Quick Tips for Assessing Your Cat or Dog Food Quality

1. How much meat is included in the ingredients?

The amount of meat in the formula directly impacts the price of cat and dog food. If the meat (including eggs) is listed towards the end of the ingredient list and the terms used are vague, such as "poultry meat" or "animal byproducts," it's a strong indication that the product's quality may be subpar.

2. Are there any undesirable proteins?

Cats and dogs have a much higher absorption rate for animal proteins compared to plant proteins. In simpler terms, they are meateaters at heart! Therefore, using ingredients like "corn protein powder" to boost the protein content raises concerns about "bait and switch" tactics. Below is a ranking of proteins from best to worst:

Newly cooked beef, lamb, chicken, duck meat, eggs, freezedried, fish (specify species) Beef, lamb, chicken, duck meat meal, egg meal, fish meal (specify species) Various meat and bone meal, liver meal, milk powder Soy, corn, wheat protein powder Beef, lamb, chicken, duck hydrolyzed protein, animal hydrolysates Byproducts of beef, lamb, poultry, animal byproducts Soy, corn, wheat hydrolysates

3. Are there any undesirable fats (oils)?

This is quite straightforward to determine. Poorquality fats are often described in vague terms, such as "vegetable oil," "animal fat," or "poultry fat," leaving the specific source unknown and often cheaper, with a high amount of additives. Good fats, on the other hand, are described accurately, such as "beef tallow," "chicken fat," or "flaxseed oil," and are accompanied by a pleasant animal fat scent.

4. How much of the formula is made up of grains?

Grains like wheat, rice, and corn are not ideal sources of energy for dogs and can be a burden for cats. Carbohydrates (grains, starches) primarily serve to help shape the food and reduce costs, which is why you often see a high grain content in regular pet foods.

Potatoes are less likely to cause allergies than most grains and are a primary ingredient in many "grainfree" formulas. Lowcarbohydrate cat and dog foods often include vegetables and fruits to supplement roughage, aiding in digestion.

Advanced Tips

Combine "Guaranteed Analysis" for a better understanding

When the ingredient list notes a significant amount of meat ingredients but the protein content is only slightly over 20%, it suggests that the meat's proportion in the formula is actually quite low.

Relationship between manufacturers and companies

Products made in companyowned factories or by largescale manufacturers tend to have more consistent quality, such as "Kibble" which is manufactured by "Diamond Factory."