Many premium pet food brands boast about using high-quality ingredients in their formulas, but not so many boast about one ingredient in particular.
AvoDerm is a high-quality pet food brand that designs their recipes around the nutrient-rich California avocado – now does the name AvoDerm make sense? AvoDerm follows the tag line “good health shows”, suggesting that feeding your dog AvoDerm products does more than just make him feel better – he will look better too!
Avocados are rich in health fats that help to support the health and condition of your dog’s skin and coat. AvoDerm also uses other high-quality ingredients in their recipes like quality meat proteins, wholesome grains, and antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies.
The AvoDerm brand offers a wide variety of different products for dogs in all life stages as well as an assortment of specialty formulas for dogs with certain health problems. Overall, AvoDerm is a high-quality brand that offers excellent variety.
Who Makes AvoDerm?
The AvoDerm brand of pet food is formulated and produced by Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods. Breeder’s Choice was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Irwindale, California.
Breeder’s Choice has been an industry leader in the development of high-quality pet foods for decades but the company got its start manufacturing diet-specific foods for zoos and breeders.
Breeder’s Choice made its mark in 1947 with the release of a line of novelty frozen pet meals and expanded its offerings in 1960 to include a line of oven-baked biscuits and kibbles.
The AvoDerm line of products was introduced in 1982 and it quickly became the company’s best-selling product.
AvoDerm Dog Food Reviews
The AvoDerm pet food brand is so-named because they use avocados as an ingredient in all of their products. Avocadoes are rich in healthy fats as well as other nutrients, helping to keep your dog’s coat shiny and smooth.
As a whole, AvoDerm is a premium pet food brand that uses high-quality ingredients in all of their recipes – they are also known for offering a wide variety of different products.
As a whole, AvoDerm’s dog food products are protein-rich and highly digestible as well as being complete and balanced for dogs in various life stages.
Simply put, you can feel good about feeding your dog AvoDerm pet food products.
1. Original Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat
Protein: 23.0% min
Fat: 13.0% min
Fiber: 4.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
This is a grain-inclusive dry dog food formulated for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. This tasty recipe is made of wholesome grains that make it ideal for dogs sensitive to corn, wheat, or soy.
Made with chicken meal, this recipe has high quality protein to help dogs fuel their daily activities. Chicken meal is a good quality, concentrated source of protein.
It also provides a lot of meaty flavor that dogs enjoy. The rich chicken goodness of these kibbles are further enhanced by chicken fat. Chicken fat is also a good source of natural essential fatty acids needed by pups.
While called a chicken meal recipe, it actually has herring meal as well. This gives another layer of flavor and additional protein that is easy to digest.
It has natural omega fatty acids from flaxseed, avocado, and avocado oil to support skin and coat health. Avocados are packed with nutrients to help provide your dog healthy skin and a beautiful, lustrous coat.
The main sources of carbohydrates in this recipe are ground brown and white rice, as well as oatmeal. These grains are high in fiber that helps improve digestion and stool quality.
Fiber helps move food along dogs’ digestive tract, allowing for better digestion. Many experts believe that the key to good overall health starts in the gut. Having a healthy digestive system helps the body absorb more nutrients. The inclusion of probiotics in this recipe helps improve digestion even more.
This natural formula has been pressure cooked to provide optimum nutrition and energy, and it is free from preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, unnamed animal ingredients or by-products.
It is one of the brand’s most popular recipes. Numerous pet parents credit this recipe with their adult pups’ healthy skin and glossy coats.
Many dogs suffering from itchy skin and various digestive issues due to allergies have also found relief in this AvoDerm recipe. Their owners noticed significant improvement after they changed the pups food to this recipe.
It received good feedback from owners of sensitive senior dogs as well.The older pups’ skin, coat, and overall health improved since eating this food regularly. As it is not too high in protein at 23%, this formula is also great for senior pups or low activity dogs.
Overall, this is a highly recommended recipe, especially if you are looking for a one that has healthy grains. It has done wonders for lots of sensitive pups.
2. Advanced Sensitive Support Trout & Pea Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Trout, Salmon Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Pea Flour
Protein: 28.0% min
Fat: 16.0% min
Fiber: 6.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This is another grain-free dry dog food formulated for all adult pups. This limited ingredient recipe is specially developed to help dogs with skin issues caused by food allergies. It offers sensitive skin and stomach support with a blend of omega fatty acids and fiber. With fish as its only source of animal protein, other possible protein allergens are eliminated.
This recipe has a higher protein percentage at 28%. The main sources of protein are real trout and salmon meal. These are highly digestible proteins that are packed with fish flavors that dogs just love. They are also naturally rich in omega fatty acids that help support skin and coat health.
It also has canola oil, avocado, and avocado oil. Avocado is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, such as folic acid, Omega 3, magnesium, potassium, lutein and fibre. It helps improve dogs’ overall health and improve their skin condition.
Made without corn, wheat, or soy, this recipe for sensitive pups has garbanzo beans and peas as the main carb sources. These vegetables are also rich in protein and fiber. Fiber moves food along the digestive tract to help resolve constipation. It also improves dogs’ stool quality, especially those who are suffering from IBS.
While the brand includes probiotics for pets’ general benefit, testing is not done for specific quantities in their formulas. Probiotics encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which results in good digestion and better nutrient absorption.
According to feedback from fellow pet parents, it is quite popular among their dogs. They just love the intense fish flavors of this trout and salmon recipe. However, some dog owners find the smell too strong. You may need to store it in an airtight container to keep the fish odor contained.
As this recipe aims to provide advanced support to sensitive dogs, many pets suffering from skin issues have finally found relief when they were switched to this recipe. Their skin condition improved, and their coats started growing thicker and shinier than before. It also does not seem to upset their tummies.
This is definitely worth a try. Lots of pet parents who were at their wits’ end trying to resolve their poor pups allergy issues are relieved to have finally found a recipe that actually helps.
3. Natural Salmon & Vegetables Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Salmon, Herring Meal, Peas, Pea Flour, Garbanzo Beans
Protein: 27.0% min
Fat: 13.0% min
Fiber: 4.5% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Another grain-free dry dog food suitable for puppies, adult, and senior dogs of all breeds and sizes. This salmon recipe is sure to be a hit among canine fish lovers.
With real salmon as the most plentiful ingredient, this recipe delivers only high quality protein with every meal. Herring meal serves as an additional source of highly digestible, flavor-packed meat proteins. This fish recipe is ideal for pups who are sensitive to other proteins such as beef or chicken.
Salmon and herring are naturally high in omega fatty acids. Canola oil, avocado, and avocado oils add even more omega fatty acids to help promote healthy skin and shiny coats. Avocado is a superfood that is packed with multiple health benefits. This antioxidant rich ingredient helps support cellular health and strengthens the immune system.
It has peas and garbanzo beans as its main sources of carbs, instead of grains. These hearty veggies are high in fiber and nutrients. This recipe has no corn, wheat, or soy that are common triggers for grain allergies in very sensitive dogs. Every ingredient offers nutritional value for the benefit of dogs. This recipe is also free from artificial enhancers such as colors, flavors or preservatives.
This is another recipe from the brand that has received excellent feedback from pet parents. Many of them are quite happy that their search for food that won’t trigger their dogs’ skin allergies is finally over. They credit this food for their dogs’ now healthier skin and glossy goats.
Pups who have sensitive tummies were able to smoothly transition to this food as well. They gobble down the kibbles and are able to keep them down without upsetting their stomachs.
This is highly recommended to any dog, especially to those who are sensitive to proteins other than fish. Numerous pups have done well on this recipe, and they love its salmon flavor, too.
4. Original Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Lamb Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat
Protein: 21.0% min
Fat: 11.0% min
Fiber: 5.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
This is one of several dry food recipes that are oven-baked rather than extruded. The extrusion process involves subjecting ingredients to extremely high temperatures which destroys a significant quantity of the nutritional value.
AvoDerm’s oven-baked recipes are slow-cooked in small batches to preserve nutrition and quality. In addition to being loaded with natural lamb flavor, this formula is rich in healthy fats and oils to support your dog’s skin and coat, plus plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for general nutritional support.
This formula is completely free from corn, animal by-products, and artificial additives. The first ingredient in this kibble is lamb meal, a high-quality source of animal protein.
Before you worry about the word “meal” here, keep in mind that meat meals are nothing more than fresh meats that have been cooked to remove moisture.
Fresh lamb contains up to 80% moisture by volume (as most fresh meats do) – this means that when you cook the product down to 10% moisture, a lot of that volume will be lost. Meat meals have already been cooked to remove moisture which makes them a highly-concentrated source of animal protein.
This recipe also contains supplementary proteins in the form of fresh lamb with some plant protein from the flaxseed and alfalfa meal.
After the lamb comes ground whole brown rice which is later followed by oatmeal and ground whole white rice. All three of these are whole grains and highly digestible carbohydrates. These carbohydrates provide your dog with usable energy as well as dietary fiber to support his digestion.
This recipe also contains supplementary fiber sources like tomato pomace and flaxseed. In addition to plenty of healthy carbohydrates, this is also loaded with healthy fats.
Avocado is the main source of fat in this recipe and it is supplemented with canola oil and flaxseed to ensure a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The remaining ingredients in this recipe consist primarily of natural flavors, chelated minerals, and probiotic supplements.
Overall, this is a good source of quality nutrition for your dog. Not only is it rich in animal protein (both lamb meal and lamb) and other quality ingredients, but it is slow-baked to preserve the nutritional integrity of those ingredients.
This is made with digestible whole-grain carbohydrates and a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health. This recipe could benefit from an animal source of fat but there are plenty of healthy fats to go around. It is also a bonus that this formula contains both chelated minerals and probiotic supplements.
5. Senior Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Oatmeal, Rice Bran
Protein: 20.0% min
Fat: 10.0% min
Fiber: 6.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Senior, All Breeds
This is a grain-inclusive dry dog food formulated for the nutritional needs of senior pups. It is specially developed to be easy to digest for older dogs.
With chicken meal as the first ingredient, this food provides the protein that senior dogs need to maintain a lean muscle mass. Chicken meal makes this recipe highly palatable and digestible. It is very important to keep older dogs’ appetites stimulated.
As they grow older, dogs tend to become picky with food, and can sometimes prefer certain foods or treats over others that they used to enjoy.
Giving them food that they enjoy and is also nutritious will keep them happy and nourished. Herring meal serves as a supplementary source of protein, which adds flavor as well.
Chicken fat gives this recipe essential fatty acids, as well the rich chicken flavor that many dogs love. Flax seed, avocado, and avocado oil are included for omega fatty acids that help keep dogs’ skin and hair healthy.
The brand also added chicken cartilage as a natural source of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, to help maintain strong and healthy joints. The sources of carbohydrates in this meal for seniors are wholesome grains such as ground brown rice and white rice, oatmeal, rice bran, and oat bran. These are highly digestible grains that are high in fiber for better digestion.
This recipe also has carrots, alfalfa meal, and kelp meal. These superfoods are packed with antioxidants that help support cellular health and promote a strong immune system.
Aside from fiber, this recipe also has probiotics. Probiotics help promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which improves digestion. Better digestion helps the body absorb even more nutrients. However, like all AvoDerm recipes, this one is not tested for specific probiotic quantities.
This is free from unnamed meats or by-product meals. It has no artificial enhancers such as colors, flavors, or preservatives. According to senior pet owners, their pups really enjoy having it for their meals. They love the chicken and herring flavors of the kibbles.
Like most of AvoDerm recipes, sensitive pups’ skin and coat have improved since being switched to this recipe. Some even noticed an increase in the activity levels of their senior pups.
If you are looking for nutritious grain-inclusive food for your sensitive senior, this is definitely recommended. It has only nutritious ingredients and has done wonders for sensitive senior dogs. It also has glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to help support their joints.
Is AvoDerm Made in the United States?
AvoDerm products are made by Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods which is a division of the Central Garden & Pet Company a U.S.-based pet food manufacturer. Because Breeder’s Choice is based in the United States, you can rest assured that AvoDerm products are all made in the U.S.
If you need confirmation, just take a look at a bag of AvoDerm dog food – on the back of the bag you’ll see “Made in the U.S.” written in fine print, “Manufactured by Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods” with an address in Irwindale, California. You will also see a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee so you can feel good about trying AvoDerm.
Where Do They Get Their Ingredients?
Because AvoDerm products are made by a U.S.-based pet food manufacturer (Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods), you can rest assured that their products are made in the United States. The AvoDerm website does not, however, provide specific information about where their ingredients come from.
The only ingredient the really talk about in depth is, of course, avocadoes. According to the brand’s history, the creation of the AvoDerm line of products came about by chance when a local co-op grower asked the company if they could use his avocadoes in their food. The product was an immediate success and has even been called a “miracle product” by satisfied customers.
Food Recall History
Not only does AvoDerm use only the highest quality ingredients in their recipes, but they are also serious about adhering to the strictest standards for safety and quality.
Breeder’s Choice is an industry-leading pet food manufacturer for a reason – they know what they are doing. In support of this claim, consider that AvoDerm has only been affected by a single (and fairly minor) recall in its more than 20-year history. Here are the details for that recall:
- In September 2012, the FDA issued a recall for a certain batch of AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Food due to potential salmonella contamination.
Is It Expensive?
The AvoDerm brand of dog food encompasses several product lines which vary in price. As a whole, however, you should expect to pay more for AvoDerm dog food than for the average kibble since their products are so much better.
The price for a 24-pound bag of AvoDerm oven-baked dry dog food ranges from about $44 to $66 and 26-pound bags of AvoDerm Natural dry food cost $40 to $75, on average.
You can purchase 12.5-ounce cans of AvoDerm wet dog food in cases of 12 for $25 to $45, depending on the product line and recipe, which gives you an average price of around $2.90 per can.
What Kind of Dog Food Does They Offer?
The AvoDerm brand began with just a few recipes that featured the nutrient-rich avocado but has since grown to include numerous product lines for both dry food and wet food.
The original lineup of AvoDerm dry foods includes recipes formulated for specific life stages and breed sizes, all featuring protein-rich meat meals and digestible carbohydrates.
There is also a line of revolving menu options as well as grain-free and oven-baked recipes. For wet food, AvoDerm offers over a dozen options for life stage formulas, revolving menu options, and grain-free formulas. There are also several options available for AvoDerm dog biscuits.
Dry Products
AvoDerm offers more than two dozen different dry food recipes divided amongst four product lines. The classic lineup includes several life-stages formulas for puppies through senior dogs and the grain-free product line features protein-rich recipes made with highly digestible potatoes.
There is also a line of oven-baked recipes and several revolving menu products which are designed to be fed in rotation as a means of reducing the risk for food allergies. Here is a list of AvoDerm dry dog food recipes:
Life Stages Dry Foods:
- Triple Protein Meal Formula
- Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula
- Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula
- Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula Puppy
- Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula Senior
- Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula Small Breed
- Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula Large Breed
- Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula Small Breed Puppy
- Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula Large Breed Puppy
- Weight Control Brown Rice & Chicken Meal Formula
Grain-Free Dry Foods:
- Grain-Free Red Meat Meal & Potato Formula
- Grain-Free Salmon Meal & Potato Formula
- Grain-Free Chicken Meal & Potato Formula
- Senior Health+ Grain-Free Lamb Meal Formula
- Senior Health+ Grain-Free Lamb Meal Formula for Small Breeds
- Joint Health Grain-Free Chicken Meal Formula
Oven-Baked Dry Foods:
- Original Formula with Beef Meal Small Bites
- Lamb & Brown Rice Formula
- Original Formula with Beef Meal
Wet Products
The brand once offered a line of wet dog food products. These wet food options complemented their dry kibble and were popular among pet owners looking for variety and added hydration in their dog's diet. However, AvoDerm eventually discontinued its wet dog food line.
While some customers may have been disappointed by this move, the brand continues to offer a variety of dry dog food products, focusing on high-quality ingredients like real meat and nutrient-rich avocados. Their formulas cater to different life stages and dietary needs, ensuring that dogs receive balanced and nutritious meals.
If you’re looking for wet food alternatives, many other brands still offer options that align with AvoDerm's quality standards.
Parting Words
This is a dog food brand that emphasizes the inclusion of avocado as a key ingredient, which is believed to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat due to its rich content of healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants.
The brand offers a variety of formulas, including grain-free and limited-ingredient options, catering to dogs with different dietary needs and preferences. AvoDerm products are generally well-received for their focus on natural ingredients, avoiding artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.
However, the inclusion of avocado in pet food is a point of contention for some, as parts of the avocado plant can be toxic to animals in large quantities, although the flesh used in AvoDerm is considered safe.
Additionally, while it is not among the most expensive brands, it is priced higher than many mainstream dog foods, which could be a factor for budget-conscious pet owners.
Overall, it is a solid choice for those seeking a dog food that supports skin and coat health, though the use of avocado may be a consideration for some pet owners.