Rating: 
Addiction canned dog food receives the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4.5 stars.
The Addiction Dog Food product line lists 9 canned recipes, some claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages. Others do not appear to be specified on the company website.
The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.
- Addiction Unagi and Seaweed
- Addiction Safari Buffalo Meatloaf
- Addiction Hunter’s Venison Stew
- Addiction King Salmon and Potatoes
- Addiction New Zealand Venison and Apples
- Addiction Black Forest Rabbit and Blueberries
- Addiction Turkey with Cranberries and Apples
- Addiction Herbed Duck Confit and Sweet Potatoes
- Addiction New Zealand Brushtail and Vegetables (5 stars)
Addiction King Salmon and Potatoes was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Addiction King Salmon and Potatoes
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: King salmon, hoki, potatoes, peas, carrots, lemons, oranges, carrageenan, cassia gums, taurine, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, zinc sulphate, ferrous sulphate, vitamin E supplement, copper sulphate, manganese sulphate, niacin supplement, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 2% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 40% | 10% | 42% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 38% | 23% | 40% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is salmon. Salmon is a fatty marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second item is hoki, a white fish found along the southern coasts of Australia and New Zealand. Although it is not as rich in fatty acids as salmon, it is just as high in protein.
The third ingredient is potato. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fourth ingredient mentions peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The fifth item lists carrots. Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
Next, we note the inclusion of two fruits, lemons and oranges.
Carrageenan is a gelatin-like thickening agent extracted from seaweed. Carrageenan has been safely used as a food additive for hundreds of years.
Unfortunately, the listed minerals do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are commonly associated with lower quality dog foods.
Addiction Canned Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Addiction looks to be an above-average canned dog food.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 40%, a fat level of 10% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 42%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 40% and a mean fat level of 22%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 29% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%.
Near-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas, this looks like the profile of a wet product containing a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Addiction Dog Food is a meat-based canned product using a moderate amount of novel game species as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.
Due to its higher protein and fat (higher meat) content, the Brushtail recipe has been awarded a higher rating.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a nice kibble from the same company may wish to visit our review of Addiction dry dog food.
Special Alert
Rice ingredients can sometimes contain arsenic. Until the US FDA establishes safe upper levels for arsenic content, pet owners may wish to limit the total amount of rice fed in a dog's daily diet.
A Final Word
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However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyze each product, please read our article, "The Problem with Dog Food Reviews".
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt, consult a qualified veterinary professional for help.
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Notes and Updates
03/29/2010 Original review
10/29/2010 Review updated
04/20/2012 Last Update
