Dog Food Rating Formula

Recently, I came across a grassroots piece of research on dog food. It is the first and foremost ever "dog food rating formula" based solely on quantitative metrics. I was overwhelmed with excitement. Someone had finally taken the initiative to put ingredient ranking to paper and conceptualize a system of scoring. It is truly a step in the right direction to realistically rate overall dog food quality.

It is very obvious that this women has devoted considerable time developing her food rating formula. I applaud her for her efforts and support the future development of such systems. Her name is Sarah Irick. Her methodology and commitment to this formula is unbelievable. She should be honored for such an achievement. I hope she doesn't mind but I am posting her quotations as well as her formulaic breakout without asking permission first. We simply don't have time to waste getting this to more owners. I feel she would understand. As gun dog owners, we represent the last bastion of working dogs in this world. Our dogs are bred not only as loving companions, but to fulfill their genetic code brought on by ancient man who first domesticated wild dogs to help them hunt. The addition of the domesticated dog to the human hunting pack indeed contributed, and possibly catalyzed, the perpetual evolution of humanity as a whole. If you care about your dog, this is truly an important piece of work! Thank you Sarah for your time and service to those who wish to proliferate canine healthy and welfare.

According to Sarah..."There are so many different types of dog food on the market and so many different opinions about the best ingredients, manufacturing processes, supplements, etc that choosing the best food for your dog is definitely a challenge. Below you'll find a system that will help you 'rate' or evaluate, any dog food by taking a close look at it's ingredients, and doing a few simple calculations. It will help you find the best food for your dogs' individual needs. So relax, the confusion ends here! 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!

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(add to score)...

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(bacteria cultures), 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

Scoring94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 & Below = 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.

Here is a list of popular dog food brands and how they rated out using her system...
Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
Blue Buffalo Chicken & Brown Rice/ Score 106 A+
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+
Eagle Pack Holistic / Score 119 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken / Score 114 A+
Eagle Pack Large and Giant Breed Puppy / Score 94 A
Eagle Pack Natural / Score 94 A
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult / Score 83 C
Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 93 A
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
Iams Large Breed / Score 83 C
Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
Natural Balance Duck and Potato / Score 114 A+
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Pedigree Adult Complete / Score 14 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
Pro Plan Natural SElects Turkey & Barley / Score 103 A+
Purina Beneful / Score 17 F
Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 A+
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 A
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
Science Diet chicken adult maintenance / Score 45 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F
Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison / Score 136 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+
Wolfking Adult Dog (Bison) by Solid Gold / Score 97 A

Without question Sarah has it down to pure, blue collar science. Her metric rating system is well thought out and concise. I hope this helps breakdown what foods are beneficial and those that lack what your dog needs to not only perform better in the field but to live a long and happy life.

Best of luck out there. -Mark