How Do I Select The Right Food for My Dog?

It has been months since I last added to this Blog. I have had trouble coming back to it as the last entry was written during the end of my darling Brandy's life. I did end up taking her to the vet -- she went to the Rainbow Bridge quickly and peacefully. There is still a big hole on my heart and on my bed - that Brandy used to fill.

Anyway, it is time to move forward. I thought I would ease my way back into writing by addressing a non-emotional topic -- dog nutrition.

I have a question on my adoption application which asks prospective families what type of food they plan to feed their new family member. I am sure most roll their eyes at the question, thinking it superficial or not a "deal breaker" but l am here to tell you -- How you answer that question speaks volumes to me. The answer tell me how educated the applicant is regarding dogs and nutrition. If the answer is "Kibbles & Bits," "Dog Chow," "Iams" -- I know that the applicant has not done their research regarding what ingredients are good for a dog and what foods are considered "junk foods" with little nutritional value and potentially harmful fillers.

If an applicant answers "whatever the dog is eating now" or "whatever the vet recommends" it tells me that he/she is too lazy to do the research and to select the most beneficial food for their dog.

A low grade dog food can cause a wide array of medical issues in a dog -- including skin allergies, ear infections, urinary tract infections, thyroid problems, and cancer. Spending a little more financially on your dog's food can save you a ton of money in vet bills.

At any rate - enough my lecture. Below is a food grading system that I think might help current and future dog owners to evaluate the best nutritional choices for their dogs.

How to grade your dog/cat's food: (Some brands are rated at the very bottom)


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

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", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points

6) 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 is allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points

14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog is 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 "" 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

Here are some foods that have already been scored.

Dog Food scores:

Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
Canidae / Score 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 A+
Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 A
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 122 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato / Score 106 A+
Foundations / Score 106 A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold/ Score 73 D
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score73 D
Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables / Score 110 A+
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy / Score 87 B
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley / Score 103 A+
Purina Benful / Score 17 F