Robert H. and Jeff H.,
Our star ratings are based solely on the content of the dog food label. Nothing else. Yet there’s a whole lot more to know about a dog food than what’s printed on the label.
Please keep in mind that there are many products with 5-star label ratings made by companies who never test their products for nutrient content, disease-causing bacteria (like Salmonella) or for deadly mold toxins.
To make our Editor’s Choice list, dog foods can be rated 3, 4 or 5-stars BUT they must also meet many other criteria as outlined in the following articles and FAQs on our website:
An Insider’s Guide to Finding Superior Dog Food Brands
Frequently Asked Questions About Editor’s Choice
Never buy any dog food unless you first contact the company and ask each of the following 3 important questions:
1. Who makes your dog food (so you can track its recall history)?
2. Where do you get your ingredients? You especially want to know if they get any of their protein-based ingredients from China or other countries known for their inferior food quality standards.
3. Do you test your foods for nutrient content, disease-causing pathogens (like Salmonella), and mycotoxins (mold toxins).
We realize most people don’t have the time or the patience to do all that important research work — which is precisely why we created Editor’s Choice in the first place.
Hope this helps.
