Welcome to our review of Addiction Large Breed Dog Food.

Addiction Large Breed Dog Food

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List of products

Addiction Large Breed Dog Food Products	Ratings	AAFCO
→ Mega Lamb & Beef - Adult	4.5	Maintenance
→ Mega Chicken - Puppy	4.1	Growth
→ Mega Chicken - Adult	4.5	Maintenance
→ Mega Chicken - Senior	4.5	Maintenance

This dog food line has 4 recipes. Reviewing all isn’t possible. The review of Mega Lamb & Beef  Recipe shows the quality, nutrition, and composition of the whole line.

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Ingredients

Lamb Meal, Beef Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Tapioca, Chicken Fat, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt, Dried Cranberries, Dried Blueberries, Kelp, Brewers Dried Yeast, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin B12 Supplement , Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Sulfate, Taurine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Mixed Tocopherols for added freshness, Rosemary Extract, Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract

Ingredient Analysis

The first five ingredients are highlighted as the primary ingredients in this review of Addiction Large Breed Dog Food.

Primary Ingredients

→ Lamb meal is rendered lamb tissues (muscle, bone, organs), cleaned, dried, and ground into a nutrient-dense powder.

It offers a highly digestible protein concentrate (typically 60-65%), delivering essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial fatty acids to support muscle development and provide energy.

→ Beef meal is rendered beef that has been dried and ground, typically including clean flesh, skin, and bone.

It contains a high protein concentration—around 60–70%—which supports muscle growth and overall strength.

Beef meal is also a natural source of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins, contributing to energy production and immune system health.

→ Potatoes serve as a gluten-free carbohydrate source, providing energy, fiber (2.2g per 100g), and nutrients like vitamin C and potassium. They are easy to digest and often used in grain-free formulas.

However, their high starch content and glycemic index (which causes rapid blood sugar spikes) may not be suitable for dogs with diabetes.

→ Peas are a common part of commercial pet foods. They provide fiber, vitamins (A, C, K), minerals (iron, manganese, phosphorus), and antioxidants.

Raw green peas have 5.42 g of protein and 14.4 g of carbohydrates in each 100-gram serving.

→ Tapioca is obtained by purifying starch from cassava root. Although it’s a popular carbohydrate source and binder in grain-free dog diets, it offers almost nothing beyond starch and is often viewed as a low-nutrient filler.

Secondary Ingredients

The three ingredients immediately following the primary ingredients are highlighted as the secondary ingredients in this Addiction Large Breed Dog Food Review.

→ Chicken fat is the fat separated from chicken tissues during rendering. It is commonly used in dog food as a concentrated energy source and flavor enhancer.

It is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, and is often preserved with mixed tocopherols to maintain freshness.

→ Flaxseed is a natural source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help keep skin healthy, make coats shiny, and reduce inflammation in dogs.

Every 100g of ground flaxseed contains around 18g of protein, 37.3g of fat, 34.4g of carbs, and 23.1g of fiber.

→ Natural flavor is an ingredient derived from plant or animal sources used to enhance taste and palatability.

It is commonly added to pet food to make it more appealing to dogs and may be sourced from herbs, meats, or concentrated extracts of animal products.

Other Ingredients

→ Sea salt contains the electrolytes sodium and chloride. It helps maintain fluid balance and supports the normal functioning of organs and the nervous system.

→ Cranberries, fresh or dried, provide antioxidants and vitamins C, A, and K to support the immune system and overall canine health.

Their fiber aids digestion, and natural compounds in the fruit may help prevent urinary tract infections. Each 100 g of raw cranberries contains 12 g of carbohydrates and 3.6 g of fiber.

→ Blueberries, fresh or dried, provide antioxidants and vitamins C and E, as well as potassium and fiber, to support the immune system and overall canine health.

Each 100 g of raw blueberries contains 14.6 g of carbohydrates.

The Mega Lamb & Beef – Adult Recipe includes other beneficial ingredients further down the list to support your dog’s health; however, we won’t explore them in detail here due to the scope of this Addiction Large Breed Dry Dog Food Review.

Nutrient Sources - Addiction Large Breed Dog Food

Nutrient	Sources
Protein	Lamb Meal, Beef Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Flaxseed, Kelp, Brewers Dried Yeast
Fat	Lamb Meal, Beef Meal, Chicken Fat, Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast
Carbohydrate	Potatoes, Peas, Tapioca, Flaxseed, Dried Cranberries, Dried Blueberries, Kelp, Brewers Dried Yeast
Fiber	Potatoes, Peas, Flaxseed, Dried Cranberries, Kelp, Brewers Dried Yeast

Vitamins

This dog food delivers vitamins A, D3, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12 via synthetic supplements, with vitamin K from kelp/flaxseed and canine synthesis. Mixed tocopherols and botanical extracts boost stability. It lacks Biotin (B7) fortification, though trace amounts arise from ingredients.

Minerals

This dog food contains all essential minerals (iron, copper, zinc, etc.) in sufficient amounts via inorganic salts (sulfates, iodate, selenite). However, no minerals are chelated. Chelation improves absorption but is absent here, making mineral uptake less efficient than possible. The blend meets basic needs but isn’t optimal for bioavailability.

Ingredient Concerns

The recipe presents several broad, practical concerns a buyer or reviewer would typically flag. Listing “Lamb Meal” and “Beef Meal” as the primary proteins indicates the diet relies on rendered, concentrated protein sources rather than whole fresh meat. Many dogs tend to prefer meatier whole-meat formats, though individual preferences vary.

The carbohydrate mix of potatoes, tapioca, and peas is relatively starchy and calorie-dense. While this can suit active dogs, it may raise blood sugar and contribute to weight gain in animals prone to obesity or diabetes.

Vague terms like “natural flavor” reduce transparency and could hide allergens or sources that matter to sensitive dogs.

The absence of chelated minerals in the recipe may reduce nutrient absorption efficiency, as chelated forms are generally more bioavailable and easier for dogs to utilize than standard inorganic mineral sources.

This Addiction Large Breed Dog Food highlights both the strengths and potential concerns in the formulation, giving pet owners a clearer picture of what to expect from this popular dry dog food line.

Nutrient Analysis

Moisture=10% Max

Method of Analysis	Protein	Fat	Carbs	Fiber
→ Guaranteed Analysis	20%	13%	45%	4%
→ Dry Matter Basis	22.2%	14.4%	50%	4.4%
→ Calorie Content Basis	20.7%	32.7%	46.6%	NA

Normal dog food typically contains (18-35)% protein, (30–50)% carbohydrates and (9–25)% fat on a dry matter basis.

However, Mega Lamb & Beef Recipe contains 22.2% protein, 14.4% fat, and approximately 50.0% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.

This makes it Moderately Low in protein, Moderate in fat, and Moderately High in carbohydrates.

Compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF Standards

The Mega Lamb & Beef  Recipe contains 22.2% protein and 14.4% fat on a dry matter basis.

These levels exceed the minimum requirements for adult maintenance set by AAFCO and FEDIAF standards, ensuring the food provides sufficient protein and fat to support your dog’s overall health.

Every recipe in Addiction Large Breed Dog Food line meets AAFCO and FEDIAF standards.

AAFCO Statement

“Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs.”

The statement means the recipe’s nutrient levels were tested in a lab but not through actual feeding trials with dogs.

Both methods ensure nutritional adequacy, though feeding trials provide practical validation.

Pros and Cons - Addiction Large Breed Dog Food

Pros

Made with 100% grass-fed, free-range New Zealand beef & lamb meal
Grain-free, rapid-air drying technology for maximum nutrient retention
High-quality animal protein sources (lamb meal, beef meal)
Enriched with taurine for heart health
Glucosamine for joint support

Cons

No whole meat listed among the top five ingredients
Does not include chelated minerals
High carb/starch content (peas, potatoes, tapioca)
Undisclosed “natural flavor” source

Recalls and Safety

Addiction dog food was recalled once in 2016 due to high vitamin A levels and a little variation in calcium/phosphorus ratios.

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Our Rating

Our dog food rating system rated the Mega Lamb & Beef  Recipe at 4.5 out of 5, while the Addiction Large Breed Dog Food line received an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5.

Final Verdict

This article gives a basic look at dog food ingredients, but you should always ask your vet for specific advice. Your dog may have different needs, and an expert’s help is important.