Description
Dr. Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® explains what "science-based" dog food really means and how to evaluate it.
Science-based dog food is developed by Veterinary Nutrition experts, meets established standards like AAFCO, and is tested through feeding trials, not just created on paper.
To evaluate a brand's science-based claims, check whether the company employs credentialed experts (Veterinary Nutritionists or PhD-level animal nutritionists) who formulate and review the diets, and has in-house expertise in quality control, food safety, and microbiology. Consider how the food is manufactured: companies that own their facilities (like Freshpet, which produces recipes in its own Kitchens) have more direct oversight than those using third-party manufacturers. Look for independent third-party verification, like Clean Label Project certification, which adds accountability beyond a company's internal testing.
Dr. Lisa Weeth's bottom line: look beyond the label and choose brands that clearly share their expertise, testing standards, and formulation approach.