Quick answer: Pet food can be sold on Amazon, but it has to meet federal law and Amazon’s own rules. The FDA requires animal food to be safe, produced under sanitary conditions, free of harmful substances, and truthfully labeled. Amazon treats pet food as an expiration-dated product: for FBA, pet food and treats must arrive at the fulfillment center with at least 180 days before expiry, and every ingestible product must show an expiry or manufacturing date, since lot numbers alone are not enough. Veterinary diets have extra requirements, and prescription pet medications can only be sold by a licensed pet pharmacy.
Pet food listings are removed and FBA shipments are disposed of more often than sellers expect, almost always for dating, labeling, or category reasons. This guide brings together what Amazon and the FDA require so you can list pet food without losing inventory.
What the Law Requires for Pet Food
The FDA explains that the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires animal foods to be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.
Labeling under FDA rules
According to the FDA, pet food labels must include proper identification of the product, a net quantity statement, the name and place of business of the manufacturer or distributor, and all ingredients listed by weight from most to least.
State rules
The FDA notes that some states also enforce their own labeling regulations, many based on a model from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Selling nationwide on Amazon means your labels need to work in every state you ship to.
Ingredients and approvals
The FDA states that many ingredients, such as meat, poultry, and grains, are considered safe and do not require pre-market approval, while other substances such as some nutrients, flavorings, and preservatives may need to be Generally Recognized as Safe or approved as food additives.
Amazon’s Rules for Animal Products
Amazon’s Animals and animal-related products policy requires sellers to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and makes sellers responsible for required licenses and permits and for any penalties from non-compliance.
Veterinary diets
Amazon allows veterinary diets, which are dog and cat foods for nutritional management under a veterinarian’s diagnosis. Amazon notes that FDA guidance says these should be sold under the direction of a veterinarian, and Amazon asks customers at checkout to confirm the purchase is under a veterinarian’s direction.
Prescription pet medications
Amazon states that prescription pet medications are regulated by the FDA, require a veterinary prescription, and must be sold by a licensed pet pharmacy.
FBA Requirements for Pet Food
Amazon considers pet food an expiration-dated product. Getting this wrong is the main reason pet food inventory is disposed of at the fulfillment center.
| Requirement | What Amazon says |
|---|---|
| Expiration attributes | Set Is Expiration Dated Product, Product Expiration Type, and Shelf Life correctly when you create the ASIN |
| Minimum shelf life on arrival | Pet food and treats: 180 days before expiry when checked in at the fulfillment center |
| Date on the product | All ingestible products, including animal products, must be clearly labeled with an expiry or manufacturing date. Lot numbers alone are not enough. |
| Multipacks and cases | Show the expiration date on the outer packaging and on each item inside |
| Boxes | Only one expiry date per ASIN in each box; different dates go in separate boxes |
| Expired on arrival | Marked for disposal, and inventory subject to disposal cannot be returned to you |
Amazon also says products must not hide the original expiry date or other product information, such as ingredients or distributor details. Unsold inventory that passes its expiration date, or gets close to the ASIN’s shelf life, is set to unsellable.
What happens if you get it wrong
Amazon states that failing to meet its expiration requirements may result in removal of listings, disposal of inventory, or deactivation of the selling account.
Common Reasons Pet Food Listings Get Removed
- Missing or wrong expiration attributes on the ASIN
- Products that arrive with less than 180 days of shelf life
- Labels with only a lot number and no date
- Labels that do not meet FDA requirements, such as missing ingredients or manufacturer details
- Veterinary diet or prescription products listed without meeting Amazon’s extra requirements
- Customer complaints about expired or damaged product
How to Sell Pet Food Safely on Amazon
- Buy from manufacturers or authorized distributors, and keep invoices that show lot and date information.
- Check every label against FDA requirements and the rules of the states you sell into.
- Set expiration attributes correctly at ASIN creation.
- Plan FBA shipments around the 180-day minimum.
- Set your FBA inventory settings to return unsellable units automatically.
If pet food listings have been removed for compliance reasons, our product safety and compliance service handles the response, and our listing recovery service works on reinstating the listings. For lost or disposed FBA units, see our Amazon inventory reconciliation service. If the account itself is at risk, our Amazon suspension and reinstatement team can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need approval to sell pet food on Amazon?
Requirements can vary by product and brand. Search for the product under Add Products in Seller Central to see whether it shows Sell this product or Apply to sell.
How much shelf life does pet food need for FBA?
Amazon’s guideline for pet food and treats is at least 180 days before expiry at check-in at the fulfillment center.
Is a lot number enough for FBA pet food?
No. Amazon requires ingestible products, including animal products, to show an expiry or manufacturing date. Lot numbers alone are not enough.
Can I sell prescription pet food or medication?
Veterinary diets can be sold with Amazon asking customers to confirm veterinary direction. Prescription pet medications must be sold by a licensed pet pharmacy.
Does the FDA approve pet food before it is sold?
The FDA says many common ingredients do not require pre-market approval, but the food must be safe, sanitary, free of harmful substances, and truthfully labeled.
Keep Your Pet Food Listings Live
If listings or inventory have already been affected, submit your case for a free assessment, or book a consultation.
Sources
- Amazon Seller Central, Animals and animal-related products
- Amazon Seller Central, Expiration dates on FBA products
- Amazon Seller Central, Categories and products that require approval
- US Food and Drug Administration, Pet Food
