What are the five rules of the “Petfood-score ABCDE” of Facebook groups?

[Toxic Petfood]

We offer comparisons of the different Petfood-Score ABCDE systems. The "Petfood-score ABCDE" promoted by Facebook groups is a controversial rating system that claims to evaluate the quality of dog and cat kibble. It has been proposed by various individuals for over 20 years. This system is based on five main rules, often criticized by animal nutrition professionals:

1. No animal by-products

This rule stipulates that kibble must be free from animal by-products, which are considered low-quality ingredients.

Experts reject this claim, pointing out that all pet food is necessarily made from category 3 by-products, which are perfectly suitable for animal consumption.

The term "by-product" is often misunderstood: it refers to animal parts not used for human consumption, but they are not necessarily waste.

2. No grains, limited legumes and/or tubers

This rule aims to limit plant-based ingredients, deemed unsuitable for dogs and cats.

Grains (wheat, corn, etc.), tubers (potatoes, cassava, etc.), and legumes (lentils, peas, etc.) provide the starch needed to manufacture kibble and for energy.

The rejection of grains is unfounded, as allergies to grains are rare in animals.

Legumes, often used as substitutes for grains, can skew the displayed protein levels and are suspected of increasing the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs.

3. A high level of high-quality animal protein

The "Petfood-score ABCDE" recommends a minimum crude protein level of 40% for dogs and 45% for cats, sourced exclusively from animal origins.

Focusing on the protein percentage is misleading, as what truly matters is the actual amount of protein consumed by the animal. Only an amino acid profile can assess protein quality, not carbohydrate percentages.

Excessively high protein levels can make kibble indigestible and are unnecessary for most animals.

Labels such as "meat meal" or "protein from..." simply indicate animal-derived meal and do not imply the use of undesirable parts like feathers or beaks.

4. A satisfactory level of animal fat

This rule recommends a fat content of 18-20% for dogs and 20-22% for cats, sourced from animal origins.

Such a high fat content is only justified for highly active or athletic animals.

Excess fat can lead to diarrhea, obesity, and deficiencies in other essential nutrients.

Vegetable oils, such as canola oil, are important for providing omega-3s, an essential fatty acid neglected by the "Petfood-score ABCDE."

5. Minimal carbohydrates

This rule states that carbohydrates should be limited to 20-25% for dogs and 10-15% for cats, as they allegedly promote various pathologies.

No scientific study supports this claim.

Ranking based on carbohydrate levels is misleading, as it does not differentiate between starch and soluble fibers, which are essential for digestion. Additionally, carbohydrate percentages are merely estimates, not lab-tested values. What types of carbohydrates are we talking about?

Starch is an affordable and easily digestible energy source for dogs. Cats, however, have a more limited tolerance for starch.

The five rules of the "Petfood-score ABCDE" promoted by Facebook groups are based on misconceptions and misinterpretations of animal nutrition. This rating system has been widely criticized by professionals for its lack of scientific basis and potentially dangerous recommendations for animal health. In fact, many testimonials on these groups report animals falling ill after following these rankings.

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