From Puppies to Adults How Ava Pet Food Meets Every Canine s Needs

AVA Dog Food Reviewed

The Ava brand is owned by Ava Foods Limited, a Pets At Home Ltd. subsidiary headquartered in Cheshire, England. Theyre a British manufacturer of pet foods, including dog and cat foods, treats, chews, toys, and grooming products.

While the company has been selling products since 2003, it introduced its hypoallergenic dry dog food range in 2017. And that changed the game. These products contain no wheat, corn, soy, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, gluten, artificial flavours or preservatives.

They are produced under strict quality control standards and meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requirements.

Lets talk about the ingredients first.

Ingredients

The Ava Ingredients range includes chicken, lamb, salmon, whitefish, beef, pork, turkey, duck, rabbit, and venison. These are pet foods most popular meat and fish ingredients worldwide. Brown Rice and Maize are two common grain ingredients in Ava products.

They provide carbohydrates, fibre, protein, vitamins, and mineral nutrients. Many believe that grains do not belong in dog food and are used as cheap fillers. However, brown rice and oatmeal can be acceptable in moderation, especially whole grains.

Beet Pulp is found in many Ava recipes, and its primary function in dog food is as a source of soluble fibre. Some think Beets shouldnt be included in dog foods because they contain oxalic acid.

This is true. However, the amount of oxalic acid in Beets is very low compared to the amount of calcium in the same product. Oxalic Acid helps prevent kidney stones and aids digestion.

Recalls

In June 2020, Ava Pet Foods announced that it had voluntarily recalled certain dry food because of an increase in the bone marrow disorder pancytopenia rate.

This rare condition affects the immune system and can cause a cats blood cell count to drop quickly, leading to illness or even death if left untreated.

Products

1. AVA Veterinary Approved Sensitive Skin And Stomach Adult Dog Food

This dry kibble promises to comfort your allergy-prone dog while relieving those affected by flatulence and stool odour, according to AVCA Vet.

The food is Approved for Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Kibble and is made with high-quality ingredients, including fish protein and a grain-free formula. It offers superior nutrition without compromising taste. The first five ingredients include:

• Fish
• Tapioca
• Sweet Potato
• Chicken Meal
• Wheat Gluten Free Oats

AVAs Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Food is an amazing product that doesnt contain artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. It is formulated to support healthy digestion, skin and coat conditions, and joint health.

2. AVA Recipes For Pure And Designer Breed Dogs

In March 2018, Pets At Home announced their new line AVA. The line includes 14 new kibble recipes designed specifically for different dog breeds.

Each recipe offers a unique blend of ingredients tailored to meet each breeds nutritional requirements. The following breeds are included in the line:

• Shih Tzu
• Yorkshire Terrier
• French Bulldog
• Chihuahua
• And many more.

3. Chicken Cockapoo Dog Food

Cockapoos are known for being very active dogs, which makes it important to provide them with high-quality nutrition. AVA Chicken Cockapoo dog food provides essential nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

These dogs may experience skin irritation, ear infection, and joint issues that cause them pain, loss of mobility and potential for permanent injury.

This recipe includes chicken as the primary ingredient because it contains high amounts of protein, vitamin B12, zinc, iron, selenium, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, and vitamin D3.

Potatoes are included in this recipe because they contain potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, fibre, and vitamin C. They also help prevent constipation and support healthy digestion.

4. AVA Salmon, German Shepherd Dog Food

German Shepherd dogs are known for being very active, energetic, and athletic. They require high-protein diets to keep up with their energy levels.

AVAs salmon-based diet is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of German Shepherd Dogs while keeping your pet healthy and happy.

The first five ingredients are Salmon, sweet potato, flaxseed oil, chia seeds and kelp powder. These ingredients provide essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper, iodine, manganese, selenium, potassium, antioxidants, and fibre.

Where To Buy AVA Food?

AVA dog food is sold exclusively by Pets At Home. Despite being sold only online or in a single UK retail location, their products remain popular among pet owners across the UK.

Do vets recommend Ava dog food?

Generally, veterinarians across the UK recommend AVA dog food as a healthy option for your pets for its hypoallergenic and quality-controlled features. However, specific instructions and product choices may differ depending on individual dogs needs.

The best dog food has a higher meat content. Generally, protein of animal origins will have higher biological values, says British Veterinary Association junior vice president Daniella Dos Santos, adding that dogs still require a balanced diet.

She advises owners to mix their dogs meals with animal and plant-based proteins.

I think there are some very good commercial foods out there, but I wouldnt recommend a completely vegetarian diet. Dos Santos warns against feeding your dog a vegan diet.

Owners must seek expert advice to avoid nutritional deficiencies and associated diseases. Its much easier to get the correct balance of nutrients wrong than getting it right. In other words: dont cut out meat from your dogs menu.

If You Have A Fussy Eater:

If your dog is picky about food, there are some things you can do to help him eat better. But if he refuses to take anything apart from his usual dry kibble, it might mean he needs medical attention. The best way to find out whats wrong is to consult your vet.

Theyll be able to tell whether your dog suffers from dietary intolerances or allergies or even if hes just being finicky. Once they know whats causing the problem, they can advise you on changing your diet.

How Often Should I Feed My Dog?

Veterinarians recommend feeding a healthy adult dog at least twice per day. This includes both dry food and wet food. If your dog eats more frequently than this, it could lead to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, skin conditions, and even cancer.

A dogs age and breed are just some factors that affect how often he should eat. Other considerations include his activity level, weight, size, and lifestyle. For example, a very active dog might need to eat more frequently because he burns up energy quickly.

A puppy or older dog that weighs more than 20 pounds (ca. 9 kg) will likely need to eat more frequently than one weighing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or fewer. And a larger dog will probably need more calories than a smaller dog. Breed plays a large role when determining how typically to feed your pet.

Large breeds like Great Danes, German Shepherds, and Saint Bernards typically require more frequent meals than medium and small breeds. They tend to grow faster and put on more weight than smaller breeds. Age is also another important factor. Older dogs usually require fewer feedings per day than younger ones.

However, this doesnt mean older dogs dont need to eat regularly. Many older dogs still enjoy a good meal every few days.

Conclusion: Is Ava dog food a good brand?

Ava dog food is an excellent brand for any dog owner who wants to give her dog all the nutrition she requires while keeping her happy and healthy. The company offers various products, including treats, chews, and supplements.

Their products are available in several varieties so that you can choose the perfect fit for your dog.

• Simon Shepherd BSc is one of our contributing editors from Liverpool and is the owner of three German Shepherd dogs Paul, Luna and George. Simon is a graduate from Liverpool John Moore University specialising in Canine Behaviour and is now a contributing to writer to various websites offering canine advice such as HuffPost, Daily Mail and of course Jug Dog.

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In todays post, were going to review AVA dog food. Given how popular this brand of dog food appears to be and the fact that weve had many questions about it, we thought it was time we used our expertise and knowledge to determine whether or not AVA dog food is actually any good for our four-legged friends and worth spending your hard-earned money on.

So, without further ado, lets see how AVA dog food stacks up.

AVA Dog food A Review

If youve read any of your other pet food reviews, youll know that our first port of call is always to examine the manufacturers website and read their marketing blurb with the eventual aim of seeing whether or not their marketing spiel is backed up in their products.

Unfortunately, however, AVA doesnt appear to have a website, and from the research weve conducted, AVA pet food products only seem to be available on the Pets at Home website or in their stores,

which leads us to the conclusion that Pets at Home own the AVA brand. Theres not too much information out there about the brands ethos, but given the vast range of products, it shouldnt be too difficult to decipher whether or not theyre any good for your dog and your wallet.

The only thing that appears obvious from the packaging is that it is Veterinary Approved. Its no surprise that having such a label will improve sales, but does it actually mean anything?

In our opinion, not really. After all, we dont which vet or vets approve it and whether or not they approve it because they genuinely have faith in the product or because they were paid to approve it. All in all, its best to

If you head over to the Pets at Home website and make your way to the AVA dog food section, youll be presented with numerous options:

Puppy food, adult dog food, senior dog food, breed-specific dog food (13 breeds in total), and dog food for specific conditions.

The first thing that strikes us here is the breed-specific food. This isnt a common thing in the world of dog food and, to be honest, isnt something that impresses us.

Why?

Well, although dogs breeds are all different, they all have the same inner workings. Sure, some breeds might be a little more prone to condition X or ailment Y, but on the whole, the digestive system of dogs is the same regardless of breed. Therefore, this does appear to be nothing more than a marketing ploy to get certain owners of specific breeds to purchase the AVA dog food designed for that breed.

From looking through the ingredient profiles and examining the analytical constituents of these breed-specific foods, its apparent that theres really not that much difference between them at all; therefore, its clearly a marketing ploy to suck in owners of said breeds. So, if you own one of the following breeds Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, Pug, French Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Border Terrier, Cockapoo, Cocker Spaniel, Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Boxer, Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd dont be fooled into thinking you can buy a breed-specific food thats better than any other food. In fact, if you want to tailor your dogs food to their constitution, speak to your vet or simply use trial and error to find a food that suits them best.

Now weve addressed that, lets take a look at AVAs regular adult dog food.

AVA Adult Dog Food Review

Dry Food

In the adult dog food section, there is a range of foods aimed at small breeds, medium breeds, large breeds, dogs with sensitive stomachs, and dogs in need of weight management.

While some brands tend to have a specific product for small breeds, the majority dont tend to have specific foods for medium and large breeds, so once again, were left scratching our heads as to why AVA have a different product for small, medium, and large breeds.

Is there any difference between the three?

Well, from looking at the ingredient and nutritional profiles for each food, it appears that there really isnt much difference between them at all aside from the fact that kibble pieces are smaller in the small breed product. They all have similar ingredients and content, pretty much the same amount of protein and fats.

While theyre not bad products and do contain a fairly decent amount of protein, a full range of vitamins and minerals, and a handful of other goodies, extracts and supplements to boost health, were really not a fan of seeing pretty much the same formulas being marketed as different products for different sized dogs. Therefore, even though the products themselves look half decent, were dont like the fact that AVA uses this marketing ploy.

Instead, wed highly recommend looking at:

Wet Food

Like their adult dry foods, AVA wet food is run-of-the-mill, i.e. your dog could live a healthy life on their foods, but theres nothing that stands out and puts it head and shoulders above the competition.

If you were short of dog food and had no other option than to buy a tin from Pets at Home for your dog, then that wouldnt be an issue, but there are several wet food brands and products wed recommend over AVA:

AVA Adult Puppy Food Review

Dry Food

AVAs range of puppy food tells much the same tale as their range of adult dog foods, i.e. products aimed at small, medium, and large breeds. But does it fare any better than its adult dog food counterparts? Lets take a look.

As you probably know, puppies require higher levels of protein in their food to support accelerated growth and development; therefore, when puppy dry puppy food, its always essential to examine the protein content and ensure its 30% or higher.

AVA dry puppy food contains 30% protein, so it ticks the boxes on this front. And, to AVAs credit, it does contain the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals.

However, there isnt much more positivity after this. One look at the ingredient list shows that over one-third of the product is made up of cheap carbohydrate-based fillers, namely brown rice, maize and beet pulp.

Are any of these ingredients going to contribute to your puppys health and vitality? Not really, no. Aside from energy, theyre going to have zero impact on your four-legged friends health.

After all, dogs dont need carbohydrates. However, many manufacturers will use them to bulk out products and make them cheaper to manufacture. Plus, excess carbohydrates simply lead to excess waste. So, if you see more than around 20% of poor-quality, grain-based carbohydrate sources in a dry dog food, you should avoid it.

Here are a few alternatives you should consider:

Wet Food

AVA wet puppy food is a better product than its dry counterpart. Why? Because it has far less filler (7%), which is always good to see.

At 9% protein and containing 49% chicken, theres no doubt that it could be better, i.e. a slightly higher protein percentage (10-11%) and meat content (55%+), but given that wet dog foods in supermarkets often contain both less protein and less meat, wed slot AVAs offering well and in truly into the run-of-the-mill and adequate categories. Itll do, but there are better wet puppy foods out there. For example:

AVA Adult Senior Food Review

Dry Food

Yes, youve guessed it AVAs senior dog food range also has products for small, medium, and large breeds, in addition to a few wet food options, which well discuss a little further down.

Is AVAs senior dog food worth your money?

Lets find out.

As youll undoubtedly be aware, senior dogs are far more prone to illness and suffering from medical conditions than younger dogs; therefore, they require that little bit of extra help both in terms of nutrition and care.

Although diet cant solve all ailments, it can help with some namely mild conditions that affect joints and mobility, which is why youll often see senior dog food containing ingredients that are purported to aid with joint health. So, I guess you could say it was standard for senior foods to contain such ingredients.

The first question is, does AVA senior food contain joint-friendly ingredients?

In short, yes. All three dry foods (small breed, medium breed, and large breed) contain salmon oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin three ingredients that can help with joint health and mobility. Furthermore, senior dogs require less protein, and this is reflected in this formula (24%).

The second question is, does AVA senior food contain unnecessary carbohydrate-based fillers?

Unfortunately, the answer to this questions is yes. 54% of the formula is comprised of brown rice, maize, whole barley, and beet pulp. While a small amount of carbohydrates is acceptable, 54% is an excessive amount a) because dogs dont actually need any carbohydrates to function and be healthy (fats are a better energy source and reduce the risk of diabetes) and b) because excessive carbohydrates result in excessive waste. The difference in poo volume between a dog who eats a lot of carbohydrates and a dog who doesnt is more than youd think!

If you are looking for high-quality dry food for your senior dog, we highly recommend:

Wet Food

AVAs wet food for senior dogs is a solid product, i.e. one that does the job its meant to do provide macro and micronutrients to your senior dog, but it does no more than that. Feeding your senior dog this wet food on a daily basis isnt going to do them any harm and will give them a decent amount of protein and essential micronutrients. Still, if youre looking for a senior wet food that takes things to the next level, AVAs offering isnt going to tick all of the boxes.

If you do want the best quality wet food for your senior dog, we suggest checking out the following brand:

AVA Dog Food: Our Verdict

If we had to use two words to sum up AVAs range of dog food, wed go for bang average; its pretty good, but its not going to win any awards, and there are a lot of brands and products out there that are not only a healthier option for your dog but are better on your wallet too.

While this may seem harsh given the popularity of the brand, we here at Barf Pet Foods are only ever going, to be honest with our opinion(s) and pride ourselves on being unbiased and 100% independent to ensure you get the best advice possible.

While AVA isnt going to do your dog any harm, and the formulas are certainly better than most brands youll find on a supermarket shelf, were really not on board with the fact that AVA has created numerous breed-specific foods that are essentially the same product. We think this is taking advantage of customers who may be swayed by this marketing ploy. Furthermore, the Veterinary Approved label isnt something wed ever pay too much credence to, given that such titles can be bought as opposed to earned.

If youre looking for higher quality dog foods, we highly recommended using the alternatives weve posted throughout this article. They are all dog foods weve reviewed and would happily feed our four-legged friends, and, given that we have very high standards, you can be rest assured that the products we recommend are some of the best out there.