How does Doggo Eats score dog food?

Doggo Eats analyzes every ingredient in dog food and gives it a score from 0-100. Scores of 70-100 are Excellent (premium nutrition), 50-69 are Good (solid option for daily feeding), and 0-49 are Poor (consider upgrading).

What ingredients does Doggo Eats look for in quality dog food?

Doggo Eats looks for quality protein first (real meat or fish like chicken, beef, salmon, or turkey as the #1 ingredient), smart carbohydrates (sweet potatoes, brown rice, oats), nutritious extras (superfoods like blueberries and pumpkin, healthy fats from named sources, probiotics and prebiotics), and natural preservation (Vitamin E instead of chemicals).

What are red flags in dog food ingredients?

Red flags include mystery ingredients (meat by-products, animal fat), artificial colors, flavors, and chemical preservatives, unnecessary sweeteners, and filler overload when carbs dominate the ingredient list. Doggo Eats also alerts users to toxic ingredients like xylitol, compliance issues with AAFCO standards, and health concerns like excessive legumes or artificial preservatives.

Why does ingredient order matter in dog food?

The first 5 ingredients make up about 80% of the food. A food that starts with named meat or fish and wholesome ingredients will score much better than one starting with corn, wheat, or chicken by-products.

Does Doggo Eats score treats differently than complete dog food?

Yes. For complete dog food, Doggo Eats is strict since this is daily nutrition, expecting high-quality protein, balanced ingredients, and minimal processing. For treats and chews, the scoring is more lenient since these are occasional snacks, focusing mainly on safety and avoiding harmful ingredients.

How We Score Your Dog's Food

Simple, science-based nutrition scoring system for dog food and treats.

Overview

Doggo Eats analyzes every ingredient in your dog's food and provides a comprehensive score from 0-100. Our scoring system helps you cut through marketing claims and focus on what actually matters for your dog's health.

Rating System

Every dog food product receives a score based on ingredient quality, nutritional value, and safety. Here's how to interpret the scores:

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. We prioritize:

Named meat sources: Chicken, beef, salmon, or turkey as the #1 ingredient
Protein meals: Concentrated protein sources like "chicken meal" (water removed) are actually excellent
Specificity: Named sources score higher than generic terms

Smart Carbohydrates 🌾

Dogs need some carbohydrates for energy, but quality matters significantly:

Better Carbohydrate Sources ✅

Sweet potatoes
Brown rice
Oats

Acceptable Carbohydrate Sources ⚠️

White rice
Regular potatoes

Concerning Ingredients ❌

Too many peas or lentils (linked to heart issues)

Nutritious Extras 🥕

Bonus points are awarded for beneficial ingredients:

Superfoods

Blueberries
Pumpkin
Sweet potatoes

Healthy Fats

Salmon oil
Chicken fat (from named sources)

Gut Health Support

Probiotics
Prebiotics

Natural Preservation

Vitamin E (tocopherols)
Rosemary
Natural alternatives to chemical preservatives

Red Flags ❌

Points are deducted for problematic ingredients:

Mystery Ingredients

"Meat by-products"
"Animal fat" (unnamed source)
Generic "meat meal"

Artificial Additives

Artificial colors
Artificial flavors
Chemical preservatives (BHA, BHT)

Unnecessary Additives

Sweeteners (dogs don't need sugar)
Long lists of unpronounceable chemicals

Poor Nutritional Balance

Filler overload (when carbs dominate the ingredient list)
Leading with corn, wheat, or multiple carbs

Scoring Differences: Meals vs Treats

Complete Dog Food 🍽️

Strict evaluation standards apply since this is your dog's daily nutrition:

High-quality protein required
Balanced ingredients expected
Minimal processing preferred
Comprehensive nutritional profile necessary

Treats & Chews 🦴

More lenient scoring 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 by weight. This is why extra attention is paid to what appears first on the ingredient list.

Example of High-Scoring Food: "Chicken, sweet potato, peas..."

Example of Low-Scoring Food: "Corn, wheat, chicken by-product..."

Ingredients are listed by weight, so the order directly reflects what your dog is actually eating.

Quick Guide to Better Scores

Look for Foods That:

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

Avoid Foods That:

Lead with corn, wheat, or multiple carbs
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

Doggo Eats provides alerts for serious concerns:

Toxic Ingredients ☠️

Xylitol and other toxic substances

Compliance Issues ⚠️

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

Health Concerns 🚨

Excessive legumes
Artificial preservatives
Other ingredients linked to health problems

The Bottom Line

Good dog food is simple: quality protein, wholesome ingredients, minimal processing. Just like you'd want for yourself.

Our scoring system helps you cut through marketing claims and focus on what actually matters for your dog's health.

Important Disclaimer

This is an opinion provided by the Doggo Eats app. Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice regarding your dog's specific dietary needs.

About Doggo Eats

Your dog deserves better than a guess.