food challenge!

We knew all about pet food allergies long before I started researching dogs. Our cat, Cocoa, we believe, is allergic to corn (or some other grain). From the day I got her, more or less, she would throw up her food. Gross, I know, but as a pet owner, you get used to these things. At first, we thought it was "hairball" formulas, then anything with fish, and finally, we realized it was grains, specifically corn. Now that I have researched dog food, I know grain allergies aren't uncommon. It's been challenging to find a food Cocoa will eat (she always wants Roxie's) and not regurgitate. Roxie, the rolly-polly-puddin'-pop, doesn't have a choice; she's on medical grade low calorie food, which does include corn since corn is mostly filler.

Also while searching for information on dog food, I found a "grading" test you can do yourself to determine how great (or craptastic) your dog food is. The test doesn't consider EVERY aspect but I think it is a good jumping off point, especially since it is pretty easy to use. I know I found the name of the author somewhere on the net, but at the moment, I cannot find the link.

Start with a grade of 100.

1 - for every listing of "by product" subtract 10 points.
2 - for every non-specific animal source (meat or poultry, meat meal, or animal) reference subtract 10 points.
3 - If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points.
4 - For every non-specific grain source (mill run, whole grains) subtract 5 points.
5 - If the same grain is listed 2 or more times in the first 5 ingredients (rice, rice flour, brewers rice all being "same grain"), subtract 5 points.
6 - If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points.
7 - If it contains any artificial dyes or colorants subtract 3 points.
8 - If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn subtract 3 points.
9 - If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points.
10 - If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points.
11 - If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points.
12 - If it contains soy or soybeans subtract 2 points.
13 - If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat) subtract 1 point.
14 - If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef) subtract 1 point.
15 - If it contains salt subtract 1 point.
Extra Credits:
1 - If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points.
2 - If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist (not television personalities) add 5 points.
3 - If the food is baked, not extruded, add 5 points.
4 - If the food contains probiotics add 5 points.
5 - If the food contains fruit add 3 points.
6 - If the food contains vegetables (not corn or grains) add 3 points.
7 - If the meat sources are hormone and antibiotic free add 2 points.
8 - If the food contains barley, add 2 points.
9 - If the food contains flax seed oil (not just flax seed) add 2 points.
10 - If the food contains oats or oatmeal add 1 point.
11 - If the food contains sunflower oil add 1 point.
12 - For every different meat protein source (chicken, fish, turkey, lamb et al) add 1 point.
13 - If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin add 1 point.
14 - If the vegetables have tested pesticide free add 1 point.
Grading:
A = 94 - 100
B = 86 - 93
C = 78 - 85
D = 70 - 77
F = 69 or less

Some results of common brands can be found here.

Another food test is here with some results here in the comments section.

Consider the needs of your animal first. Just because it is "good" food doesn't mean it is good food for YOUR pet. Blue buffalo scored really well using both tests but Cocoa threw it up for some reason.

Edit: I have just completed the test for Now! senior cat formula (Cocoa's current food) and it scored an A+ on both tests, yay!