Rating: 
Tiki Dog Food receives the Advisor’s top rating of 5 stars.
The Tiki product line lists ten canned dog foods, each claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review:
- Tiki Hilo Luau Ahi Tuna
- Tiki Pipeline Luau Ahi Tuna
- Tiki Hapuna Luau Ahi Tuna
- Tiki Tonga Luau Sardine Cutlets
- Tiki Maui Luau Succulent Chicken
- Tiki Kauai Luau Succulent Chicken
- Tiki North Shore Luau Wild Salmon
- Tiki Lahaina Luau Succulent Chicken
- Tiki Kohala Luau Ahi Tuna and Chicken
- Tiki Lomi Lomi Luau Wild Salmon and Chicken
Tiki North Shore Luau Wild Salmon Dog Food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Tiki North Shore Luau Wild Salmon
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Salmon, brown rice, sweet potato, egg, salmon broth, garlic, kale, sunflower seed oil, fish oil, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate heptahydrate, ferrous sulfate monohydrate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), nicotinic acid (vitamin B3), calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, manganese sulphate monohydrate, potassium iodide, vitamin D3 supplement, copper sulfate pentahydrate, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6.8%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 12% | 2% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 55% | 9% | 28% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 52% | 21% | 27% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is salmon. Salmon is an oily 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 brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The third 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 fourth item includes egg. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The fifth item is salmon broth. Broths are nutritionally empty. But because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.
The sixth ingredient is garlic, which can be controversial. Although most experts favor the ingredient for its numerous health benefits, garlic (in rare cases) has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.1
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).
The seventh ingredient is kale. Kale is a type of cabbage in which the central leaves do not form a head. This dark green vegetable is especially rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C, vitamin K and calcium.
And like broccoli, kale contains sulforaphane, a natural chemical believed to possess potent anti-cancer properties.
The eighth item lists sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3′s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
The ninth ingredient is fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Unfortunately, we note the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb.
Tiki Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Tiki Dog Food looks like an above-average canned product.
However, ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before arriving at a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 55%, a fat level of 9% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 28%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 53% and an average fat level of 9%. Together, these figures suggest an overall carbohydrate content of 30% for the full product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 17%.
High protein. Low fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this is the profile of a wet food containing an abundance of meat.
Bottom line?
Tiki Dog Food is a meat-based canned product using a generous amount of named species as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Special Alert
Rice ingredients can sometimes contain arsenic. Until the US FDA establishes safe upper levels for arsenic content, pet owners may wish to limit the total amount of rice fed in a dog's daily diet.
A Final Word
The descriptions and analyses expressed in this and every article on this website represent the views and opinions of the author.
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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 analyze each product, please 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 qualified veterinary professional for help.
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Notes and Updates
01/24/2010 Original review
08/19/2010 Review updated (K3 removed per Comment from Tiki)
01/23/2011 Review updated
10/27/2012 Last Update
- 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) ↩
