Quality of protein sources, use of whole/named ingredients, absence of fillers (corn, wheat, soy), byproducts, and artificial additives. Penalizes vague "meat meal" and rewards fresh/raw protein.

Protein/fat/fiber balance, vitamin/mineral completeness, caloric density appropriate for adult dogs, AAFCO compliance with feeding trial data.

Brand recall history over last 5+ years, manufacturing standards, third-party contamination testing, FDA compliance track record.

Named vs unnamed protein sources, sourcing clarity (country of origin, farm certifications), traceability, absence of vague ingredient terms.

Daily feeding cost for a 50 lb dog relative to ingredient quality. Evaluates cost-efficiency — not cheapest overall, but best quality per dollar spent.