Rating: 
Tiki Dog Food receives the Advisor’s highest rating of five stars.
The Tiki product line lists ten canned dog foods… each claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
- 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: White 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
The first ingredient in this dog food is white 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 brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
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.
Garlic can be a controversial item. Although the majority of 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 in small amounts (as it 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 ingredient lists sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is high in linoleic acid… an essential omega-6 fatty acid needed by every dog to sustain life.
But the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in a food is nutritionally critical… and can vary significantly (depending on the quality of the source ingredient itself).
There are several different types of sunflower oil… some better than others. Without knowing more, it is impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
The ninth ingredient is fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids… and (depending on the level of its purity) should be considered a healthy 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 a winning 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.
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 high-protein canned product using a generous amount of named meats as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.
Enthusiastically 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 a specific health benefit 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
01/24/2010 Original review
08/19/2010 Review updated (K3 removed per Comment from Tiki)
01/23/2011 Review updated
- 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) ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.