How PetFoodFix Scores Dog Food
PetFoodFix content is educational and does not diagnose or treat illness. If your dog is unwell, has a diagnosed condition, is under 12 months old, is pregnant or lactating, is on a prescription diet or chronic medication, or has vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in stool, collapse, severe pain, breathing difficulty, refusal to eat for more than 24 hours, marked weight loss, severe itching, or suspected poisoning, contact your vet before changing food.
What the score is
Every dog food in the PetFoodFix database receives a quality score from 0 to 100. This score is based entirely on what the label says — the ingredient list, the analytical constituents, the packaging declarations, and the transparency of the information provided.
The score is not a health rating. It does not tell you whether a food will make your dog healthier. It tells you how transparent, well-formulated, and informative the label is compared to other foods in the database.
What the score evaluates
The PetFoodFix quality framework examines several aspects of the label:
Protein quality and source
- Is the primary protein source named (e.g., "chicken") or vague (e.g., "meat and animal derivatives")?
- Are percentages declared for key ingredients?
- Is the protein primarily animal-based or supplemented with plant protein extracts?
Ingredient transparency
- Are individual ingredients named specifically or hidden behind category terms?
- Can the owner identify exactly what is in the food from the label alone?
- Are there unexplained additives, artificial colours (E102, E110, E129), or synthetic preservatives (BHA, BHT)?
Analytical constituents
- Do the protein, fat, fibre, and ash levels fall within expected ranges for the food type?
- Are the declared values consistent with what the ingredient list suggests?
Completeness and formulation
- Is the food declared as "complete" for adult dogs?
- Does the nutritional profile meet FEDIAF minimum guidelines?
Label compliance
- Are all required regulatory declarations present?
- Is the feeding guide included and appropriate?
- Are mandatory fields (batch number, best before, manufacturer details) visible?
What the score does not do
The score has deliberate limits:
- It does not rank brands. Two foods from the same brand can score very differently based on their individual labels.
- It is not a health claim. A high score means a transparent, well-formulated label — not that the food will resolve a health concern.
- It does not replace veterinary advice. If your dog has a health condition, the score is not a substitute for a dietary recommendation from your vet.
- It does not account for manufacturing quality. The analysis is based on what the label declares, not on factory audits or independent lab testing.
- It is not a taste test. A dog might prefer a lower-scoring food. Palatability is personal.
How scores compare
As a general guide:
| Score range | What it typically means |
|---|---|
| 80–100 | Highly transparent label with named proteins, clear percentages, minimal red flags |
| 60–79 | Solid formulation with some areas of limited transparency |
| 40–59 | Mixed — some strengths but notable transparency gaps or ingredient concerns |
| 20–39 | Significant label transparency issues or multiple red flags |
| 0–19 | Very limited label information or major formulation concerns |
These ranges are illustrative. The report explains the specific factors behind each score.
The scoring is deterministic
PetFoodFix uses a deterministic scoring system — the same label input always produces the same score output. There is no subjective opinion, no AI-generated rating, and no paid ranking. Every score is reproducible and explainable.
If a manufacturer updates their label (for example, by adding percentage declarations or naming protein sources more specifically), the score will update to reflect the new information.
What you get in a report
A PetFoodFix report goes beyond just the number. It includes:
- The overall quality score with a breakdown by category
- Plain-English explanations of each scoring factor
- Red flags highlighted and explained
- A daily portion estimate tailored to your dog
- Guidance on whether to keep, adjust, compare, or change the food
- Clear warnings when a vet consultation is the better first step
Try it yourself
Search the PetFoodFix database to see if your dog's food is already listed. View a sample report to understand exactly what you will receive.Ready to get your dog's food scored? Start your analysis — £14.90, one-off, no subscription.