There are hundreds of brands of pet foods out there which can make choosing a pet food for your companion a hard and overwhelming decision. Often I am asked what is the best food? Boy is that loaded question! On a general basis there is a hierarchy of pet food types out there based on overall quality and benefit to our companions. Some definitely better than others and even some within each food type that is better. Keep in mind all our companions are different and what works for one may not work for another.

      We can classify our companion’s individual food based on several factors and give each a point value. Keep in mind that although a food has a high point value it doesn’t mean over all it is the best. For example, a food may have a score of say 100 which sounds great but in the food quality section you only added two points and subtracted 10, then that food may not be the best so please do not add all your category numbers together.

 

How to use this system:

     Take your food and determine category values based your answers to the questions that follow adding and subtracting points based on the question. By adding up all the points in each category, you can compare brands in specific areas of quality and make an informed assessment of the food.

     Please keep in mind this system is based off of a raw diet being the most biologically appropriate diet for our companions

 

Categories:

 

A. Food Type

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This is an important category for overall benefits provided for the companion by the food. Raw diets are the most biologically appropriate while dry pet foods are the cause of many illnesses down the road.

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1. If you are/want to feed a Dry pet food + 0.5 pts

2. If you are/want to feed a Wet/Canned pet food + 1 pts.

3. If you are/want to feed a Dehydrated diet + 2 pts

4. If you are/want to feed a Home cooked diet + 2 pts

5. If you are/want to feed a Freeze dried diet + 3 pts

6. If you are/want to feed a Commercial Raw diet + 4 pts

7. If you are/want to feed a Raw diet + 6pts

 

B. Food Ingredients

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Although it can be hard to know the quality or even source of the ingredients list, the ingredients can give somewhat of an idea of what is in the food. This list can be found on the back of the food bag, can, in a recipe etc.

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1. If Meat is the first ingredient and is named by species + 3 pts.

   i. And if it weighs more than any grains, carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and vitamins/minerals add +1

      ii.Add 1 pts each. If this diet is grain free, fruit free, veggie free

  2. If the food contains By-products

       i. Subtract an additional point each time “by-product” is listed

             -By-products exclude liver, brain, testicles, pancreas, kidney, heart, gizzards, spleen, lung and trachea

   3. If a Non-specific meat source is listed

       i. Subtract an additional point each time a non-specified meat source is listed

               -Corn –2 pts.

               -Soy- 2 pts.

               -Wheat- 2 pts.

    4. Subtract an additional point each time an ingredient is split (for example corn= corn meal, corn flour, corn gluten meal, whole ground corn)

     5. Organic ingredients + 3 pts.

     6. For each Artificial Color such as those with a color and number like yellow 6 or red 40 (see full list) - 1 pts

     7. For each Stabilizer/thickener/emulsifier/texturizer like Gelatin, pectin, guar gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum, whey (see full list) - 1 pt.

     8. For each Artificial or chemical preservative or addictive like BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene), ethoxyquin, TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) Sodium Metabisulphite, Propylene glycol, xanthan gum (see full list) - 3 pts.

     9. If the food is hormone and antibiotic free +2 pts.

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C. Company

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     If you are buying food from a company, you value that company and you support them with your dollars so it’s important to know what your company is all about. This can give you a good idea of a food overall

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1. If they own their own factory + 1 pts

2. If they own more than one processing factory - 1 pts

3. Had more than one food recall - 2 pts.

-now keep in mind pet food recalls are for HUMAN safety. Our companions can handle the bacteria due to their unique anatomy

   4. Never had a food recall + 3 pts.

             -an indication of proper cleaning practices and how attentive the company is with it’s practices

   5. Perform food trials + 2 pts.

   6. Perform animal experimentation -3 pts.

   7. The company promotes "100% completeness” - 2 pts.

   8. Advises you to feed one food/brand/flavor -2 pts.

             -variety is key and can easily prevent allergies, intolerances/sensitivities

 

Now tally up all your points. The higher your point value the better the food over all, but keep in mind total points of individual categories and carefully think about each bullet point as well to determine how valuable it is on its own

 

The Nutrition Code advocates for a species appropriate diet, but recognizes this is not always a feasible option for every companion owner.