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AvoDerm Natural Dog Food Review (Canned)

AVoDerm Naturals Chicken and Rice Puppy Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Product May Have Been Discontinued
Unable to Locate Complete Label Info
On Company Website1

Review of AvoDerm Natural Canned Dog Food

Avoderm Natural canned dog food receives the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of 3.5 stars.

The AvoDerm Natural product line includes the 6 canned dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available… Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

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Product Rating AAFCO
AvoDerm Chicken and Rice 3 A
AvoDerm Original Recipe 3 A
AvoDerm Natural Vegetarian not rated M
AvoDerm Puppy Chicken and Rice 4.5 G
AvoDerm Weight Support Chicken and Rice 2 M
AvoDerm Lamb and Rice 2.5 A

Recipe and Label Analysis

AvoDerm Chicken and Rice Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.


AvoDerm Natural Chicken and Rice Recipe

Canned Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 36% | Fat = 32% | Carbs = 24%

Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, ocean fish (source of omega 3), rice, potatoes, carrots, peas, flax seed, guar gum, tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, blueberries, cranberries, dried kelp, avocado meal, avocado oil, cassia gum, xanthan gum, salt, minerals (zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, cobalt amino acid chelate, potassium iodide), vitamins (thiamine mononitrate, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), choline chloride

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6.8%

Red denotes controversial item

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis8%7%NA
Dry Matter Basis36%32%24%
Calorie Weighted Basis27%56%17%
Protein = 27% | Fat = 56% | Carbs = 17%

Ingredient Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.2

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 of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common addition component in many canned products.

The third ingredient is chicken liver, an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The next ingredient is ocean fish. This item is typically sourced from clean, undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.3

Unfortunately, the phrase “ocean fish” is vague and does little to adequately describe this ingredient. Since some fish are higher in omega-3 fats than others, it’s impossible for us to judge the quality of this item.

In any case, fish meat is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

Rice is the fifth ingredient. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.

The sixth ingredient is potato. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The seventh ingredient includes carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.

The eighth ingredient lists peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.

However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

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 AvoDerm product.

With 3 notable exceptions

First, flaxseed is one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

Next, we note the inclusion of avocado meal and avocado oil, both of which can be somewhat controversial.

Supporters claim the ingredient to be nutrient rich and beneficial to a dog’s skin and coat — while others worry over what are mostly unsubstantiated concerns over potential toxicity.

These fears appear to originate from a 1984 study in which goats (not dogs) consumed the leaves (not the fruit) of the Guatemalan (not the Mexican) avocado and became ill.4

Based upon our own review of the literature, it is our opinion that the anxiety over avocado ingredients in dog food appears to be unjustified.

And lastly, 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.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, AvoDerm Natural looks like an above-average canned dog food.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 32% and estimated carbohydrates of about 24%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 34% and a mean fat level of 26%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 32% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 77%.

Which means this AvoDerm product line contains…

Near-average protein. Above-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to other canned dog foods.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas and flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a wet product containing a moderate amount of meat.

However, with 56% of the total calories in our example coming from fat versus just 27% from protein, some recipes may not be suitable for every animal..

Our Rating of Avoderm Natural Canned Dog Food

AvoDerm Natural is a grain-inclusive canned dog food using a moderate amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3.5 stars.

Recommended.

Please note that certain recipes may have been given a higher or lower rating based upon our estimate of their total meat content and (when appropriate) their fat-to-protein ratios.



Has AvoDerm Natural Brand Dog Food Been Recalled?

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 related to AvoDerm.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

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More AvoDerm Brand Reviews

The following AvoDerm dog food reviews are also posted on this website:

A Final Word

The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.

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For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.

References

  1. “Last Update” field at the end of this review reflects the last time we attempted to visit this product’s website. The current review itself was last updated 05/14/2021
  2. Association of American Feed Control Officials
  3. Adapted by The Dog Food Advisor from the official definition of other fish ingredients as published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials
  4. Craigmill AL, et al. Toxicity of avocado (Persea americana, Guatemalan variety) leaves: review and preliminary report, Vet Hum Toxicol 1984;26:381

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Charlie M says

    Mike the dentist acts like an aprentice, he put me in spam because he is a scam he pushes beef which causes all the grief, he likes to block around the clock, he put me in spam because he is a scam, he is a liar who needs to go higher. It s a joke with his coat without a vet no healthy pet he comes from dentistry looking for a new identity but he doesn’t know what he is doing with all the people he is fooling

  2. LabsRawesome says

     Kandray, Avoderm is manufactured by Breeder’s Choice, in USA. But where each individual ingredient is sourced??? Check their website, or email them.

  3. Kandray says

    I wish you would show the manufacturere of these dog food brands. I don’t care how they are rated, if they are made in China, I do not want to take that risk for my dog. It’s practically impossible to find anything on the web sites or labels.

  4. Elizabeth H says

    Again, another top rated dog food with carrageenan.  This ingredient is known to be a carcinogen, and yet it is still being used in dog food, and in the top rated dog foods on this site.

  5. Jfreml says

    Hi Mike! Thanks for the site. Avoderm has a relatively new line of canned dog “stews” – they have chicken, turkey, and salmon varieties. I’d be interested in reading a review on them.

  6. Aimee says

    Really glad to have found this. My shihtzu just prefers wet food. I’ve tried all the kibbles almost. She’ll eat a couple brands for a week at a time and then starves herself. She likes the Avoderm Chicken and Rice and I’m trying the Natural Balance Bison, Chicken and Lamb. The only thing that turns me off concerning wet food is the smell and the price. I really think Avoderm is a really good food though.

  7. Meagan says

    Mike P- I have recieved three coupons for Avoderm natural. Buy a 13# or larger bag or dry and get 3 12.5 oz or 13 oz cans FREE. Now idk if its worth it or not. I mean I could buy a bag of the Avoderm for 3 rotations(separate times), but a 30# bag of L&R is $42.99 or 30# bag of C&R is #39.99 at tractor supply. I would save $6.00 by getting three cans free. Now maybe I could wait for a sale on the dry?? HMM now i’m just thinking to much. Guess thats the joy of rotation you could buy a cheaper food (diamond naturals) one round and go a little more expensive the next bag(Avoderm, Wellness, BG, etc) Coupons expire 3/31/2012 so plenty of time. Sorry for the rambling.

  8. Mike P says

    They must have . I called them and they sent me 3 coupons for 3 free cans each . I also emailed and got 1 coupon for 3 free cans . I was planning on hitting them up again in a couple months . Darn

  9. Meagan says

    Mike P-I emailed avoderm asking about coupons. they responded by saying I to get a free can of food I would have to buy a 13# bag or bigger of dry. How did you get the nine free? Do they change their requirements?

  10. Mike P says

    Thanks Melissa, she gobbles it up and even cry’s when i mix up her dinner . It’s very rewarding when your dog loves the food your feeding . Did I menntion she is a tad spoiled …lol

  11. Melissa says

    LOL Mike-

    Don’t worry about what another species can eat or can’t eat-goats can also get toxicity from red maple leaves-go figure! Enjoy those free cans!!

  12. Melissa says

    Mike P-

    I have fed the Avoderm both canned and dry from time to time and the Avocados have never been a problem : )

    I must be missing something about the goats, lol, but all species have things that they can not eat-For example-I had to rip the rhubarb out of the fields as horses can not eat it, but several of my friends enjoy Rhubard pie with no problems!

    Melissa

  13. Mike Sagman says

    Hi Mike… If it’s the avocado ingredients you’re worried about, I wouldn’t be especially concerned. As far as rotation goes, I don’t think it makes much difference which sequence you go with. Especially when you’re only switching your topper.

  14. Mike P says

    Mike just got coupons for 9 free cans of avoderm . My worry is the goats . Goats eat everything even plastic and don’t get sick . They got sick on alvacado’s ? As a topper 1/3 rd can per 2 1/2 cups of 5 star grain free , do you feel safe with that ? 9 free cans are a months worth of toppers . I also use wellness canned food . Should I go one week wellness and the next week avoderm ? Or should I use all my wellness first ,then switch to the avoderm ??

  15. Mike Sagman says

    Hi Mike… Sure. I don’t see any reason why this should be a problem. I’d only be concerned if the canned food becomes the main part of each meal. In which case, I’d be sure each canned food is appropriate for your dog’s life stage (puppy versus adult).

  16. Mike P says

    I got 3 diff canned 3 and 4 star canned foods through coupons . Is it ok to use them as toppers with grain free kibble ? I only use 1 quarter can per 3 cups of kibb.

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