The Merck Veterinary Manuals website claims they are “The best first place to go for veterinary information.”
Under the section “Veterinary” there are numerous links regarding nutrition, some specific to cat and dog foods. Within their post “Nutritional Requirements and Related Diseases of Small Animals” – which claims it was “Modified October 2022” – are links to AAFCO Nutrient Profiles. Unfortunately the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles provided on the Merck website are outdated – no longer applicable to current pet food regulations.
The AAFCO Nutrient Profiles provided on the Merck website are from 2014 or before.
The National Research Council (NRC) published the Nutrient Requirements for Cats and Nutrient Requirements for Dogs in 2006. In January 2007, AAFCO formed a Working Group to update their Nutrient Profiles based on the new nutrient requirements from NRC. It took AAFCO 8 years to update their cat and dog food Nutrient Profiles (even though NRC had provided nutrient profiles for pet foods in their publications). Finally in 2015, AAFCO approved the updated Nutrient Profiles.
In the no longer applicable 2014 AAFCO Nutrient Profiles, AAFCO included maximum levels of many vitamins and minerals. As example copper – which is linked to copper storage disease in dogs. In 2014 dog foods were held to a maximum copper level of 250 mg/kg based on dry matter (71 mg per 1,000 kcal maximum). In the 2015 AAFCO Nutrient Profiles – that are current in 2023 – there is no maximum level for copper in cat foods or dog foods. In fact, AAFCO just concluded an investigation into the possibility of establishing a maximum for copper – at the request of a veterinarian researcher evidencing copper storage disease in dogs. AAFCO did NOT establish a maximum for copper.
In 2014, AAFCO Nutrient Profiles included maximum levels for Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Zinc and Vitamin E for dog foods. The current AAFCO Nutrient Profiles have none of these maximums.
In 2014, AAFCO Nutrient Profiles included a maximum level for Zinc in cat foods. The current AAFCO Nutrient Profiles do not include this maximum.
Merck Veterinary Manual
The Merck Veterinary Manual provides the outdated 2014 AAFCO Nutrient Profiles that include all of the above maximums. In other words, veterinarians that would consult the Merck website would believe that AAFCO has these maximum established for pet foods – when they don’t. This is extremely misleading to veterinarians and pet owners that also consult the Merck website.
What if a pet owner asks their veterinarian about the rise in reports of copper storage disease in dogs? Not knowing they are being given incorrect information by Merck, the veterinarian might assure the pet owner pet food is not the cause because there is a copper maximum established by AAFCO.
What if – based on this incorrect information being provided by Merck – veterinarians trust that pet food regulations have established maximums for other minerals and perhaps a pet food related toxic situation is not investigated in a pet?
Easily problems could (and probably have) occurred because Merck is providing veterinarians with seriously outdated information. Merck needs to update their Veterinary Manuals – immediately.
Merck’s outdated/incorrect cat food Nutrient Profile, Click Here.
Merck’s outdated/incorrect dog food Nutrient Profile, Click Here.
Current AAFCO Nutrient Profiles, Click Here.
My thanks to the attentive pet owner that caught the Merck mistake.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Linda
March 22, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Where do we find information for nutrition requirements? Looking on the internet it’s a mish-mosh of information, all is different, and I don’t know what to believe. Even holistic leaders in the industry all differ in what nutrient requirements. Comparing supplements to supplements they vary greatly.
Susan Thixton
March 22, 2023 at 12:51 pm
Pet foods labeled as complete and balanced in the US must either meet AAFCO Nutrient Profiles (linked above) or must have completed a feeding trial. Either way, I’d suggest you ask your manufacturer for a full nutritional analysis of their food.
Cheryl Marx
March 22, 2023 at 9:38 pm
I am so glad I read your information. I just took my dog off Blue Buffalo because he was becoming fat and really lethargic. I switched him over to fresh food and he’s doing much better. Thank you for doing all the hard work for our pets.
Jackie Makoujy
March 23, 2023 at 10:27 am
The link above to the CURRENT AFFCO NUTRIENT PROFILES brings me to the PFC Report/Meeting minutes. Am I missing something? I couldn’t find the Nutrient Profiles.
Susan Thixton
March 23, 2023 at 12:42 pm
The Nutrient Profiles are in that Pet Food Committee Meeting minutes document. You’ll need to scroll through to find them.
Jackie Makoujy
March 23, 2023 at 6:03 pm
I have gone through the Minutes several times. I don’t see any Nutrient Profiles. But that’s ok. I understand you are busy. No need to reply again.
Susan Thixton
March 23, 2023 at 7:09 pm
My apologies – the link I provided was from a previous meeting. Here is the correct link: https://www.aafco.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pet_Food_Report_2015_Annual-1.pdf
Brian
March 25, 2023 at 4:40 pm
Can we all send an email to Merck and ask that they correct their information here:
merckmanualsinfo@merck.com?subject=Merck Vet Manual Enquiry