AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health Large Breed Dry Adult Dog Food Chicken

Dry Extruded · completeHigh meatClear label

Veterinary Approved Optimum Health Large Breed Dry Adult Dog Food Chicken
Average
our rating

Our verdict

Is AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health Large Breed Dry Adult 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.

Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with dried chicken protein, chicken and chicken oil and fat as the main ingredients.

How we score

Why you might choose it

  • Meat makes up an estimated 34% of the dry matter (41% as fed).
  • Prints ingredient percentages on the label.
  • Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.

Why you might not

We found no significant drawbacks in the data we hold for this product.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
  • Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at large dogs
  • Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dried chicken protein
  • 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. Find foods that fit your dog.

Nutrition and feedingProtein 25% · Fat 15%

Typical analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fed
Protein25%
Fat15%
Fibre2.60%
Ash8%
Moisture8%
Omega-3 fatty acids0.48%
Omega-6 fatty acids2.40%
Calcium1.60%
Phosphorus1.10%

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Storage

Store in a cool dry place. Once opened, reseal to maintain freshness.

Feeding guide

30-40kg: 390-485g; 40-50kg: 485-575g; 50-60kg: 575-660g; 60kg+: 660g+

Additives declared on the label

Nutritional additives

Vitamin A 24,000 IU; Vitamin D3 1,200 IU; Vitamin E 400 IU; Taurine 500 mg; Zinc (as Zinc Chelate Of Amino Acid Hydrate) 64.2 mg; Manganese (as Manganese Chelate Of Amino Acid Hydrate) 7.8 mg; Copper (as Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 8 mg; Iodine (as Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 1.27 mg; Selenium (as Organic form of Selenium produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060) 0.16 mg; Rosemary Extract

Technological additives

Antioxidants

Ingredients (19)8% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • meat 41.1%
  • carb 41.0%
  • oil 7.7%
  • fibre 5.7%
  • supplement 4.6%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1Chicken Meal 24.5%Dried chicken proteinmeat · good24.524.5
2Fresh Chicken 12.5%Chickenmeat · medium12.512.5
3Chicken Fat 5.5%Chicken Oil and Fatoil · good5.55.5
4Chicken Gravy 2.5%Chickenmeat · medium2.52.5
5Brown Rice (23.5%)Rice - brown / whole graincarb · medium23.523.5
6Maize (17.5%)Maize / Corncarb · medium17.517.5
7Beet Pulp (5.5%)Beet Pulpfibre · medium5.55.5
8Brewers YeastBrewer's Yeastsupplement · good-2.5
9Salmon OilSalmon Oiloil · good-2.2
10MineralsVitamins and mineralssupplement · medium-1.9
11Whole Dried EggDried Eggmeat · medium-1.6
12Chicory Root Extract (as a source Pre-biotic Fructooligosaccharide) 0.16%Chicory Root Extractfibre · good0.160.2
13Yeasts (as a source of Beta-glucans and Prebiotic Mannanoligosaccharide) 0.11%Yeastsupplement · good0.110.1
14Glucosamine (0.06%)Glucosaminesupplement · good0.060.06
15Chondroitin (0.045%)Chondroitinsupplement · good0.0450.04
16Yucca Extract (0.02%)Yucca Schidigerasupplement · good0.020.02
17Cranberry Extract (0.01%)Cranberry Extractsupplement · good0.010.01
18Green Tea Extract (0.005%)Green Teaveg · good0.0050.01
19Pomegranate Extract (0.005%).Pomegranateveg · good0.0050.01
  1. 1. Chicken Meal 24.5%24.5% declared24.5% estimated
    Dried chicken protein · meat · good
  2. 2. Fresh Chicken 12.5%12.5% declared12.5% estimated
    Chicken · meat · medium
  3. 3. Chicken Fat 5.5%5.5% declared5.5% estimated
    Chicken Oil and Fat · oil · good
  4. 4. Chicken Gravy 2.5%2.5% declared2.5% estimated
    Chicken · meat · medium
  5. 5. Brown Rice (23.5%)23.5% declared23.5% estimated
    Rice - brown / whole grain · carb · medium
  6. 6. Maize (17.5%)17.5% declared17.5% estimated
    Maize / Corn · carb · medium
  7. 7. Beet Pulp (5.5%)5.5% declared5.5% estimated
    Beet Pulp · fibre · medium
  8. 8. Brewers Yeast2.5% estimated
    Brewer's Yeast · supplement · good
  9. 9. Salmon Oil2.2% estimated
    Salmon Oil · oil · good
  10. 10. Minerals1.9% estimated
    Vitamins and minerals · supplement · medium
  11. 11. Whole Dried Egg1.6% estimated
    Dried Egg · meat · medium
  12. 12. Chicory Root Extract (as a source Pre-biotic Fructooligosaccharide) 0.16%0.16% declared0.2% estimated
    Chicory Root Extract · fibre · good
  13. 13. Yeasts (as a source of Beta-glucans and Prebiotic Mannanoligosaccharide) 0.11%0.11% declared0.1% estimated
    Yeast · supplement · good
  14. 14. Glucosamine (0.06%)0.06% declared0.06% estimated
    Glucosamine · supplement · good
  15. 15. Chondroitin (0.045%)0.045% declared0.04% estimated
    Chondroitin · supplement · good
  16. 16. Yucca Extract (0.02%)0.02% declared0.02% estimated
    Yucca Schidigera · supplement · good
  17. 17. Cranberry Extract (0.01%)0.01% declared0.01% estimated
    Cranberry Extract · supplement · good
  18. 18. Green Tea Extract (0.005%)0.005% declared0.01% estimated
    Green Tea · veg · good
  19. 19. Pomegranate Extract (0.005%).0.005% declared0.01% estimated
    Pomegranate · veg · good

Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-14

Brand and contact: AVA

Trust and provenance

Recall history
No recalls recorded in our database
Label data last checked
2026-09-14
Scored with
Model v3 (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.

External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.

9 reviews on this product · 4.8/5

Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.

Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence

Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated

Why this score?

This recipe achieves a total score of 64 out of 100 based on several key factors. The processing format contributed -6.7 points, and the carbohydrate content contributed -5.1 points. Conversely, the overall quality of the ingredient list added +5.8 points, and the meat content contributed +3.1 points to the overall assessment.

Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.

ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.69.191+5.76
Meat share of dry matter32.5%0.096+3.12
Carb share of dry matter44.7%-0.115-5.15
Oil share of dry matter9.4%-0.092-0.87
Supplement share of dry matter5.2%-0.012-0.06
Undeclared quantities8.1%-0.106-0.85
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)yes0.707+0.71
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Show all 40 components
ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.69.191+5.76
Meat share of dry matter32.5%0.096+3.12
Carb share of dry matter44.7%-0.115-5.15
Oil share of dry matter9.4%-0.092-0.87
Vegetable share of dry matter0.0%-0.005+0.00
Additive share of dry matter0.0%0.163+0.00
Supplement share of dry matter5.2%-0.012-0.06
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor0.0%-0.065+0.00
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients0-0.876+0.00
Largest single poor ingredient0.0%0.060+0.00
Undeclared quantities8.1%-0.106-0.85
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Frozen or chilled freshno0.000+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)yes0.707+0.71
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)no-3.158+0.00
High carb and low meatno-1.180+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages0.00.000+0.00
Meat share × fresh0.00.000+0.00
Fresh × high meat0.011.084+0.00
Additive penalty0.000.222+0.00
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Rawno-0.054+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilledno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozenno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Refrigeratedno0.000+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelfno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Driedno6.629+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Driedno6.331+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Bakedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Processing: Dry Semi Moistno-6.174+0.00
Processing: Dry Mueslino-10.146+0.00
Processing: Wet Pateno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunksno-0.672+0.00
Processing-type offset
+0.02
Additives declared on label
+2 transparency bonus
Subtotal
64.3
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.

ModelScore
v364/100current
v261/100
v158/100
v1.959/100
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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein2527.2 (band 18 to 40%)95
Fat1516.3 (band 5.5 to 20%)100
Fibre2.62.8 (band 0.5 to 5%)100
Calcium1.61.7 (band 0.5 to 2.5%)100
Phosphorus1.11.2 (band 0.4 to 1.6%)100
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.51.5 (band 1 to 2%)97.3
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.

Declared fortification: 10 nutritional additives on the label
  • Vitamin A 24,000 IU
  • Vitamin D3 1,200 IU
  • Vitamin E 400 IU
  • Taurine 500 mg
  • Zinc (as Zinc Chelate Of Amino Acid Hydrate) 64.2 mg
  • Manganese (as Manganese Chelate Of Amino Acid Hydrate) 7.8 mg
  • Copper (as Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 8 mg
  • Iodine (as Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 1.27 mg
  • Selenium (as Organic form of Selenium produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060) 0.16 mg
  • Rosemary Extract

Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was 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.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✓ Printed percentages on the label (91.9% of the recipe mass) (voluntary)18.4/20
✓ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory)15/15
✓ Additives declared (mandatory)10/10
✗ Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file0/5
✓ 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
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 claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.

0/100 · limited — 1 checkable claim: 0 consistent, 1 contradicted.

Contradicted by the label

  • "Hypoallergenic recipes - With no added wheat or wheat gluten" — the declared label says otherwise on grain-free.

8 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.

Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
Highly digestible, hypoallergenic recipe with tailored kibble size (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Supports digestion, skin, coat, heart, kidney health, and strong bones (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Digestive function - Combined slow release carbohydrates and sources of soluble and insoluble fibre maintain energy levels and a healthy intestinal function (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Hypoallergenic recipes - With no added wheat or wheat gluten (on page)Free-fromcontradictedManufacturer assertion
Condition & development – Added Taurine to support heart muscle condition. A rich source of omega 3 and 6 helps support skin and coat condition, heart and kidney health and ongoing brain function development (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Mobility & joint care – Added Glucosamine and Chondroitin helps support joint condition and general mobility (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Healthy teeth & bones – Optimised ratios of Calcium and Phosphorus help maintain strong teeth and bones and maintain overall oral health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Internal conditioning - Contains MOS and FOS pre-biotics to maintain internal body health and functional conditioning and Yucca to reduce stool odour (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Advanced formulation - High quality source of easily digestible protein (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion

The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.

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