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Dog Food Comparisons

Making dog food comparisons has become almost a national pastime these days!

A while ago, dog food recalls forced dog lovers everywhere to scrutinize their choice of dog food, and become obsessive 'label readers'.

But... in spite of our best efforts, making a premium dog food comparison is still tricky at best!

There are so many different foods on the market, and so many differing opinions about the best ingredients, manufacturing processes, supplements, and so on - that choosing the best dog food for your pooch is definitely a challenge.

Premium dog food, holistic dog food, natural dog food, organic dog food... the list of varieties goes on and on... and on!

If only there was a way to do a basic dog food analysis, taking into account the dog food ingredients over many different types of dog food. Preferably one that doesn't require a degree math or science!

Well, actually there is such a way of making dog food comparisons - and I'm about to show you exactly how to do it!

Now, although this method of dog food analysis doesn't require a science degree, you do need to concentrate! It will show you how to make a premium dog food comparison according to the quality/type or absence/presence of certain ingredients.

You can start by analyzing the dog food you're currently using, and the make dog food comparisons against any/all other brands that you want to.

This method of grading dog food was developed by Great Dane owner, Sarah Irick and she has very kindly given me permission to reprint her 'Dog Food Grading Scheme' here, and would like to include the following :

This food grading system is specifically to help those who have trouble deciphering dog food labels and the many articles about what ingredients are.

If you have a quality dog food and are not looking to make a change, or if you know about reading dog food labels and can choose a dog food on your own, then by all means continue as you are.

However if you are looking for a quality food and would like some guidance on choosing between seemingly equal brands in the store, and you'd like more to base your information on than a friend or store clerk's recommendation, please feel free to use this handy guideline, but be aware that there may be other important information by breed type or size (i.e. in giant breed puppies you need a food with lower protein levels than is typically available in puppy foods, even "large breed" puppy foods), so you will need to research that as well).

Dog Food Analysis & Grading

To grade any dog food using Sarahs' dog food comparisons technique, you need to start with the list of ingredients (it's fairly easy to find an ingredient list for any particular food on the manufacturers website, or use the one on your dog food bag etc.)

Start with a grade of 100 points, then …

For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points

For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points

If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points

For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source subtract 5 points. 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

If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points

If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points

If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points

If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points

If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points

If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points

If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points

If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points

If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point

If it contains salt, subtract 1 point

Extra Credit:

If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points

If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points

If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points

If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points

If the food contains fruit, add 3 points

If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points

If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points

If the food contains barley, add 2 points

If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points

If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point

If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point

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

If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point

If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

Scoring

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

Well, although this may sound a little tricky, I promise that once you've analyzed a couple of different varieties of food, you'll be able to make some very useful dog food comparisons.

Then you'll be in a much better position to make dog food comparisons and be sure that you're giving your precious pup the very best, safest, healthiest and appropriate dog food - now that was worth a few minutes of math wasn't it?

We may even be able to save you some calculations, as we've done some of the math for you!

You can see the 'Report Card' for 48 of the most popular dog food brands (rated using this system) on our Dog Food Ratings page and the Top 25 'A Listers' on our Best Dog Food page.

For an up to date list of the most popular premium dog food brands, check out my 10 Best Dog Food Choices page.

Dog Food Ratings

10 Best Dog Food Choices

Top 25

Commercial Dog Food

Homemade Dog Food

Feeding A Puppy

Organic Dog Food

Dog Food Allergies

Feeding Large Breed Dogs - an expert interview

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