The Sheriff Score is an evaluation system designed to assess the quality of dog kibble. Here’s an overview of how it works:
The score is calculated based on 25 different criteria.
This makes it one of the most comprehensive systems available, as the Sheriff Score goes far beyond just reading ingredient lists and nutritional labels. We conduct in-depth research to understand brand practices related to sourcing, manufacturing processes, and ethics. This helps prevent consumers from being misled by seemingly impressive stats that may hide practices affecting ingredient quality.
From an analytical standpoint, the system identifies common marketing tricks, like the use of plant proteins that inflate protein content while reducing phosphorus levels. It also uncovers many other subtle tactics used in the pet food industry.
Criteria
🔬 Nutritional Content
- Protein Levels
- Carbohydrate Levels
- Fat Levels
- Fiber Levels
- Moisture Levels
- Ash Content
⚖️ Nutritional Ratios and Balance
- Protein-to-Calorie Ratio
- Fat-Protein Ratio
- Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio
- Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio
- Animal vs. Plant-Based Protein Ratio
🧪 Specific Nutrient Levels
- Calcium Levels
- Phosphorus Levels
- Taurine Added (for Grain Free kibbles)
🌿 Ingredient Quality and Source
- Quality and Source of Fats
- Type of Minerals
- Human-Grade Ingredients
- Presence of Gluten, Corn, Soy
- Non-GMO Status
- Organic Certification
🏭 Processing and Manufacturing
- Glycemic Index of Ingredients
- Cooking or Processing Method
- Controversial Preservatives and Additives
👁️🗨️ Brand Practices and Transparency
- Brand Transparency and Ethical Practices
- Manufacturing Location Transparency
- Veterinary-Formulated Recipes
- Minimum Mention
- Tested and studied Formula
🥩 Protein Quality Assessment
- Protein-to-Phosphorus Ratio
- Quality of Animal Protein Sources
Point System
Each criterion is assigned a certain number of points based on its impact on food quality. The total score is the sum of all these points.
Scoring Scale
| Score Range | Grade | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 91 – 100 | A+ | Exceptional Quality |
| 81 – 90 | A | Excellent Quality |
| 76 – 80 | B+ | Very Good Quality |
| 71 – 75 | B | Good Quality |
| 66 – 70 | C+ | Above Average Quality |
| 51 – 65 | C | Average Quality |
| 41 – 50 | D+ | Below Average Quality |
| 31 – 40 | D | Poor Quality |
| 21 – 30 | E+ | Very Poor Quality |
| 0 – 20 | E | Not Recommended |
Interpretation Guide:
- A+ and A: Highly recommended kibble that meets the strictest nutritional standards, with premium ingredients and optimal nutritional balance.
- B+ and B: Good quality kibble that meets nutritional needs well, with only minor reservations. Suitable for regular feeding.
- C+ and C: Average quality kibble offering decent nutritional quality, but with room for improvement. Acceptable but not ideal.
- D+ and D: Below average quality kibble that may include ingredients some owners prefer to avoid or that might not fully meet specific nutritional goals. Consider alternatives.
- E+ and E: Not advised. Kibble that may not meet certain nutritional standards or expectations. We strongly suggest exploring other options that might better align with your pet’s needs.
Remember: Consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet, especially if your pet has specific health conditions or dietary requirements.
Limitations
- Not Entirely Scientific: While based on research and consensus, the Sheriff Score is not fully grounded in scientific methodology.
- Score Variability: Scores can change based on updates to the rating system and changes in manufacturers’ recipes.
Rating System Limitations
- Internal Comparison: Kibble is evaluated based solely on how it compares to other kibble on the market. For example, a kibble rated ‘A’ means it stands out favorably among other kibbles in terms of ingredient quality, nutritional balance, etc., according to the Sheriff Score criteria.
- No Comparison with Other Diets: This system does not compare kibble to other types of diets, such as raw or homemade meals. These other diets have their own pros and cons (often more pros, in fact) that aren’t directly comparable to kibble due to fundamental differences in composition, preparation, and nutritional goals.
- Contamination and Quality Variability: A batch of kibble could be contaminated or vary in quality, which might make the ratings outdated or inaccurate. Sometimes brands take responsibility for reporting this, and sometimes they don’t. You can check this page for recently recalled products.
Specific Cases and Health Conditions
- Animal Health Issues: In cases where a pet suffers from conditions like kidney failure, heart disease, urinary stones, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or any other health issue, the Sheriff Score may not apply.
- Veterinary Prescriptions: If a veterinarian prescribes a specific brand or type of kibble, that prescription should take precedence over the Sheriff Score or any statements made during a kibble evaluation.
The Role of Your Veterinarian
It’s essential to consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet, especially if based on the Sheriff Score.
A veterinarian’s advice should always take priority over any score or recommendation from the Sheriff Score. Any decision to change your pet’s diet should be made in consultation with an animal health professional.
Responsible Use of the Sheriff Score
This rating system is a tool to help dog owners make informed decisions about their pet’s diet. However, it should be used responsibly, keeping in mind the limitations and warnings mentioned above. If your dog has a medical condition or health issue, please disregard our advice and consult your veterinarian right away. Additionally, your vet’s recommendations should always take priority over our suggestions.
A dog food rated ‘A’ or ‘B’ might not be suitable for every dog. Please also note that ratings can change at any time based on new information we gather or updates to our scoring system.
Disclaimer
The “Sheriff Score” is a proprietary rating system developed by DogFoodSheriff to provide consumers with a comprehensive evaluation of dog food quality. Please note that all scores are derived from publicly available information provided by manufacturers and other sources. We do not conduct independent laboratory testing to verify these claims. While we strive for accuracy, the scores should be viewed as a guide, not an absolute measure of product quality. DogFoodSheriff does not assume any liability for discrepancies between our ratings and the actual product performance.
Right of Response for Brands
We are committed to providing fair and transparent evaluations of products. However, we understand that brands may have additional perspectives or information to share. If you represent a brand and would like to exercise your right of response, we invite you to contact us at office@dogfoodsheriff.com.
We are open to receiving any clarifications, additional information, or corrections you may deem necessary. Each request will be carefully reviewed, and adjustments may be made if appropriate. Our goal is to ensure that our evaluations are as accurate and balanced as possible.