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

Addiction Wild Islands Dry Dog Food Review

By: Samuel James
Published: June 20, 2025
Last Updated: July 24, 2025

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

List of products

Addiction Wild Islands Dry Dog Food Products	Ratings	AAFCO
→ Pacific Catch Recipe	4.7	All Life Stages
→ Highland Meats Recipe	4.4	Maintenance
→ Forest Meat Recipe	4.4	All Life Stages
→ Island Birds Recipe	4.3	All Life Stages

This dog food line has 4 recipes. Reviewing all isn’t possible. The review of Forest Meat Recipe represents the quality, nutrition, and ingredients of the whole line.

Buy at Best Price!

Get up to 50% off Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe , Review – Limited time offer!

Ingredients

Venison, Venison Heart, Venison Tripe, Fish Meal, Fava Beans, Pea Protein, Beef Fat, Eggs, Green Peas, Brewers Dried Yeast, Tapioca, Yellow Peas, Flaxseed, Green-lipped Mussel, Manuka Honey, Kiwifruit, Beef Meal, Natural Flavor, Natural Buffered Vinegar, Choline Chloride, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Cobalt Sulfate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, 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 Wild Islands 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 heart delivers a lean, nutrient-dense boost to your dog’s diet. It provides protein for muscles, heme iron for blood health, and B vitamins for energy.

As a novel protein, it’s especially well-tolerated in raw or limited-ingredient diets, making it a flavorful, allergy-friendly choice for dogs with sensitivities.

→ Venison tripe (deer stomach lining) can be a nutritious addition to dog food, serving as a novel protein for sensitive dogs.

Unprocessed green tripe provides digestive enzymes, probiotics, B vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. Most commercial tripe is cleaned or bleached, removing enzymes and reducing nutrients to mainly protein and fat.

→ Fish meal is a concentrated protein source made by cooking, drying, and grinding fish (often whole fish or leftover parts) into a powder.

It retains many benefits of whole fish, like omega‑3 fatty acids for healthy skin and fur, but its quality depends on the fish species and its processing method.

→ Fava beans, also known as broad beans, are an excellent natural source of carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fiber for active pets.

Secondary Ingredients

The three ingredients immediately following the primary ingredients are highlighted as the secondary ingredients in this Addiction Wild Islands 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.

→ Beef fat is the fat rendered and separated from beef tissues during processing.

It is commonly used in dog food as a concentrated energy source and flavor enhancer. Rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids—primarily palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids—it delivers crucial calories for active pets.

To maintain freshness and prevent rancidity, beef fat is often preserved with mixed tocopherols.

→ Eggs are a nutrient-rich ingredient offering multiple benefits to dogs. They are rich in protein, which improves muscle and skin health, and they provide linoleic acid and fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A.

In a 100-gram serving of raw Grade A Large Whole Eggs, dogs receive approximately 12.4 g of protein and 9.96 g of total fat.

Other Ingredients

→ 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.

→ Brewer’s 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.

→ 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.

The Forest Meat 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 Wild Islands Dry Dog Food Review.

Nutrient Sources

Nutrient	Sources
Protein	Venison, Venison Heart, Venison Tripe, Fish meal, Fava Beans, Pea Protein, Eggs, Green Peas, Brewers Dried Yeast, Yellow Peas, Flaxseed, Green-lipped Mussel, Kiwifruit, Beef Meal
Fat	Venison, Venison Heart, Venison Tripe, Fish meal, Fava Beans, Beef fat, Eggs, Brewers Dried Yeast, Yellow Peas, Flaxseed, Green-lipped Mussel, Beef Meal
Carbohydrate	Fava Beans, Green Peas, Brewers Dried Yeast, Tapioca, Yellow Peas, Flaxseed, Green-lipped Mussel, Manuka Honey, Kiwifruit
Fiber	Fava Beans, Green Peas, Brewers Dried Yeast, Yellow Peas, Flaxseed, Kiwifruit

Vitamins

This dog food provides essential vitamins A, D3, E, and B-complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12) as synthetic supplements.

Vitamin K is absent, but trace amounts derive from ingredients like eggs and peas, aided by canine synthesis. Vitamin C is naturally produced by dogs. Mixed tocopherols (preservatives) enhance vitamin stability during storage.

No major adequacy gaps exist. The formulation appears complete.

Minerals

This food includes essential minerals: zinc, iron, copper, and manganese as highly absorbable chelated amino acid complexes.

However, selenium (sodium selenite), iodine (calcium iodate), and cobalt (cobalt sulfate) are inorganic salts with lower bioavailability. Calcium carbonate provides major calcium but isn’t chelated.

Overall, chelation of key minerals is excellent, but reliance on non-chelated selenium/iodine/cobalt limits optimal absorption, though AAFCO minimums are likely met.

Ingredient Concerns

The Addiction Wild Islands dry dog food line has the highest overall protein content when compared to the other 3 product lines offered by the brand. Lamb, beef, lamb liver, beef tripe, beef meal, and lamb meal are the major contributors to the protein content. Lamb and beef are major allergens for dogs, as indicated by several studies.

The recipe adds plant-based protein, such as pea protein, to achieve the desired nutritional value. Plant-based protein sources are often not favored by the dogs, decreasing the palatability and quality of the dog food recipe.

The recipe is grain-free. Peas, fava beans, and tapioca help meet the carbohydrate content, but tapioca’s low nutrient content essentially serves as a filler. These plant-based ingredients may be exposed to herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers. If there is any leftover substance from these chemicals in the dog food, it presents a serious risk to the dogs’ health.

Although manuka honey is an antibacterial supplement, it is not necessary to include it in a dog’s regular diet. Its fructose level may strain the liver, particularly if the dog is diabetic. Each 100 gram serving of manuka honey contains 76.2 g of sugar [1].

The recipe uses either an animal or a plant source for its natural flavor. Sometimes it contains MSG (salt), which is potentially harmful to dogs.

Nutrient Analysis

Moisture=10% Max

Method of Analysis	Protein	Fat	Carbs	Fiber
→ Guaranteed Analysis	40%	15%	23%	4%
→ Dry Matter Basis	44.4%	16.7%	25.6%	4.4%
→ Calorie Content Basis	40.2%	36.6%	23.1%	NA

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

However, Addiction Forest Meat Recipe contains 44.4% protein, 16.7% fat, and approximately 25.6% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.

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

Compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF Standards

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Addiction Forest Meat Recipe contains 44.4% protein and 16.7% 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 Wild Islands Dry 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 all life stages except growth of large-size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).”

This statement indicates that the recipe was formulated by laboratory analysis to satisfy the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages (except growth in large-breed dogs over 70 lb as adults), but it has not been validated through AAFCO-approved feeding trials in dogs.

While lab formulation guarantees that the nutrient composition meets the required standards on paper, feeding trials provide real-world confirmation of digestibility, palatability, and overall health outcomes.

Cost Analysis

Cost Metrics	20-lb bag
→ Cost per Unit	$145.99
→ Cost per Pound	$7.30
→ Cost per Serving	$1.9

Cost breakdown for a 20-lb bag: $145.99 total, $7.30 per pound, $1.90 per serving.

Chewy Autoship offers 35% off (up to $20) on your first order, which brings the cost of 20‑lb bag down to $125.99.

Chewy US

Get up to 35% off your first Autoship order on Chewy! Includes Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe, Review

Pros and Cons - Addiction Wild Islands Dry Dog Food Review

Pros

Very High Protein Content from Multiple High‑Quality Animal Sources
Omega‑3 & Omega‑6 Fatty Acids for Skin & Coat
Immune System & Antioxidant Support
Non‑GMO Ingredients & Free from Chicken By‑Products, Corn, Wheat, and Soy
Manuka Honey’s Antimicrobial & Soothing Properties

Cons

Not suitable for diabetic dogs
Heavy reliance on plant-based proteins
Vague “Fish Meal” listing
Ingredient splitting around peas
Premium pricing compared to alternatives

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.

Stay Safe: Join Our Recall Alert Program!

Sign up now to get instant updates on dog food recalls, keeping your pet safe and healthy.Your privacy is important to us—your information is safe and won’t be shared.

Our Rating

The Forest Meat Recipe received a rating of 4.4 out of 5, while the Addiction Wild Islands dry dog food line earned a 4.5 out of 5.

Final Verdict of Addiction Wild Islands 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.