How We Score Your Dog's Food

Simple, science-based nutrition scoring system for evaluating dog food quality.

Overview

Doggo Eats analyzes every ingredient in your dog's food and assigns a score from 0-100 based on nutritional quality, ingredient composition, and safety factors.

Rating System Breakdown

The scoring system uses a 0-100 scale divided into three quality tiers:

Score Range	Rating	Description
70-100	Excellent 🟢	Premium nutrition, great choice
50-69	Good 🟢	Solid option for daily feeding
0-49	Poor 🔴	Consider upgrading

Scoring Criteria

Quality Protein First 🥩

The best dog foods start with real meat or fish as the primary ingredient. High-quality protein sources include:

• Preferred first ingredients: Chicken, beef, salmon, or turkey
• Protein meals: Chicken meal and similar concentrated proteins are excellent options (water removed, concentrated protein)

Protein quality and placement in the ingredient list significantly impact the overall score.

Smart Carbohydrates 🌾

Dogs need some carbohydrates for energy, but the quality and type of carbohydrates matter:

Better Carbohydrate Sources ✅

• Sweet potatoes
• Brown rice
• Oats

Acceptable Carbohydrate Sources ⚠️

• White rice
• Regular potatoes

Concerning Carbohydrate Sources ❌

• Excessive peas or lentils (linked to heart issues)

Nutritious Extras 🥕

Bonus points are awarded for beneficial ingredients including:

Superfoods:

• Blueberries
• Pumpkin
• Sweet potatoes

Healthy Fats:

• Salmon oil
• Chicken fat (named sources)

Gut Health Ingredients:

• Probiotics
• Prebiotics

Natural Preservation:

• Vitamin E (instead of chemical preservatives)

Red Flags ❌

Points are deducted for problematic ingredients:

Mystery Ingredients:

• "Meat by-products"
• "Animal fat" (unspecified source)

Artificial Additives:

• Artificial colors
• Artificial flavors
• Chemical preservatives

Unnecessary Additives:

• Sweeteners (dogs don't need sugar)

Filler Overload:

• When carbohydrates dominate the ingredient list

Scoring Differences: Meals vs Treats

Complete Dog Food 🍽️

Strict evaluation standards apply since this represents daily nutrition:

• High-quality protein required
• Balanced ingredient composition expected
• Minimal processing preferred

Treats & Chews 🦴

More lenient evaluation standards since these are occasional snacks:

• Primary focus on safety
• Emphasis on avoiding harmful ingredients
• Less stringent nutritional requirements

Why Ingredient Order Matters

The first 5 ingredients make up approximately 80% of the food composition. The scoring system pays extra attention to ingredient placement.

Example Comparison:

• Higher scoring: "Chicken, sweet potato, peas..."
• Lower scoring: "Corn, wheat, chicken by-product..."

Ingredients are listed by weight, so early placement indicates higher concentration in the formula.

Quick Guide to Better Scores

Foods That Score Higher

Look for dog foods that:

• Start with named meat or fish as the first ingredient
• Use natural preservation methods (tocopherols, rosemary)
• Include beneficial extras (probiotics, omega oils)
• Avoid artificial colors and flavors
• Have recognizable, simple ingredients

Foods That Score Lower

Avoid dog foods that:

• Lead with corn, wheat, or multiple carbohydrates
• Use generic terms like "meat meal" or "animal fat"
• Contain artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT)
• Have long lists of unpronounceable chemicals
• Include sweeteners or artificial colors

Special Warnings and Alerts

The scoring system includes alerts for:

Toxic Ingredients ☠️

• Ingredients like xylitol that are dangerous to dogs

Compliance Issues ⚠️

• Foods that don't meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards

Health Concerns 🚨

• Excessive legumes
• Artificial preservatives
• Other ingredients linked to health issues

The Bottom Line

Good dog food follows simple principles:

• Quality protein as the foundation
• Wholesome, recognizable ingredients
• Minimal processing

The scoring system helps pet owners cut through marketing claims and focus on what actually matters for dog health.

Important Disclaimers

Veterinary Consultation: Questions about your dog's specific dietary needs should always be directed to your veterinarian.

Opinion Disclaimer: This scoring represents an opinion provided by the Doggo Eats app. Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice regarding your dog's nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What score range should I look for in my dog's food?

A score of 70-100 (Excellent) indicates premium nutrition and is a great choice. Scores of 50-69 (Good) represent solid options for daily feeding. Scores below 50 (Poor) suggest you should consider upgrading to a higher-quality food.

Why do protein meals like "chicken meal" score well?

Protein meals are concentrated protein sources with the water removed, making them nutrient-dense ingredients that contribute significant protein content to the food.

Why are peas and lentils concerning in dog food?

Excessive amounts of peas and lentils have been linked to heart issues in dogs, which is why the scoring system flags foods with too many of these legumes.

How much of the food is made up of the first 5 ingredients?

The first 5 ingredients make up approximately 80% of the food, which is why ingredient order is so important in the scoring system.

Are treats scored the same way as regular dog food?

No. Complete dog foods are evaluated with strict standards since they provide daily nutrition, while treats and chews are scored more leniently with a focus primarily on safety and avoiding harmful ingredients.