The following guide is provided by Dr. Michael Lemmon of Highlands Veterinary Hospital in Renton, Washington. Foods are rated from 10 (the most nutritious) to 0 (the lease nutritious)

Source: hunting, foraging. Characteristics: study wild animals to learn best diet for domesticated species.

Source: Dogs -- 1/3 meat, eggs, dairy; 2/3 grains, vegetables. Cats -- 1/2 meat, eggs, dairy; 1/2 grains, vegetables. Characteristics: ecological, inexpensive, easy, healthy (includes healthy leftovers)

Source: Precise, Wysong, Nature's Recipe, Dynamite, Flint River, ABADY, Avo-Derm, Sensible Choice, Solid Gold, Pinnacle. Characteristics: few or no preservatives, few or no by-products, dates on the bags, more nutrients retained, disease prevention design.

Source: Science Diet, ANF, Tamiami, Cornucopia, Lick Your Chops, Nutro, Waynes, Old Mother Hubbard. Characteristics: digestible, very concentrated, easily available, actually less costly, could be improved.

Source: IAMS, Ol' Roy, Purina (all), Gaines, Friskies, Alpo, Ken'l Ration, Kal-Kan, Tuffys, Tyrells, Attaboy, Pedigree. Characteristics: Not very digestible, additives, preservatives, chemicals, no date on bags, addictive flavorings added.

Source: Holiday, Super-America, Houles, Fromms. Characteristics: Ultra-cheap ingredients, irregular batch cooking, products are not tested, no reputation to lose.

Source: Tender Vittles, Gaines Burgers, Kibbles and Chunks, Pounce, Crave, Snausages, Jerky Sticks, Happy Cat, Mighty Dog. Characteristics: Fake, plastic, junk food, addictive and deadly, rots teeth and intestines, expensive.

Source: Excess meat, fat, ice cream, candy, sugar, white flour products, tuna, steak, bones, anything microwaved. Characteristics: Cause of obesity, picky-eaters, behavior problems, diabetes, allergies, shedding and dandruff.