How do you rate your dog food? Do you even know how good the dog food you are feeding is? Some people will select their dog’s food based on the claims made by multi-million dollar ad campaigns. Some people will buy their dog’s food because its sold by their vet. I prefer to check out the numbers and ratings myself. Here is a formula to help you verify that you’re feeding your dog a good quality food that will provide all the necessary nutrients and not simply fill him up on junk food.
How to Rate Your Dog Food:
Start with a grade of 100:
1) For every listing of “by-product”, subtract 10 points.
2) For every non-specific animal source (”meat” or “poultry”, meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points.
3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points for each.
4) For every grain “mill run” or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points.
5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. “ground brown rice”, “brewer’s rice”, “rice flour” are all the same grain), subtract 5 points.
6) If the meat protein sources are not in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points.
7) If it contains any artificial colorants or preservatives, subtract 3 points for each.
8 ) If it contains corn (ground, gluten, or whole grain corn), subtract 3 points.
9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points.
10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil or flaxseed oil, subtract 2 points.
11) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points.
12) If it contains wheat or a component of wheat (gluten), subtract 2 points.
13) If it contains digest, subtract 5 points.
14) If it contains salt (or sodium, as it is also called), subtract 1 point.
Extra Credit:
1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points.
2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points.
3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points.
4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points.
5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points.
6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points.
7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points.
8 ) If the food contains barley, add 2 points.
9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points.
10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point.
11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point.
12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count “chicken” and “chicken meal” as only one protein source but “chicken” and “salmon” as 2 different sources), add 1 point.
13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point.
14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free add 1 point.
94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 = F
Based on these calculations, the food I use for the puppies rates a “B” and the food I feed my parent dogs rates an “A” – good to know.
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