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You'll need a list of your pet food's
ingredients.
Begin with the number 100 then subtract or add as directed.
This test was made with dogs in mind although this
test should be appropriate to help choose healthier foods for your cat, also.
Cats and dogs do have some different nutritional needs, however, so
always choose foods made specifically for your pet's species. |
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For
every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points
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For
every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points
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If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first
five ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewers rice", "rice flour"
are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
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If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2
meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points |
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If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
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If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn,
subtract 3points |
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If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points |
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If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2
points |
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If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is
allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points |
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If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points |
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If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is
allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points |
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If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points |
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If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog is not allergic
to wheat), subtract 2 points |
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If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog is not allergic
to beef), subtract 1 point |
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ADD + |
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If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
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If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist,
add 5 points |
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If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points |
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If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points |
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If the food contains one or more fruits, add 3 points |
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If the food contains vegetables (other then corn) add 3 points
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If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2
points |
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If the food contains barley, add 2 points |
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If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2
points |
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If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point |
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If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point |
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For every different specific animal protein source (other than the
first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein
source, but "chicken" and "" as 2 different sources), add 1 point
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If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point |
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If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are
pesticide-free, add 1 point |
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Printable Page
so you can take this test with you when shopping for pet food...
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GRADE SCALE |
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94-100+ = A |
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86-93 = B |
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78-85 = C |
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70-77 = D |
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69 and below = F |
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Wish I could take credit for this test but
it's been around the net for some time and no one seems to know who the
original author was . If you
know who it might be, please let
me know so I can give proper credit. |
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A SURPRISING SOURCE FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTHY PET
FOODS:
If you are looking for a great dog (or cat) food that's in
your budget check
out Amazon.com. I recently (June 2011) purchased a case (24 cans) of "Chicken
Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul" canned dog food for 27.29 (that's 1.13 cents a
can). These are full size 13 oz cans, not the small "tuna" sized cans. Add to
that the fact that there is NO TAX and NO SHIPPING (Amazon offers free shipping
on items that are Eligible for Super Saver Shipping if you purchase at least
25.00 worth of eligible items) and you might find it's nearly the same
as what you're paying for a lower quality food. This food received a
4 star rating from both
www.dogfoodadvisor.com and
www.dogfoodanalysis.com. I've found Chicken Soup a good quality food
at an economic price for me and a great taste for my dogs!
I feed the canned food in combination with Newman's Own Organic Adult Dog Food,
which I also get from Amazon.com. Since I have little dogs, I buy the four 1.5
pound bags of kibble (6 lbs total) for 11.00 and, mixed with canned, it lasts
them quite awhile. Remember, there's no tax and if you spend over 25.00 on items
eligible for free super saver shipping, shipping is free too. I bought mine at
the same time I bought the Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul canned food so
even the Newman's Own Kibble shipped for free. For the same price I was
paying for lower quality dog food my dogs are now on a much healthier diet, it's
delivered right to my door and BOTH MY DOGS EAT IT UP! What's not to love?
If you already feed a good quality dog food, you might check Amazon to see if
they carry your brand for less then you are paying. The savings in tax alone,
especially if you get Free Super Saver Shipping, might save you some serious
money over time.
 IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do
decide to change your pets diet, do it gradually by mixing the new food with the
old a small bit at a time, gradually increasing the amount of new food each day
if your pet is doing well. If you are about out of the old, buy a
couple weeks worth so you can take your time switching your pet to the new food
to help them avoid digestive upset and to watch for allergies to any of the
ingredients in the new food.
 ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you are not familiar with shopping on Amazon, be sure to look for items that
say "Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping " These are
items that are being either sold by Amazon directly, or being sold by some other
vendor on Amazon but being Fulfilled by Amazon.
Many don't know that most anyone can sell on Amazon, much like they do on Ebay.
The difference is that it's not an auction format...sellers list a set price for
their items. There may be numerous identical items some selling for
higher, some for lower, so be sure you shop carefully and realize who is selling
the item you choose. If you purchase from someone other then Amazon,
unless their products are fulfilled by Amazon, the item will still be added to
your shopping cart but may not qualify for Free Super Saver Shipping Shipping.
Shipping will still be free on items that are eligible as long as those items
add up to 25.00 as long as you CHECK THE SUPER SAVER SHIPPING option when asked
as you proceed to checkout.
Amazon has a great return policy, almost as good as WalMart, however there's no
return on
perishable items, such as Pet Foods, and only on items sold of fulfilled by
Amazon. If you purchase from someone other then Amazon, be sure to read
their individual seller's policy.
Many are going to wonder if I get anything from Amazon for
recommending them. The answer is no. I simply found a way to
feed my dogs healthy in this tough economy and wanted to share it so that other
pets could also reap the benefits that come with being fed quality food~ I
also know that Amazon.com is a reputable online store by experience.
RECOMMENDED STORES WITH GOOD PETFOOD PRICES
THAT YOU MIGHT NOT NORMALLY THINK OF:
AMAZON.COM
TRACTOR SUPPLY STORES
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