Acana Dog Food Reviews – Ingredient Analysis, Recall History, and Our Ratings in 2020

As dog parents, we always want what’s best for our dogs, especially in terms of health. A lot of their health and wellbeing goes along with the food we give them, so it’s important to carefully choose the food that’s most suitable for your furry friend.

The amount of dog food options out there can be overwhelming, so choosing the right one might take some time. One popular, high-quality dog food brand is Acana dog food, but how do you know if it’s the right choice for your dog?

What is Acana Dog Food?

Acana dog food is a brand of dry dog food that is created by Champion Petfoods, along with Orijen. They focus on using only biologically appropriate and fresh regional ingredients for their formulas. Because of their high-quality recipes and processes, the company has won many awards including the 2018 Industry Recognition Award and the 2017 Eco-Excellence Award.

Champion Petfoods’ mission is to create a new standard for dry dog food. They do this by focusing their formulas on a meat-based diet and including a higher percentage of protein than other kibble brands. They also focus on ingredients that are sustainable and created by regional suppliers.

Acana Dog Food Recall History in 2020

According to the FDA recall database, Acana has no reported recalls as of April 2020.

What Formulas Does Acana Dog Food Have?

Currently, Acana has 20 different dry dog food formulas. Some of them are created for specific life stages while others are focused on a more specific protein or lifestyle. 

Life Stage Formulas

1. Acana Small Breed Puppy Dog Food

Puppies grow fast, so this formula is rich in fresh protein and fat to help small breed puppies grow at a healthy rate. It contains 33% protein and 20% fat. Chicken, turkey, and fish are the main proteins found in this recipe.

Like many Acana flavors, protein is a significant role. This food contains 70% quality animal ingredients and ⅓ fresh or raw poultry and fish. Some of the animal ingredients in this food are superfood ingredients such as organs, cartilage, and bones, all of which provides nutrients for your puppy. The food is also infused with freeze-dried liver to make the flavor even more appealing.

2. Acana Puppy Large Breed Dog Food

The Puppy Large Breed formula has many of the same qualities as the Small Breed Formula, but it’s specifically suited for puppies that will grow much bigger. To assist with the large breed growth process, it includes high amounts of protein and fat from whole animal ingredients. 

Like the small puppy formula, this recipe also contains chicken, turkey, and fish as the proteins, and it also has 33% protein and 20% fat. However, the way the proteins are distributed among the ingredients is more suitable for larger pups. It contains larger amounts of turkey and fish. 

3. Acana Puppy & Junior Dog Food

The Puppy & Junior formula is another recipe for puppies, but it’s geared toward all sizes and breeds. It also has free-run chicken, cage-free eggs, and wild-caught fish as the quality ingredients, but they are distributed in a way that’s ideal for puppies of all ages and sizes.

This formula has 33% protein and 20% fat much like the other puppy formulas. It uses the natural nutrients in meat, organs, cartilage, and bones to give puppies everything they need to grow up big and strong.

4. Acana Adult Small Breed Dog Food

Despite their size, small breed dogs need nutrients just as much as large breeds do. Unlike the puppy formulas, this recipe is geared specifically toward adults, which means the amount of protein and fats are slightly less to help dogs maintain a consistent weight.

Chicken, turkey, and fish are also main proteins in this recipe, resulting in 31% protein and 17% fat. It also has cage-free eggs for added nutrition. Overall, the food contains 60% quality animal ingredients and ⅓ fresh or raw poultry and fish.

5. Acana Adult Large Breed Dog Food

Since large breed adult dogs have a similar body structure to the grey wolf, this formula is designed to replicate that rich diet. It also has free-run chicken, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs like the other formulas have, but it’s made in a way that suits the anatomy of a larger dog.

This formula has 31% protein and 15% fat in it. It also contains the natural nutrients from organs, cartilage, and bones, much like the Adult Small Breed formula has. However, it’s packed with even more quality animal ingredients to support larger breeds.

6. Acana Adult Dog Food

The Adult Dog formula is ideal for all adult dogs, regardless of their size and breed. It contains 29% protein and 17% fat. Chicken, turkey, and fish are also significant protein sources in this formula as well.

All adult dogs need a protein-rich diet much like their wolf ancestors, so this recipe contains the proper amount for all adult dogs. It even has natural nutrients thanks to the quality meat, organs, cartilage, and bones it has in its formula.

7. Acana Senior Dog Food

Senior dogs still need plenty of protein to thrive, so this formula is still high in protein, but it’s lower in fat. It has a total of 33% protein and only 14% fat. It has a similar amount of chicken, turkey, and fish compared to the regular Adult Dog formula.

Overall, this food contains 65% quality animal ingredients and ⅓ fresh or raw poultry and fish. The amounts of organs, cartilage, and bones that it contains are ideal for keeping a senior dog strong and healthy as they age. Like the other life stage formulas, it’s infused with freeze-dried liver to help picky senior dogs.

Special Diet Formulas

8. Acana Sport & Agility Dog Food

High energy dogs need a diet than can support all their exercise. Therefore, this formula is ideal for dogs that love running around the dog park, herding sheep, or going through agility courses. It’s packed with plenty of protein and fat to support your active dog.

This formula contains 35% protein and 22% fat. It’s made with free-run chicken, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs. Overall, it has 75% quality animal ingredients and ⅓ fresh or raw poultry and fish.

9. Acana Light & Fit Dog Food

This is another formula for active dogs, and it’s fairly similar to the Sport & Agility formula. It’s designed to promote lean muscle mass and a healthy body weight for dogs that exercise fairly often.

Chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs are important proteins in this formula, much like a lot of the other recipes. It has 35% protein and 11% fat. It has a total of 65% quality animal ingredients and ⅓ fresh or raw poultry and fish. 

10. Prairie Poultry Dog Food

Chicken and turkey are the primary proteins in this formula. It’s suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds. It’s also great for dogs who love the taste of quality poultry.

This formula contains 29% protein and 17% fat. Overall, it has 50% quality animal ingredients and ⅓ fresh or raw poultry. Since it only focuses on poultry for protein, it’s a great choice for dogs that are allergic to other types of protein. 

11. Acana Wild Coast Dog Food

Fish are the sole protein in this recipe. This includes wild-caught herring, flounder, and hake. This formula contains 29% protein and 17% fat. Overall, it has 50% quality animal ingredients and ⅓ raw wild-caught fish.

Since this formula focuses on fish, it not only contains quality protein, but it also has omega fatty acids to give your dog healthy skin and a smooth coat. It is suitable for dogs of all breeds and life stages, especially if they have sensitivities to other proteins. 

12. ACANA Protein Rich – Real Meat Dry Dog Food

The Classic Red formula is full of high-quality proteins that many dogs will find extra tasty. It includes beef, lamb, and pork, which all consist of nutritious meat, organs, cartilage, and bones. 

This formula contains 29% protein and 17% fat. Overall, it has 50% quality animal ingredients and ⅓ fresh or raw beef, pork, and lamb meat. 

13. Acana Wild Prairie Dog Food

The Wild Prairie recipe is similar to many of the formulas for specific life stages. It contains free-run chicken and turkey, along with cage-free eggs and wild-caught fish. It’s a good option for dogs of all different ages and breeds.

This specific formula has 35% protein and 17% fat. Overall, it has 70% quality animal ingredients and ½ fresh or raw poultry and fish, which is more than most of the other formulas have. It has a good mix of ingredients that most dogs will enjoy, but dogs with allergies or sensitivities might want to stick to a single-protein formula instead.

14. Acana Pacifica Dog Food

Pacifica is packed with a wide variety of fish protein for dogs of all breeds and life stages. It contains wild-caught herring, pilchard, flounder, hake, and rockfish. With only fish as the meat source, it serves as an excellent source of omega fatty acids, which will greatly benefit your dog’s skin and coat.

This formula has 35% protein and 17% fat. Overall, it has 70% quality animal ingredients and ½ raw fish. With five different fish proteins, it’s great for dogs that love fishy flavors.

15. Acana Grasslands Dog Food

As the name implies, this formula was inspired by the animals found in the vast grasslands. This includes grass-fed lamb, free-run duck and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs. All these proteins have nutritious nutrients in their meat, organs, bones, and cartilage, which are all included in the recipe.

Similar to Pacifica and Wild Prairie, this formula also has 35% protein and 17% fat. It has 70% quality animal ingredients and ½ fresh or raw meat. Since it has so many different protein sources, it’s not ideal for dogs with sensitivities or allergies. However, it is suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds.

16. Acana Ranchlands Dog Food

This formula focuses on the meat sources you would find on a ranch. Therefore, it contains ranch-raised beef, Yorkshire pork, grass-fed lamb, ranch-raised bison, and wild-caught fish. The food includes meat, organs, cartilage, and bones just like your dog would get in their natural diet.

This formula also contains 35% protein and 17% fat. It’s suitable for dogs of all life stages and breeds. Like the Grasslands formula, it has a lot of different proteins, so it might not be suitable for dogs with sensitivities or allergies. Overall, it has 70% quality animal ingredients and ½ raw meat.

17. Acana Pacific Pilchard Dog Food

Pacific Pilchard is also a limited ingredient formula. The only meat source in it is pilchard, so it’s a great option for dogs that are allergic to other proteins. All life stages and breeds can benefit from this food.

Along with fish, this formula also consists of rich greens and pumpkin for additional nutrients and digestive benefits. This formula contains 31% protein and 15% fat. Overall, it has 50% quality animal ingredients and ½ raw pacific pilchard. 

18. Acana Singles Yorkshire Pork Dry Dog Food

This is another limited ingredient formula that only has pork for animal protein. It is a great choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies to other meat sources. All breeds and life stages can benefit from it. 

Along with pork, this food also contains butternut squash to promote healthy digestion. It has 31% protein and 15% fat. Overall, it has 50% quality animal ingredients and ½ fresh or raw Yorkshire pork.

19. Acana Singles Grass-Fed Lamb Dry Dog Food

Grass-Fed Lamb is the last limited ingredient formula option. Lamb is the only animal protein source, but it also contains apple and pumpkin to include beneficial nutrients and help with digestion. This formula contains 35% protein and 15% fat.

Overall, this food has 50% quality animal ingredients and ½ raw grass-fed lamb. This is another great choice for dogs that are allergic to other popular protein sources, and dogs of all ages and breeds can benefit from it.

Ingredients in Acana Dog Food

Every dog food brand contains their own unique ingredients, some of which are much healthier than others. Each Acana formula contains slightly different ingredients, but here are some of ingredients that are used frequently in Acana dog food.

Good Ingredients

Beef

Beef is a quality protein for dog foods, however, it contains 73% water when raw. After it gets cooked, the majority of the moisture is lost, which means there’s likely less beef in the food than expected. Some formulas also include beef meal, which is a meat concentrate that removes the water before the manufacturing process. Therefore, beef meal contains up to 300% more protein.

Pork

Pork is another quality meat that’s very similar to beef. It also has a high percentage of water when raw. This is why the formulas also include pork meal, which contains up to 300% more protein just like beef meal.

Chicken

Acana dog foods contain both fresh chicken and chicken meal in their formulas. Chicken meal is a meat concentrate much like beef meal and pork meal. In fact, chicken is likely the most commonly used meat source.

Beef Fat

Fat might sound like something you don’t want in your dog’s food, but it can actually provide omega-6 fatty acids for your dog, which helps give them healthy skin and a smooth coat. Some formulas also include other types of fat such as chicken or pork.

Legumes

Acana includes a lot of legumes in their recipes such as red lentils, pinto beans, green peas, green lentils, chickpeas, and yellow peas. Individually, they’re quality ingredients that provide a high amount of protein and nutrition for your dog. However, with so many in one formula, they would have a much higher position on the ingredient list if combined.

Pollock Oil

Pollock oil and any type of fish oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which also help your dog’s skin and coat.

Controversial Ingredients

Lentil Fiber

Lentil fiber is a mix between soluble and insoluble dietary fibers, which come from lentils. It’s an agricultural by-product that provides almost no nutritional value for your dog.

What Dogs is Acana Dog Food Best Suited for?

Acana dog food has a wide variety of formulas in order to provide options for dogs of all different ages, sizes, and activity levels. They have age-specific formulas for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. They also have diets specifically for dogs that are more active.

Also, picky dogs should be able to find something with Acana. Acana has a wide selection of flavors including chicken, beef, pork, duck, lamb, and fish. Even if your dog is picky about their protein, they should be able to find something they’ll enjoy. If your dog is sensitive or allergic to certain proteins, there are also four limited ingredient formulas that they can benefit from.

Which Dogs Might Do Better on a Different Brand?

There are very few dogs that won’t benefit from Acana, but there are some that might do better on a different brand. Acana is known for being high in protein, so ideally, it’s for more active dogs that exercise a lot. While the average dog will be perfectly healthy on the normal adult formulas, there aren’t any specific recipes for low-energy dogs.

Weight management food could benefit dogs that don’t exercise as much. Many dogs need to lose weight, so they likely need a special diet to help them with that. Therefore, if that is what your dog needs, then Acana probably isn’t the right food for them.

What is the Average Price of Acana Dog Food?

Acana dog food comes in four main sizes: 4.5 pounds, 13 pounds, and 25 pounds. Different formulas come in different sizes. For example, the small breed puppy formula only comes in the two smaller sizes while the large breed puppy only comes in the two larger sizes.

The 4.5-pound bag of Acana is usually between $18 to $25 depending on the formula and the retailer. Then, the 13-pound bag typically ranges from $37 to $50, also varying greatly based on the formula and seller. Finally, the 25-pound bag is usually anywhere from $50 to $72. 

How Long Does Acana Dog Food Last?

Acana lasts about the same amount of time as other similar foods like Orijen. For this example, we’ll use a 25-pound bag of the Red Meat formula. This is a formula for all dogs, and it’s fairly popular.

• 4 pounds: 4-pound dogs that are less active are recommended to eat ¼ cups per day, but if they’re active, they should eat ⅓ cups pet day. Therefore, a 25-pound bag should last them between 2 ½ months and 3 months.
• 11 pounds: An active 11-pound dog should eat about 1 cup per day while a less active dog should only have about ½ cups per day. Therefore, a 25-pound bag should last anywhere between 1 month and 1 ½ months.
• 22 pounds: A less active 22-pound dog should eat about 1 cup per day, and a more active dog should have 1 ½ cups per day. So, a 25-pound bag will last 17 to 25 days.
• 44 pounds: A 44-pound dog should eat about 1 ½ cups a day if they’re less active and 2 ⅓ cups per day if they’re more active. Therefore, a 25-pound bag will last between 11 and 17 days.
• 66 pounds: An active 66-pound dog should eat about 3 ¼ cups per day while a less active dog should eat only 2 cups per day. Therefore, a 25-pound bag should last between 8 and 13 days.
• 88 pounds: A less active 88-pound dog should eat about 2 ⅔ cups per day while an active dog will eat about 4 cups per day. So, a 25-pound bag should last 7 to 9 days.

Overall Rating of Acana: 4.8 out of 5 Stars

Variety: 4.7

Nearly every dog can find something with Acana, but there are still some dogs that would do better on a different diet. Specifically, they don’t have any weight management options, but they do have plenty of choices for active dogs, dogs with sensitive stomachs, and dogs of all life stages.

Price: 4.5

Higher quality also comes at a higher price, so Acana is a bit more expensive than other dog food brands. Its high meat content and quality ingredients definitely makes it worth the price, but it’s not a good choice for dog parents on a budget, especially if they have larger, more active dogs.

Quality: 5

Acana has won awards for its high-quality products. They don’t have any recalls so far because they take their production methods very seriously. All the ingredients used also add value to your dog’s diet, so you don’t have to worry about any unhealthy fillers in Acana foods.

Ingredients: 5

High-quality ingredients are a priority for Acana. They make their formulas to be biologically appropriate for every dog, and they always use fresh regional ingredients. Meat is always a primary ingredient as it should be, and all the other ingredients come from regional suppliers who deliver the ingredients to Acana’s kitchen fresh and raw.

Protein Content: 4.8

Overall, Acana’s protein content is much higher than other quality dog food brands. Most of their formulas contain around 30% protein, but many other brands contain much less, closer to 18% to 25%. All the animal ingredients used are high-quality instead of questionable by-products.