Rating: 
Dave’s Grain Free canned dog food receives the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4 stars.
The Dave’s Grain Free product line lists four canned dog foods… each meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth and maintenance.
- Dave’s Grain Free Roasted Pork
- Dave’s Grain Free Poached Salmon
- Dave’s Grain Free Turkey and Bacon
- Dave’s Grain Free Duck and Sweet Potato
Dave’s Grain Free Poached Salmon canned dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Dave's Grain Free Poached Salmon
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Salmon, salmon broth, whitefish, sweet potatoes, spinach, apples, guar gum, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), copper sulfate, selenium yeast, mananese sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, biotin, vitamin D2 supplement, and ethylenediamine dihydriodide (source of iodine)
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6.8%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 6% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 36% | 27% | 28% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 28% | 51% | 22% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is salmon. Salmon is a fatty marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids… essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is salmon broth. Broths are nutritionally “empty”. But because they add moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.
The third item lists whitefish… a nutritious marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.
The fourth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a good source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in fiber, beta carotene and other healthy nutrients.
The fifth ingredient is spinach. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins, calcium and numerous other minerals.
The sixth item lists apples… a nutrient-rich, high-fiber fruit.
The seventh ingredient 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.
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 two notable exceptions…
First, this food also 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.
And lastly, this recipe contains selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium, this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.
Dave’s Grain Free Canned Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Dave’s Grain Free looks to be an above-average canned dog food.
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 36%, a fat level of 27% and estimated carbohydrates of about 28%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 38% and a mean fat level of 24%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 30% for the overall product line.
Near-average protein. Average fat. And near-average carbs 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 a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Dave’s Grain Free Dog Food is a meat-based canned product using a moderate amount of salmon, pork or poultry as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a quality dry product from the same company may wish to visit our review of Dave’s dry 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… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
12/24/2010 Original review
09/17/2011 Updated added Turkey and Bacon product
09/17/2011 Last Update
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.