Three newly published studies have evidenced that a maximum for copper in dog foods CAN be safely established by AAFCO Nutrient Profiles.
See: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.25.05.0296/javma.25.05.0296.xml
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.25.05.0297/javma.25.05.0297.xml
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.25.05.0295/javma.25.05.0295.xml
Pet food consumers have overwhelmingly requested a copper maximum be established in pet food Nutrient Profiles, but AAFCO has refused to pass this significant nutrient profile change. As well, AAFCO has refused to allow unbiased scientists (specifically Dr. Sharon Center) to participate in the AAFCO Copper Working Group, while Dr. Leslie Hancock of Hill’s Pet Food was allowed to participate.
Of note, Hill’s Pet Food’s Dr. Hancock – at the same time she was participating in the AAFCO Copper working group – published a copper research paper claiming that pet “liver copper concentrations” were not problematic. But…the Hill’s veterinarian paper was quickly questioned by industry scientists and ultimately retracted as “a massively flawed study.”
Dr. Hancock of Hill’s Pet Food was at every AAFCO meeting, persistently arguing against a copper maximum in pet foods – even arguing against a voluntary (not required, only voluntary) copper maximum. It appeared that AAFCO members listened to Hill’s Pet Food Dr. Hancock, failing to pass any copper maximum in pet food (voluntary or mandatory).
But…thanks to Dr. Sharon Center of Cornell University, we now have three different papers that all confirm a copper maximum in dog foods will NOT result in copper deficiency.
Will AAFCO open up the discussion again?
We don’t know – we sent the following request to AAFCO:
We are requesting that AAFCO re-open the copper maximum in Nutrient Profiles discussion. Dr. Sharon Center and colleagues recently published three separate papers confirming a copper maximum in dog food would not result in copper deficiency.
We also request that when a new Copper Working Group is formed, AAFCO should permit Dr. Sharon Center the opportunity to participate. If you recall, Dr. Center was not provided an opportunity to participate in the original working group. Being that she is one of the leading veterinary scientists in this research category, one would think that AAFCO would welcome her participation.
Pet owners are very concerned that AAFCO has failed – thus far – to establish maximums for various nutrients including copper.
Should AAFCO take any action on this serious issue, we will alert pet owners.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
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Susan Porter
January 12, 2026 at 3:14 pm
I have been trying to sound the alarm about copper excess in certain commercial dog foods to my friends and neighbors since Dr. Center’s paper. The ironic and ugly fact is that the highest copper levels can be found in the most expensive, all natural dog foods and not in the garbage kibbles. For example, Green JuJu has a new “balanced” line of raw, freeze dried food (also comes as fresh frozen I think) in which they have eliminated muscle meat from the prey model– They simply have organ meat and veggies as that is cheaper. Consequently, their own batch sample analysis shows copper to be way above what the experts, like Dr. Center consider to be safe.
T Allen
January 12, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Anything to get paid for of all that liver that they’d otherwise have to pay to dispose of…