How is dry dog food graded and is there a grading chart?

1. **Start with 100 points**:

• For every listing of "by-product," subtract 10 points.
• For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry," meat, meal, or fat), subtract 10 points.
• If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points.
• For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points.
• If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients, subtract 5 points.
• If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points.
• If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points.
• If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points.
• If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points.
• If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points.
• If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points.
• If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points.
• If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points.
• If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point.
• If it contains salt, subtract 1 point.

Extra Credit

1. If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points.
2. If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points.
3. If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points.
4. If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point.
5. For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one), add 1 point.
6. If the food contains fruit, add 3 points.
7. If the food contains barley, add 2 points.
8. If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points.
9. If the food contains vegetables (not corn or other grains), add 3 points.
10. If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points.
11. If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point.
12. If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point.
13. If the food contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point.

Grade Chart

- **100+ points**: A+
- **94-100 points**: A
- **86-93 points**: B
- **78-85 points**: C
- **70-77 points**: D
- **69 points and below**: F

This grading system helps pet owners evaluate the quality of their dog's food based on the ingredients and nutritional content.

Citations:

[1] https://www.pawsnplaydogtraining.com/blog/grade-your-dog-food

[2] https://tlcschnauzers.tripod.com/americankennelassociationinc/id33.html

[3] https://www.dobermantalk.com/threads/whats-your-dog-food-grade.3813/

[4] https://dogfoodreviews.com/review-criteria/

[5] https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/frequently-asked-questions/rate-dog-food/

Based on the search results, here is a list of dog foods and their grades from the grading chart:

A+ Grade (Score 100+):
- Merrick Wilderness Blend (127)
- Nature's Variety Raw Instinct (122)
- Innova Large Breed Puppy (122)
- Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium (122)
- Timberwolf Organics Wild & Natural Dry (120)
- Nature's Recipe Healthy Skin Venison and Rice (116)
- Authority Harvest Baked (116)
- Chicken Soup Senior (115)
- Innova Evo (114)
- Innova Dog (114)
- Artemis Large/Medium Breed Puppy (114)
- Canidae (112)
- Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken (110)
- Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables (110)
- Premium Edge Chicken, Rice and Vegetables Adult Dry (109)
- Burns Chicken and Brown Rice (107)
- Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult (106)
- Foundations (106)
- Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato (106)
- Blue Buffalo Chicken and Rice (106)
- Nutro Ultra Adult (104)
- Royal Canin Boxer (103)
- ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley (103)
- EaglePack Holistic (102)

A Grade (Score 94-99):
- Flint River Senior (101)
- Beowulf Back to Basics (101)
- Royal Canin Bulldog (100)
- Nature's Recipe (100)
- Summit (99)
- Solid Gold (99)
- Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula (99)
- Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice (98)
- Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold (97)
- Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice (97)

B Grade (Score 86-93):
- Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice (92)
- Nutrisource Lamb and Rice (87)
- Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy (87)

C Grade (Score 78-85):
- Eukanuba Large Breed Adult (83)
- Iams Large Breed (83)

D Grade (Score 70-77):
- Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium (73)

F Grade (Score 69 and below):
- Bil-Jac Select (68)
- Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies (69)
- Diamond Maintenance (64)
- Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ (63)
- Purina Dog (62)
- Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice (23)
- Purina Beneful (17)
- Purina Come-n-Get It (16)
- Ol Roy (9)

This list includes many but not all of the dog foods mentioned in the search results. The grades are based on the scoring system described in the sources.

Citations:

[1] https://tlcschnauzers.tripod.com/americankennelassociationinc/id33.html

[2] https://www.dobermantalk.com/threads/whats-your-dog-food-grade.3813/

[3] https://www.pawsnplaydogtraining.com/blog/grade-your-dog-food

[4] https://www.gopitbull.com/threads/pet-food-rating-comparison-chart.3749/

[5] https://dogfoodreviews.com/review-criteria/

[6] https://www.cavaliertalk.com/forums/index.php

[7] https://karenshanley.com/how-to-grade-your-dog-food/

[8] https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/frequently-asked-questions/rate-dog-food/