Pet Food Score - Petfood Advisor

Basics of dog nutrition • Why do people rely on carbohydrate levels if they are said to be unreliable?

2026-05-26T16:28:34+00:00

Hello everyone,

I often see people comparing pet foods based on their carbohydrate percentage, even though many sources say that these values are not very reliable because carbs are usually calculated “by difference” from incomplete label data. This makes me wonder why carbohydrate levels are still used so much as a decision factor.

Could you explain why so many people continue to rely on estimated carbohydrate percentages when choosing pet food, despite the fact that these calculations can be inaccurate and do not distinguish between different types or qualities of carbohydrates? Do you think these carb-based comparisons are still useful as a rough indicator, or should they be considered too unreliable to base feeding decisions on?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and experiences.

Statistics: Posted by Frédéric Gonnot — Tue May 26, 2026 4:28 pm

Basics of dog nutrition • Re: How can I evaluate the digestibility of pet food ingredients?

2026-05-21T16:02:17+00:00

Evaluating the digestibility of pet food ingredients is actually very difficult to do just by looking at the packaging. Digestibility is an "invisible" criterion that cannot be determined by a simple label scan or summarized by a single number.

Here is why evaluating it is so challenging:
It goes beyond the basic label: Two bags of kibble can display a very similar written composition on paper, yet yield completely different results in practice depending on how easily your pet can actually digest those ingredients.

It depends on complex, hidden factors: Digestibility is deeply connected to the real quality and origin of the proteins (such as whether they are animal or plant-based), the overall bioavailability of the nutrients, and the specific industrial manufacturing processes used to create the kibble.

Simplified scores cannot measure it: Automated grading apps or a "Nutri-Score" approach fail to evaluate digestibility because simple algorithms cannot capture these nuanced, unlisted quality factors.

How to make a better evaluation: Since you cannot rely on basic labels or quick scanning apps, the best way to evaluate digestibility and overall ingredient quality is to look for detailed, contextualized information. Platforms like Petfood Advisor bypass simplistic grades and instead offer a structured breakdown of recipes. By highlighting the specific strengths and weaknesses of the ingredients and analyzing the true quality of the raw materials, these tools help you understand what is actually in the food, which is a much more reliable indicator of digestibility than a standard label

Statistics: Posted by petfood advisor — Thu May 21, 2026 4:02 pm

Basics of dog nutrition • How can I evaluate the digestibility of pet food ingredients?

2026-05-21T15:55:57+00:00

Hello everyone,

I have been reading many discussions about ingredients and pet food quality, and I realized that digestibility seems to be a very important topic.

However, I am still confused about one thing:

How can consumers actually evaluate the digestibility of pet food ingredients?

Many brands claim that their recipes are “highly digestible,” but it is difficult to know what that really means from a practical and scientific perspective. Is digestibility linked mainly to ingredient quality, cooking methods, protein sources, fiber content, or something else entirely?

I also wonder whether ingredient lists alone are enough to estimate digestibility, or if laboratory testing and feeding trials are necessary to obtain reliable information.

Some foods also appear very rich in protein, but does that automatically mean the nutrients are well absorbed by the animal?

Finally, are there visible signs that may suggest poor digestibility in dogs or cats, such as stool quality, excessive volume, digestive discomfort, or coat condition?

I would love to better understand how experienced pet owners and nutrition-focused communities approach this subject beyond simple marketing claims.

Emily

Statistics: Posted by j.channasse — Thu May 21, 2026 3:55 pm

Basics of dog nutrition • Basics of dog nutrition: understanding essential needs

2026-04-28T09:18:40+00:00

This section is dedicated to the fundamentals of dog nutrition, providing clear and accessible information about nutritional needs, key nutrients, and the principles of balanced feeding.

Dogs have specific physiological requirements that influence how their diet should be understood. This space introduces the main concepts needed to interpret those requirements, without oversimplifying or reducing them to rigid rules.

It explores the role of essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, and how they contribute to overall balance. Rather than focusing on isolated values, the approach emphasizes how these elements work together within a complete diet.

The objective is to provide a solid foundation for understanding pet food, helping users make sense of compositions and avoid common misconceptions. This section encourages a structured and thoughtful reading of nutritional information, rather than relying on assumptions or simplified indicators.

It does not offer personalized advice or recommendations. Instead, it aims to support a better general understanding of how dog nutrition works, allowing for more informed interpretation of feeding options.

A space designed to build knowledge, develop perspective, and approach dog nutrition with clarity.

Statistics: Posted by petfood advisor — Tue Apr 28, 2026 9:18 am