Addiction Cat Food Review
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More
Based in New Zealand, Addiction is a dry pet food company made with ethically sourced proteins, fruits, and vegetables. It has come to be known as a holistic and hypoallergenic pet food brand for its use of novel proteins like duck and venison.
Addiction pet foods are pricier than the average cat food, but the quality is difficult to detest, and they offer options for pets with food allergies. Though Addiction’s product variety and availability is limited, it is definitely a brand worthy of your consideration.
Read on to see what we think of the brand and to see our reviews for their top products.
- Options available for pets with food allergies
- Very limited variety in cat food products
- Heavy use of synthetic supplements.
- Options available for pets with food allergies
- Very limited variety in cat food products
- Heavy use of synthetic supplements.
How We Review Cat Food Brands
Before getting into the details about Addiction as a cat food brand, you may be wondering whether you can really trust our review. After all, you want only the best for your cat. Fortunately for you, so do we! We would never recommend a product we wouldn’t purchase for our own cats.
The most important thing we look for in cat food is a high-quality source of animal protein.
Cats are obligate carnivores by nature, which means they require a meat-based diet. Real animal protein should be the first ingredient in any cat food. Healthy fats are important as well, and all cats require certain vitamins and minerals.
Most pet food brands on the market provide for a cat’s basic nutrient requirements, but the quality of each product varies. In this review we’ll talk about how Addiction stacks up against the average brand.
Here are some of the things we look for in a good cat food brand:
- High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
- Rich in healthy animal fats (ex: chicken fat or salmon oil)
- Few to no carbohydrate ingredients (especially within the top 5)
- Limited number of main ingredients plus supplements
- No low-quality fillers, grains, or by-products
In addition to making sure any cat food brand we recommend is made with high-quality ingredients, we evaluate several other factors as well. We prefer brands that offer a wide variety of recipes and those that provide plenty of information about their ingredients and products. We also consider pricing and recalls as well as the availability of the brand as a whole.
Overview of the Addiction Brand
The story of the Addiction brand begins with Zack, a golden retriever who developed food allergies at a young age. Jerel, his owner, spent months trying to find a product free from low-quality proteins, grains, and by-products before deciding to make it himself.
Jerel made his way to New Zealand where he began to develop recipes centered around high-quality game meats and other premium-quality proteins. He added vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and herbs for nutritional balance and flavor. It was an instant hit and came to be known as Addiction Foods.
Today, Addiction pet food is manufactured in New Zealand’s Western Bay of Plenty and it has become the country’s biggest, most technologically advanced dry pet food plant.
Addiction pet foods are sold in nearly 15 countries, including the USA, Australia, Japan, China, and New Zealand. The brand only offers dry and freeze-dried products and their mission is to make a difference in the lives of pets and people through four approaches:
- Innovation and advancement
- Wholesomeness
- Nourishing bonds
- Protecting the environment
The Addiction brand has come to be known as a hypoallergenic and holistic pet food. Made with fresh ingredients ethically sourced in New Zealand, their products are nutritious and delicious enough that many pet parents call them an “addiction.”
What Kind of Cat Food Products Do They Offer?
Addiction is a company that only offers dry pet foods. Their dog food products including both traditional dry food and freeze-dried options, though their cat food products are limited to three dry food recipes. Choose from duck, salmon, or venison as the primary protein. Because Addiction’s products feature proteins novel to most cats, they are a popular choice for cats with food allergies and intolerance.
Here is the nutritional information for some of the most popular cat food recipes:
Dry Food Recipes |
|||||
| Recipe | Protein % | Fat % | Fiber % | Moisture % | Calories |
| Duck Royale Dry Cat Food | 30 | 16 | 3.5 | 10 | 3,320 kcal/kg |
| Salmon Bleu Dry Cat Food | 30 | 15 | 4 | 10 | 3,700 kcal/kg |
| Viva La Venison Dry Cat Food | 30 | 15 | 3.5 | 10 | 3,710 kcal/kg |
Product Recall History
The Addiction brand has been around for nearly two decades and has gained a reputation as an excellent hypoallergenic pet food brand. They pay a great deal of attention to the quality of their ingredients and the safety of their products.
Even the highest quality brands are subject to recalls, however, as accidents can happen when it comes to ingredients, formulations, and labeling. Fortunately, Addiction has had only a single recall in its history, and it didn’t affect their cat food product line.
Here is an overview of Addiction pet food recalls:
- September 2016 (elevated vitamin A levels) – The addiction company issued a voluntary recall for two dog food recipes due to elevated levels of vitamin A and a slight variance in the products’ calcium: phosphorus ratios.
The number of recalls alone doesn’t determine the quality of a pet food brand, but it is definitely a good thing when a brand like Addition has so few.
Products Included in This Review |
||||
| Name | Type | Protein % | Fat % | Top 5 Ingredients |
| Duck Royale Dry Cat Food | Dry | 30 | 16 | Duck, salmon meal, peas, tapioca, fish meal |
| Salmon Bleu Dry Cat Food | Dry | 30 | 15 | Salmon meal, potatoes, tapioca, chicken fat, whole peas |
| Viva La Venison Dry Cat Food | Dry | 30 | 15 | Venison meal, dried potatoes, dried tapioca, chicken fat, peas |
Compare Addiction Cat Food
|
Type of Food
Dry |
Type of Food
Dry |
Type of Food
Dry |
|
First 5 Ingredients
Duck, salmon meal, peas, tapioca, fish meal |
First 5 Ingredients
Salmon meal, potatoes, tapioca, chicken fat, whole peas |
First 5 Ingredients
Venison meal, dried potatoes, dried tapioca, chicken fat, peas |
|
Guaranteed Analysis
30% Protein Min, 16% Fat Max, 3.5% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max |
Guaranteed Analysis
30% Protein Min, 15% Fat Min, 4% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max |
Guaranteed Analysis
30% Protein Min, 15% Fat Min, 3.5% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max |
|
Calories per Cup
3,320 kcal/cup |
Calories per Cup
3,700 kcal/kg |
Calories per Cup
3,710 kcal/kg |
|
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$4.99/pound |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$3.30/pound |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$3.45/pound |
Addiction Duck Royale Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Dry
- First 5 Ingredients: Duck, salmon meal, peas, tapioca, fish meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Protein Min, 16% Fat Max, 3.5% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max
- Calories per Cup: 3,320 kcal/cup
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $4.99/pound
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Duck, Salmon Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Fish Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Flaxseed, Cranberries, Dried Brewers Yeast, Canola Oil, Natural Flavor, Sodium Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement , Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Taurine, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract, and Spearmint Extract.
Described as a delectable meal, this formula is made from cage-free New Zealand duck as an alternative to common proteins like chicken and beef. This makes it a good option for cats with food allergies to common proteins, though it should be noted that it also includes fish ingredients.
In addition to fresh duck, this recipe contains salmon meal and fish meal. Salmon meal is a quality ingredient, but the quality of the fish meal is difficult to judge because it doesn’t come from a named source. Listed fifth, it’s also difficult to tell how much of this ingredient the recipe contains.
Other than proteins, this formula contains grain-free carbohydrates like peas and tapioca. Chicken fat and canola oil provide a blend of omega fatty acids with flaxseed for supplemental fiber.
This recipe contains fresh cranberries for antioxidants, but a significant number of vitamins and minerals seem to come from synthetic supplements. The minerals are not chelated, so they may not be as easy for your cat’s body to absorb and utilize.
Overall, this is a decent cat food recipe but we’re not sure it’s worth the price – especially a price higher than the other two recipes. There is also some concern that it is marketed as a hypoallergenic recipe but contains more than one source of animal protein.
Addiction Salmon Bleu Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Dry
- First 5 Ingredients: Salmon meal, potatoes, tapioca, chicken fat, whole peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Protein Min, 15% Fat Min, 4% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max
- Calories per Cup: 3,700 kcal/kg
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $3.30/pound
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Salmon Meal, Dried Potatoes, Dried Tapioca, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Peas, Natural Flavors, Dried Kelp, Dried Cranberries, Dried Blueberries, Dried Spinach, Brewers Dried Yeast, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Chloride, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract.
Priced at more than a dollar less than the previous recipe, this Salmon Bleu dry cat food formula is a healthy choice for cats. It features salmon meal as the first ingredient and the only source of protein which makes it a good option for cats with food allergies and sensitivities.
In addition to being protein-rich, this formula is grain-free. Potatoes and tapioca are the primary sources of carbohydrate, supplemented with whole peas. Dried cranberries, blueberries, and spinach provide supplemental fiber and act as natural sources for key nutrients.
This recipe contains chicken fat as the main fat which is a nutritious ingredient. Overall, the fat content seems in balance with the protein content and should be appropriate for most cats.
The majority of the ingredients list for this recipe comes from supplements. It is worth noting that the minerals are not chelated to improve absorption, though it’s hard to tell how much effect that really has on your cat’s digestion and utilization of nutrients
Addiction Viva La Venison Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Dry
- First 5 Ingredients: Venison meal, dried potatoes, dried tapioca, chicken fat, peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Protein Min, 15% Fat Min, 3.5% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max
- Calories per Cup: 3,710 kcal/kg
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $3.45/pound
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Venison Meal, Dried Potatoes, Dried Tapioca, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Peas, Natural Flavors, Dried Kelp, Dried Cranberries, Dried Apples, Dried Spinach, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus Faecium, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum, Dried Bifidobacterium Thermophilum, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Chloride, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract.
Slightly more expensive than the previous recipe but still much more affordable than the first, this formula features venison meal as the first ingredient and a single source of premium animal protein.
Like the other Addiction recipes, this formula is grain-free. The difference is the main carbohydrates (potatoes and tapioca) are dried. Because they are dried to remove the moisture content, the actual volume for these ingredients may be higher. The estimated carb content of this recipe is over 30%.
In addition to protein, chicken fat, and grain-free carbohydrates, this formula contains dried fruits and vegetables. These provide natural sources for key nutrients, though there is still a fairly long list of synthetic supplements at the end.
Something else that sets this recipe apart is the inclusion of probiotics. These are supposedly included for digestive benefits but it is unknown how much probiotic additives actually survive the pet food cooking process to benefit your cat.
What Do Customers Think of Addiction Cat Food?
Addiction is not the most popular brand out there, but that is probably largely because of price and availability. For the average cat owner, traditional cat food made with common proteins like chicken and beef are much more affordable than single-source protein recipes like Addiction. Among those who have tried the brand, however, the products are well-received. The Duck Royale recipe has greater than a 4-star rating on Chewy, the Salmon recipe about 4 stars, and the Venison recipe just under 4 stars.
How Much Does Addiction Cat Food Cost?
While Addiction offers a very limited variety in cat food products, all three recipes are made with novel sources of protein – this makes them popular as hypoallergenic diets for cats with food allergies. As is the case with many formulas featuring novel proteins, Addiction cat food is pricy.
The price per pound for Addiction cat food ranges from $3.30 to $4.99. The lowest price is the salmon recipe, which shouldn’t be surprising, and the most expensive is the duck recipe.
Addiction cat food may be more expensive than the average cat food brand, but the price is comparable to other high-quality brands like Instinct by Nature’s Variety. If your cat needs a special diet, this brand may well be worth considering.
To give you a better idea how Addiction stacks up against other cat food brands, here is a quick chart to show you some average prices:
| Brand/Recipe | Type | Quality | Price/Ounce | Price/Pound |
| Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Food | Dry | Low | X | $0.90/pound |
| Friskies Classic Pate Mixed Grill Canned Food | Wet | Low | $0.07/ounce | $1.16/pound |
| Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Chicken & Brown Rice Adult Dry Cat Food | Dry | Moderate | X | $2.53/pound |
| Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Real Chicken Pate Recipe Canned Cat Food | Wet | Moderate | $0.36/ounce | X |
| Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken | Dry | High | X | $3.45/pound |
| Ziwi Peak New Zealand Venison Recipe Canned Cat Food | Wet | High | $1.21/ounce | X |
Where Can You Buy Addiction Cat Food?
The best place to buy Addiction cat food is online from retailers like Chewy and Amazon. Addiction does not sell their products on their own website and you may have trouble finding it in local stores, even major chains like Petco and PetSmart. To save money on this brand, create an auto-shipment online. Some retailers also offer free shipping over a certain dollar amount.
Our Final Thoughts: Is Addiction a Good Brand?
The Addiction pet food brand is often marketed as a hypoallergenic choice for pet owners. Their dog food products are more extensive than their cat food line, however, and we weren’t particularly impressed. One of the three recipes contained more than a single source of protein and all three made heavy use of synthetic supplements.
Generally speaking, Addiction doesn’t appear to be a bad pet food brand, but we aren’t sure it’s worth the price – especially when you compare it to other brands in the same price range.
If you’re looking for a single source protein recipe, Addiction’s salmon or venison formulas are reasonably priced and decent in quality. Just know that the carb content of these foods is fairly high, and you could probably find a cat food that doesn’t contain so many synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements.
