Nutrition experts have compared 15 pet food brands with 30 common dishes served to humans on key measures such as fat, salt and sugar levels.

Ceasar dog food has 4.4 g fat per 100 g and Gourmet Gold cat food has just 2.9 g of fat per 100 g. The unhealthiest food on test appeared to be Kentucky Friend Chicken’s chicken pieces with 23.2 g fat per 100 g (12 grams when counting the added fries as well).

Below you find the results of 2 food samples tested (results are displayed as g per 100 g).

According to the FDA’s red, amber and green ‘traffic light’ scheme, much of the cat and dog food brands get a green or amber score whereas some of the convenience foods for humans fall in the red or unhealthy category.

The result dog food being healthier than snack meals should not be a surprise. Most of us would not eat at McDonalds or KFC every single day and so you can balance out unhealthy meals with healthy ones.

Your dog however, is likely to be fed the same meal day in day out and therefore it is important that commercial dog food is nutritious and balanced.

As we humans like variety we could swop a stop at McDonald’s for a stop at the pet store. Today there are many kinds of dog food with ‘gourmet’ touches and you can choose recipes that include pasta, risotto, Mediterranean herbs and steamed vegetables. According to John Searle, a scientist at the Global food-testing lab in Burton upon Trent, this would not do you any harm.

Have you ever lived on dog food or had a small bite just to taste it?

Feel free you share your experience by commenting on this blog.

For information about the required dog food nutrients and dog food labelling, visit Best Dog Food Guide.