Pet Food Score - Petfood Advisor

Why we do not rate pet food A-B-C-D-E • What are the rating criteria behind these ABCDE scores?

2026-05-26T16:26:12+00:00

Hello everyone,

I have seen that there are many different ABCDE scoring systems for pet food, and it looks like each one uses its own method and criteria. This makes it difficult to understand how the final grade is calculated and to compare products fairly.

Could you please explain which criteria are usually taken into account for these ABCDE scores (for example: ingredient quality, meat content, additives, processing level, nutrient balance, etc.)? And is there any way to know in detail how each system weights these factors, since there are many different approaches?

Thank you in advance for your explanations and for helping to clarify how these ratings actually work.

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

Why we do not rate pet food A-B-C-D-E • Re: How do Petfood Advisor tools compare to a Nutri-Score?

2026-05-21T15:54:57+00:00

Hello Emily,

This is an excellent question because, at first glance, Petfood Advisor tools may appear similar to Nutri-Score systems. Both display nutritional information and compare products. However, the philosophy behind them is fundamentally different.

A traditional Nutri-Score approach tries to reduce a product to a final universal grade such as A, B, C, D, or E. The problem is that pet nutrition is not universal.

Dogs and cats do not all have the same needs:

* age,
* breed,
* activity level,
* sterilization status,
* digestive sensitivity,
* medical conditions,
* lifestyle,
* feeding frequency,
* and even owner objectives can completely change how a food should be interpreted.

Because of this complexity, a single simplified score may create the illusion of certainty where uncertainty actually exists.

Petfood Advisor tools are designed differently.

The objective is not to “decide for the consumer,” but to provide measurable and transparent information that helps owners better understand what they are buying.

For example, instead of saying:
“This kibble is A-rated therefore it is good,”

Petfood Advisor may display:

* analytical constituents,
* estimated carbohydrate levels,
* dry matter calculations,
* calcium/phosphorus ratios,
* ingredient positioning,
* feeding context,
* or product comparisons.

This allows consumers to interpret the information according to their own animal and situation.

Another important difference is that many Nutri-Score style systems rely heavily on hidden formulas or arbitrary weighting systems that are not always transparent. Two different websites may analyze the exact same product and produce completely different grades.

Petfood Advisor prefers an approach based on visible data and critical interpretation rather than opaque algorithms.

The philosophy is closer to:
“Here are the measurable elements. Here is the context. Now let’s understand what they may mean.”

This distinction is very important because nutrition science contains nuance, limitations, and uncertainties. Simplified grades can sometimes encourage emotional reactions instead of thoughtful analysis.

Petfood Advisor also recognizes another reality:
label information itself is not always perfectly reliable or complete. Analytical values may vary, formulations may change, and some online classifications continue circulating for years without updates.

That is why the platform focuses more on education, transparency, comparison tools, and critical thinking than on creating a viral “Top 10 best kibble” culture.

Simple scores are attractive because they are fast and reassuring.

Understanding nutrition is slower, more complex, but ultimately far more useful for responsible decision-making.

Thank you again for bringing up such an important topic.

Statistics: Posted by petfood advisor — Thu May 21, 2026 3:54 pm

Why we do not rate pet food A-B-C-D-E • How do Petfood Advisor tools compare to a Nutri-Score?

2026-05-21T15:51:42+00:00

I have another question after exploring several Petfood Advisor tools and comparison tables.

How do Petfood Advisor tools actually differ from the popular Nutri-Score style systems used by many influencers and websites?

At first glance, both seem to compare products and display nutritional information. However, after reading the forum discussions, I get the impression that Petfood Advisor focuses more on interpretation and transparency rather than giving a final “good” or “bad” grade.

Does Petfood Advisor aim to help consumers analyze data themselves instead of replacing their judgment with a simplified score?

I also noticed that some tools focus on measurable information like analytical constituents, estimated carbohydrates, dry matter values, calcium/phosphorus ratios, ingredients, or feeding context rather than emotional marketing claims.

So what is the real philosophy behind the Petfood Advisor approach compared to a classic Nutri-Score system?

I would love to understand the difference more clearly because many pet owners are searching for simple answers online, while nutrition seems much more nuanced in reality.

Emily

Statistics: Posted by j.channasse — Thu May 21, 2026 3:51 pm

Why we do not rate pet food A-B-C-D-E • Re: Why does Petfood Advisor refuse to rate kibble A-B-C-D-E while influencers do?

2026-05-21T15:50:23+00:00

Hello Emily,

Thank you for your question. This is actually one of the most important discussions in modern pet nutrition.

The main reason why Petfood Advisor does not give simple A-B-C-D-E scores to kibble is because animal nutrition is far more complex than a school-style grade or a “good vs bad” label.

Many influencers simplify pet food evaluation because simple scores are easier to understand, easier to share on social media, and often generate more clicks, reactions, and engagement. A colorful “A” or “E” immediately creates an emotional reaction. Unfortunately, nutrition does not work that way.

A food that may appear “excellent” for one animal can be completely unsuitable for another. A highly active sporting dog, an indoor sterilized cat, a senior animal, or a pet with digestive sensitivities do not have the same nutritional needs. Reducing all products to a universal score can therefore become misleading.

Another important issue is data reliability.

Many online scoring systems are built only from label information. However, labels themselves may contain approximations, outdated values, marketing wording, incomplete mineral information, or analytical data that consumers interpret incorrectly. Some influencers also calculate estimated carbohydrates differently, ignore moisture content, or mix scientific information with personal beliefs.

This creates a situation where the same product may receive:

* an “A” on one website,
* a “C” on another,
* and be described as “dangerous” somewhere else.

That inconsistency alone shows the limits of simplified scoring systems.

Petfood Advisor prefers a different philosophy:

* explain the data,
* compare measurable information,
* show analytical values,
* discuss ingredients and context,
* and help consumers think critically instead of blindly trusting a final score.

The goal is not to tell people “this kibble is good” or “this kibble is bad,” but rather to provide tools that help owners understand what they are buying and feeding.

Simple ratings may look reassuring, but they can also encourage impulsive decisions, unnecessary fear, or nutritional mistakes when consumers stop looking at the bigger picture.

In reality, pet nutrition requires nuance, context, and sometimes even questioning information shared online — especially when viral content becomes more influential than scientific discussion.

Thank you again for opening this discussion.

Statistics: Posted by petfood advisor — Thu May 21, 2026 3:50 pm

Why we do not rate pet food A-B-C-D-E • Why does Petfood Advisor refuse to rate kibble A-B-C-D-E while influencers do?

2026-05-21T15:43:55+00:00

Hi everyone,

I recently read the topic “Why we do not rate pet food A-B-C-D-E” and I honestly found it very interesting because many influencers on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook constantly give kibble brands simple scores or rankings.

As a pet owner, I admit that these ratings can feel reassuring at first because they make complicated nutrition topics look simple and easy to understand. But after reading several discussions here, I started wondering if things are actually much more complex than social media makes them appear.

Why does Petfood Advisor refuse to give simple A-B-C-D-E scores to pet foods while so many influencers do it confidently every day?

Is it because nutritional needs vary depending on the animal, age, activity, health condition, or feeding context? Or is it because some information on labels may be incomplete, inaccurate, or interpreted differently?

I would really like to better understand the risks of these simplified scoring systems because they seem extremely popular online. Sometimes two influencers give completely opposite ratings to the same product, which becomes very confusing for consumers.

Looking forward to hearing your opinions and learning more from experienced members here.

Emily

Statistics: Posted by j.channasse — Thu May 21, 2026 3:43 pm

Why we do not rate pet food A-B-C-D-E • Why we do not rate pet food A-B-C-D-E

2026-04-28T09:16:32+00:00

This section explains why the Petfood Advisor approach does not rely on simplified rating systems such as A, B, C, D, or E.

At first glance, these types of scores seem practical. They provide a quick answer and create the impression of clarity. However, pet nutrition is far more complex than a single letter can represent. Reducing a product to one final grade removes context and can lead to misunderstandings.

One of the main limitations of these systems is their inability to reflect individual needs. Every animal is different, and a food that may be suitable in one situation may not be appropriate in another. A universal score ignores factors such as age, activity level, health status, and tolerance.

Another issue lies in how these scores are calculated. They are often based on simplified criteria, subjective weighting, or incomplete data. Important aspects of a formulation may be overlooked, while others are overemphasized. This can result in misleading conclusions that do not accurately represent the overall product.

These ratings can also influence behavior in unintended ways. A high score may create excessive confidence, while a low score may trigger unnecessary concern or abrupt dietary changes. In both cases, the decision is driven by the score rather than by a full understanding of the product.

For these reasons, the Petfood Advisor approach avoids assigning final grades. Instead, it focuses on providing structured information and analytical tools that help users interpret data, compare products, and develop their own informed perspective.

The goal is not to simplify decisions to a single letter, but to encourage a more thoughtful and contextual understanding of pet food.

Statistics: Posted by petfood advisor — Tue Apr 28, 2026 9:16 am