Rating: 
Dave’s Delectable Dinners Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.
Currently, the Dave’s Delectable Dinners brand includes six canned dog foods… each designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
- Dave’s Delectable Dinners Chicken and Rice
- Dave’s Delectable Dinners Lamb and Rice Stew
- Dave’s Delectable Dinners Beef and Veggie Loaf
- Dave’s Delectable Dinners Lamb and Veggie Loaf
- Dave’s Delectable Dinners Chicken and Veggie Loaf
- Dave’s Delectable Dinners Turkey, Sweet Potato and Cranberry Stew
Dave’s Delectable Dinners Chicken and Veggie Loaf was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Dave's Delectable Dinners Chicken and Veggie Loaf
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, ocean fish, oat bran, carrots, peas, potatoes, canola oil, eggs, dried cranberries, lecithin, brewers dried yeast, dried kelp, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, iron sulfate, selenium yeast, manganese amino acid complex, copper sulfate, copper amino acid complex, vitamin B12 supplement, manganese sulfate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A aceteate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, calcium iodate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, d-activated animal sterol (a source of vitamin D3)
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6.8%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this food is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Like most meats, chicken is naturally rich in all 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 ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal. So long as it’s not over-weighted in a dog food, chicken liver is a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is ocean fish… another protein-rich meat.
Unfortunately, this particular item is generic. The phrase “ocean fish” does little to properly describe this ingredient. What species? What parts?
The fifth ingredient 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 next few items include five nutritious fruits and veggies…
- Carrots
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Cranberries
- Kelp
We also note the inclusion of 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.2
Eggs are easy to digest and have a favorably high biological value.
Brewers dried yeast is a by-product of the beer making process. It contains about 45% protein… and is rich in healthy nutrients.
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.
Dave’s Delectable Dinners… the Bottom Line
Sporting a list of quality (appetizing) ingredients, Dave’s Delectable Dinners looks like a winning canned dog food.
In any case, it’s important to estimate the product’s meat content using its published nutrient percentages… before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 41%, a fat level of 23% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 28%.
The six products reveal an average protein content of about 42%… with fat clocking-in at around 24%.
Above-average protein. Moderate fat. And below-average carbs… when compared to a typical canned dog food.
This is the profile of a canned food containing a generous amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Dave’s Delectable Dinners is essentially a meat-based canned dog food using a notable amount of poultry, lamb or beef as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a quality kibble made by the same company may want to check-out our review of Dave’s 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 definition ↩
- Mikkelson, B and DP, Oil of Ole, Urban Legends Reference Pages (2005) ↩
