How SnoutScan scores dog food

1. The toxic ingredient check

Before anything else, SnoutScan looks for ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Chocolate, xylitol, grapes, onion and the others on the ingredient list mean an automatic 0 and a “Not safe for dogs” warning. Garlic is treated as a caution: it costs 30 points and the score cannot go above 40.

2. Five parts, 100 points

• Protein quality (30): named meats near the top, not by-products, vague meat or plant protein boosters.
• Carbs and fillers (20): grains, potatoes and legumes in the first five ingredients cost points, more the higher they sit, and ingredient splitting costs more.
• Additives (20): points off for artificial preservatives, colors, added sugar, high salt and vague flavorings.
• Nutrition (20): protein and fat on a dry matter basis from the guaranteed analysis, or estimated from the ingredients when it is missing.
• Label transparency (10): every source named, not “animal fat” or “meat and animal derivatives”.

A part that cannot be judged from the label is left out and the score is worked out over the rest. Treats, for example, are not complete meals, so their nutrition is not scored.

3. Caps for things points alone would miss

Some combinations should never look good, so they cap the score however the parts add up:

• Rawhide in a chew: capped at 40.
• Grain-free with three or more legume or potato ingredients near the top: capped at 70, with a heart health note.
• Sugar in a treat’s first three ingredients: capped at 60.
• Labelled for intermittent or supplemental feeding: capped at 60.
• Protein below the AAFCO adult minimum of 18% on a dry matter basis: capped at 55.
• No named meat first, plus artificial preservatives or colors: capped at 30.
• Too few ingredients to be a full label: capped at 60 until the full list is pasted.

4. What the score means

• 85 and up: excellent
• 70 to 84: good
• 55 to 69: okay
• 35 to 54: below average
• Under 35: avoid

5. What the score cannot tell you

SnoutScan reads the label, the same one you can. It does not know a brand’s feeding trials, sourcing, recalls or how the food is made, and it does not know your dog. A dog with a health condition may need a food that scores lower here. Use the score to compare labels and ask better questions, and ask your vet what suits your dog.