Annamaet
Annamaet Encore 25% Protein Dog Food Review
Annamaet Original Encore Formula Dry Dog Food, 25% Protein (Chicken & Brown Rice), 40-lb Bag
How the Dude Score is calculated
| Signal | Reading | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon rating (base) | 4.7★ | +94.0 / 100 |
| Review volume confidence | 174 reviews | +2.8 (min 0) |
| Critical (1-2★) penalty | 0% | +0.0 (min -6) |
| DudeScore Build & Materials | 86/100 | +2.2 (min -2) |
| DudeScore Safety Signals | 78/100 | +2.2 (min -3) |
| Final Dude Score | 100.0 | |
DudeScore editorial signals (build, safety, longevity) are scored independently of the star average — they reflect what owner feedback and product specs actually say about the product. Some signals are skipped when they don't fit the product type (e.g. build & durability for consumables).
intro
As The Pet Dude I spend a lot of time breaking down ingredient decks, packaging, and owner-reported performance so fellow pet parents can make practical choices. Annamaet Original Encore (25% protein, chicken & brown rice) is one of those boutique-style kibble options that aims to bridge higher-end nutrition with recyclable packaging and gut-supporting additives. In this review I walk through what the product listing actually promises, what I noticed from owner feedback, and the safety and fit considerations I think matter most before you swap bowls.
What it is / first look
At first glance Annamaet Encore presents itself as a higher-end, holistic dry dog food. The product title calls out 25% protein and a chicken & brown rice flavor profile. According to the listing the formula is made with antibiotic-free, low-ash chicken, fish, and brown rice and is intended for “All Life Stages.” The brand also highlights a handful of functional ingredients and production notes on the listing: a stable, sustainable form of DHA from microalgae; proteinated (chelated) minerals to improve mineral utilization and immune support; added prebiotics and probiotics for gut health; and L-carnitine for fat utilization and lean body mass support.
The listing copy emphasizes artisanal production (small batches, slow cook), holistic formulation, and what the brand calls sustainable packaging made with Bio-Flex materials engineered for landfill biodegradation. The product is labeled corn-free, soy-free, and wheat-free, and the listing states the formula is intended to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages, explicitly including growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).
What's on the factsheet
- Protein: 25% (called out in the title).
- Primary protein/flavor: Chicken & Brown Rice (title).
- Ingredient highlights from the listing: antibiotic-free low-ash chicken, fish, brown rice, microalgae DHA, chelated minerals, L-carnitine, prebiotics and probiotics.
- Allergen list from the listing: corn-free, soy-free, wheat-free.
- Intended life stages / uses from the listing: All Life Stages, for active dogs, for puppies, for large breed puppies; meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for All Life Stages including large size dogs.
- Brand notes: holistic, artisanal production, sustainable packaging (Bio-Flex).
In daily use
Using this listing as my guide, Annamaet Encore is positioned for active dogs and puppies, including large-breed growth. From the owner feedback I gathered, the day-to-day experience breaks down into three practical areas: palatability, digestion/transition behavior, and packaging/handling.
Picky eaters & palatability
Several owners reported dogs that readily ate and enjoyed the formula; phrases in the research notes include “my dog loves it,” “picky eater finally eats,” and “went through a bag in a few weeks.” From those signals I’d expect the chicken-forward flavor and kibble texture (unknown exact size from the listing) to be acceptable to many dogs who prefer traditional poultry-and-grain kibbles.
Digestion & transition notes
The listing includes added prebiotics and probiotics and highlights low-ash, antibiotic-free chicken and brown rice—ingredients that can support GI tolerance for many dogs. That said, owner feedback is mixed on puppies: one owner said they followed the bag feeding amounts for a young puppy and were told by a professional the pup was underfed; another reported nonstop diarrhea in a 4-month-old Doberman pup and paused use until the dog was older. Conversely, other owners reported improved coat and digestion after switching to this formula. Practically, that means I’d recommend a careful, -informed transition for puppies and dogs with sensitive stomachs, and not to rely on the bag’s feeding chart without checking with a qualified professional.
Packaging & storage
Annamaet calls out sustainable packaging on the product page, but several of the research notes flagged weak bag construction and tears at seams. One owner specifically said the bag quality felt cheap and split down the side; another mentioned transferring the kibble to a BPA-free container. If you’re ordering by mail or keeping food in bulk, plan to transfer the kibble to an airtight container or inspect the bag on arrival—especially if you’re buying a larger size.
Materials & build quality
For dry food this section translates to ingredient quality, sourcing notes, and production claims on the listing. Annamaet emphasizes a few specific items that I find relevant:
- Antibiotic-free, low-ash chicken is called out in the product description as a primary protein source alongside fish and brown rice.
- 25% protein is in the title, which gives a sense of target macronutrient density for active dogs.
- DHA from microalgae is specifically listed as a stable and sustainable source to support skin and coat via omega-3 fatty acids.
- Proteinated (chelated) minerals are highlighted as a formulation choice intended to boost mineral utilization and immune support.
- Prebiotics and probiotics are added for microbiome support and GI health, per the listing.
- L-carnitine is included for fat utilization and maintaining lean body mass, per the listing bullet copy.
- Allergen profile: the listing repeatedly notes that all Annamaet formulas are free from corn, wheat, and soy.
- Production notes: the brand calls the line holistic, GMO-free, and produced in small batches with a slow cook.
Those claims read like a mid-to-premium ingredient deck on paper. The presence of chelated minerals, DHA from microalgae, and added prebiotics/probiotics are the kind of formulation details you don’t always see on commodity bags, so if ingredient transparency and functional inclusions matter to you, the listing hits several boxes.
Safety considerations
Safety is where I spend extra attention. There are both positive signals and a few areas to be cautious about:
Allergens & ingredient safety
The listing explicitly states the product is corn-free, soy-free, and wheat-free. It also names brown rice as a carbohydrate source—so this is not a grain-free product. For pets with known grain allergies to corn, wheat, or soy, the formula could be a good fit; for pets with rice or other grain sensitivities, the listing indicates rice is present.
Life-stage safety
The manufacturer copy in the listing claims the formula meets the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages and specifically calls out growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult). That’s an important safety benchmark for feeding puppies and pregnant/lactating dogs because AAFCO all-life-stages compliance is the standard label language that indicates the formula has been balanced to support growth.
Digestive sensitivity & feeding amounts
While the formulation lists prebiotics/probiotics and low-ash proteins, my research notes show mixed digestive outcomes: some dogs showed clearer skin and better bowel habits after switching, while at least one puppy had persistent diarrhea and another pup was reportedly underfed on the bag’s feeding chart and needed more calories per their. Those are practical safety signals: transition slowly, watch stools closely, and verify feeding amounts with a qualified professional—especially for growing puppies or dogs with prior GI issues.
Packaging & freshness
The brand touts sustainable Bio-Flex packaging on the listing, but owner feedback includes several complaints about bag seams splitting or poor zip/reseal quality. A torn bag risks exposure to moisture, pests, or rancidity over time. I advise inspecting the bag on arrival and moving kibble to a sealed container if you see any damage or if you prefer long-term airtight storage.
What the listing doesn’t specify
- Kibble size/shape — the listing does not specify the physical size of the kibble or provide pictures close enough to determine whether it’s small, medium, or large. If you need a specific kibble size for dental issues or small jaws, the listing doesn’t specify that detail.
- Guaranteed analysis breakdown (fat, fiber, calories per cup) — the listing’s page copy and specs we have do not include a full guaranteed analysis or calorie density. That information is useful for precise feeding calculations and for working with a professionalerinarian on weight management; the listing as provided does not give it.
- Definitive bag weights — there’s conflicting weight data on the product page: the title and unit count indicate a 40-lb bag (640 ounces), while another item-weight field lists 18 pounds. The listing does not reconcile that discrepancy, so confirm the exact bag size before you buy.
Who this is for / who should skip
Here’s how I break suitability down based on the listing and owner feedback I tracked.
Good fit — active dogs and families who want premium ingredients
- If you want a dry food that names antibiotic-free chicken, fish, and brown rice and includes targeted functional ingredients (DHA from microalgae, chelated minerals, prebiotics/probiotics), this formula matches that brief according to the product listing.
- The product is labeled for All Life Stages and explicitly says it meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth of large-size dogs, so it’s positioned for active adult dogs, puppies, and large-breed puppies.
- If you prefer corn/soy/wheat-free formulas, the listing repeatedly states those ingredients are excluded.
Who should skip or proceed cautiously
- Puppies with a history of sensitive stomachs — owner feedback includes at least one young pup with nonstop diarrhea after switching. If your pup has GI sensitivity, proceed slowly and coordinate with a qualified professional.
- Anyone who needs kibble-size specifics — the listing does not provide kibble dimensions, so if you need tiny kibble for toy breeds or a particular size for dental reasons, the listing doesn’t specify that.
- Buyers who prioritize robust resealable bags — multiple notes flag seam tears and cheap bag construction; plan to inspect or transfer to an airtight container.
Verdict
Annamaet Original Encore reads like a thoughtfully formulated, ingredient-forward dry food on paper: 25% protein, antibiotic-free chicken, microalgae DHA, chelated minerals, L-carnitine, plus added prebiotics and probiotics. Those formulation touches put it in the “premium” bucket for me when I evaluate ingredient transparency and functional inclusions.
That said, the practical signals from owner feedback temper the enthusiasm: packaging quality concerns and a couple of reports of digestive trouble in puppies mean I don’t recommend an automatic, unmonitored swap for every dog. If you’re shopping for an active adult dog or a puppy and you like the ingredient profile, this is worth considering—but transition slowly, verify feeding amounts with a professional (some owners found the bag chart underfed growing pups), and inspect or transfer the food to airtight storage on arrival.
Check before you buy (my quick checklist)
- Confirm bag weight — the listing title and unit count indicate a 40-lb bag (640 ounces) but another item-weight field lists 18 pounds. The listing doesn’t reconcile that difference; verify the exact bag size before you order.
- ask a qualified professional about feeding quantities for puppies — owner feedback suggests the bag chart may underfeed some growing pups. Don’t rely on the chart without input.
- Inspect the bag on arrival for seam tears or damaged packaging and transfer to an airtight container if concerned about freshness.
- Plan a slow transition if your dog has a sensitive stomach — there are mixed digestion reports in my research notes (improvement for some dogs; diarrhea for at least one young pup).
- Confirm kibble size if you need a particular physical size — the listing does not specify kibble dimensions.
Colors available
The product images on the listing show the brand’s standard bag artwork. The listing does not provide colorway names; available colors may include the standard bag artwork shown in the product images.
- standard bag artwork (as shown in product images)
Overall: I consider Annamaet Encore a worthy option if you want a holistic, ingredient-forward dry food with functional additions like DHA and probiotics, but it’s not a plug-and-play swap for every dog—especially sensitive puppies. If you try it, keep a close eye on stool quality and body condition, check the bag weight at checkout, and store the kibble in a secure container if the bag feels flimsy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Annamaet Encore safe for puppies?
The listing states this formula meets AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages and explicitly includes growth of large-size dogs (70 lbs. or more), and the product copy lists it for puppies and large-breed puppies. However, research notes include at least one young puppy with persistent diarrhea and another case where a professional said the bag chart underfed a puppy; consult a qualified professional and transition slowly.
Is this formula grain-free?
No. The formula contains brown rice. The listing does state that all Annamaet formulas are corn-free, wheat-free, and soy-free, but brown rice is used as the carbohydrate source.
What is the protein percentage in this food?
The product title lists 25% protein.
Does the recipe include probiotics and omega-3s?
Yes. The listing notes added prebiotics and probiotics for microbiome support and a stable, sustainable form of DHA from microalgae for omega-3 fatty acids.
How large is the bag — how many pounds will I get?
The title and unit count indicate a 40-pound bag (640 ounces), but another item-weight field in the listing lists 18 pounds. The listing does not reconcile that discrepancy, so verify the exact bag size before purchasing.
Are there any packaging or durability concerns?
The brand calls the packaging sustainable (Bio-Flex), but research notes include reports of bag seams splitting and poor reseal quality. Inspect the bag on arrival and consider transferring kibble to an airtight container if you see damage or prefer long-term storage.
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