Deaf Dane Rescue Inc. - Dog Food Rating System

Dog Food Rating System

Under construction!

Start with a grade of 100:

For every listing of "by-product" or "digest", subtract 10 points
For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points
If Lamb is the only animal protein source (not including eggs), subtract 5 points.
For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points
If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 5 points
If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients subtract 5 points (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewer’s rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain)
If the protein sources are not meat meal or there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, 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, subtract 2 points However, if the fat is chicken fat subtract only 1 point
If it contains wheat subtract 2 points
If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
If it contains salt or sugar, subtract 1 point each

Extra Credit:

If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
Or if any of the meat sources are certified hormone free add 3 points and/or if any of the meat sources are certified pesticide free add 2 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 digestive enzymes, add 2 points
If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 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 add 1 point (count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "turkey" as 2 different sources; do not count eggs)
If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point

101+ = ***** (5 stars)
94-100 = ****
86-93 = ***
78-85 = **
70-77 = *
<70 = no stars