The 2018 ‘List’ is no longer available. You can learn more or purchase the current List here: https://truthaboutpetfood.com/the-list/.
For the past five years, TruthaboutPetFood.com has published the fund raising document ‘The List’. This website and our official consumer advocacy website AssociationforTruthinPetFood.com is 100% supported by pet food consumers. ‘The List’ and Petsumer Report are how we continue to advocate for pet food safety.
What is The List?
The List is a ‘list’ of pet foods I personally would trust to feed my own pets. It’s not a long list, and it’s not a list of budget pet foods. It is a list of quality pet foods that ARE food (not feed) and from companies that I believe are in business to help pets.
How are pet foods chosen for The List?
Each year a long list of detailed questions are sent to each pet food company considered. The questions request details about quality of ingredients/supplements, country of origin of ingredients/supplements, manufacturing details, and more. Most often, there are numerous additional questions (via email and phone) addressed in order for me to have full trust in the pet food.
This year’s List added another significant step in The List process; pet food companies were required provide verification to quality of ingredients. Some sent additional verification to country of origin of ingredients, verification to meats being sourced from humanely raised animals, testing procedures and human food manufacturing. It is significant to state that this verification step is not an easy one to make. Quality pet food manufacturers work VERY hard searching out quality ingredient suppliers. Because of the work involved in finding good, reputable suppliers – manufacturers are very protective of those relationships and don’t easily release names and contact information. This is similar to protecting a favorite family recipe; you don’t give out the secret. But – all pet foods on The 2018 List provided verification – some provided a wealth of information. This 2018 List is the sixth List I have published – and by far it is my favorite because of the verification these pet food companies provided. Note: verification documents are not included in The List. Companies trusted me with their protected information and I will not betray their trust. Consumers can know that I examined every document provided.
No pet food company pays to be on The List. I accept no money from any pet food manufacturer. They are accepted on The List based on their quality.
If a pet food isn’t on the List does that mean there is a problem/concern with the pet food?
No. First, the List is just one opinion – my opinion. My opinion is not the end all opinion of pet food. I might disagree with a manufacturing practice or an ingredient – that someone else might not disagree with. Which pet food someone chooses is a personal opinion, the pet foods on The List are my personal opinion.
Next, I don’t know all of the pet foods out there. There are pet foods I am not familiar with and/or have not scrutinized.
And/or it could be a simple issue of miscommunication between myself and a pet food manufacturer (that is not on The List). Sometimes emails don’t go through (my email list of questions). I try to contact each company multiple times (with no response), but sometimes things happen.
If a pet food you trust is not on the 2018 List, that does not mean I consider the pet food a risk. Your trust of the food you provide your pet is the most important thing for you and your pet.
Why charge for The List?
My full time job is a pet food consumer advocate; I am 100% supported by consumers. This website and AssociationforTruthinPetFood.com would not exist without support from consumers. There would be no attending AAFCO meetings or trips to Washington DC to meet with FDA without the support from consumers. Products that TruthaboutPetFood.com produces (The List and Petsumer Report) is my only income and the only way this advocacy happens.
Why variable prices for The List?
The List is offered at various prices to allow for various levels of support from consumers; it is the same document no matter what price you purchase at.
Can I share the List?
No. I depend on the income from this document to continue the pet food advocacy work of TruthaboutPetFood.com and AssociationforTruthinPetFood.com. Please don’t share.
Details
The 2018 List includes 10 cat foods, 19 dog foods. All brands – excluding one dog food – sell in the USA, 7 brands sell in Canada (one brand is exclusive to Canada). These pet foods can be purchased directly from the manufacturer and/or through your local independent pet food store (if your store doesn’t carry the brand, ask them to).
The majority of the pet foods are raw, cooked and/or dehydrated. There is one canned option, one kibble option.
These are NOT discount waste ingredient pet foods. If your budget is limited, you have the option of feeding a high quality pet food part time – example: three meals a week – and the remaining meals would be your less expensive option. Your pet consuming some real food is better than no real food.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 5,000 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Click Here to preview Petsumer Report. www.PetsumerReport.com
The 2018 List
Susan’s List of trusted pet foods. Click Here to learn more.
Have you read Buyer Beware? Click Here
Cooking pet food made easy, Dinner PAWsible
Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here
Ten Year Follower
December 1, 2017 at 9:57 am
Even if you’ve purchased this list before, you’ll want the 2018 List! Absolutely the best one yet !!! Many healthy choices for cat owners, and dog owners! Convenient food too. Plus easy links to homemade recipes (like Habib and Becker).
These recommendations are wonderful ways to augment your pet’s diet, even if you *think* you can’t afford the healthiest all the time. But hey, you really can … trust me! Aim for human grade edible ?
Janet
December 1, 2017 at 12:45 pm
Thank you for researching and publishing this list. I’m happy to see my top choice, Answers, on your list. And I’ll take a look at some of the others for when I want to offer more variety.
Audree Berg
December 1, 2017 at 3:12 pm
And this list helps support Susan and all the great work she does. Give as much as you can afford to give!
Lisa Marie
December 1, 2017 at 4:07 pm
I purchased my first list last year and I look forward to this one, thank you so much Susan for all you do, your tireless efforts and dedication. 🙂
Ten Year Follower
December 2, 2017 at 11:46 am
Sharon Bilotta-Testa — I don’t think you marked the “notify me” boxes: Anyway regarding The “2018 List” of pet foods and your question “where can I find out about this list, what’s the price to find out what food is worth paying a price for?” Right on this site there’s a “Click Here to order the List’ link. Donations are recommended at $25+ but Susan relies on the generosity of her Followers to do her work on a year round basis.
You will NOT find another List like this one, and that’s what makes it valuable! This is because Susan does not accept advertising, product promotion, kickbacks or commercial support. She (and family) personally investigate each product recommended. Bottom line is, products are of “human edible quality” and manufactured with transparency and full disclosure. While you can feed with your own human grade edible ingredients, these listed foods are nice because (and especially for cats) the products are already balanced with proper nutrients. There’s also a kibble for the utmost in convenience! These products are definitely affordable!!
NY
December 2, 2017 at 1:06 pm
We are most grateful for your lists year after year!!! Thank you for all your efforts in many directions. It is refreshing to discover new foods from your research because changing it up makes life exciting in the household. I believe that I know the answer to my question and I would think that your list changes yearly to give others a chance to hold your title and of course better foods startup yearly…but may I please ask, as some are omitted from one year to the next, is it because of these assumptions? As just simply for example, ALL PROVIDE, BIG BEAR, CARNA 4 were on your list previously and not included this year, as occurs over the years…changes…sometimes I worry that you acquired some negative knowledge and took them off in the past? Or is it to kindly give others a chance to be heard? It is difficult to find trustworthy cat food and it is comforting and helpful to go back to prior lists and keep them in the rotation too along with latest listings. Thank you kindly!!
Alice
December 9, 2017 at 5:46 am
I wonder the same thing too, especially as a first-time buyer. The 2016 & 2017 list isn’t available so I’m unsure if Rad Cat and/or Ziwi Peak has ever made into to your list, Susan, and if you even consider feeding them to your own pets. I’m not completely new to owning and caring for pets but it is only this year that I’ve been actively attempting to gain knowledge of what food is best for my companions. Though it’s good to see three pet foods that I do know make it into your list. So perhaps I’ll add those into my rotation. All that aside, I love the list and the work you have put in it. Thank you so much! It’s incredible!
Karin dale
January 8, 2019 at 10:54 pm
Rad cat was put out of business, by improper FDA ‘s improper handling of samples for testing, corporate pay offs , I suspect .
Ten Year Follower
December 9, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Another reason the List is so valuable (and an incredible amount of work) is because the PF must qualify annually. Integrity, communication and responsiveness are key. Being on The List is a privilege and a distinction! Manufacturers need to treat the opportunity accordingly. When they participate, says a great deal about their transparency in the first place.
Robin
December 26, 2017 at 9:31 am
Gradutude Susan for all your hard work in this list is priceless
Diane Martinson
January 7, 2018 at 7:29 pm
I have been getting the list for the last few years and tend to have the same question, are foods on the previous list still approved and you just left them off to allow some new ones? With a very picky cat who has health issues too I can’t change foods every year but I really try to use food from your list. I am confused on one point though, a couple foods on the list contain ingredients that you have rated risky, like Feline Natural has canola oil and Newman’s canned has carrageenan, could you explain? Thanks.
Susan Thixton
January 7, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Hi Diane – in most cases foods that do not return to The List is because the company did not respond to emails. With the other pet foods you mention – not all have canola and not all have carrageenan. There are other options within the brand.
Hollie Ventriello
January 23, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Hi Susan,
I have been feeding my dogs Nature’s Logic since learning about it from one of your previous lists…I see that it is not on this year’s list. Do you know if the reason it did not make this year’s list? Thank you!
Tracy
February 8, 2018 at 3:12 pm
I would like to know about Nature’s Logic as well.
Tracy
March 12, 2018 at 9:17 am
Still wondering about this food, please. Thank you!
Pet Owner
March 12, 2018 at 8:38 pm
From experience, and about the process in general, I can offer that Susan doesn’t take anything for granted regarding manufacturers. Each year they’re queried, and expected to respond, in order to maintain their status. She’s looking for transparency. Sometimes not hearing from a company, will not allow them to be re-posted on The List.
Checking
February 15, 2018 at 10:39 pm
I doubt any of those foods made your list but if so have you removed any of the ones under current investigation for pentobarb?
NFS
February 19, 2018 at 9:44 pm
The list was so helpful when we switched our cats over to a raw diet from All Provide last year, and I so grateful to find an updated version! We have had a mostly positive experience with All Provide over the past year. I was wondering if anyone might be able to shed some light on why they are not included in this year’s list? Thank you so much for all you do, Susan.
Susan Thixton
February 20, 2018 at 8:57 am
All Provide did not respond to questions this year – multiple attempts. Each year, each company has to provide detailed answers to questions or they are not considered for The List.
NFS
February 20, 2018 at 11:15 am
Thanks for your reply. That is unfortunate. Thanks again for everything you do!
Melissa
March 19, 2018 at 11:01 pm
How do you guys get orijen and Acana in the states? It is Canadian based company. My dog has been on it her entire life. She is 10 years old and zero health issues. I am looking for information.
Concerned owner
March 20, 2018 at 11:09 am
https://truthaboutpetfood.com/lawsuit-filed-against-champion-pet-food-acana-and-orijen/
Diane Maryinson
March 20, 2018 at 11:57 am
They now have a US plant in Kentucky and have both brands in stores. I buy Acana for my cat and find it at a number of pet food stores and even Agways. You should be able to get locations in your area that sell it.
Sharon Bilotta-Testa
March 21, 2018 at 6:05 am
They are now in Kentucky and are now getting a bad reputation saying high levels of lead and no longer as good as it used to be
Diane
March 21, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Do you know any specifics about the lead or do you know any way to research whether it’s in just dog food or cat too? My cat is almost 20 so I think she’d be more susceptible to something like that and she does eat the Acana during the night, she gets canned during the day.
Sharon Bilotta-Testa
March 21, 2018 at 1:49 pm
Sorry I believe it’s both not sure if this is even factual,just what Hill’s is saying BUT Hill’s is a crappy greedy pet food company that sell so called prescription pet food AND 50 breed brands for 50 different breeds of cats and dogs which is utterly ridiculous NO SUCH THING!! so I will wait and see how this turns out
ANDREW PYTEL
June 2, 2018 at 10:03 pm
The law suit review is on the web,just Google it
Sofia
March 20, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Hi!
I’m from Sweden and I just read your post on the Acana lawsuit. Does that apply to the Acana dog foods being sold over here? Just bought a puppy one from the brand and started a food switch on our 8 months Laponian Herder. I wont continue to give him this after having read your post, thanks ? Hope you’ll answer so I can stop worrying about possibly having fed poison to my puppy ?
Susan Thixton
March 20, 2018 at 4:29 pm
Sorry – I really do not have an answer for you. The lawsuit applies to the company – the test results provided in the lawsuit only apply to the brands/varieties listed.
Diane
March 20, 2018 at 4:56 pm
So cat food is not affected?
Susan Thixton
March 20, 2018 at 4:58 pm
The lawsuit is against the company (not dog food or cat food – the entire company). The test results provided in the complaint were just regarding those specific products. Nothing else is known at this time (at least by me).
Bazeem
March 27, 2018 at 12:25 am
Came here to ask the same question. Wondering if I should discontinue to be on the safe side? Better safe than sorry, I suppose!
Pet Owner
March 20, 2018 at 5:34 pm
I say this kindly. If you’ve reached the article featuring The 2018 List, then invest in it. And find out which PF companies are being transparent about operations and sourcing.
If you haven’t been a Follower for long, then realize the core issue (isn’t by “brand”) but whether the food uses “human grade quality” protein and ingredients. (Not that you would) but “could” be eaten by people. At least augment your new puppy’s diet with whole foods (and if he tolerates it, and is age appropriate) occasionally raw food too (which is highly bio-available). Rotation is another secret. By manufacturer and recipes. Train your dog (by keeping his digestive processes strong) to tolerate variations in his menu plan. Dogs in the wild seldom had the very same meal 24/7/365. And were designed to be opportunistic scavengers. Keep the ingredients simple (as an overly complex label can cause issues).
Jack
March 20, 2018 at 6:11 pm
Hi, we live in France and prior to order “the list” we would like to know if there is at least few brands we can find here…
Susan Thixton
March 20, 2018 at 6:46 pm
A VERY limited number of foods are available in Europe – but I do not know if they are available in France. Sorry.
Judi Baram
October 14, 2018 at 8:26 am
I wold purchase the latest list but I live in Israel and I suppose most or all of the names in your list will be difficult to find here. Can you tell me if there are any specific ingredients I should be looking out for that my dog should not be eating? I just saw a documentary film on TV about pet food and you appeared so I know that Ethoxyquin should not be in any food we give her. What else should I look out for?
Susan Thixton
October 14, 2018 at 9:26 am
Hi Judi – I don’t know pet food regulations in your country. Here we have to check for quality of ingredient – to make certain it is of the same quality as our food (human food). In the US and Canada – pet foods are allowed to contain highly inferior quality ingredients – some that are allowed are illegal, but law is ignored in pet food in the US. You might have the same pet food problem. If so, you need a guarantee from the manufacturer if ingredients are human edible. Could you eat every single ingredient in that pet food? (would it be legal for you to consume every ingredient in the pet food?) That’s a good start.
michelle linville
March 21, 2018 at 4:12 pm
what how do u feel about tru dog dog food?,I want to see about changing her to this food..currently she is.eating science diet. I dont really feel comfortable with her eating this .please let me know
Pet Owner
March 21, 2018 at 5:26 pm
You’re commenting on a thread that describes (the value of) The 2018 List! Sp I don’t understand your question.
The 2018 List has been created for a purpose. Invest in it, and determine which product would be appropriate for your lifestyle and pet’s personal taste. Yes there is a kibble on there, and several PFs which also apply to cats. Besides, if you should be so dissatisfied, there’s a refund. But you’re not “buying” something, and your are donating to a worthy cause, where the work done here (through the website’s author) is NOT done anywhere else. Articles are not influenced by advertising or kickbacks. Dogfood Advisor and WDJ can’t make such claims. In fact they routinely source from TAPF to put information into their own articles. But the PFs they permit, do not match the List.
Jenna
July 20, 2018 at 7:57 pm
Does the List include prescription brands
Susan Thixton
July 21, 2018 at 8:15 am
No, there are no Rx pet foods on The List.
Val
September 18, 2018 at 2:25 pm
Hi Susan! Just bought your list. Thanks a lot for your job! One question. Why yo don’t include Carna4 this year? I am confuse because is the only kibble Dr. Becker and Dr. Judy Morgan recommend!
christine
September 21, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Hi Susan, I just got your list and while I do like the company Open Farms that is on it, I was disappointed in the ingredients in their kibble. All their kibble formulas have quite a bit of legumes in them and their lamb, pork, salmon formulas have garbanzo beans as their second ingredient. With all the info out there about legumes and the lectins interfering with absorption of nutrients and possibly contributing to leaky gut, if I were to buy their products, I would stick to the freeze dried.
Susan Thixton
September 21, 2018 at 1:51 pm
To be a kibble – there has to be lots of starch ingredients for the kibble to hold its shape. No way around that.
Mar
September 23, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Tapioca as a thickener.forget the seaweed they use its bad for digestion .check your product most use seaweed. What shocked me was petsmart dog food used tapioca.
Rainelle
November 1, 2018 at 12:42 pm
Started to order open farms wet cat food but unfortunately realized it also contains garbanzo beans. My opinion is it is being used as filler and not necessary, and not beneficial, especially on an ongoing basis. Very disappointed because otherwise it would be excellent.