Welcome to our Addiction Small Breed Dry Dog Food Review, covering ingredients, nutrition, cost, and quality.

Addiction Small Breed Dry Dog Food Review

By: Samuel James
Published: July 31, 2025
Last Updated: July 31, 2025

Disclosure: As a Chewy affiliate, we earn commissions for qualifying purchases.

List of products

Addiction Small Breed Dog Food Products	Ratings	AAFCO
→ Le Lamb	4.4	All Life Stages
→ Duck Royale Entree	4.5	All Life Stages
→Viva La Venison	4.7	All Life Stages

This dog food line has 3 recipes. Reviewing all isn’t possible. The review of Viva La Venison Recipe represents the quality, nutrition, and ingredients of the whole line.

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Ingredients

Venison, Venison Meal, Green Peas, Tapioca, Coconut Oil, Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Beef Hydrolysate, Yellow Peas, Acetic Acid, Sea Salt, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Choline Chloride, Dried Cranberries, Dried Apples, Dried Spinach, Blueberries, Dried Kelp, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Copper Amino Acid Complex, d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Cobalt Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, 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 Addiction Small Breed Dry Dog Food Review.

Primary Ingredients

→ Venison is a novel protein source that supports muscle development and provides lasting energy. It often serves as the primary protein in limited‑ingredient diets, making it ideal for dogs with food sensitivities.

Each 100‑gram serving of raw venison delivers approximately 21.5 grams of protein and just 2.66 grams of fat, offering a lean, nutrient‑dense profile for your dog’s diet.

→ Venison meal is rendered (cooked, dried, ground) venison tissue, typically including muscle, organs, and connective tissue. Its high protein concentration (60-70%) supports muscle maintenance.

It’s also a valuable source of readily absorbed heme iron and provides B vitamins (though heat-sensitive types may be reduced during processing).

As a novel protein source, it’s commonly used in limited-ingredient diets for dogs with food sensitivities.

→ Green 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.

→ Coconut oil is extracted from the white flesh of the coconut fruit and is composed almost entirely of saturated fat, much of which is in the form of medium‑chain triglycerides (MCTs).

The principal MCT in coconut oil is lauric acid, which is valued for its antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Per 100 g of coconut oil, approximately 99.1 g is fat.

Secondary Ingredients

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

→ Pea protein is a plant-based protein extracted from peas, commonly used in dog food to increase protein content, especially in grain-free formulas.

→ 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.

→ Brewers dried yeast is a high-quality source of essential amino acids, protein, and B vitamins. Adding it to a dog food formula boosts flavor, making the food more appealing to picky eaters or dogs with poor appetites.

Other Ingredients

→ Beef hydrolysate is a protein derived from beef that has been broken down into smaller peptides and amino acids through hydrolysis. This process enhances its digestibility and absorption.

→ Yellow peas are a dried, mature pea variety with golden seeds, offering concentrated protein and fiber similar to green peas.

They are used in dog foods due to their nutritional value and ability to act as binding agents, providing structure to kibble and canned food.

→ Acetic acid, the key component in vinegar, is commonly used as a preservative in commercial dog food. It’s considered safe for dogs when used within recommended limits.

The Viva La Venison 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 Small Breed Dry Dog Food Review.

Nutrient Sources

Nutrient	Sources
Protein	Venison, Venison Meal, Green Peas, Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Beef Hydrolysate, Yellow Peas, Spinach, Dried Kelp
Fat	Venison, Venison Meal, Coconut Oil, Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Yellow Peas
Carbohydrate	Green Peas, Tapioca, Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Yellow Peas, Cranberries, Apples, Spinach, Blueberries, Dried Kelp
Fiber	Green Peas, Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Yellow Peas, Cranberries, Apples, Spinach, Dried Kelp

Vitamins

This dog food provides essential vitamins A, D3, E, and B-complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12) as synthetic supplements.

Vitamin B7 (biotin) is the only significant gap, though trace amounts may exist in components. Vitamin K is absent but naturally synthesized by dogs, aided by dietary precursors. Additionally, they produce sufficient Vitamin C internally, eliminating the need for dietary supplementation.

Stability is ensured via preservatives (mixed tocopherols), preventing degradation during storage. The formulation is otherwise complete and robust.

Minerals

This food provides all essential minerals for dogs. Zinc, iron, copper, and manganese are chelated (as amino acid complexes), ensuring high absorption by preventing binding with inhibitors.

Non-chelated minerals (magnesium sulfate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, cobalt sulfate, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate) are standard forms with adequate but lower bioavailability.

Overall, mineral composition is complete and enhanced by strategic chelation for key nutrients.

Ingredient Concerns

While Addiction Viva La Venison offers many benefits, there are a few potential concerns to consider. The use of multiple pea ingredients(green peas, yellow peas, and pea protein) may indicate ingredient splitting, which can obscure the true proportion of peas in the formula. High legume content has also been associated with concerns regarding canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in some dogs.

Additionally, the inclusion of brewers dried yeast, while a source of nutrients, may cause issues for dogs with yeast sensitivities. The use of “natural flavor” is somewhat vague and can raise questions about ingredient transparency.

Lastly, while the food is grain-free, the reliance on starchy binders like tapioca could contribute to a higher glycemic load, which may not be ideal for diabetic dogs.

This Addiction Small Breed Dry Dog Food Review 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	24%	12%	42%	4%
→ Dry Matter Basis	26.7%	13.3%	46.7%	4.4%
→ Calorie Content Basis	25.2%	30.6%	44.1%	NA

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

However, Addiction Viva La Venison Recipe contains 26.7% protein, 13.3% fat, and approximately 46.7% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.

This makes it moderate in protein, moderately low in fat, and moderately high in carbohydrates.

Compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF Standards

The Addiction Viva La Venison Recipe contains 26.7% protein and 13.3% fat on a dry matter basis.

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

For Adult Maintenance

For Growth and Reproduction

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

Cost Analysis

Cost Metrics	3.3-lb bag
→ Cost per Unit	$24.99
→ Cost per Pound	$7.57
→ Cost per Serving	$1.97

Cost breakdown for a 3.3‑lb bag: $24.99 total, $7.57 per pound, $1.97 per serving.

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Pros and Cons - Addiction Small Breed Dry Dog Food Review

Pros

Real venison as the main ingredient
Free from chicken by-products, corn, wheat, and soy
Non-GMO
Includes coconut oil for easy digestion and healthy skin & coat
Small, bite-sized kibble designed for tiny teeth

Cons

Lack of transparency about ingredient sources (e.g., “natural flavor”)
Reliance on plant-based proteins (pea protein)
Premium pricing compared to some alternative brands

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 Viva La Venison Recipe at 4.7 out of 5, while the Addiction Small Breed Dry Dog Food line received an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Final Verdict of Addiction Small Breed Dry Dog Food Review

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.