Rating: 
Addiction Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.
Currently, the Addiction Dog Food product line includes eight dry kibbles… three designed to meet AAFCO nutritional profiles for puppies and the rest for all life stages.1
Products marked with an asterisk (*) are 100% grain-free…
- Addiction Viva La Venison Puppy*
- Addiction Salmon Bleu Puppy*
- Addiction Viva La Venison*
- Addiction Salmon Bleu*
- Addiction Wild Kangaroo and Apples
- Addiction Le Lamb Puppy
- Addiction La Porchetta
- Addiction Le Lamb
Addiction Viva La Venison was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Addiction Viva La Vension
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Venison meal, dried potatoes, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural flavors, dried egg, dried kelp, dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried carrots, dried cranberries, dried apples, dried spinach, potassium chloride, salt, brewers dried yeast, lecithin, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation solubles, inulin (from chicory root), ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), taurine, dl-methionine, yucca schidigera extract, niacin (vitamin B3), copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium pantothenate, thiamine (vitamin B1), biotin (vitamin B7), riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, beta carotene, folic acid (vitamin B9), sodium selenite, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.9%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this dog food is venison meal. Venison meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh venison.
The second ingredient is dried potato. Assuming the raw materials were whole, potatoes are a good source of digestible carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.
The third ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Though it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is a quality ingredient.
After the natural flavors (whatever that is), we find a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary greatly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries… from eggs that have failed to hatch.
The quality of this item all depends on the caliber of the ingredient purchased by Addiction (you get what you pay for).
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The next items include six nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables…
- Kelp
- Alfalfa
- Carrots
- Cranberries
- Apples
- Spinach
In most of the products, the manufacturer appears to have added back some of the “good” bacteria lost during the cooking process. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
Some (but oddly, not all) of the kibbles contain chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are generally found in better dog foods.
Addiction Dog Food “Dry”… the Bottom Line
As you study this Addiction Dog Food product line, it’s hard not to notice the uniqueness and quality of the ingredients.
However, we still prize meat content. And to estimate that feature… we must consult the brand’s reported nutrient percentages.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 29%, a fat level of 16% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 48%.
Solid protein. Moderate fat. And average carbohydrates (compared to a typical dry dog food).
Featuring a brand average of 28%, protein percentages range from a low of 24% for the adult lamb and kangaroo recipes to a high of 31% for the venison and salmon puppy formulas.
But the designs vary. Some Addiction kibbles are grain-free. Others aren’t. Some contain chelated minerals. Others don’t. And some include probiotics… while others skip this favorable feature.
The pork and kangaroo recipes even list vitamin K… a controversial item linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.
Unfortunately, inconsistencies (like these) make it challenging to determine a fair overall rating for the group… as a whole.
Bottom line?
Addiction Dog Food is primarily a plant-based kibble utilizing a fair amount of atypical meats as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand a solid four stars.
Highly recommended.
Some Final Thoughts
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult your veterinarian for help.
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- American Association of Feed Control Officials Nutrient Profiles per Addiction Foods, 3/28/2010 ↩
