Addiction Dog Food (Dehydrated)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★☆☆

Addiction Raw Dehydrated Dog Food receives the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of 3 stars.

The Addiction product line includes eight raw dehydrated dog foods, five claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages and three for adult maintenance.

The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review. Products marked with an asterisk (*) are grain-free.

  • Addiction Outback Kangaroo Feast*
  • Addiction Fig’licious Venison Feast*
  • Addiction Perfect Summer Brushtail*
  • Addiction Herbed Lamb and Potatoes*
  • Addiction New Zealand Forest Delicacies
  • Addiction Country Chicken and Apricot Dinner*
  • Addiction Steakhouse Beef and Zucchini Entree*
  • Addiction Homestyle Venison and Cranberry Dinner

Addiction Fig’licious Venison Feast was selected to represent the other products in the line for this review.

Addiction Fig'licious Venison Feast

Dehydrated Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 22% | Fat = 11% | Carbs = 59%

Ingredients: Venison, potatoes, papayas, canola oil, figs, carrots, spinach, tapioca, choline chloride, taurine, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, zinc sulphate, ferrous sulphate, copper sulphate, manganese sulphate, sodium selenate, potassium iodate, vitamins E supplement, niacin supplement, d-pantothenic acid, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, l-tryptophan, l-threonine, dl-methionine, tocopherols (preservatives), lecithin, rosemary extract

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.7%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis19%10%NA
Dry Matter Basis22%11%59%
Calorie Weighted Basis20%26%55%

The first ingredient in this dog food includes venison. Venison is considered “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered” venison and associated with skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1

Venison is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

Although it is a quality item, raw venison contains about 80% water. After dehydrating, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second 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.

Four of the next five items list a series of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables…

  • Papayas
  • Figs
  • Carrots
  • Spinach

Amongst the fruits and vegetables we find canola oil. Many applaud canola for its favorable omega-3 content while a vocal minority condemn it as an unhealthy fat.

Much of the objection regarding canola oil appears to be related to the use of genetically modified rapeseed as its source material.

Yet others find the negative stories about canola oil more the stuff of urban legend than actual science.2

In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.

The eighth item is tapioca, a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With one notable exception…

The minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are usually associated with lower quality dog foods.

Addiction Raw Dehydrated Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Addiction Raw Dehydrated dog food looks like an above average dry product.

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 22%, a fat level of 11% and estimated carbohydrates of about 59%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 23% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 55% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a dry product containing a modest amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Addiction Raw Dehydrated dog food is a plant-based dry product using a modest amount of novel meats as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3 stars.

Recommended.

Those looking for a wet food from the same company may wish to visit our review of Addiction canned dog food.

Please note some products may have been given higher or lower ratings based upon our estimate of their total meat content.

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

The descriptions and analyses expressed in this and every article on this website represent the views and opinions of the author.

Although it's our goal to ensure all the information on this website is correct, we cannot guarantee its completeness or its accuracy; nor can we commit to ensuring all the material is kept up-to-date on a daily basis.

Each review is offered in good faith and has been designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food.

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.

In closing, we do not accept money, gifts or samples from pet food companies in exchange for special consideration in the preparation of our reviews or ratings.

To learn how we support the cost of operating this website, please visit our public Disclosure and Disclaimer page.

Have an opinion about this dog food? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

03/30/2010 Original review
10/30/2010 Review updated
06/14/2011 Review updated
12/22/2012 Review updated
12/22/2012 Last Update

  1. Adapted by the Dog Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for beef published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2008 Edition ↩
  2. Mikkelson, B and DP, Oil of Ole, Urban Legends Reference Pages (2005) ↩
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  • anniearies

    we stop feeding her this. small crystal like stuff comes out with urine. she is more suitable taking dry kibbles.

  • annie

    i see. compare with dry kibble, my dog got dark color urine after we feeding her dehydrated meal for 2 days. her eyes seem bright , and eat happy though….

  • sandy

    The food is rated for all life stages or maintenance so it is suitable for everyday long term use unlike a food rated for “supplemental or intermittent” feeding only.

  • annie

    hi, we used to feed dry kibbles. we tried addiction chicken &apricot tonight, my dog loves it. but we don’t know if the addiction dehydrated food suitable to feed long term like the way we feed kibbles ?

  • Starsgalaxiesuniverse

    Addictions are hard aren’t they. Where is the support? What ways of encouragement are there? Well there are therapies, books, CD’s, coaching, help centers, interventions, and others…
    But, the greatest help is ‘Within’! A daily MANTRA can be healing, as well as transforming over time. May I a free booklet…
    I highly recommend checking out a FREE eating practice booklet at LuLu . Com called:   Eating Practice in True Love by JMM

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Julia-Ramirez/1393025030 Julia Ramirez

    I am a newbie to “raw” for my 4 legged child.  She is definitely one who would love a “raw” diet. She is Golden and Great Pyrenees.  She is 7 months old though.  Is this ok nutritionally for “puppies”?  Focusing on the need to watch growth rate for large breed puppies because of later bone problems.

    Under a “watchful” eye…we buy absolutely NOTHING that even gives a hint of being from China!  Are the meat and plant sources from which this food is made “NON-GMO?”  Either meat source is fed certified organic grains, no steroids, antibiotics, additives?  The plants used (veggies/fruits/grains) are they certified organic NON-GMO?  Nothing has been irradiated?  No questionable animal parts used in this?  Because when you start using animal stomachs, you open a whole other can of “worms”.  The bacterias and the like of “that” stomach are transferred to the “food”.

    See…I told you I was new to Addiction.  On my way now to read about it’s production.

    Thanks to all!

  • Marshafly8

    We feed this to four of our Italian Spinone (we have 9) that have allergy and digestive problems.  Have given the two Venison varieties, Chicken & Steakhouse Beef.  This is very easily digested and has made a marked improvement in allergy related problems.  It’s expensive but the cost of treating allergy related health problems are far more costly.  I’d recommend trying it & our dogs love it. 

  • Dawn Leder

    A LOT! :0o ! I USE IT..BUT..ONLY…AS A SUPPLEMENT WITH THE RAW AND FEW OTHER THINGS I TRY HERE AND THERE…BUT I LIKE THE BRUSHTAIL..WELL..I MEAN THE GIRLS…LOVE THE BRUSHTAIL..VENISON ALWAYS SOUNDS GOOD BUT..THEY BOTH ARE HIGHLY ALLERGIC TO IT!’I BUY THE SAMPLE PACKETS IF I BOUGHT THE BOX IT WOULD GO BAD BEFORE I USED IT ALL UP…WITH THE SAMPLES I CAN TRY THE OTHER FLAVORS TOO AND NOT BREAKING THE BANK :o ) YES I …ALSO..HATE..IT HAS SOOOOO MUCH POTATO! :O/

  • Jonathan

    It is unfortunate that there is sooo much more potato in this food than meat. How much are people here paying for this stuff?

  • Jonathan

    Chitra, so long as you shih tzu hasn’t had any intestinal reaction, I’d say the change is more than fine! I believe in product rotation, so changing up the protein every so often is probably a good idea.

  • chitra

    Addiction New Zealand Forest Delicacies was given to my 1 yr old shis tzu for the last 6 mths .she enjoyed her meal until there was some problems withfinding the food so we changed to
    Addiction Perfect Summer Brushtail*for the last week. she is also eating it without any complains. is the swtich fine for her

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  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Meagan… Thanks to your comment, I’ve now added Outback Kangaroo Feast to the Addiction dehydrated raw product line. After checking the recipe and the Guaranteed Analysis, this one fits right in with its siblings. So, no changes to the ratings are necessary at this time. Thanks for the tip.

  • Meagan

    Mike-Addiction has a new raw dehydrated formula called Outback Kangaroo Feast.
    http://www.addictionfoods.com/usa/prod_dog_outbackkangaroofeast.php

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Kyrie… Check out the lists of “Raw Dog Food” reviews. Many dehydrated are considered “dehydrated” or “freeze-dried” raw. Hope this helps.

  • Kyrie S.

    We ordered Country Chicken and Apricot for our danes to try and while the nutrient list left a few things to be desires (ash content like 12% or something like that?!) it really smelled like fruity granola and the dogs (a 3 month old dane and a 6.5 month old dane) took out 4.5 cups of the stuff in less than 3 minutes. Much faster than the Grandma’s artisan stuff. I did question the canola oil and I didn’t even see the garlic. And with 2 great danes going through growing stages I really worry about what to feed them. You see all these sites warning you about what not to feed your dane and i researched quite a bit myself. I love to spoil my dogs and cats and if I’m going to pay big money to give them the best then I want it to be the best. Do you have any dehydrated dog foods with a 5 star rating?

  • DAWN LEDER

    HI MIKE
    I DON’T KNOW IF YOUR AWARE…BUT ADDITION REVAMPED EVERYTHING…ADDED NEW THINGS. JUST A HEADS UP
    HAVE A GREAT DAY!

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  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Dave… Since the pet food industry (AAFCO) does not have an official definition for venison (and other novel species), we have adapted the standard definition for “meat” issued by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (2008). Of course, venison is the meat of a deer. So, thanks to your comment, I’ve now taken the word “cattle” out of the modified AAFCO definition for meat and replaced it with the word “deer”. It’s enclosed in parentheses to permit readers to know this description has been editorialized. Hope this helps make this description more meaningful. Thanks for the tip.

  • “Dave”

    You say that ‘Venison is considered “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.’

    Venison is deer, not cattle…