Dave’s 95% Premium (Canned)

by Mike Sagman
Share

Rating: ★★★★★

Dave’s 95% Premium dog food earns the Advisor’s highest rating of five stars.

The Dave’s 95% Premium product line includes three canned dog foods… each designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.

  • Dave’s 95% Premium Beef
  • Dave’s 95% Premium Turkey
  • Dave’s 95% Premium Chicken

Dave’s 95% Premium Chicken dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

Dave's 95% Premium Chicken

Canned Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 50% | Fat = 23% | Carbs = 19%

Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, guar gum, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), thiamin mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B2), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, biotin, vitamin D2 supplement), minerals (zinc sulfate, iron sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, selenium yeast and potassium iodide)

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6.8%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

The first item in this dog food lists chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1

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

The second ingredient is chicken 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 item is guar gum… a gelling or thickening agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.

Unfortunately, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are usually associated with lower quality dog foods.

Dave’s 95% Premium Dog Food
The Bottom Line

With its uncomplicated list of quality ingredients, Dave’s 95% Premium dog food looks like a fine canned product.

But it’s impossible to award a final rating without first estimating the line’s meat content. And we do that by consulting the label’s reported nutrient percentages.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 50%, a fat level of 23% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 19%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 50% and a mean fat level of 24%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 18% for the overall product line.

but subtracting the 6.8% fiber yields a usable carbohydrate content of 11%.

High protein. Average fat. And low carbohydrates when compared to a typical canned dog food.

Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a wet food containing an abundance of meat.

Those looking to mimic a dog’s natural ancestral diet will find Dave’s 95% Premium an excellent choice.

Bottom line?

Dave’s 95% Premium is a meat-based canned dog food using an abundance of beef or poultry as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.

Enthusiastically recommended.

Shoppers looking for a more traditional wet food from the same company may wish to visit our review of Dave’s Delectable Dinners.

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

05/21/2010 Original review
12/21/2010 Review updated

  1. Association of American Feed Control Officials ↩
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


Tagged as: , , , , , , , ,
  • John

    Dawn – So your dogs wouldn’t eat this food? Why do you think that is?

  • Dawn Leder

    WELL….I BOUGHT THE GRAIN FREE CANNED PORK AND THE DRY..AND THEY WANT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!
    I JUST FOUND A NEW PLACE TO GET FROZEN RAW…HAVE TO CALL TODAY AND SEE IF THEY DELIVER TO MY AREA…WITHOUT IT COSTING AN ARM AND A LEG :o /

  • DAWN

    Thanks Mike…of course Sabrina will love it…won’t be allergic…& they’ll stop selling it! I’ll think positive. :-)
    They should…though…share that info with their customers? How did you…find out? Just curious.
    Thanks again & have a great week. :)

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    HI Dawn… I spoke with Dave’s Customer Service and as I understand their explanation they’re only marketing that grain free dry product in a very limited number of locations. I guess they’re just testing the demand for that product. So, not planning to review it right now.

    However, I did update all the Dave’s products in my database. You may notice some very minor changes. Except for the fact they’ve added 3 new products to Dave’s Delectable Dinners. No changes in ratings noted.

  • Dawn Leder

    But still would like to know about why limited time for the dry pork with brown rice? Thanks Mike. :)

    I guess your off for the weekends huh lol…I didn’t even realize it was..till I saw you didn’t answer…and you always do :O)

    I guess I will e-mail him..although have 2xs and no reply?….

  • DAWN

    oooook I stand corrected…He definitely has canned pork…grain free…but..not.. 95%. Sorry.
    But still would like to know about why limited dry with brown rice? Thanks Mike. :)

  • DAWN

    Hi Mike
    Yes there is def 95% pork I just bought it Thursday.
    I also bought the pork dry to go with it. I did not know it was for a limited time though? It did not mention that on his site? Can you tell me why that is?
    Thanks

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Dawn… The pork product you speak of is a kibble. And it’s my understanding it’s only being marketed on a limited basis right now. There is no canned pork recipe that I’m aware of. I’ve asked Dave’s to send me an update to include their new grain free recipes. I’ll go watch the video as soon as I get a chance. In the meantime, thanks for the tip.

  • DAWN LEDER

    OOPSIE…LOL I WROTE JORDAN…..
    I MEANT……..JONATHAN :o )

  • DAWN LEDER

    HI MIKE! HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY? WELL I HOPE :o )
    I DIDN’T KNOW IF YOU KNEW…DAVES NOW HAS
    PORK 95%
    I WAS SOOO EXCITED. MY NEWEST BEAGLE SABRINA (WILL HAVE A HER 1ST B-DAY IN A FEW DAYS) :o )
    SHE IS ALLERGIC TO……EVERYTHING!!!(SO HARD WITH RAW (THAT SHE LOVES)…. BECAUSE TO BUY ALREADY MADE..ITS USUALLY..THE SAME-O SAME-O AND IF NOT..SHE HAD IT..TOO)…I FEEL SO BAD…BUT.. IM PULLING MY HAIR OUT! SHES LITERALLY HAD EVERY PROTEIN..SHE EVEN HAD PORK. HOWEVER….IT HAD..OF COURSE…CHICKEN IN IT TOO! UGH… THEY ALWAYS RUIN NOVEL PROTEINS BY ADDING CHICKEN OR BEEF OR TURKEY.
    EXCEPT ADDICTION…EVERTHING..THAT I’VE SEEN IS ONE PROTEIN.
    ANY WAY I HAPPENED TO SEE…WHILE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE …DAVES 95% PORK …..YAY!!
    I IMMEDIATELY CAME HERE OF COURSE…TO OUR MIKE..THE GOD OF DOG FOOD INGREDIENTS HEEHEE
    AND YOU LISTED IT VERY GOOD…I ASSUME THE PORK WOULD RATE THE SAME? IT LOOKED LIKE THE SAME AS THE OTHERS…JUST PORK INSTEAD OF CHICKEN BEEF ETC.
    THEN….DAH DAH DUM LOL THERE WAS ….A YOU TUBE VIDEO OF GOOD OL’ DAVE.
    NICE LOOKING REG GUY SITTING ON THE FLOOR IN HIS HUGE STORE…FEEDING HIS DOG SOME OF THE KIBBLE
    AS HE SPOKE.
    NOW I FEEL TORN….HIS VIDEO DEF HURT HIM..(IMO) …JORDAN–GORDON–SHAMELESS…I CAN HEAR YOUR VOICES ALREADY…GETTING ON ME FOR SOMETHING

    HE REALLY DOWN PLAYED THE FOOD! SAID “IT ISN’T THE BEST..BUT..IT’S NOT THE WORST” HUH?
    WHAT A WEIRD THING TO SAY ABOUT YOUR FOOD YOU DEVELOPED?? (RICHARD..WOULD YOU SAY THAT IN A VIDEO DESCRBING YOUR FOOD?) I TRUST NOT.
    IT DIDN’T MENTION AT ALL WHERE ITS SOURCED..SAID ITS HUMAN GRADE..IN A EH KIND OF WAY. SAID “I PUT ON A CHEAP LABEL…BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE THE MONEY”
    I DON’T KNOW..MAYBE IM JUST OVER CAUTIOUS? IT..AGAIN..(IMO)…SEEMED LIKE IT WASN’T ANY BETTER THEN ALPO. OKAY..I KNOW..THATS A BIT MUCH.
    CAN SOMEONE ELSE WATCH IT AND GIVE ME FEEDBACK?
    THAT WOULD BE AWESOME (I ALREADY ORDERED THE FOOD) BUT..WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FEEDBACK.
    THANKS BUNCHES IN ADVANCE :o )

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Dennis… It’s no secret I’m not a big fan of a high carbohydrate diet. As a general rule, the higher the carbs the lower the meat protein content. It’s that same unhealthy carbohydrate-dense, insulin-inducing, fat producing Western diet we’ve unfortunately been exporting to other countries… and now, to our pets, too.

  • Dennis

    Hi Mike..Sorry,wrote second question before reading first response.

  • Dennis

    Hi Mike… Your thoughts on hi-low carb. for yorkie.Thanks.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Dennis… Unfortunately, since each dog responds to a particular food in its own unique way, I cannot provide customized product recommendations. However, please visit our FAQ page and look for the topic, “Help Me Choose a Dog Food” and “Dog Food Protein” for more information. Or check back for a possible response from one of our other readers. Hope this helps.

  • Dennis

    HI Mike…I have a 15 month barely 4 lb. yorkie. can you suggest a type of kibble and canned food that would be a healthy choice for my dog.My concerns are his weight,he had a low sugar episode,very finiky. Tried canine,now on blue buffalo.Wont eat it. Concerned about givind high protein food at that weight.Pardon the spelling.Thank you.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Linda… Every dog food contains a different amount of moisture. We use dry matter basis to mathematically remove all the water from every dog food on our website to get a more accurate picture of the protein and fat content. On a dry matter basis, 16% represents the average fat content for all the kibbles (and 23% for all the canned products) in our database. These figures are neither high nor low. If you’re trying to go with a lower fat content, look for a canned food below this figure. Hope this helps.

  • linda

    Hello Mike,
    In your review you list the fat content as 23% comparing that to what the can itself says for some of their food (cannot remember which from looking at it from the store) is 5%, are we using the same stats? If so, isn’t 23% rather high? My one dog gets diahrea if she gets anything over 5%, and is better when i keep it to 4% (she has pancreatic issues, which is why i monitor her fat intake).

    Thank you
    linda

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Lynn… We’ve added Dave’s Grain Free to our To Do list. I’ll get to it as soon as I can. Selenium yeast is actually a good thing. Many argue about the toxicity of the synthetic version of selenium found in most dog foods. Selenium yeast is considered a much more natural and safer source of selenium for a dog. Hope this helps.

  • Lynn Thomas

    Sorry, Mike, I miss wrote – Dave’s grain free is CANNED only not dry! It IS the canned I’m inquiring about. Thanks again and sorry for the miss-print.

  • Lynn Thomas

    Saw Dave’s Grain-free canned and dry dog food in my local feed store and wondered what you thought of it? Is there anything about “selenium yeast” that puts up red flags? It looks like a good food, but I’d like your opinion. Thanks so much.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Sharon… I would not recommend this product for puppies as it only meets AAFCO nutritional profiles for adult dogs.

  • sharon

    Hi Mike I manage a pet food specilty store.What is you views on feeding this food to puppies?We have alot of clients who want grain free for thier young dogs.