture (maximum) Additional guarantees shall 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 Michigan
Treats and snack marketed for pets are considered "food" but are not required to be complete and balanced like food. Treats require a guaranteed analysis; however, they are not intended to be nutritionally complete and therefore do not need to meet all nutritional requirements for the species for which they are intended.
How the label reaches the state:
All product labels MUST be approved by the Department prior to their distribution in Michigan. Include all new/revised labels with your application.
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 Michigan
Michigan questions on this topic
Do dog treats need a guaranteed analysis in Michigan?
Yes. Crude protein minimum, crude fat minimum, crude fiber maximum, moisture maximum, in that order, with additional guarantees following moisture; treats are not excused, and MDARD states that treats require a guaranteed analysis. Source: Mich. Admin. Code R 285.635.3(c) (Pet food label information).
Does a treat need a nutritional adequacy statement in Michigan?
There is none in the text we read. Neither MCL 287.525 nor Regulation No. 635 carves a treat out of any label item, and Michigan requires no nutritional adequacy statement for a treat carve-out to attach to; MDARD guidance states only that treats require a guaranteed analysis and are not intended to be nutritionally complete. Source: MDARD Pet Food and Treats page, "What's the difference between pet treats and pet food?".
Does Michigan review my label before I sell?
Yes. MDARD requires all product labels to be approved before distribution, with new and revised labels submitted with the license application; the statutory hook is the director power to require labels under MCL 287.524(9). Source: MDARD Commercial Feed Manufacturer/Distributor License Application, 'Important Information' block.
Which AAFCO edition does Michigan follow for labels?
It depends. The act freezes the reference at the 2015 Official Publication (MCL 287.523(a)) while the 1979 rule text points instead to the current annual AAFCO publication (R 285.635.1(2)); the conflict is not resolved anywhere in the snapshot, and no Official Publication of either kind is in the snapshot. Source: MCL 287.523(a) (Definitions).
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.