Determining the quality of dog food is crucial for pet owners who want to ensure the health and well-being of their canine companions. One method to evaluate dog food is through a scoring system that analyzes ingredients and nutritional value. This system assigns points based on the inclusion of beneficial components and deducts points for less desirable ingredients. Let’s examine how this scoring system can help us assess whether Beneful is a good dog food choice.
Based on a detailed grading system, Purina Beneful scores poorly, receiving an “F” grade with a score of only 17 out of a possible 100 or more. This low score is attributed to several factors that detract from its nutritional quality. The scoring system penalizes dog foods for including ingredients like “by-products,” non-specific animal sources, and certain grains.
Specifically, the presence of “by-product” listings in ingredient lists leads to a significant point deduction. Non-specific animal source references, such as simply “meat meal” or “poultry fat” without specifying the animal, also lower the score. Furthermore, the inclusion of grain “mill run” or non-specific grain sources, and the repeated use of the same grain ingredient within the top five ingredients, further reduces the grade. Beneful’s formulation likely contains several of these less desirable components, contributing to its failing score.
Ingredients like ground corn or whole grain corn, especially when listed high in the ingredient list, are also penalized in this evaluation system. Corn, while a source of carbohydrates, is often considered a less digestible and potentially allergenic ingredient for some dogs compared to other grain-free or higher-quality carbohydrate sources. Artificial colorants and animal fat other than fish oil also contribute to negative points, as they offer minimal nutritional benefit and may even be detrimental to a dog’s health. The presence of soy or soybeans and wheat, common allergens for dogs, further detracts from the overall grade.
In contrast, higher-scoring dog foods often boast specific, high-quality meat meals as primary protein sources, avoid by-products and non-specific ingredients, and utilize easily digestible carbohydrates and beneficial additives. Brands like Canidae and Kirkland Signature, which receive “A+” grades in the scoring system, exemplify dog foods that prioritize ingredient quality and nutritional value. These brands often incorporate multiple specific animal protein sources, whole grains (if grains are included), and beneficial additions like fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Therefore, based on ingredient analysis and scoring systems designed to evaluate dog food quality, Beneful does not rank as a good dog food option. Its low score reflects the inclusion of less desirable ingredients and the absence of many beneficial components found in higher-quality brands. Pet owners seeking optimal nutrition for their dogs should consider dog foods with higher ratings and ingredient lists that prioritize named meat sources, whole foods, and avoid common fillers and artificial additives.
