Dog Food Rating Guide

The dog food rating system used by humane societies, shelters, breeders and pet owners alike is relatively simple. You start with 100 points and add or subtract based upon the ingredients the brand contains.

The first time I found the system and rated the brand I had been using for years, I was shocked to see that the final grade was an F…a very low F as a matter of fact. The final score was only 49 points and the brand I had been using was a major brand, not a cheap store brand or discount brand, but one that is highly advertised and was at one time promoted as being “recommended by top breeders”.

The company has stopped making that claim, because as we have learned more about good nutrition for dogs (and humans too), breeders can no longer recommend foods that contain specific ingredients. Some of the bad ingredients include:

• Corn—does not provide nutrients important to canines

• Wheat—dogs are commonly allergic to wheat

• Artificial colors—other common allergens

• BHA—an artificial preservative known to cause cancer in humans

Other ingredients are not quite as bad. There are simply better choices. When you are doing dog food comparisons, remember that:

• Fish oil is better than vegetable oil or animal fat because it is polyunsaturated and has a better omega-3/6 balance

• Lamb is not a good protein source, except in dogs that are allergic to beef, pork and chicken

• Organic meats, free of hormones and antibiotics are the best protein sources

• Barley is better than other grains, because it is least likely to cause allergic reaction

• Baked foods are better than extruded because more nutrients are preserved

• Vegetables and fruits are good for dogs because they provide antioxidants

Other factors to consider when doing dog food comparisons have to do with being specific. Many brands do not list the specific kind of meat used in the product. The label of ingredients may say “meat and meat byproducts” for example.

The lack of specificity makes it difficult for owners who know their dogs have allergies. It makes it difficult for the rest of us because we don’t know if the meat is a good source of complete protein for dogs.

Listing vegetable oil is another example of being non-specific. While vegetable oils like flax seed and sunflower oil earn extra credit from breeders because of the omega-3 profile, most vegetable oils are derived from corn. Corn oil is too high in omega-6 fat. The imbalance contributes to chronic inflammation.

Dog food rating is a good idea. I know that I changed brands after looking at the poor score of the company I had trusted for many years. Doing dog food ratings is very important to help keep your dog healthy.

The brand I switched to is my brand, healthy homemade food recipes for dogs. Remember, if you do not make your own dog food recipes, to do a dog food rating before you buy.

Charlene Appeal is a dog food recipes expert. For more information on dog food ratings, visit http://www.25foodrecipesfordogs.com 

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