Canine Caviar (Dry)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★★½

Canine Caviar dry dog food receives the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4.5 stars.

The Canine Caviar product line lists five kibbles, two claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, two for growth (Puppy) and one for adult maintenance (Special Needs Dinner).

  • Canine Caviar Lamb and Pearl Millet Dinner
  • Canine Caviar Chicken and Pearl Millet Puppy
  • Canine Caviar Chicken and Pearl Millet Dinner
  • Canine Caviar Special Needs Dinner (3 stars)
  • Canine Caviar Lamb and Pearl Millet Large Breed Puppy

The Canine Caviar Grain Free product line is reviewed in a dedicated report elsewhere on this website.

Canine Caviar Lamb and Pearl Millet Dinner dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

Canine Caviar Lamb and Pearl Millet Dinner

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 27% | Fat = 15% | Carbs = 50%

Ingredients: Dehydrated lamb, pearl millet, lamb fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), sun-cured alfalfa, Aspergillus niger fermentation culture, Aspergillus oryzae fermentation culture, Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation culture, sun-cured kelp, fos (prebiotic), calcium proteinate, sodium chloride, lecithin, choline chloride, parsley, fenugreek, peppermint, taurine, selenium, whole clove garlic, vitamin E, zinc proteinate, vitamin C, papaya, rose hips, Yucca schidigera extract, niacin, beta-carotene, manganese proteinate, vitamin D3, biotin, vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin B12, potassium proteinate, folic acid

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

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

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

The second ingredient lists millet, a gluten-free grain harvested from certain seed grasses. Millet is hypoallergenic and naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber as well as other essential minerals.

The third ingredient is lamb fat. Lamb fat is obtained from rendering lamb, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Lamb fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, lamb fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The fourth ingredient is dried alfalfa. Although alfalfa is high in protein (18%) and fiber, it’s uncommon to see it used in a dog food. This hay-family ingredient is more commonly associated with horse feeds.

Yet alfalfa can still provide some healthy nutrients to a dog food.

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 most 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 when used in small amounts (as it likely is here).

Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

Thirdly, we note the inclusion of fructooligosaccharide (or FOS), an alternative sweetener3 probably used here as a prebiotic.

Prebiotics function to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine.

And lastly, 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.

Canine Caviar Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Canine Caviar dry dog food looks to be an above average kibble.

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 28%, a fat level of 17% and estimated carbohydrates of about 46%.

Due to the apparently lower meat content of the Special Needs Dinner, we have downgraded its rating to suit its lower protein content.

Excluding the lower rated Special Needs recipe, the brand features an average protein content of 30% and a mean fat level of 18%.

Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 44% for the overall product line.

Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Canine Caviar is a plant-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of dehydrated chicken or lamb as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.

Highly recommended.

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

04/21/2010 Original review
11/21/2010 Review updated
01/17/2012 Review updated, recipe change

  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. 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) ↩
  3. Wikipedia definition ↩
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


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  • Anonymous

    The vet has verified its a combo of yeast and occasional bacteria, but at such a low level that she does not want him back on antibiotics/steroids (since he was on them for almost for 5 months last year). I know the steroids really compromise his immune system so I’ve got him on the digestive enzymes, spirugreen, probiotics, salmon oil in addition to feeding Darwins raw and Brother’s or Great Life kibble.  Just trying to figure out if I’m missing something I could be trying. 

    The skin issues started first with him chewing all 4 paws like crazy, then a few months into the steroids is when I saw the black spots start to show up. 

    He seems to be energetic, happy and completely itch free for the past 3 months since he went off the steroids. Just can’t get rid of the spots…. I think they must give off a slight odor as my other pug likes to try to get under his arm and lick his armpits.  I can’t detect any odor though….
     

  • sandy

    I was giving her Brothers Allergy formula plus a chicken wing daily.  Since your dog’s already on raw, don’t know what else to suggest.  Has a skin scraping been sent of the black spot to verify it’s yeast?  I’ve also read black skin spots can be endocrine related.

  • Anonymous

    Hi Sandy,

    I thought I saw you mention something about a new foster pug that came in and she had yeast/skin issues. I can’t recall what you suggested you were going to feed her. 

    If you have a minute, can you share what has worked for you with this issue? 

    My one pug has been off of steroids for months but can’t seem to get rid of some blackened spots right under his armpits…. He is fawn and it’s the strangest thing to see.  He goes to a Vet that specializes in dermatology and I’ve just been using Duoxo wipes in the area as well as weekly baths.  The spots don’t seem to itch or bother him at all.  They are not getting any worse or any better. 

    Let me know if you have ever seen this before…

  • sandy

    I  like that these are gluten free as well, except the Special Needs formula. Not that many gluten free dog foods around for those that feed grains but want gluten free.

  • BradsDads

    Update- we are now on our fourth bag.  No strong fish odor, and the hounds are eating without  hesitation.   

  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    I contacted Canine Caviar via their FB site and they said they are ethoxyquin free.  Thanks!

  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    Nir_g5….Mike Sagman is the owner of this site and he does all the wonderful reviews of the foods, which is a lot of hard work on his part.  We appreciate it very much!  He can correct me if I’m wrong but he reviews by ingredients only and if the company lists that their food is ethoxyquin free, or if he knows this ahead of time, he will put that info. on the review.  He may contact the company for you, but the easiest way to find out is to email or call the company yourself.  They should have that info. at the ready.  I’m not sure if they say whether or not (ethoxyquin free) on their website.  If not, then an email or call is best.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Nir_g5,

    Unfortunately, the answer to your question lies in the condition of the fish meal at the time it was procured by the manufacturer.

    And the only way to get a reliable response to your question is to contact their Customer Service.

    Wish I could be more help.

  • Nir_g5

    I tought maybe the reviewer knows .
    Does someone checked this metter ?
    Is there forum of this site?

  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    Nir_g5….you would actually need to contact Canine Caviar’s company to ask this question.  Their site is http://www.caninecaviar.com.  Hope this helps.

  • Nir_g5

    About the whitefish .is it Ethoxyquin free ? is it free of metals ?

  • Pingback: Best Dry Dog Foods « winnipegfashion

  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    I’m not sure what could be “wrong” (if anything) with your CC Chicken and Pearl Millet bag of food….I think it’s a great food and company, btw.  Anyway, CC has recently come out with some new formulas of food (grainfrees) and maybe they “tweaked” something in all of their formulas….not saying they did, because I really don’t know and I think maybe you should contact the company.  And this is for Mike S……are you going to review these new formulas soon?  I’m very interested in them.  Thanks!

  • BradsDAds

    We switched to Caninine Cavier Chicken and Pearl millet dinner from Innova and have had a very positive outcome.  Our Basset Hound, Bradley, is a very fussy eater but inhales this kibble (mixed with the canned Turkey).  We are on our third bag since making the switch.  I noticed that this third bag has a much stronger fish odor that the previous two bags.  Has anyone else noticed this?  Since opening this bag, the hound is more reluctant to eat and is eating less. 

  • Dbarraco

    Please contact Canine Caviar at 1 800 3927898 and our customer service can help you with your question. 

  • Rich Vacanti

    Sandi
    The reason most vets push science diet is because they pay for the vets schooling and books. Science diet is JUNK

  • Jan (Mom to Cavs)

    Greg…I can’t comment about the adding of veggies (I really don’t know the answer), but I just wanted to say that I also think Canine Caviar is a good dog food company. When my mixed breed, Lucy Mae, had some urinary issues and I needed a lower phosphorus food I used CC’s Special Needs (only for a short while). It worked for her at the time. So….I would not be adversed to using this food again.

  • Greg

    Hi Everyone,
    I wanted to leave a short comment on Canine Caviar chicken and pearl millet food. After 8 months, six Vets, and six different (premium) dog foods, this food in finally the one that agrees with our 1 year old goldendoodle puppy. All other foods gave him loose stool. This food is the only one that actually firmed up his stool and made his elimination “much” smaller. Having said that, I noticed the food contains no vegetables so I started adding some carrots and green beans to his daily diet. Now I have somebody telling me the addition of vegetables may be bad because I am adding too much calcium to my dogs diet [again, he is 1 year old]. What opinions do you all have? Am I safe to add veggies to my dogs diet with this food?

  • Cathy

    This food has been a marvelous addition to my dog’s rotation. When I give him foods that are much higher in protien, he starts to get ketones in his urine and becomes lethargic, with stinky gas to boot. Having the option of several foods with excellent quality protien and high digestibility WITHOUT having extremely high protien is very valuable to me.

  • http://www.whosyourvet.com Sandi

    Impressive training, thanks!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Sandi… Thanks for the kind words. Here’s a short bio on Dr. Spector. Dr. “Donna” is very knowledgeable about canine nutrition. And I’ve always found willing to help. For more details, just click on the link to her website mentioned in that brief. Hope this helps.

  • http://www.whosyourvet.com Sandi

    “If your dog was prescribed a renal diet, and is accepting the prescription dog food(s), then please keep your dog on the prescription diet.” There are other renal diets, if Sherry wants to home cook for her Sheltie, that would be better than the prescription food her Vet recommended. Sherry, it’s very time consuming for everyone to find a kibble that works for their furry “healthy kids”, let alone one that is ill. If you read Mike’s “About The Dog Food Advisor,” he says, “I Obsess Over Dog Food So You Don’t Have To”. Yeah right, I’m still obsessing and so are all the other people I know LOL.

    As far as Mike’s background, there is another website who charges for her “dog food reviews” and her background is “journalist”. Who do you think is more credible? At least Mike was honest and lists his background. I read somewhere Dr. Spector is Mike’s Advisor. Perhaps Mike can list her full background. I believe she’s a “nutritionist.”

    Thanks Mike for all the time you put into this. I worked for an internet pet website who was pulling over $2M/yr. between sponsorships/google reimbursements. The President’s background was “computers” and never shared his space with a dog until he started working for this company. They do have Vets writing the articles and he doesn’t get involved with answering questions.

    I always check Mike’s “Notes and Updates” to see when he did his last review. Companies do change their formula and come out with new lines. I’d recommend calling the manufacturer. You can either google their phone number or it’s listed on the bag.

    Questions you should ask:

    Where are the ingredients coming from (US/overseas)?
    Who is manufacturing your food?
    What is the “actual” percentage of protein/fat, etc.?
    Does the lining in your canned pet food contain BPA?
    Does your company or your supplier use ethoxyquin in the fish meal?

    Gordon – I don’t always agree with my Vet’s advice. I always get other opinions. The Oncologist wanted to amputate his leg when he was 10 yrs. I went holistic, he’s going on 15, and still has all four legs.

    I know Mike will appreciate this story since he’s a dentist. I recently saw about 7 Vets, some said Kevin had an abscess and wanted to remove 2 teeth, some said they didn’t see an abscess. His root was exposed and the front tooth was dead. He was a crated dog for 3 years when I got him. My friend is a mobile Vet, cleaned his teeth, saw no abscess and the gum went back to normal. I also used Myrrh tincture on the gum area. I would have spent $1200 with a board certified Dentist and Kevin would be without 2 teeth. Bottom line – be proactive in their health and choosing the right food which everyone on this list is doing.

    I will leave you with this article http://www.ourdogsonline.com/content/sciencedietscam.html

  • Gordon

    Ralph – Whilst no one disagrees with following a Vet’s advice, albeit, most, in my opinion, don’t actually know how any particular mainstream prescription diet works, other than what those mainstream companies advise Vets when enticing them to prescribe these types of diets. …..(I mean they know how they work or what they are meant to treat, but they don’t consider or spend time to study better and alternative diets that contain better quality ingredients compiled to treat the same ailment).

    Instead of stating, “he is a dentist with a deep passion for animal food products, but should be seen as a hobbyist -and until he actually becomes certified in animal nutrition, should be seen as no more specialized than a sales representative pontificating over a product.”, you could have said, “he is a dentist with a deep passion for pet nutrition and can be seen as a particular unrelated professional, who is interested in the latter as an additional personal interest, who’s worked hard in creating such an informative and helpful website, for all who actually care about improving their pets health through better understanding of commercial pet nutrition. And whilst he doesn’t represent any of the products rated on this website, he sermonizes (NOT pontificates – infers pompousness or exaggeration) on his beliefs better than that of a salesperson who would be more inclined to pontificate over certain products he or she is trying to sell.”

    If you read this post Ralph, can you see the arrogant connotation in yours?

  • http://www.whosyourvet.com Sandi

    Funny Mike, I was just going to ask Ralph the same question about his background. Ralph, she can get 4 opinions from other Vets but will see the Hills/Prescription Diet/Science Diet in all their offices. Most Vets know nothing about nutrition. Why don’t you find out the real reason they all carry Hills. IMO, I would never feed that brand even if my Vet recommended it. Actually, one Vet recommended Royal Canin, but I didn’t agree.

    “And– only after the dog refuses the prescription food. Got it? Even the creator of canine caviar admits so much. His dog refused the prescription food and he had to come up with an alternative. ”

    Smart dog!!!!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Ralph… Please go back and re-read this thread. I never gave any advice to the individual you mentioned here in your criticism of me and my website.

    As you’ll see, Ms. Bureman mistakenly believed she was addressing Canine Caviar about the advice she had received from one of the company’s “salespeople”.

    She wasn’t addressing me. I don’t have any salespeople. That’s why I never responded to this commenter.

    As I repeatedly remind readers throughout my website, the articles here are designed to help consumers read and interpret government regulated pet food labels. Nothing more. And to read a pet food label, one does not need to be a licensed veterinary professional.

    So, your harsh criticism of my efforts here was uncalled for. Got it?

    By the way, I believe it’s significant to note the total absence of any websites (like The Dog Food Advisor) provided free of charge to consumers by any member of the veterinary profession.

    It took nearly three years of hard work and the dedication of a “hobbyist” as well as the participation of thousands of commenters to make such a website available to this woman… and the general public… a public that is obviously starved for the kind of well-meaning help provided here.

    Just curious, Ralph. What do YOU happen to do for a living? Hm-m-m?

  • Ralph

    Sherry Bureman:

    If your dog was prescribed a renal diet, and is accepting the prescription dog food(s), then please keep your dog on the prescription diet.

    The concept of canine caviar “special needs” (or any other non-prescription canine food for that matter) is as an alternative to your doctor’s recommendation. –And– only after the dog refuses the prescription food. Got it?

    Even the creator of canine caviar admits so much. His dog refused the prescription food and he had to come up with an alternative.

    Again: Stay on the prescription diet; the supportive clinical data is not subjective.

    The clearest path in medical science to prolong your animal’s health is by introducing and maintaining the Rx diet and finding a veterinarian who will field all of your questions and prepares you to understand the role of supportive care with kidney insufficiency.

    Remember this very important point about the above website: the author is not licensed nutritionist, is not a veterinarian, is not an internal medicine specialist: he is a dentist with a deep passion for animal food products, but should be seen as a hobbyist -and until he actually becomes certified in animal nutrition, should be seen as no more specialized than a sales representative pontificating over a product.

    Stick with your doctors protocol and find a second or third or even a fourth opinion from the field of veterinarian science. Your doctor should encourage you to seek a second opinion.

    Best wishes as you combat kidney failure. My heart goes out to you.

  • Meagan

    Sherry- This site is for reviewing and rating dog foods. Mike and the others do not produce or sell dog foods. Here is a better place for you to direct your question. http://www.caninecaviar.com/general_information.aspx
    Good luck to you and your pup. Hope you can find a food to help.

  • Sherry Bureman

    I was told by one of your salespeople that you “Special Needs” diet would be a replacement for Science Diet K/D and Royal Canin LP that I am cirrently feeding my 12 year old Sheltie that is showing the start of kidney disease. He littermate just passed away two months ago. It seems to have quite a bit of protein conpared to the commerical Rx diets. Do you have a lower protein diet? She realy likes your food! Please respond, Thanks, Sherry

  • Kat

    I tried the chicken & millet formula for my Aussie and she really LOVED it. Great acceptance, very small output. I am including Canine Caviar in my kibble rotation.

    The only complaint I have is that the kibble is VERY small. Small dog owners will probably appreciate this.

  • marlene

    I am very happy with the puppy canine cavier that the breeder recommended. The problem is where to get it close to home. We are seniors on a limited income. Or would you recommend another food close to the same values?

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Lisa… Usually adult dog foods are not OK for puppies. But in this case, the Canine Caviar Chicken and Millet adult food is rated for “all life stages”. So, no problem there. However, dogs are a lot like us humans. Each will respond to different dog foods and ingredients in its own unique way. For this reason, it’s impossible for me to make a specific recommendation for your puppies. For most all of us, finding the right food is almost always a bit of a trial and error process. Sorry I can’t be more help.

  • Lisa Miller

    I have been feeding my english bulldog puppies the canine caviar adult chicken and millet along with the puppy food. I split it half and half on the recommendation of my breeder. She uses it for all of her dogs and swears by it. However, my dogs have excessive tearing, which is not related to plugged tear ducts, and they have a lot of gas. Could it be related to the food? She generally feeds just the adult millet and not any puppy, but she told me to mix it half and half, because the puppies were a little tall and lanky due to the bil jac they were on initially? Their stools are generally solid, but at times like pudding.

    Should I just go back to the adult only or switch food entirely?

  • Penny Golden

    We have been feeding Canine Caviar for app seven years and love it! Our dogs like it. Almost ZERO gas and smaller stools. Healthy skin and shiney coats on our Irish Setters.

  • Jan McCollam

    I also like the fact that the Special Needs food may be a decent substitute for some presc. veterinary diets. It is a much healthier alternative. It is very low in calcium and phosphorus.

  • Jeremy

    The main sales pitch of Canine caviar is the natural bacteria they gain from using the raw lamb and chicken, which is better for the dogs digestive tract. Also, even though the meat content is not very high, the calorie count (absortion amount) on the food is remarkable, and you cant do better than 91-93% digestable.