The Science of Complete Puppy Nutrition Exploring Ava Dog Food
Ava Medium Breed Adult Review
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This food is suitable for the following breed sizes:
Private label(or
white label) pet foods are pre-formulated recipes that companies can order from certain factories, add their own label or packaging and retail to the public as their own brand. They are therefore available from numerous suppliers.
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Mixing bowl composition
This is the ingredients list as printed on the packaging or manufacturer's website.
Think of the 'mixing bowl' composition like a recipe - all the ingredients you would need to put in a 'mixing bowl' in order to make the food.
Ingredients have to be listed in descending order of their weight so the higher it appears, the more there is.
Highlighted ingredients
Ingredients that we believe to be controversial or inferior are highlighted in yellow with particularly low grade, highly contentious or excessively vague ingredients in red.
As fed composition
While the 'mixing bowl' composition is useful for knowing what went into the food, it doesn't always reflect what your dog is actually eating. This is because the processes that turn the ingredients into the finished pet food can significantly alter the relative weights of the ingredients.
For this reason we've calculated the approximate 'as fed' percentages for the main ingredient categories in the finished product.
Please note that these figures are very approximate. They are estimates based on the information provided by the manufacturer in the ingredients list so the clearer the terminology and the more percentages they provide, the more accurate our estimates will be. Wherever information is lacking, we always assume the worst.
Ingredient categories
Meat ingredients: includes all meat and fish ingredients except isolated fats/oils.
Added oils and fats: includes all isolated oil and fat ingredients.
Carb-rich ingredients: includes all ingredients derived from grains, pseudo-grains, potatoes and other starchy root vegetables, sweet potato and legumes (except whole peas which are categorised under fruit and veg) except for isolated protein and extracted oils. Also includes fibre supplements.
Fruit and veg: includes all whole vegetables and fruits.
Other: all other ingredients. Mostly made up by nutritional supplements and additives.
For more information on any ingredient, please take a look at our Dog Food Ingredient Glossary
The dry matter level of a nutrient is the percentage there would be in the food if all of the water was removed.
With water taken out of the equation, these figures allow the nutrient levels of foods of different types (like wet and dry) to be compared on an even playing field.
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The
price per dayof feeding this food based on feeding the manufacturer's recommended daily amount from 15kg bags bought at their rrp to a dog of:
Note:All suggested feeding amounts and costs are only approximate and may vary considerably from dog to dog. Be sure to contact the manufacturer if in any doubt.
57 out of 100-Average
Our unique product ratings are calculated based on a number of characteristics including the quality and quantity of the stated ingredients, certain nutritional and technological additives and the processing methods used to create the food. They are designed to indicate how beneficial we think a food is likely to be for the majority of dogs when fed on a daily basis for an extended period. Click here for more information
Country of origin: United Kingdom
A technological additive is any substance added to a pet food "for a technological purpose and which favourably affects the characteristics of feed".
The most common categories of technological additives include preservatives and antioxidants, gelling agents and thickeners and probiotics.
While the primary effects of technoloical additives are certainly 'favourable' (increased shelf life in the case of preservatives & antioxidants, better food texture and consistency in the case of gelling agents and thickeners etc.) some have been linked to health problems in pets and should be treated with caution.
Unfortunately, many technological additives do not have to be declared by the manufacturer so just because they do not appear on the label does not necessarily mean they are not in the food. If in doubt, ask the manufacturer directly exactly what technological additives their foods contain.
AVA Dog Food Reviewed
How does AVA dog food stand up in a crowded market place? We take a close look at its nutritional value and value for money.
AVA dog food is available either online or through Pets at Home stores.
Although this brand isnt as widely sold in the UK as many of its rivals, it is, nevertheless, a popular brand that is continuing to expand and thrive.
The Pets at Home brand began in the early 1990s in Chester and has grown to encompass almost 450 stores across the country and Australia together with its own online eCommerce store.
It also bought out Petsmart UK and rebranded those stores to bring them under the same umbrella brand. However, the company was acquired by KKR, an American company, and in 2014 it was put up for public offering.
Like most other premium brands, the AVA pet food product range comprises a wide variety of options to suit dogs with a variety of needs, so theres sure to be a variant that meets your pets requirements.
From foods that are designed specifically for older dogs or those with special diets to puppy foods and standard products for adult dogs, you can find out more about whether this is the right food for your pet in this AVA dog food review.
Which Foods Are In The AVA Range?
AVA food comes in three different formats:
- Grain-free foods
- Canned wet food
- Dry kibble
Within these different formats, there are several different recipes to choose from.
The dry line has 16 different recipes while there are 30 different canned food recipes and 10 different grain-free options.
Recommended Article: Removing grains from the diet allows a smoother transition, and a far less odious output once the food has traveled through their system. See our top picks of grain free dog foods.
Does AVA Food Contain Beneficial Ingredients?
The AVA product range includes multiple different recipes that have been formulated to support pets that have a range of medical issues such as sensitive skin, allergies and weight control problems.
These foods have been made with quality ingredients including healthy proteins selected for their ability to support good health without making underlying conditions worse.
Some of the recipes are even grain-free so the chances of allergic reactions are minimised even further.
Recommended: Dont miss our Arden Grange dog food review.
The sources of protein chosen for AVAs food range are highly digestible and contain Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins that are known to support good skin health and improve the coats appearance.
Meanwhile, other quality ingredients like sweet potato have been included to ensure a consistent burn of energy between meals with less effect on blood sugar levels as well as a high level of fibre, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.
The AVA range also includes a line of recipes that have been specially created for designer and pure breed dogs, containing the precise nutrition each breed requires.
All of these products contain +Imuvita, AVAs proprietary ingredient that supports dogs immune systems.
Made up of green tea, cranberry, pomegranate extracts and beta-glucans, all ingredients that are high in vitamins and antioxidants, +Imuvita speeds the process of healing while boosting immunity.
These foods are also hypoallergenic, containing no soy, wheat gluten, wheat or pork, so no unwanted allergic reactions should occur when feeding your pet this food.
Other beneficial ingredients can also be found in many of the recipes including joint supplements to promote good joint health something that is ideal for older pets who may suffer from arthritis.
Dont miss our separate AVA puppy food review.
Is AVA Food Good Value For Money?
AVA food products arent the cheapest by any means, but they are certainly high quality.
With a great choice of specialist products in their line, they represent good value for money, particularly if your pet requires a special diet due to allergies or other medical issues.
Are There Any Drawbacks To AVA Products?
Overall, AVA dog foods are a reliable and reputable choice for any dog owner, however, there are few considerations you may wish to bear in mind before you make a final decision about which products to buy for your pet.
Firstly, although AVA foods are primarily made up of premium quality ingredients that are rich in nutritious protein and vitamins to promote good health and well-being in your pet, there are some less high-quality ingredients used in many of their recipes.
For example, beet pulp is used in some of their foods. This is a lower quality filler ingredient which has sometimes been linked to health issues and allergic reactions in pets.
It has also been associated with increased bloating and gas in pets which may be undesirable in your dog.
Some of AVAs food products are also high in carbohydrates.
While these make your pet feel full and satisfied, they can contribute to weight gain which could be problematic for certain pets for example spayed bitches who are prone to excess weight gain that can put strain on your dogs heart and joints.
Recommended Reading:The Skinners food range encompasses a wide variety of products to suit the needs of all kinds of dogs.
Should I Buy AVA Pet Food?
If youre reading AVA dog food reviews youll be wondering whether or not to choose this range of dog foods as the right option for your four legged friend.
While, of course, the final decision must be yours, we can say that, overall, AVA pet food is a good choice for most pet owners.
Whether your dog has special dietary needs or youre just looking for a reliable and trustworthy brand that uses mostly quality ingredients in its product range, youll find AVAs food varieties a good option for your furry companion.
AVA is an especially good choice if youre looking for specialist food products to meet your pet breeds precise dietary requirements since this is something that this brand can offer that many others cannot.
Youll find that, although this food brand isnt the cheapest available these days, it is comparable in cost to other similar brands like Royal Canin and Wainwrights.
However, both of these are more widely available since they can be found in more stores than AVA, so if you dont have Pets at Home near your home, you may wish to opt for one of these alternatives instead.
Next Topic: Along with supplements, treats and chews, the range of foods available from Eden include both wet, dry and semi-moist food.
