How to Grade Dry Cat Food

You love your cat and you want to give it the best nutrition possible. Dry food, or kibble, is not necessarily bad for your cat, however wet food contains significantly more water and is closer to what cats eat naturally. Familiarize yourself with common terms used in dry cat food ingredients lists, such as "by-products" and "meal." Take a look at the ingredients list on your cat's food bag and use the following system to grade the food. Switch to a higher- quality food if your current food fails the test.

Instructions

    • 1

      Start with a grade of '"100." For every by-product and non-specific animal source, such as "meat," "poultry," "meal" and "fat" listed in the ingredients, subtract 10 points. Subtract ten points for every BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin ingredient listed.

    • 2

      Subtract five points for any non-specific grain source listed, such as "mill run," and subtract five points each for a grain product used two or more times, such as "ground brown rice" and "rice flour," which are both rice products.

    • 3

      Subtract three points each if meat protein sources are not listed in the top three ingredients. Subtract three points for every artificial colorant or preservative used, as well as any corn product, such as corn gluten or ground corn. Subtract three more points if corn is listed among the food's top three ingredients. Subtract two points if corn is listed among the top five ingredients.

    • 4

      Subtract two points if the food contains animal fat other than flax seed and fish oil or soy/soybean oil. Subtract three points each if wheat or gluten is used. Subtract five points if "digest" is listed as an ingredient and one point if the food contains salt.

    • 5

      Add ten points if the food does not contain grain. If meat sources used are organic, add five points. If the food is baked rather than extruded, and the protein source is meal rather than meat, add five points for each. Add three points each if the food contains fruit, vegetables other than grains and corn and probiotics or prebiotics.

    • 6

      Add two points each if the food contains barley and flax seed oil, and for animal sources that are hormone-free and antibiotic-free. Add one point each for oats, oatmeal and sunflower oil ingredients. Add one point for every specific animal protein source used, such as chicken and chicken meal. Add one point each if glucosamine and chondroitin are listed as ingredients, and if the vegetables are pesticide-free.

    • 7

      Add up your total. Scores of 75 percent or lower indicate the food has failed the test.