About the Author of this Food Grading Method: My name is Sarah Irick and I am a Great Dane owner and rescue volunteer. I am a Civil/Industrial Engineer, not a veterinarian or animal nutritionist by education or employment. I do not work for a pet food manufacturer nor am I affiliated with one. I am just an individual who is concerned about what I feed my dogs and wants to help others decide what to feed their own. I cannot remember the exact date I designed this system, though I know it's been more than a year (probably 2-3 years ago). I was concerned with the way people sometimes throw out names of "good" dog foods that maybe aren't so good, and others take their words for it. Foods that maybe used to be good before their ingredients were changed for the worse or before better options became available are still being touted by some as being super-premium and I disagree. Since many pet owners do not have the time or inclination to do as many hours of research into pet (specifically dog) nutrition as I and many of you have, I wanted an *easier* way for them to compare labels. Unfortunately it is still a bit cumbersome (sometimes 2 people calculate the same food and get different scores even) but it's better than nothing in my opinion.
Is it exact science? No. I don't claim for it to be. In fact I've had to make a couple of changes over time (which the above don't reflect) for new circumstances I've run across, such as the food that contained NO MEAT (not a special diet just one that was so cheap it didn't contain any meat at all) and needs a steep penalty IMO but still scored a decent grade on the original or the newer kibbles that contain no grain and IMO if it still has sufficient fiber and carbs then it deserves extra credit that wasn't previously reflected. Also I've gotten comments and opinions that I take seriously and incorporate if it seems appropriate. I don't have a permanent site host for this although seeing how hugely popular it is and how widely spread without accreditation it has become perhaps I should do so. It isn't that I care so much about credit but many people will ask the questions that your posters have about my affiliations and biases, etc. I don't officially support any one food; anywhere that I personally posted grades on specific foods it was to give an idea of where these foods fell so people didn't always have to do the math. If you want to e-mail me with questions or comments, you can at [EMAIL PROTECTED] . This is my "spam" address, so put "Dog Food Grading" in the subject line or I'll probably delete it mistakenly. ~ Sarah Irick -- Laree in NC Doppa & Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the "S" gang) "Yet when all the books have been read and reread, it boils down to the horse, his human companion, and what goes on between them." - William Farley
