Here is the list of WDJ's approved dry foods for 2012. Companies with an asterisk (*) are new on the list this year.
- Addiction Foods
- Ainsworth Pet Nutrition
- Annamaet Pet Foods
- Artemis Pet Foods
- Bench & Field Pet Foods
- Blue Buffalo Company
- Breeder's Choice Pet Foods
- Burns Pet Health
- Canidae Corp
- Canine Cavier Pet Foods
- Carna4 Inc *
- Castor & Pollux Pet Works
- Champion Pet Foods
- Darford International *
- Diamond Pet Products
- *** Van Patten's Natural Balance
- Dogswell LLC
- Dr. Gary's Best Breed *
- Dr. Tim's Pet Food Company
- Drs. Foster & Smith
- Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Company
- Firstmate Pet Foods
- Fromm Family Foods
- Grandma Mae's Country Naturals *
- Hi-Tek Rations *
- Horizon Pet Nutrition
- Kent Nutrition Group
- Lincoln Biotech
- Lotus Natural Food
- Merrick Pet Care
- Midwestern Pet Foods
- Mulligan Stew Pet Food
- Natura Pet Products
- Nature's Variety
- Omnipro Pet Foods
- Perfect Health Diet Products
- Pet Chef Express
- Petcurean Pet Nutrition
- PetGuard *
- Pet Valu
- Precise Pet Products
- SmartPak Canine
- Three Dog Bakery *
- Solid Gold Health Products for Pets
- Tuffy's Pet Foods
- Verus Pet Foods
- Vet's Choice *
- Wellpet
WDJ also included Hallmarks of Quality:
- Lots of animal protein at the top of the ingredient list
- A named animal protein
- An animal protein meal in a supporting role when a fresh meat is the first ingredient
- Whole vegetables, fruits, and grains
- A "best-by" date that is at least six months away
And a list of things you don't want:
- Meat by-products or poultry by-products
- A generic fat source (e.g., "animal fat";)
- Added sweeteners
- Artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives (e.g., BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)