Scoring version: bowlumo-european-evidence-v1.2-no-price
How we calculate the Bowlumo score
Bowlumo evaluates dog food using information available from labels, technical sheets, official websites, specialist stores and data submitted by producers. The score cannot be bought and does not represent a diagnosis, prescription or guarantee of health effects.
Bowlumo Evidence Score
The final score runs from 0 to 100 and is a weighted average with prudent caps. Each component is calculated from verifiable available data; missing data is not invented. Indicative price is shown separately and does not affect the score.
Non-clinical nutritional coherence
Assesses availability and plausibility of analytical constituents, kcal, minerals and useful data with a FEDIAF-inspired reading.
Documentable raw material quality
Rewards specificity, percentages, declared protein sources and fats; penalises generic or poorly traceable wording.
Ingredient clarity
Measures how readable, unambiguous and comparable the ingredient list is against similar products.
Label completeness
Assesses presence of ingredients, analytical constituents, kcal, format, life stage, source and supporting materials.
Source reliability
Weights official sources, label materials when present, producers, retailers and marketplaces with different priorities.
Claim safety
Reduces score when text or sources push medical, curative or unsuitable promises for a non-clinical comparator.
What it measures
Non-clinical nutritional coherence, documentable raw material quality, ingredient clarity, label completeness, source reliability and claim safety.
What it does not measure
It does not measure the clinical response of an individual dog, replace a veterinarian, analyse raw materials in a laboratory or guarantee weight loss, cure or prevention.
Missing data
If ingredients, kcal or sources are unavailable, the profile says so and the score remains prudent. Price stays as a separate informational data point.
Dietetic or veterinary products
They are marked with caution: in case of conditions or doubts about the dog's health, veterinary assessment is needed.
Raw material quality
Bowlumo cannot verify the real quality of raw materials in a laboratory. For this reason it evaluates only documentable quality: how specific ingredients are, whether percentages are declared, whether protein and fat sources are readable, whether there are traceability signals and whether generic macro-categories are missing.
Rewarded elements
Declared animal species, percentages, clear protein source, named fats, readable carbohydrates, calcium/phosphorus or omega values when relevant.
Penalised elements
Generic wording such as meat and derivatives, unspecified oils and fats, undefined animal proteins, absent data or overly strong claims.
How we read sources
Official sources
Producer websites, official technical sheets, PDF catalogues and verifiable brand data have priority.
Secondary sources
Specialist pet stores and retailers help integrate price, formats and availability, but carry less weight.
Marketplaces
They are used only as secondary sources and reduce reliability if not confirmed elsewhere.
Conflicting data
If sources conflict, the profile is flagged and should not be published without review.
What score bands mean
Reference basis
The method uses recognised technical-regulatory references and guidelines to read labelling, data completeness and nutrition information. Bowlumo does not use these references to formulate diagnoses or therapies.
Editorial independence
Bowlumo scores cannot be bought. Companies can submit data, report errors and request documented corrections, but they cannot buy positive reviews, rankings or awards. Any future monetisation will be declared and separated from the technical score.