Akela

Akela 80:20 Suffolk Duck review

Name: Akela 80:20 Suffolk Duck
Brand: Akela

77.2/100Excellent

DryPuppyAdult

An Excellent single-protein kibble that keeps its promise down to the small print. The fresh meat, the dried meat, the fat and the stock are all duck. The omega oil comes from algae, so there is no fish anywhere on the label.

View on Amazon

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, Off the Leash earns from qualifying purchases.

Our view

Likely to suit

Elimination diets. Duck is the only animal from the first line to the last
Dogs that must stay entirely off fish, as algae oil supplies the marine-type omegas
Dogs grown itchy or bored on everyday proteins
Owners who want joint support at full strength: glucosamine and MSM at 1604.5 mg/kg each, chondroitin at 1608 mg/kg

Worth watching

Calcium at 2.5% of dry matter, higher than owners of large-breed puppies generally want
Ash at 15.2% of dry matter, a mineral-rich reading worth mentioning to the vet if your dog has a urinary history

Written by our editorial team. Independent guidance, not veterinary advice.

How this scores

How we score

77.2/100Excellent

Protein and processingGood

Nutritional balanceExcellent

TransparencyOutstanding

ValueExcellent

The details

Dog fit

Listed for puppies, adults and seniors of every size. For a large-breed puppy, weigh the 2.5% calcium against the all-life-stages wording before ordering.

Food type

Dry

Life stage

Puppy, Adult, Senior

Breed size

Toy, Small, Medium, Large, Giant

Main protein

Duck

The score, in context

Akela 80:20 Suffolk Duck 77.2

All one Excellent. Typical dry food: Good.

The margin over the typical dry food comes from the discipline of the ingredients list, with Transparency reading Outstanding.

What's in it

Freshly prepared duck55%Part of an 80% duck total.
Dehydrated duck20%The dried share holds protein at 37.0% of dry matter once the fresh meat's water has gone.
Duck fat, duck stock3.5%, 1.5%Named fat and stock, both duck, which is where most single-animal claims slip.
Sweet potato, tapioca11%, 6%Bind the biscuit.
Linseed, chickpeas, lucerne0.7%, 0.6%, 0.6%Linseed adds plant omega 3.
Minerals0.4%
Joint support: glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin sulphateDosed in print at the top of Akela's usual range.
Algae oilThe omega top-up, with no fish in it.
Chicory, dried fruit and vegetables, spirulina, nettle, yucca extract
Mixed herbs: oregano, sage, thyme, parsley, marjoramEach herb named, where many labels just say herbs.

Vitamins A, D3 and E, with zinc, iron, manganese and copper as chelates and iodine, each dosed in print.

Calcium at 2.5% of dry matter. For a large-breed puppy that is higher than owners generally want.

Named ingredients

80% Duck (Freshly Prepared Duck 55%, Dehydrated Duck 20%, Duck Fat 3.5%, Duck Stock 1.5%), Sweet Potato 11%, Tapioca 6%, Linseed 0.7%, Chickpeas 0.6%, Lucerne 0.6%, Minerals 0.4%, Joint Support (Glucosamine 1604.5 mg/kg, MSM 1604.5 mg/kg, Chondroitin Sulphate 1608 mg/kg), Algae Oil, Chicory, Dried Apple, Dried Camomile, Dried Carrot, Cinnamon, Dried Cranberry, Aniseed & Fenugreek, Dried Marigold, Dried Mulberry, Dried Parsley, Dried Pear, Spirulina, Stinging Nettle, Tomato Pomace, Yucca Extract, Mixed Herbs(Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Parsley and Marjoram), Dried Orange, Dried Cowberry, Dried Peppermint, Dried Rosehips, Dried Bilberry.

Against the range

Every animal ingredient is duck: fresh meat, dried meat, fat and stock. The omega top-up is algae oil, so the recipe is fish free as well as single species.

Nutritional analysis

Declared analysis

Energy

363 kcal/100g

Protein

34%

Fat

17%

Fibre

3.5%

Ash

14%

Moisture

Dry weight

Protein

37%

Fat

18.5%

Fibre

3.8%

Ash

15.2%

Carbs

25.5%

As-fed composition

Estimated breakdown of the finished product by ingredient category, from the declared ingredient list and ingoing weights. These are estimates, not measurements.

Meat

78.5%

Added water

1.5%

Carbs

17.6%

Veg

0.2%

Oils

0.2%

Other

Pricing & size