Rating: 
Azmira dry dog food earns the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of three stars.
The Azmira Dog Food product line includes two kibbles… each designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
- Azmira Classic Formula
- Azmira Lifestyle Formula
Azmira Lifestyle Formula Dog Food was selected to represent both products in the line for this review.
Azmira Lifestyle Formula
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Lamb meal, whole ground barley, oatmeal, whole ground grain sorghum, flax seed, alfalfa meal, natural flavors, canola oil, lecithin, menhaden fish meal, apples, carrots, garlic, potassium chloride, kelp, choline chloride, dl-methionine, mixed tocopherols (natural antioxidant), Yucca schidegera extract, vitamin supplements (E, A, B2, B12, D3) niacin, calcium ascorbate (source of vitamin C), calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, inositol, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous proteinate, manganous oxide, cobalt proteinate, potassium iodide, sodium selenite (source of selenium)
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.4%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this dog food is lamb meal. Lamb meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh lamb.
The second ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index (like rice), barley can help support stable blood sugar levels in dogs.
The third ingredient is oatmeal… a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, fiber and is also (unlike many other grains) gluten-free.
The fourth item is sorghum. Sorghum is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.
The fifth ingredient is flaxseed… one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
The sixth ingredient is alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), it’s uncommon to see it used in a dog food.
This hay-family ingredient is more commonly associated with horse feeds and plant fertilizers.
After the natural flavors, we find canola oil. Most applaud canola for its favorable omega-3 content… while a vocal minority condemn it as an unhealthy fat.
Current thinking (ours included) finds the negative stories about canola oil more the stuff of urban legend than actual science.1
Lecithin is a waxy substance obtained from soybeans. Although it is commonly used to make fats more blendable, lecithin is believed to improve a dog’s skin and coat.
The tenth item is menhaden fish meal. Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. They are rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Menhaden fish meal is another high protein meat concentrate.
Fish meal is commonly made from the by-products of commercial fish operations.
Unfortunately, the controversial chemical ethoxyquin is frequently used as a preservative in fish meals.
But because it’s usually added to the raw fish before processing, the chemical does not have to be reported to consumers.
We find no public assurances from the company this product is ethoxyquin-free.
Without knowing more, and based upon this fish meal’s location on the list of ingredients, we would expect to find only a trace of ethoxyquin in this product.
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 four notable exceptions…
First, garlic can be a controversial item. Although the majority of experts favor the ingredient for its numerous health benefits, garlic (in rare cases) has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.2
However, the limited professional literature we surveyed provided no definitive warnings regarding the use of garlic… especially in small amounts (as it is here).
Next, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.
Thirdly, this food does contain 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.
And lastly, this Azmira dog food recipe also contains menadione… a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.
Azmira Dog Food… the Bottom Line
With the exception of menadione and ethoxyquin, the ingredients used to make Azmira Dog Food are of above-average quality.
However, ingredient quality alone does not a great dog food make. We also need to estimate the amount of meat present in the food before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 24%, a fat level of 9% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 59%.
Both Azmira products report the same nutrient percentages.
Below-average protein. Low fat. And high carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this is the profile of a kibble containing only a modest amount of meat.
However, it’s unfortunate the company chose to include menadione in its recipes. Without this controversial supplement and adding more meat, we would have been compelled to award this brand a higher rating.
Bottom line?
Azmira Dog Food is essentially a grain-based kibble using only a modest amount of lamb or beef meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand three stars.
Recommended.
Those looking for a quality wet product from the same company may wish to visit our review of Azmira 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 brand… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
05/24/2010 Original review
12/24/2010 Review updated
- Mikkelson, B and DP, Oil of Ole, Urban Legends Reference Pages (2005) ↩
- 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) ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.