Rating: 
Addiction Dog Food receives the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4 stars.
The Addiction Dog Food product line includes eight dry kibbles, three claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for puppies and the rest for all life stages.
Products marked with an asterisk (*) are 100% grain-free…
- Addiction Wild Kangaroo and Apples
- Addiction Viva La Venison Puppy*
- Addiction Salmon Bleu Puppy*
- Addiction Viva La Venison*
- Addiction Le Lamb Puppy
- Addiction Salmon Bleu*
- 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, 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.
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
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 three notable exceptions…
First, brewers yeast can be a controversial item. Although it’s a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient contains about 45% protein… and is rich in other healthy nutrients.
Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.
Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.
What’s more, a vocal minority insist yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is something we’ve not been able to scientifically verify.
In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, we feel yeast should be considered a nutritious addition.
Next, the manufacturer appears to have applied friendly bacteria to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
And lastly, 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 Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line
As we look over this Addiction Dog Food product line, it’s hard not to notice the uniqueness and quality of the ingredients.
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 29%, a fat level of 16% and estimated carbohydrates of about 48%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 28% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 50% for the overall product line.
Average protein. Below-average fat. And average carbohydrates when compared to a typical dry dog food.
With no sign of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.
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 omit this favorable feature.
Unfortunately, inconsistencies like these make it challenging to determine a fair overall rating for the group as a whole.
What’s more, according to the company, all but the Viva la Venison and Salmon Bleu recipes contain the food additive, menadione, a controversial form of vitamin K.
So, menadione phobics may wish to ignore our rating and look elsewhere for another product.
Bottom line?
Addiction Dog Food is a vegetable-based kibble using a moderate amount of novel meat meals as its main source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a wet food from the same company may wish to visit our review of Addiction canned dog food.
A Final Word
This review is 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 analyzed this product, please be sure to 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 veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
03/28/2010 Original review
10/28/2010 Review updated
01/13/2012 Added menadione information
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.