How Does Your Dog Food Rate?

With modern advances in pet nutrition, dogs seem to live longer than they ever have. Why? Well, Fur Kids Foundation believes that advancements in dog food quality have helped to extend our four-legged friends’ lives, and we want our supporters to have the best information when it comes to their dog food. Below you’ll find a way to rate your dog food that our Board member Mary has been using for a few years and sharing with people she helps at Big Dogs Huge Paws.

This list was developed by Sarah Irick, civil/industrial engineer who is also a Great Dane owner and rescue volunteer. She developed this grading system because she was concerned about what she feed her dogs and wants to help others decide what to feed their own dogs. Many pet owners may not have the time to do hours of research on pet foods and/or nutrition, so Sarah created an easier way to compare labels. The system is available below, or at the Memphis Area Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.

Start with a grade of 100 points and:

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
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 protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
7. If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
8. If it contains ground corn 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, subtract 2 points
11. If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
12. If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
13. If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points
14. If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
15. If it contains salt, 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 “fish” 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.

Here’s the grading system:

• 94-100+ = A
• 86-93 = B
• 78-85 = C
• 70-77 = D
• 69 = F

Below are some foods that have already been scored. 

• Canidae / Score 112 A+
• Eukanuba Large Breed Adult / Score 83 C
• Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
• Ol Roy / Score 9 F
• Pedigree Adult Complete / Score 14 F
• Purina Benful / Score 17 F
• Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
• Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+

Was your dog food on the list? If so, do you think you’ll switch to a better food? Please share this blog with your friends and family. Nutrition makes a big difference in the life of your dog.

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