AvoDerm Canned (Wet) Review

AvoDerm canned wet product range is made of seven recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4 stars.

The AvoDerm canned food product line is a wet cat food made with premium proteins.  It provides balanced nutrition and  high-quality meat sources and ingredients.  Of particular note is the inclusion of avocados which are omega-rich

The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

AvoDerm Grain free chicken & duck entrée in gravy was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

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

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is chicken broth.  Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.

The second ingredient is chicken.  Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.¹

Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.

The third ingredient is pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.

Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label – a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.

The fourth ingredient is tapioca starch,a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.

The fifth ingredient is duck. Duck is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of duck“. ²

Duck is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.

The sixth ingredient is tricalcium phosphate, a beneficial source of calcium and phosphorous. In addition, this additive is used in wet foods as an emulsifier — an agent designed to disperse a food’s fats more evenly in water.

The seventh ingredient is guar gum, a gelling or thickening agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.

The eighth ingredient is sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3’s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.

Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.

There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.

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 the product.

We note that this food contains avocado oil. Avocado products can be somewhat controversial. Supporters claim the ingredient to be nutrient rich and beneficial to a cat’s skin and coat — while others worry over what are mostly unsubstantiated concerns over potential poisoning. 

These fears appear to originate from a 1984 study in which goats consumed the leaves (not the fruit) of the Guatemalan (not the Mexican) avocado and became ill.³

Toxicity is based upon the presence of persin in avocado. Cats are rarely affected by persin [Pet Poison Helpline], and therefore consuming products of the avocado flesh are generally safe. Based upon our own review of the literature, it is our opinion that the anxiety over avocado ingredients in cat food appears to be unjustified.

Recipe star rating: 4

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, AvoDerm Grain free chicken & duck entrée in gravy looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44.4%, a fat level of 16.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 30.9%.

As a group, the brand features an above- average protein content of 56.8% and a near average fat level of 13.6%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 21.6% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 25%.

This means the AvoDerm canned product line contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and near average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.

Has AvoDerm cat food been recalled in the past?

Yes, AvoDerm has issued recalls in the past. 

For full details, visit the Dog Food Advisor, but in summary:

In September 2012 – there was reported potential salmonella contamination which affected AvoDerm’s Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Food Recipe.

You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.

To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.

About

AvoDerm was founded in 1982 and is well known for the inclusion of avocado in its ingredient list, due to the founders wanting to offer recipes that targeted better skin and coat quality in pets. 

Since its founding, AvoDerm has significantly expanded its offerings to include cat food and a wide range of dog food.

AvoDerm is owned and operated by Breeders Choice, which is based in Irwindale, California.