Dec 7, 2025
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We Analyzed 200 Pet Foods with Voyage AI Vet — Here's What We Found
A data-driven investigation into dry pet food quality reveals surprising gaps between marketing claims and actual nutrition.
Pet food is a $58 billion industry, yet most pet owners have no idea what's actually in their dog's or cat's kibble. We used Voyage's AI-powered analysis to evaluate 200 dry pet foods — 100 for cats and 100 for dogs — examining ingredients, nutrition profiles, safety records, and value.
The results? Eye-opening. While many brands deliver excellent nutrition, others fall dramatically short, relying on cheap fillers, low-quality proteins, and even controversial preservatives.
Here's what our analysis uncovered.
The Scoring Methodology
Each product was evaluated on four key dimensions:
Category | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
Ingredients | 40% | First ingredient quality, meat content, presence of fillers |
Nutrition | 30% | Protein levels, AAFCO compliance, carbohydrate balance |
Safety | 20% | Recall history, controversial preservatives (BHA/BHT) |
Value | 10% | Price-to-quality ratio |
Products received a score from 0-100, with letter grades from A+ to F.
Key Findings at a Glance
Across all 200 products analyzed:
Score range: 22 to 100 (out of 100)
Average score: 79.6
Products scoring below 50 (Grade F): 14 products
Products with BHA/BHT preservatives: 8 products
Products with recall history: 23 products
The 10 Worst Dog Dry Foods
Our analysis identified several dog foods with serious quality concerns. The lowest-scoring products share common problems: grain-heavy formulas, by-product meals as primary proteins, low protein content, and controversial preservatives.
#1: Gravy Train — 22/100 (Grade F)
The lowest score in our entire analysis. Gravy Train's formula features corn and soybean meal as primary ingredients, meat and bone meal as the protein source, just 17% minimum protein, BHA/BHT preservatives, and a history of contamination recalls.
Why it matters: Dogs are facultative carnivores who thrive on meat-based diets. A formula dominated by corn with only 17% protein falls far short of optimal nutrition.
#2: Kibbles 'n Bits — 34/100 (Grade F)
Another budget brand with plant-based fillers dominating the ingredient list. At 19% minimum protein with BHA preservative included, this formula relies on corn, wheat, and soy for the bulk of its nutrition.
#3-#7: Hill's Prescription Diet (Multiple Formulas) — 37-46/100
A surprising finding: several Hill's Prescription Diet formulas scored among the lowest. While these are therapeutic diets designed for specific health conditions, their reliance on corn starch and grains as primary ingredients, combined with low protein content (some as low as 15.5%), resulted in poor scores.
Important context: These prescription diets serve specific medical purposes and should only be used under veterinary supervision. However, our ingredient-focused analysis highlights the trade-offs involved.
The Common Thread
The worst-performing dog foods share these characteristics:
Corn, wheat, or soy as the first ingredient
Protein levels below 20%
By-product meals instead of whole meats
BHA or BHT as preservatives
Multiple recalls in brand history
The 10 Worst Cat Dry Foods
Cats are obligate carnivores with even stricter protein requirements than dogs. Our analysis found several cat foods that fail to meet their unique nutritional needs.
#1: Forza10 — 39/100 (Grade F)
Ground rice leads the ingredient list in a formula designed for carnivores. With just 30% protein (adequate but low for cats) and 45% estimated carbohydrates, this formula inverts what cats actually need.
#2: Multi Cat — 39/100 (Grade F)
A budget formula with corn as the #1 ingredient, meat and bone meal as the protein source, BHA preservative, and an estimated 47.7% carbohydrate content. Cats have limited ability to process carbohydrates — this formula ignores that biological reality.
#3: Kit & Kaboodle — 42/100 (Grade F)
Corn and soy dominate this formula, with 28-30% protein that falls below the 35%+ recommended for cats. While it meets AAFCO standards, meeting minimum requirements isn't the same as optimal nutrition.
The Cat Food Pattern
The lowest-scoring cat foods consistently feature:
Rice, corn, or soy as the first ingredient
Protein below 35% on a dry matter basis
Estimated carbohydrates above 40%
By-products rather than named whole meats
The Top Performers
Our analysis also identified exceptional products that set the standard for pet nutrition.
Best Cat Foods
Rank | Brand | Score | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Essence Pet Foods Original | 100 | Ultra-high protein, whole meat first |
2 | Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein | 99 | 59% protein, minimal carbs |
3 | Orijen | 98 | Biologically appropriate, WholePrey ratios |
4 | Merrick Purrfect Bistro | 98 | Deboned chicken first, grain-free |
5 | Farmina N&D Prime | 97 | 44% protein, ancestral grain formula |
Best Dog Foods
Rank | Brand | Score | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Farmina N&D Prime | 98 | 42% protein, fresh meat first |
2 | Essence Limited Ingredient | 97 | Single protein, high meat content |
3 | Merrick Lil' Plates | 95 | Small breed formula, deboned meat |
4 | Essence Dog Food | 95 | 85% animal ingredients |
5 | Crave | 95 | High protein, grain-free, affordable |
What to Look For When Choosing Pet Food
Based on our analysis of 200 products, here are the key indicators of quality:
Green Flags ✓
Named whole meat as the first ingredient — "Chicken" or "Salmon" rather than "poultry" or "meat"
Protein levels that match species needs — 30%+ for dogs, 35%+ for cats
AAFCO compliance statement — Ensures complete and balanced nutrition
No controversial preservatives — Avoid BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin
Clean recall history — Check FDA and brand announcements
Red Flags ✗
Corn, wheat, or soy as the first ingredient — Cheap fillers that displace meat
Vague protein sources — "Meat meal" or "animal by-products"
Multiple grain sources in top 5 ingredients — Often indicates low meat content
BHA/BHT preservatives — Controversial, with safer alternatives available
Repeated recalls — May indicate systemic quality control issues
The Bottom Line
Price doesn't always predict quality. Some premium brands scored poorly due to grain-heavy formulas, while some mid-range brands delivered excellent nutrition. The key is reading ingredient lists and understanding what your pet actually needs.
Cats need high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets that reflect their carnivore biology. Dogs have more flexibility but still thrive on meat-first formulas with adequate protein.
Use this analysis as a starting point, but always consider your individual pet's health needs, allergies, and preferences. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian — especially before using prescription or therapeutic diets.
This analysis was generated using Voyage's AI-powered research capabilities. Data reflects products available as of December 2025. Always verify current formulations, as manufacturers may change recipes over time.
Want to check a specific pet food? Drop a comment with the brand name and we'll look it up in our database.
A data-driven investigation into dry pet food quality reveals surprising gaps between marketing claims and actual nutrition.
Pet food is a $58 billion industry, yet most pet owners have no idea what's actually in their dog's or cat's kibble. We used Voyage's AI-powered analysis to evaluate 200 dry pet foods — 100 for cats and 100 for dogs — examining ingredients, nutrition profiles, safety records, and value.
The results? Eye-opening. While many brands deliver excellent nutrition, others fall dramatically short, relying on cheap fillers, low-quality proteins, and even controversial preservatives.
Here's what our analysis uncovered.
The Scoring Methodology
Each product was evaluated on four key dimensions:
Category | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
Ingredients | 40% | First ingredient quality, meat content, presence of fillers |
Nutrition | 30% | Protein levels, AAFCO compliance, carbohydrate balance |
Safety | 20% | Recall history, controversial preservatives (BHA/BHT) |
Value | 10% | Price-to-quality ratio |
Products received a score from 0-100, with letter grades from A+ to F.
Key Findings at a Glance
Across all 200 products analyzed:
Score range: 22 to 100 (out of 100)
Average score: 79.6
Products scoring below 50 (Grade F): 14 products
Products with BHA/BHT preservatives: 8 products
Products with recall history: 23 products
The 10 Worst Dog Dry Foods
Our analysis identified several dog foods with serious quality concerns. The lowest-scoring products share common problems: grain-heavy formulas, by-product meals as primary proteins, low protein content, and controversial preservatives.
#1: Gravy Train — 22/100 (Grade F)
The lowest score in our entire analysis. Gravy Train's formula features corn and soybean meal as primary ingredients, meat and bone meal as the protein source, just 17% minimum protein, BHA/BHT preservatives, and a history of contamination recalls.
Why it matters: Dogs are facultative carnivores who thrive on meat-based diets. A formula dominated by corn with only 17% protein falls far short of optimal nutrition.
#2: Kibbles 'n Bits — 34/100 (Grade F)
Another budget brand with plant-based fillers dominating the ingredient list. At 19% minimum protein with BHA preservative included, this formula relies on corn, wheat, and soy for the bulk of its nutrition.
#3-#7: Hill's Prescription Diet (Multiple Formulas) — 37-46/100
A surprising finding: several Hill's Prescription Diet formulas scored among the lowest. While these are therapeutic diets designed for specific health conditions, their reliance on corn starch and grains as primary ingredients, combined with low protein content (some as low as 15.5%), resulted in poor scores.
Important context: These prescription diets serve specific medical purposes and should only be used under veterinary supervision. However, our ingredient-focused analysis highlights the trade-offs involved.
The Common Thread
The worst-performing dog foods share these characteristics:
Corn, wheat, or soy as the first ingredient
Protein levels below 20%
By-product meals instead of whole meats
BHA or BHT as preservatives
Multiple recalls in brand history
The 10 Worst Cat Dry Foods
Cats are obligate carnivores with even stricter protein requirements than dogs. Our analysis found several cat foods that fail to meet their unique nutritional needs.
#1: Forza10 — 39/100 (Grade F)
Ground rice leads the ingredient list in a formula designed for carnivores. With just 30% protein (adequate but low for cats) and 45% estimated carbohydrates, this formula inverts what cats actually need.
#2: Multi Cat — 39/100 (Grade F)
A budget formula with corn as the #1 ingredient, meat and bone meal as the protein source, BHA preservative, and an estimated 47.7% carbohydrate content. Cats have limited ability to process carbohydrates — this formula ignores that biological reality.
#3: Kit & Kaboodle — 42/100 (Grade F)
Corn and soy dominate this formula, with 28-30% protein that falls below the 35%+ recommended for cats. While it meets AAFCO standards, meeting minimum requirements isn't the same as optimal nutrition.
The Cat Food Pattern
The lowest-scoring cat foods consistently feature:
Rice, corn, or soy as the first ingredient
Protein below 35% on a dry matter basis
Estimated carbohydrates above 40%
By-products rather than named whole meats
The Top Performers
Our analysis also identified exceptional products that set the standard for pet nutrition.
Best Cat Foods
Rank | Brand | Score | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Essence Pet Foods Original | 100 | Ultra-high protein, whole meat first |
2 | Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein | 99 | 59% protein, minimal carbs |
3 | Orijen | 98 | Biologically appropriate, WholePrey ratios |
4 | Merrick Purrfect Bistro | 98 | Deboned chicken first, grain-free |
5 | Farmina N&D Prime | 97 | 44% protein, ancestral grain formula |
Best Dog Foods
Rank | Brand | Score | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Farmina N&D Prime | 98 | 42% protein, fresh meat first |
2 | Essence Limited Ingredient | 97 | Single protein, high meat content |
3 | Merrick Lil' Plates | 95 | Small breed formula, deboned meat |
4 | Essence Dog Food | 95 | 85% animal ingredients |
5 | Crave | 95 | High protein, grain-free, affordable |
What to Look For When Choosing Pet Food
Based on our analysis of 200 products, here are the key indicators of quality:
Green Flags ✓
Named whole meat as the first ingredient — "Chicken" or "Salmon" rather than "poultry" or "meat"
Protein levels that match species needs — 30%+ for dogs, 35%+ for cats
AAFCO compliance statement — Ensures complete and balanced nutrition
No controversial preservatives — Avoid BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin
Clean recall history — Check FDA and brand announcements
Red Flags ✗
Corn, wheat, or soy as the first ingredient — Cheap fillers that displace meat
Vague protein sources — "Meat meal" or "animal by-products"
Multiple grain sources in top 5 ingredients — Often indicates low meat content
BHA/BHT preservatives — Controversial, with safer alternatives available
Repeated recalls — May indicate systemic quality control issues
The Bottom Line
Price doesn't always predict quality. Some premium brands scored poorly due to grain-heavy formulas, while some mid-range brands delivered excellent nutrition. The key is reading ingredient lists and understanding what your pet actually needs.
Cats need high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets that reflect their carnivore biology. Dogs have more flexibility but still thrive on meat-first formulas with adequate protein.
Use this analysis as a starting point, but always consider your individual pet's health needs, allergies, and preferences. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian — especially before using prescription or therapeutic diets.
This analysis was generated using Voyage's AI-powered research capabilities. Data reflects products available as of December 2025. Always verify current formulations, as manufacturers may change recipes over time.
Want to check a specific pet food? Drop a comment with the brand name and we'll look it up in our database.
A data-driven investigation into dry pet food quality reveals surprising gaps between marketing claims and actual nutrition.
Pet food is a $58 billion industry, yet most pet owners have no idea what's actually in their dog's or cat's kibble. We used Voyage's AI-powered analysis to evaluate 200 dry pet foods — 100 for cats and 100 for dogs — examining ingredients, nutrition profiles, safety records, and value.
The results? Eye-opening. While many brands deliver excellent nutrition, others fall dramatically short, relying on cheap fillers, low-quality proteins, and even controversial preservatives.
Here's what our analysis uncovered.
The Scoring Methodology
Each product was evaluated on four key dimensions:
Category | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
Ingredients | 40% | First ingredient quality, meat content, presence of fillers |
Nutrition | 30% | Protein levels, AAFCO compliance, carbohydrate balance |
Safety | 20% | Recall history, controversial preservatives (BHA/BHT) |
Value | 10% | Price-to-quality ratio |
Products received a score from 0-100, with letter grades from A+ to F.
Key Findings at a Glance
Across all 200 products analyzed:
Score range: 22 to 100 (out of 100)
Average score: 79.6
Products scoring below 50 (Grade F): 14 products
Products with BHA/BHT preservatives: 8 products
Products with recall history: 23 products
The 10 Worst Dog Dry Foods
Our analysis identified several dog foods with serious quality concerns. The lowest-scoring products share common problems: grain-heavy formulas, by-product meals as primary proteins, low protein content, and controversial preservatives.
#1: Gravy Train — 22/100 (Grade F)
The lowest score in our entire analysis. Gravy Train's formula features corn and soybean meal as primary ingredients, meat and bone meal as the protein source, just 17% minimum protein, BHA/BHT preservatives, and a history of contamination recalls.
Why it matters: Dogs are facultative carnivores who thrive on meat-based diets. A formula dominated by corn with only 17% protein falls far short of optimal nutrition.
#2: Kibbles 'n Bits — 34/100 (Grade F)
Another budget brand with plant-based fillers dominating the ingredient list. At 19% minimum protein with BHA preservative included, this formula relies on corn, wheat, and soy for the bulk of its nutrition.
#3-#7: Hill's Prescription Diet (Multiple Formulas) — 37-46/100
A surprising finding: several Hill's Prescription Diet formulas scored among the lowest. While these are therapeutic diets designed for specific health conditions, their reliance on corn starch and grains as primary ingredients, combined with low protein content (some as low as 15.5%), resulted in poor scores.
Important context: These prescription diets serve specific medical purposes and should only be used under veterinary supervision. However, our ingredient-focused analysis highlights the trade-offs involved.
The Common Thread
The worst-performing dog foods share these characteristics:
Corn, wheat, or soy as the first ingredient
Protein levels below 20%
By-product meals instead of whole meats
BHA or BHT as preservatives
Multiple recalls in brand history
The 10 Worst Cat Dry Foods
Cats are obligate carnivores with even stricter protein requirements than dogs. Our analysis found several cat foods that fail to meet their unique nutritional needs.
#1: Forza10 — 39/100 (Grade F)
Ground rice leads the ingredient list in a formula designed for carnivores. With just 30% protein (adequate but low for cats) and 45% estimated carbohydrates, this formula inverts what cats actually need.
#2: Multi Cat — 39/100 (Grade F)
A budget formula with corn as the #1 ingredient, meat and bone meal as the protein source, BHA preservative, and an estimated 47.7% carbohydrate content. Cats have limited ability to process carbohydrates — this formula ignores that biological reality.
#3: Kit & Kaboodle — 42/100 (Grade F)
Corn and soy dominate this formula, with 28-30% protein that falls below the 35%+ recommended for cats. While it meets AAFCO standards, meeting minimum requirements isn't the same as optimal nutrition.
The Cat Food Pattern
The lowest-scoring cat foods consistently feature:
Rice, corn, or soy as the first ingredient
Protein below 35% on a dry matter basis
Estimated carbohydrates above 40%
By-products rather than named whole meats
The Top Performers
Our analysis also identified exceptional products that set the standard for pet nutrition.
Best Cat Foods
Rank | Brand | Score | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Essence Pet Foods Original | 100 | Ultra-high protein, whole meat first |
2 | Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein | 99 | 59% protein, minimal carbs |
3 | Orijen | 98 | Biologically appropriate, WholePrey ratios |
4 | Merrick Purrfect Bistro | 98 | Deboned chicken first, grain-free |
5 | Farmina N&D Prime | 97 | 44% protein, ancestral grain formula |
Best Dog Foods
Rank | Brand | Score | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Farmina N&D Prime | 98 | 42% protein, fresh meat first |
2 | Essence Limited Ingredient | 97 | Single protein, high meat content |
3 | Merrick Lil' Plates | 95 | Small breed formula, deboned meat |
4 | Essence Dog Food | 95 | 85% animal ingredients |
5 | Crave | 95 | High protein, grain-free, affordable |
What to Look For When Choosing Pet Food
Based on our analysis of 200 products, here are the key indicators of quality:
Green Flags ✓
Named whole meat as the first ingredient — "Chicken" or "Salmon" rather than "poultry" or "meat"
Protein levels that match species needs — 30%+ for dogs, 35%+ for cats
AAFCO compliance statement — Ensures complete and balanced nutrition
No controversial preservatives — Avoid BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin
Clean recall history — Check FDA and brand announcements
Red Flags ✗
Corn, wheat, or soy as the first ingredient — Cheap fillers that displace meat
Vague protein sources — "Meat meal" or "animal by-products"
Multiple grain sources in top 5 ingredients — Often indicates low meat content
BHA/BHT preservatives — Controversial, with safer alternatives available
Repeated recalls — May indicate systemic quality control issues
The Bottom Line
Price doesn't always predict quality. Some premium brands scored poorly due to grain-heavy formulas, while some mid-range brands delivered excellent nutrition. The key is reading ingredient lists and understanding what your pet actually needs.
Cats need high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets that reflect their carnivore biology. Dogs have more flexibility but still thrive on meat-first formulas with adequate protein.
Use this analysis as a starting point, but always consider your individual pet's health needs, allergies, and preferences. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian — especially before using prescription or therapeutic diets.
This analysis was generated using Voyage's AI-powered research capabilities. Data reflects products available as of December 2025. Always verify current formulations, as manufacturers may change recipes over time.
Want to check a specific pet food? Drop a comment with the brand name and we'll look it up in our database.
