Start with a grade of 100:

1. For every listing of “by-product,” subtract 10 points
2. For every non-specific animal source (meat, poultry, meat meal, animal fat) reference, subtract 10 points
3. If bone meal appears in the top six ingredients, subtract 10 points. If bone meal appears after the top six ingredients, subtract 5 points
4. If the food contains BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
5. For every flour, bran, gluten, grits, or the meal of any grain, subtract 5 points. Subtract an additional 2 points for each gluten
6. If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (ground brown rice, rice bran, brewer’s rice, rice flour are all the same grain), Subtract 3 points each time it is used after the first time
7. If the food contains any kind of animal digest subtract 5 points
8. If the food contains any artificial colorants, peanut hulls, or powdered cellulose, subtract 3 points each
9. If the food contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 4 points each
10. If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil or chicken fat, subtract 1 point. If the fat source is beef tallow or an unspecified animal fat, subtract 2 more points
11. If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
12. If the food contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
13. If the food contains wheat, subtract 2 points
14. If the food contains beef, subtract 1 point

EXTRA CREDIT: Earn back points for extras that are good for your dog!

1. If any of the meat source are organic, add 3 points
2. If the food contains probiotics (natural enzymes for digestion), add 4 points
3. If the food contains fruit, add 4 points
4. If the food contains vegetables (not corn or other grains), add 3 points
5. If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points
6. If the food contains barley, oats or oatmeal, or quinoa, add 2 points each
7. If the food contains flaxseed oil (not just the seeds) or salmon oil, add 2 points
8. If the food contains alfalfa, kelp, seaweed, spinach or spirulina, add 2 points
9. If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
10. For every specific animal protein or egg source after the first one (within the first 8 ingredients), add 1 point (ie: Chicken, chicken meal would get a point; chicken, lamb, turkey meal, fish meal would earn 3)
11. If the food contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
12. Add one point if any of the following ingredients are included: Taurine, Chicory root, Garlic Yucca, Cinnamon, Cottage cheese, Cloves