AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health Chihuahua Dry Dog Food Chicken
Dry Extruded complete High meat Clear label Full label
Is AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health Chihuahua Dry Dog Food Chicken a good dog food?
We score it 64/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
This recipe achieves a total score of 64 out of 100 based on several key factors. The meat content contributed +4.3 points and the overall quality of the ingredient list added +3.7 points to the final calculation. Conversely, the processing format adjusted the score by -7 points, and the carbohydrate content contributed -5 points.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
- Recipe64
- Nutritionallow100
- Transparency60
- Safety100
- Evidencelimited33
The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with chicken, dried chicken protein and rice as the main ingredients.
Why you might choose it
- Meat makes up an estimated 37% of the dry matter (47% as fed).
- Prints ingredient percentages on the label.
- Prints a percentage for nearly every ingredient, so the recipe is fully auditable.
Why you might not
We found no significant drawbacks in the data we hold for this product.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 28.50%
- Fat
- 15%
- Fibre
- 3%
- Ash
- 10%
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- 0.80%
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- 2.10%
- Calcium
- 1.70%
- Phosphorus
- 1.10%
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 56,000 IU; Vitamin D3 1,000 IU; Vitamin E 750 mg; Zinc (as Zinc Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 100 mg; Copper (as Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 10 mg; Manganese (as Manganese Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 25 mg; Iodine (as Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 1.59 mg; Iron (as Iron (II) Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 60 mg; Selenium (as Organic form of Selenium produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060 (Selenised yeast inactivated)) 0.2 mg
Technological additives
Antioxidants
Storage
Store in a cool dry place. Once opened, reseal to maintain freshness.
Feeding guide
Feed only from 8 months old. Daily amount: 1-2kg 25-45g, 2-4kg 45-75g, 4-6kg 75-100g, 6-8kg 100-125g. Divide into 2 equal portions daily. Introduce over 7-10 days if new to AVA.
Reviews
11 reviews on this product · 4.9/5
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon oil
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - brown / whole grain
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (21)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5% Chicken | Chicken | meat | medium | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| 2 | Chicken Meal (24.2%) | Dried chicken protein | meat | good | 24.2 | 24.2 |
| 3 | Chicken (17.0%) | Chicken | meat | medium | 17 | 17.0 |
| 4 | Brown Rice (17.0%) | Rice - brown / whole grain | carb | medium | 17 | 17.0 |
| 5 | Maize (13.8%) | Maize / Corn | carb | poor | 13.8 | 13.8 |
| 6 | Beet Pulp (6.8%) | Beet Pulp | fibre | medium | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| 7 | Flaked Oats (4.2%) | Oats | carb | medium | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| 8 | Chicken Fat (3.4%) | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil | good | 3.4 | 3.4 |
| 9 | Barley (3.4%) | Barley | carb | medium | 3.4 | 3.4 |
| 10 | Chicken Gravy (2.5%) | Chicken | meat | medium | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| 11 | 0.04% Brewers Yeast | Brewer's Yeast | supplement | good | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| 12 | 0.04% Salmon Oil | Salmon Oil | oil | good | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| 13 | 0.04% Egg | Egg | meat | good | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| 14 | 0.04% Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement | medium | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| 15 | 0.04% Chicory Root Extract | Chicory Root Extract | fibre | good | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| 16 | Potassium Chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement | medium | - | 4.8 |
| 17 | Yeasts (as a source of Beta-glucans and Prebiotic Mannanoligosaccharide) (0.14%) | Yeast | supplement | good | 0.14 | 0.1 |
| 18 | Yucca Extract (0.025%) | Yucca Schidigera | supplement | good | 0.025 | 0.03 |
| 19 | Cranberry Extract (0.018%) | Cranberry Extract | supplement | good | 0.018 | 0.02 |
| 20 | Pomegranate Extract (0.009%) | Pomegranate Extract | supplement | good | 0.009 | 0.01 |
| 21 | Green Tea Extract (0.009%) | Green Tea | veg | good | 0.009 | 0.01 |
Brand
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-14
- Scored with
- Model v2 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.petsathome.com
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Scored with model v2 on 2026-09-22. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.4 | 9.915 | +3.71 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 37.4% | 0.116 | +4.34 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 44.8% | -0.113 | -5.04 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 5.9% | -0.088 | -0.52 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 3.8% | -0.009 | -0.03 |
| Recipe graded poor | 13.8% | -0.045 | -0.62 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.868 | -0.87 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 13.8% | 0.056 | +0.78 |
| Undeclared quantities | 4.8% | -0.131 | -0.63 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | yes | 3.194 | +3.19 |
| Complete diet | yes | 1.703 | +1.70 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | -0.506 | -0.51 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 37.4 | -0.073 | -2.74 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.996 | -7.00 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.4 | 9.915 | +3.71 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 37.4% | 0.116 | +4.34 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 44.8% | -0.113 | -5.04 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 5.9% | -0.088 | -0.52 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.002 | +0.00 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.177 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 3.8% | -0.009 | -0.03 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.371 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.022 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 13.8% | -0.045 | -0.62 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.182 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.868 | -0.87 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 13.8% | 0.056 | +0.78 |
| Undeclared quantities | 4.8% | -0.131 | -0.63 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | yes | 3.194 | +3.19 |
| Complete diet | yes | 1.703 | +1.70 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 11.440 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | -0.506 | -0.51 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -1.988 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.250 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 37.4 | -0.073 | -2.74 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | -0.339 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 16.475 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | 0.00 | 0.236 | +0.00 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Processing: Raw | no | 13.322 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | 7.712 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | 6.583 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 4.857 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | 0.072 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 11.127 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 9.320 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | 4.569 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -2.321 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.996 | -7.00 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.833 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.711 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | 2.935 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | 2.292 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- -0.01
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Nearly all quantities printed on label
- +2 full-disclosure bonus
- Subtotal
- 64.4
- Final score
- 64/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.
| Model | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| v2 | 64/100 | current |
| v1 | 60/100 | |
| v1.9 | 61/100 |
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 28.5 | 31 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 15 | 16.3 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 3 | 3.3 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.7 | 1.8 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 1.1 | 1.2 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.5 | 1.5 (band 1 to 2%) | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 8% from the food type.
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (95.2% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 19/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) | 5/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The marketing claims made on the pack and product page, and how much evidence sits behind them. We record the claims as stated; we do not assess whether they are true.
| Claim | Type | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|
| Supports health and immunity (on pack) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Ideal for fussy eaters or sensitive stomachs (on pack) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Beta-Glucans to aid the effectiveness of your dog's natural immune system (on pack) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Combined slow release carbohydrates and soluble and insoluble fibre help maintain energy levels and a healthy intestinal function (on pack) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Yucca helps reduce stool odour (on pack) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Optimised ratios of Calcium and Phosphorus help maintain strong teeth and bones (on pack) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Veterinary Approved (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Hypoallergenic recipe with no added wheat, wheat gluten, beef, pork, and soya (on pack) | Free-from | Manufacturer assertion |
| Tailored AVA breed health formulation specially made for Chihuahuas (on pack) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| Added Glucosamine and Chondroitin helps support joint condition and general mobility (on pack) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| Quality source of easily digestible chicken protein (on pack) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains MOS and FOS prebiotics to help support the growth of healthy gut bacteria (on pack) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| Cranberry, pomegranate, and green tea extracts deliver a source of antioxidants (on pack) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| Vitamins A, D3 and E to support vitality, immunity and general wellbeing (on pack) | Nutrient | Manufacturer assertion |
| Hypoallergenic chicken recipe (on pack) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains +Imuvita to support immunity (on pack) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| Natural source of omega 3 and 6 helps support skin and coat condition, heart and kidney health and ongoing brain function development (on pack) | Nutrient | Manufacturer assertion |
Limited: at least one claim rests on manufacturer assertion alone.
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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