Rubric v1 · 8 products scored
Cat food rubric
Every product in this category is scored against the same rubric. Weights sum to 100. A hit on any disqualifier forces a "skip" verdict regardless of the point total.
Criteria & weights
1. AAFCO statement
- 10AAFCO complete-and-balanced by feeding trial for the named life stage
- 5AAFCO complete-and-balanced by formulation only
- 0No AAFCO statement
2. Named animal protein first
- 10Named animal protein as first ingredient with source disclosed
- 5Named protein among first three ingredients
- 0Unnamed protein or by-products first
3. Taurine disclosure
- 10Taurine minimum published (>=0.10% wet, >=0.20% dry)
- 5Taurine listed, no minimum
- 0Taurine not listed
4. Ingredient transparency
- 10Full ingredient list with sourcing detail
- 5Full ingredient list, sources undisclosed
- 0Ingredient list omitted or vague
5. Moisture / carbohydrate disclosure
- 10Full guaranteed analysis with moisture, protein, fat, fiber
- 5Moisture only (wet) or crude protein only (dry)
- 0No macro data
6. Manufacturer transparency
- 10Manufacturer named with in-house vet nutritionist (WSAVA guideline alignment)
- 5Manufacturer named
- 0Manufacturer not named, no vet-nutritionist disclosed
7. Life-stage specificity
- 10Kitten, adult, or senior specific
- 5All life stages
- 0No life stage labeled
Disqualifiers
Any of the following forces a "skip" verdict, no matter how well the product scores on other criteria. Non-negotiable.
- Contains propylene glycol
- No AAFCO complete-and-balanced statement
- Recalled in the last 24 months
Verdict thresholds
Total score cutoffs for each public verdict tier. Sum of weighted criterion scores maps directly onto these bands.
- Editors' pick
- ≥ 80
- Solid buy
- ≥ 65
- Situational
- ≥ 50