Rating: 
Azmira Dog Food canned formula receives the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.
Currently, the Azmira Dog Food product line lists three canned formulas… each designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
- Azmira Ocean Fish Formula
- Azmira Lamb and Barley Formula
- Azmira Beef and Chicken Formula
Azmira Beef and Chicken Formula was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Azmira Beef and Chicken Formula
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Beef, beef broth, chicken, chicken liver and kidney, ocean fish, tuna, oat bran, whole brown rice, kelp, alfalfa, calcium carbonate, lecithin, garlic, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, maganese amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, vitamin B12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, calcium panothenate, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Like most meats, beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second item is beef broth. Broths are nutritionally worthless. But because they add moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.
The third ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.2 Another nutrient-rich ingredient.
The fourth ingredient lists chicken liver and kidney. These are organ meats sourced from a named animal. So long as they’re not over-weighted in a food, liver and kidney are beneficial components.
The fifth ingredient lists ocean fish. Like beef and chicken, fish is yet one more high protein ingredient rich in all ten amino acids needed by a dog for life.
Unfortunately, this particular ingredient is anonymous. The phrase “ocean fish” does little to adequately describe this item.
What species? What parts? We’d prefer a named species.
The sixth item is tuna. For reasons just mentioned, we are pleased to find this particular fish item.
The seventh item is oat bran… a nutritious by-product obtained by milling whole grain oats. The bran is the fiber-rich outer layer of the grain containing starch, protein, vitamins and minerals.
The eighth item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
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 have much of an effect on the overall quality of this product.
Garlic is a controversial item. In rare cases, garlic has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.3
Most of the professional literature we surveyed did not provide any conclusive warnings regarding the use of garlic… especially in small amounts (as it is here).
Although we see no reason to be overly concerned, we do feel it is a mistake to include such controversial ingredients in any dog food product.
We also note this food contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Unfortunately, this Azmira product also contains menadione… a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.
Azmira Canned Dog Food… the Bottom Line
With meat making up no less than five of the first six ingredients, Azmira is looking like a winning canned dog food.
But to get a clearer picture of just how much meat is in this dog food, it’s important to analyze the product’s reported nutrient percentages.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 46%, a fat level of 23% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 24%.
All three products report the same nutrient figures.
Above-average protein. Average fat. And below-average carbs… as compared to a typical canned dog food.
With no inferior plant-based protein-boosting ingredients, this is the profile of a wet food containing a generous amount of meat.
However, we regret Azmira’s inclusion of the controversial form of vitamin K.
Bottom line?
Azmira Dog Food is primarily a meat-based wet product using an abundance of lamb, beef, fish and chicken as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a nice kibble from the same company may want to check out our review of Azmira Dry Dog Food.
A Final Word
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 brand… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
- Association of American Feed Control Officials ↩
- Association of American Feed Control Officials ↩
- Yamato et al, Heinz Body hemolytic anemia with eccentrocytosis from ingestion of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) and garlic (Allium sativum) in a dog, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 41:68-73 (2005) ↩
